232. LILLY'S BIRTHDAY - I

232. LILLY'S BIRTHDAY - I
The morning sun spilled gently through the sheer curtains of the penthouse bedroom. Before the alarm clock could even chime, a soft rustle came from the little bed tucked beside Layla and Zaley’s.
Lilly stirred, rubbing her sleepy eyes. Her hair was a red, tangled halo, and the first thing she did, as always, was crawl into her mother’s arms. Layla kissed the top of her head, whispering against her hair,
“Happy birthday, my baby.”
Zaley’s deep voice followed, softer than usual. “Happy birthday, little one.”
Lilly smiled, eyes still half-closed, nestling into Layla’s chest like it was her favourite pillow. But then, something caught her attention. Bright swirls of colour flickered at the edge of her sight.
She turned her head.
There, on the bedroom wall, hung balloons in white and yellow, strung with streamers that shimmered when the light touched them. Her little brow furrowed, then her eyes went wide.
“Mamma…?” she whispered. “Balloons?”
Layla grinned. “Why do you think?”
For a second, confusion clouded Lilly’s face until it clicked. Her eyes widened as if she had discovered a new superpower.
“It’s my… birthday!” she squealed, her sleepy voice suddenly bursting with energy.
She wriggled free from Layla’s arms and dashed barefoot out of the bedroom. Her tiny feet pattered against the polished floor as she skidded into the living room and then stopped, frozen in awe.
The penthouse living room had transformed overnight.
White and yellow balloons floated at different heights, a mountain of plush animals spilt across the rug, and in the very centre, stood a full-sized Iron Man suit, shiny and tall, lit from within like it was ready for battle. On the coffee table lay a Spider-Man glove with web shooters, waiting for small hands.
Everywhere she looked, something new stole her attention: superhero posters, a Captain America shield propped against the couch, soft toy Avengers lined up like they were standing guard. A pile of gifts wrapped in gold and silver paper gleamed beneath the decorations.
Lilly gasped, hands flying to her mouth. “Marvel!” she shouted, then immediately corrected herself, “Avengers!”
She darted from one corner of the room to the next, hugging a giant Hulk plush. “Big Hulk, we are best friends now!”
Then she pressed her cheek against Iron Man’s chest, giggling when the lights blinked and knocking on his chest. “Mr. Stark? Are you in there? Can you hear me?!”
Layla leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, her smile soft. Zaley stood beside her, watching the little girl with something almost new in his eyes, like wonder and pride rolled into one.
Lilly spotted them watching and ran back, flinging herself into Zaley’s legs. “Daddy, Daddy! Look! It’s all mine?!”
Zaley bent down, scooping her into his arms with ease. “Every bit of it, little hero. All yours.”
She threw her arms around his neck, beaming. Then, with dramatic flair, she whispered in his ear, “Best. Birthday. Ever.”
Layla chuckled, shaking her head. “It’s only morning, darling. Wait until you see the cake.”
Lilly’s eyes sparkled as if the word alone carried magic. “Cake?! What cake?!”
Zaley smirked, brushing his thumb across her cheek. “A superhero doesn’t get all her secrets at once. You’ll see.”
Then she pulled back just as dramatically, narrowing her eyes. “Unless the cake is vanilla. Papa… if it’s vanilla… we fight.”
Layla laughed so hard she nearly doubled over. Zaley smirked. “Noted. I’ll be ready.”
Lilly clapped her hands suddenly. “I am six years old now!” she declared proudly, holding up five fingers.
Both Layla and Zaley burst out laughing. Lilly blinked at her hand, then slowly added the sixth finger with all the seriousness of a mathematician.
“I mean… SIX! I am an adult now.”
Zaley shook his head immediately. “No, you’re not.”
Layla grinned, pulling her into a hug. “Not even close.”
"Then, when do I become an adult? When do I get to have a tattoo like Daddy and Mommy?"
Layla and Zaley groaned.
Lilly stood in front of the mirror, her fiery red curls falling just to her shoulders, glowing like a crown against her golden dress. The gown shimmered with every tiny movement, a swirl of glittering yellow fabric that made her look like the little sunbeam she truly was. The oversized bows at her arms and the silver sparkle at her waist gave her the look of a princess stepping straight out of a fairytale. She pressed her lips together, trying to hold still while her mother fixed the last strand of hair into place, though her twinkling eyes betrayed her excitement.
Layla, dressed in her ethereal white gown embroidered with delicate yellow daisies, looked like spring itself personified. The dress floated around her, light and dreamy, catching the golden glow of the sun spilling through the curtains. With her hair done up simply and her natural grace shining brighter than any jewel, she was breathtaking.
Together, mother and daughter stepped out of the room. Lilly twirled, her glittering skirts flaring, while Layla walked with quiet elegance beside her.
In the living room, Zaley waited. He was used to seeing blood, storms, and steel. But nothing had prepared him for this. The sight rooted him to the spot, his chest tightening in a way that felt both foreign and achingly familiar. His little girl was a radiant sun, and the woman beside her, the only woman he had ever truly belonged to, looked like a vision heaven itself had sent.
For a moment, he could only stare. A man who had faced a thousand storms, undone by a dress, a smile, and the simple blessing of a family he never thought he’d have. Never in his life had Zaley felt so blessed.
Lilly marched, holding her skirts high with both hands, but the gown was still too long for her tiny frame. The glittering hem trailed on the floor, swallowing her feet. She took careful, exaggerated steps, like a duck waddling across a pond, her little nose scrunched in concentration.
Zaley, waiting in a crisp light-yellow shirt and white pants, couldn’t hold back a laugh. “Is this a birthday parade or a royal procession?” he teased, his eyes lingering a little longer on Layla.
“It’s my coronation!” Lilly declared, sticking her hands on her hips. She tried to stomp forward like a queen commanding her court, but the weight of her giant bow made her spin slightly sideways, which only made Zaley laugh harder.
He crouched down, opening his arms wide. “Come here, Your Majesty, before you fall and break your crown.”
With a squeal, Lilly abandoned her queenly composure and waddled straight into his arms. Zaley scooped her up easily, lifting her high into the air, her dress fanning out like sunshine. She giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck.
He kissed her cheek and smiled. "You are so pretty."
Lilly nodded. "And mommy is so pretty."
Stretching his head, he agreed. "She is."
Layla held his hand and smiled with a bow.
Then, with all the seriousness in the world, Lilly added, “Daddy, you look like a banana.”
Layla burst into laughter, covering her mouth, while Zaley groaned, “This is what I get for wearing yellow, huh?”