95

95

Hooray! It was New Year’s Day, and Elena’s birthday celebration was everywhere — colorful balloons, shimmering lights, laughter echoing through the house. The atmosphere was alive with joy, the kind that wraps around you like a warm hug on a chilly evening. For once, the house was filled with a lightness that felt almost unreal after months of tension and uncertainty.

Elizabeth was visiting for the first time. The moment she stepped into the house, a broad smile stretched across her face, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She looked around with amazement at how Elena had transformed — no longer the introverted, quiet girl she once knew, but someone who had forged deep bonds with the three boys, especially Jaxon, Rick, and Jack. Elizabeth’s heart swelled with happiness seeing her friend surrounded by such genuine affection.

Elena, usually so reserved, was laughing freely, her cheeks flushed with warmth. It was clear she felt comfortable here, loved and accepted. Elizabeth could see it — how the boys gravitated toward her, how she brightened their days and how they, in turn, protected and cared for her like family.

But amid all the smiles and chatter, Elizabeth noticed something else. Jack kept glancing at her — not just the casual, passing glance, but the kind of look that lingered, filled with something deeper. Elena noticed it too and leaned toward Jack with a teasing smile.

“If you truly love my best friend,” Elena said, her voice light but mischievous, “why don’t you just ask her out already?”

Jack’s cheeks turned a faint shade of pink. Elizabeth caught the blush too, and she felt her own heart skip. They exchanged shy, knowing smiles, and then laughter bubbled up between them, light and easy — as if love had been waiting quietly in the background all this time.

“Looks like love at first sight,” Rick whispered with a smirk, nudging Jaxon who rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide his grin.

The celebration rolled on, culminating in the moment everyone had been waiting for — Elena’s birthday. Officially twenty years old, she stood in the middle of the room, bathed in the golden light of the decorations, her eyes gleaming with gratitude.

“I’m so happy to be this old,” Elena said softly, her voice thick with emotion. “And to be living with the best man of my life, and all of you.” Her gaze swept across the room, landing on each face that mattered to her — Jaxon, Rick, Jack, Elizabeth.

“I’m so grateful. Thank you all for being here, for being close to me, and for loving me.”

Just as a comfortable silence began to settle, Elizabeth clapped her hands with an excited smile. “Okay, okay! I have a surprise for you, Elena!”

Elena’s eyes widened, the flicker of curiosity lighting her face. “A surprise? For me?”

The front door opened quietly, and two tiny figures toddled into the room. A boy and a girl, dressed identically in soft pastel clothes, their steps unsteady but determined. The girl’s eyes were wide and shining, the boy’s little fists clenched with excitement.

“Mommy!” they called out together, their voices a sweet melody that cut through the chatter.

Elena’s breath caught in her throat. Tears brimmed at the corners of her eyes, and her lips trembled as she bent down, arms open wide.

It was impossible to hold back the flood of emotion as she gathered them both into a warm embrace.

Elizabeth smiled softly, watching the reunion. “I thought it was time you met them.”

Elena looked up, wiping her tears. “You… you brought them here? For my birthday?”

Elizabeth nodded, her own eyes glistening. “I was planning to bring them before, but things… well, you know how life gets in the way. But today felt right.”

The children pulled back just enough for Elena to see their faces clearly. The girl’s dark eyes sparkled with a striking resemblance to Elena, her tiny nose and full lips unmistakably hers. The boy, on the other hand, had Jaxon’s intense gaze and the same mischievous curve to his mouth.

Jaxon’s eyebrows shot up in surprise when the kids broke away from Elena’s hug and ran toward him.

“Wait, wait!” Jaxon laughed, crouching down to greet them. “You can’t just ignore me like that!”

The boy threw his arms around Jaxon’s neck without hesitation, while the girl giggled and tugged at his sleeve. “Daddy,” they said, their voices sweet and innocent despite their young age.

Elizabeth pulled out a small photo from her bag and showed it to the group — a picture of Jaxon, smiling softly, with the children clinging to him. “They know who their daddy is,” she said softly, “and they miss you so much. And their mommy, too.”

The children’s voices were a chorus of longing. “We want to stay with you. We don’t want to be apart anymore. We’ve been away for too long.”

Jaxon’s face softened, the usual hardness melting into something tender and protective. He wrapped his arms around both children and whispered, “Of course, I wouldn’t leave you anymore. Never again.”

The girl smiled shyly. “My name is Mimi, and this is my brother, Jimmy. We love your mommy a lot.”

Elena hugged them tightly again, her heart full beyond words. Rick smiled and stepped forward, raising his hands playfully. “Don’t forget Uncle Rick is here too, okay? I’m your uncle!”

Jack followed, his grin wide and genuine. “And me too.”

The children ran to hug them both, their giggles filling the room like the sweetest music.

Elizabeth’s eyes shimmered with tears as she watched the scene unfold. “Thank you so much, Elizabeth,” Elena whispered suddenly, catching her friend’s hand. “You are my sister — even if you’re not my parent. Thank you for taking care of my kids. I can never repay you.”

Elizabeth squeezed her hand in response, smiling warmly. “We’re family. Always.”

Just then, Jack reached into his jacket and pulled out a sleek bottle of alcohol — the same one he had given Elena the first time she came into the house. Elena’s eyes widened in recognition.

“Now,” Jack announced with a smirk, “the time we’ve waited for is finally here.”

He raised the bottle for all to see. “Time to drink to our best sister and friend, Elena.”

Everyone cheered, glasses clinking together, the sound ringing like a promise of better days. Jaxon looked at the bottle with a mix of amusement and nostalgia.

“You kept this for a long time?” Jaxon asked, eyebrows raised.

Jack nodded proudly. “Of course. Did you know how expensive this is? My dad brought it all the way from China. You know this is super rare here.”

Elena smiled, a teasing glint in her eyes. “Of course I know. Just like old times, huh?”

Jack chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re always misusing your father’s stuff.”

They all laughed, the room filled with easy camaraderie. Jaxon raised an eyebrow. “Or maybe you’ll treat it like pearls tossed to pigs, or get drunk and fall asleep like a pig.”

Jack rolled his eyes, hands up in surrender. “Okay, okay, fine. I’m not drinking it.”

Rick grinned, nudging Jack. “Good. First time in history she doesn’t want to eat something after being such a foodie.”

Jack raised the bottle again, “Ladies and gentlemen, let’s all drink first.”

He carefully poured the liquor into the glasses, the amber liquid catching the light. Elena lifted her glass, sipped twice, and before anyone could react, she slumped gently into sleep.

Her face was peaceful, almost angelic. Jaxon leaned closer, his eyes softening. “Look at how she sleeps,” he murmured. “How can she just fall asleep after two sips?”

Jack laughed quietly. “You’ve got a good eye, Jaxon.”

While they spoke, the kids had already been put to bed, unaware of the quiet drinking happening downstairs. Elizabeth had taken them to the guest room, her soft voice soothing them until they finally drifted off.

The others hadn’t noticed how quietly the evening had slipped away, but a silent tension hovered beneath their smiles.

Rick glanced at Elena’s sleeping form, then at Jaxon and Jack. “Shouldn’t we go in and get her into bed? She shouldn’t sleep here on the couch.”

All eyes turned toward Jaxon.

He raised his hands in mock surrender, a wry smile curling his lips. “Why are you all looking at me like that? You want me to do it?”

Jack smirked, leaning back. “If you don’t want to, I will.”

Jaxon shook his head, his smile fading slightly. “No, I’ll do it. You guys enjoy your drink. It’s New Year, after all.”

With care, he lifted Elena into his arms, her head resting softly against his chest. As he walked toward the bedroom, the weight of the moment pressed on him — a mixture of joy, love, and an unspoken worry no one dared voice.

Back in the living room, Rick and Jack clinked their glasses, the sound mingling with the distant fireworks outside.

The new year had begun, full of hope, surprises, and new beginnings — but also shadows yet to be revealed.