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“I need a favor.”

The scentof freshly baked vanilla cake wafts through the air as I place the last pink candle in the frosting. Lina insisted it had to be pink, because, in her words, "Mommy looks prettiest in pink."

The frosting is a little uneven, and the sprinkles might have been scattered more by Lina's little hands than my own, but the cake is perfect. Because it’s for Lila.

Unfortunately, Lina woke a little early, and Lila is tucking her in bed.

She’ll be here in ten minutes. I know, because I told her to meet me outside.

The lights are dimmed. Balloons line the posts that hold the gazebo up, and pink and gold streamers curl from the corners of the ceiling.

It’s not much, not the grand, over-the-top celebration I could throw with my name and money. But it feels right. It feels like her, and I must thank Ethan for pulling this all off in one day, in my backyard, no less. And for making sure Lila didn’t see this.

I’m smoothing out the tablecloth for the umpteenth time, when the sound of the sliding door indicates it’s opening.

The minute Lila steps out on the concrete, the lights come on, and I get a spectacular view of the shock and surprise on her face.

She’s dressed in a nightgown that barely reaches her mid-thighs.

I’m dressed in a tux because it’s her fucking big day.

Her eyes widen as she takes in the decorations, the cake, the soft instrumental music playing from the speakers, and her lips part.

"What—"

"Happy birthday, wild one," I say quietly, stepping forward with a glass of red wine and offering it to her.

She takes it with shaky hands.

“I-I don’t understand.”

“Lina told me about you not celebrating your birthday.” I take her hand in mine, gobbling up the feel of her skin against mine as I lead her to the dinner table that’s set just for us.

“Yeah, I don’t celebrate my birthday because I don’t even remember the exact date I was born, so what is all…this?”

“Your birthday party. On a day like this, six years ago, we met, Lila. We can turn this day into your birthday date.”

I pull a seat out and she sits down.

I take my seat, grabbing myself a glass of wine too.

“You like it, Lila? Lina and I made the cake. It isn’t fancy, but I think it’s edible. I hope.”

Lila chuckles.

Full on, hand on her chest, chuckles.

I absorb her laugh like it’s air meant to make me survive.

“Like it? I love it. I love it so much, Alaric. No one…no one has ever done this for me.” Her voice shakes as she downs her glass of wine.

“Lila, I never meant to upset you. You deserve the world, and this is not me trying to…”

“I’m not upset. Really Alaric. This? I just…I have never had anyone in my corner doing this stuff for me.”

And because I'm intrigued, I ask, “And your parents?”

She laughs painfully. “I never had parents. Or at least I had parents, but they abandoned me. I’m not too sure about the details. All I know is ever since I was born, I’ve had to fight for what I want. I’ve had to scrape for food from the streets just to survive.”