23. AVA
AVA
Waking up alone in Zane’s bed is not unusual. His foreman duties demand early mornings, so he’s always up before me since I like sleeping in. Today, however, I thought he would make an exception as it’s my special day, but I guess not.
I flip around to his side of the bed, bring his pillow closer, and bury my face in it, letting myself soak in his scent for a few minutes before I have to get on with my day. A satisfied sigh escapes my lips. So this is what it feels like to be content with life.
My whole body is relaxed, I’m sleeping better, eating habits have improved, and I finally fixed things with Zane.
This is exactly what I wanted when I left LA, and I’m finally getting it. Things are looking up for me after struggling for so long. Besides the whole fucked-up family thing, everything else is perfect.
After twenty more minutes, I drag myself out of his bed and into the bathroom. I freshen up, appreciating the slight tint of color in my cheeks and lack of dark circles around my eyes.
I rummage through Zane’s closet to steal more of his clothes—this time a tank top and a flannel shirt—before I leave his cabin headed for the main house.
The kitchen is void of any humans, which isn’t strange since the morning is already half over.
Knowing that Zane will ask about it later, for breakfast I enjoy a bowl of granola and a cup of yogurt.
If I had to trade my music career for days like this, I feel like I wouldn’t hesitate much.
But at the same time, I like making music, traveling all over the world to perform and meet my fans.
Lou was right—Zane and I need to sit down and talk about the future of our relationship since it will determine the direction my music career takes from here on out.
When I’m done, I rinse my bowl, fill a mug with a cup of coffee before heading upstairs.
I pass by Ella’s room, but she’s not in there, which is strange as she’s always either in her room or the common areas.
She’s also always one of the first ones to make a big deal of my birthday, so this is unusually strange.
It’s okay though—it’s not like I’m a fan of celebrating my birthdays. Another joy my mother was successfully able to take from me.
In my room, I engross myself in working on a few last songs for my upcoming album. Just as the afternoon rolls around, I receive a call from Lou.
“Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday. Happy birthday. Happy birthday to you.”
“Thank you, Lou,” I giggle, glad that at least someone has remembered to wish me a happy birthday.
“Of course, dear. How could I forget the day my most important client was born?”
“Lou, I’m your only client.”
“So you keep telling yourself.”
We fall silent for a moment before we burst out laughing. This is nice. Even if no one else remembers, Lou has, and I appreciate that.
A knock on the door pulls my attention away from the call. “There’s someone at the door. I’ve got to go. Thank you for the wishes, Lou.”
“You’re welcome, darling. Enjoy your special day.”
How, if no one but you remembers?
“Yes, ma’am.”
I hang up and drag myself out of bed to answer the door. The hopeful smile on my face drops when instead of Ella or Zane on the other side is one of the maids carrying a tray with my lunch on it.
I step aside to let her in, a disappointed look on my face. She sets it down on the little nook by my window where I like having all my meals. She leaves with a polite bow, closing the door behind her.
The food looks good, but I’m not in the mood to eat or enjoy it. If I don’t though, word will get back to Zane and he will be mad, so I force myself to eat at least half of it.
My mind is so boggled with how none of the Morgans have remembered my birthday that I’m unable to keep writing.
To relax myself, I decide to soak in the tub for a bit, and it partially helps.
When the water turns cold and my hands start pruning, I drag myself out of the tub.
I dry off and change into a sundress, deciding to leave the cocoon of my bedroom and get some fresh air.
Maybe I will be lucky enough to run into Zane or Ella.
My hand is outstretched toward the door handle when it swings open, revealing a grinning Ella. I’m about to question her whereabouts all day when she grabs my shoulders and gives me a once-over.
“Good, you’re ready,” she nods in approval.
“Ready for what?”
“You’ll see,” she grins at me with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
She drags me out of the room, barely giving me a moment to get a word in. We nearly trip on the steps as she pulls me downstairs.
“El, slow down,” I plead as we run through the kitchen, nearly running into a few maids who are cooking up a storm.
Are we having a feast? Expecting guests?
She stops abruptly next to the door, and I end up bumping into her.
“What is wrong with you? What’s with all the rush?” I demand, rubbing my chin.
Instead of answering me with words, she turns to me, fixes my hair, before standing behind me. While I’m still reeling in confusion, the door opens and she pushes me out.
“Surprise!!!” a couple of voices yell just as party poppers go off all around me, drenching me in streamers, confetti, and paper flowers.
Tears well in my eyes as I look around the beautifully decorated backyard, all the Morgans staring at me with smiles on their faces.
There’s a table filled with gifts, another laden with food and drinks, a chocolate fountain, a two-tier cake, lots of flowers, and different kinds of games set up in the backyard, including a bouncing castle, pinata, pin the tail on the donkey, and a giant Jenga.
How did I miss all of this getting set up?
“What is all this?” I cry, turning to Ella helplessly. “I thought you all forgot.”
“How could you think that? We just wanted it to be a surprise,” she replies, pulling me in for a hug.
“Thank you,” I sniff, hugging her tight.
She lets me go so I can thank everyone else, including Daisy, who shouldn’t be here since it’s a school day. I can’t believe they pulled her out of school for this.
“Happy birthday, Miss Diva,” Zane whispers in my ear, wrapping his burly arms around me.
My voice is too clogged with emotion to say anything, so I nod, holding onto his shirt, letting the hug last longer than everyone else’s.
“Enough of that. Let’s get this party started,” Ella demands, pulling me away from Zane’s arms.
Before today, I always hated celebrating my birthday because the day was never about me. My mother always made sure the day I was born revolved around her, but today, everything is about me—from my favorite flavor cake, all my favorite foods, and the games I never got to play when I was a kid.
“Thank you for planning this,” I say to Ella as we chill in the bouncing castle eating ice cream.
Jace and Daisy are playing Jenga while Zane and Hank are taking advantage of the coloring books Ella bought. It’s such a comical sight to see, but you can tell they’re having fun, arguing over who gets the yellow crayon.
“Only the best for you,” she winks at me.
When it’s time for presents, everyone gives me incredibly thoughtful ones, but the most special one is from Zane—a limited-edition guitar with a personalized strap and pick.
“I love this. It’s beautiful,” I cry, admiring the intricate designs.
“He made the pick himself,” Jace announces, catching me by surprise.
Zane glares at him, but it’s too late—I’ve already heard him.
“You did?” I gasp in surprise.
He nods, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. I smile and lean in to kiss his cheek. “I love it even more now.”
“You just had to show off, didn’t you?” Ella mocks Zane.
“It’s not my fault you couldn’t match up,” he retorts.
Ella tries to hit him, but he dodges and flicks her forehead instead, making her whine.
“We have one last gift, from all of us,” Hank announces, drawing my attention away from the bickering siblings.
He whistles, and Duncan walks from around the corner with a beautiful Appaloosa on reins, with a bow tied to its tail.
“Is that for me?” I gasp, getting to my feet.
“Everyone in the family has their own horse, so we thought you should too,” Jace explains.
No words can explain how happy I am right now as I walk toward the beautiful mare, her spotted coat calling out to me.
“She is gorgeous. Thank you,” I cry, surprised that I still have tears left from all the crying I’ve done today.
But they’re happy tears, so it’s allowed.
“What’s her name?” I inquire.
“We’ve been calling her Sunny, but she’s yours now, so you can rename her if you want,” Ella replies.
I shake my head. “Sunny is perfect—it suits her. Hi, Sunny,” I whisper, caressing her mane.
She neighs and bucks into me, causing me to lose my balance. I stumble, expecting to fall, but Zane reaches out, wrapping one of his arms around my back to steady me.
“Wanna test her out?” he suggests.
Before I can reply, he picks me up, making me shriek in surprise, and helps me mount her. Even though it’s been a while since I rode a horse, it all comes back to me easily.
Sunny and I trot around the backyard for a few minutes before I dismount because I’m not dressed for horse riding and she has no saddle on her.
“Thank you all—I love her, I love all my gifts,” I appreciate the Morgans once more.
They break out into the birthday song, which has me crying all over again as I cut the cake and feed a slice to everyone. The salted caramel is delicious.
Ella forces me into a hundred different poses as she takes pictures, and I indulge her since this is the happiest I’ve been in a long time.
At some point, Zane and Jace disappear, and when they come back, Zane looks pissed.
“Is everything alright?” I ask, wrapping my arms around his neck.
He forces a smile and pulls me into his arms. “Yes, it’s all good now. Are you having fun?”
I want to push more to know where he disappeared to, but for some reason I feel like it’ll ruin my mood, so I hold back.
“Yes, loads,” I nod.
“I’m glad.”
“It’s pinata time. Let’s go,” I cheer, taking his hand.
He chuckles and lets me pull him with me.
Today is the best birthday ever, and I owe it all to this awesome family. The Morgans have no idea, but today, they have healed my inner child—one that they didn’t hurt in the first place.