25: Sugar Rush

Luckily, Liz did not keep to her promise of waking me up early on my birthday. Instead, that job was left to my parents. I groaned as both my mother and father barged into my room early Saturday morning, singing happy birthday at the top of their lungs, causing me to give up on my sleep.

It had always been a tradition in our house, one that I would normally enjoy, but since I had started working, there was nothing I treasured more than my sleep.

"We have a little surprise for you" My dad said as he sat down at the edge of my bed.

That got my attention. I shot out of bed, my eyes now wide with anticipation. "What is it?"

"You'll have to get out of bed to find out" he laughed.

"This is why I hate surprises" I groaned, falling back down.

"C'mon, get out of bed" my mom chastised. "We need to get ready"

"For what?" I groaned.

"We're taking you out for a birthday breakfast"

"Well, you've just ruined the surprise now Victoria" my dad laughed.

"A birthday breakfast?" I said, peeking through the covers.

"Well, you won't be getting one if you don't get out of bed" dad chuckled.

"Fine" I grumbled, reluctantly pushing the covers away from me and getting out of bed.

"Atta "

"Where are we going?" I asked, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

"We can at least keep something a surprise" dad laughed.

"Right, start getting ready or we won't be going anywhere" My mom demanded, before walking out the room.

"Can you at least tell me where we're going?" I pleaded, pouting, hoping I looked like a five-year-old wanting her favourite toy.

"No can do. I promised your mother that we would keep this a secret. My lips are sealed sweetie. Now go get dressed. I'm hungry for some birthday breakfast" As if on cue, his stomach grumbled, making us both laugh.

I grinned as I stood outside my favourite dessert place. We were having dessert for breakfast. This was the perfect start to the day. We were a little bit late to call it a birthday breakfast, it was more of a breakfast brunch now. I assumed this would be a casual little visit, so I wore an old t-shirt with a pair of jeans. My mother went ballistic and told me to wear something nicer. I thought it was strange behaviour seeing as we were only going out for breakfast. After a few outfit changes, I finally decided on my polka dot jumpsuit. It was slowly becoming a favourite outfit of mine.

It felt strange walking into a dessert parlour all dressed up, but if I was getting to have dessert this early in the day, who was I to complain. I felt like a kid in a candy shop as I got to choose my ice cream flavours. I also had chocolate covered waffles and a milkshake, seeing as it was my birthday.

I couldn't have asked for a better start to the day. It was great hanging out with my parents. It was something we didn't do very often as we were all busy with work and our own lives. If anything, it made me appreciate my parents even more and I treasured each minute I spent with them.

As they say, all good things had to come to an end. All too soon, the milkshake had been slurped up, and my waffle plate had been licked clean. Was it bad to say that I was dreading going back home? I knew I said that I hadn't planned anything for my birthday, but after the morning that I had, I didn't want to go home to nothing. The most likely thing I would end up doing was probably going back to bed after the sugar rush I was feeling. A very happy birthday to me!

We got out the car, me silently brooding about the day ahead. I remained silent during the car ride back home, mainly due to my sugar rush. Maybe I should have taken Liz up on her offer and done something today. Even if it was a trip out to the movies or something, it would have been better than moping around all day.

"Your father and I are planning to spend the day in the garden if you wish to join us?" My mom said.

I shrugged "Sure, why not. I'm not doing anything else today"

"Are you not going out with Liz or anyone today?" My dad asked as we made our way back into the house.

"No" I sighed dejectedly. "I said to her I didn't want to do anything today. And besides, I'd rather spend the day with you guys. I've had a great day and a day in the garden sounds like the perfect way to spend my birthday" I smiled.

As we entered the house, my phone buzzed, indicating a text message.

Liz: Happy Birthday to my sister from another mister. Hope you have the greatest day. I'll come over later and make sure you're not spending your birthday sleeping, lol x

I couldn't help but laugh. I was about to respond to her, not really looking where I was going as I knew the route to the garden like the back of my hand, when I noticed my mom and dad talking in hushed tones.

"Is everything okay?"

My mom placed her hand on the door, gave me a huge smile, and opened the door with a flourish.

"SURPRISE!" a chorus yelled. There stood a large group of people in my garden, the garden filled with streamers, balloons, and tables set up with lots of food.

I'm pretty sure my jaw dropped to the floor, my mind a blur as to what was happening. "What is going on right now?" I asked, dumfounded.

"You didn't think we would let you celebrate your birthday just moping around the house all day, now did we?" My dad chuckled.

"It was actually Liz's idea. She organised the whole thing. The birthday breakfast was just a distraction so Liz could set up the garden while we were away"

"I can't believe this. You guys pulled this off amazingly. I am well and truly surprised" I looked down at what I was wearing and breathed a sigh of relief "It now makes sense why you asked me to change my outfit"

"Of course, I wasn't letting my daughter dress in an old t-shirt to her own birthday party" my mom chuckled. "I'm glad you chose that eventually. It's a nice outfit"

I smiled, remembering the memories this outfit brought. I hoped it would bring many more.

"Happy birthday you. Are you surprised?" Liz ran over, hugging me.

"Of course, I was so not expecting this. I was actually ready to go to bed. you have no idea how much sugar I've had right now. I'm on such a sugar high" I laughed. "Thanks Liz, you're the best" I hugged Liz, showing her how much she meant to me.

"Of course. I was not going to let my bestie spend her birthday all alone, no matter how much you convinced me otherwise. I figured since you were such a homely person, the best thing to do was throw a party at home"

I looked around at all the effort Liz had gone to make my day special. Colourful balloons were placed all around the garden fence. Streamers were placed all around, adding to the party vibe. A table lay in the middle of the garden, filled with little sandwiches and cakes and all sorts of other nibbles.

I greeted all my friends that came along, my cheeks hurting from smiling so much. I had always liked the simple life, and this garden party with my nearest and dearest was the best way to celebrate my birthday.

Then I turned to the one person that made my heart soar and it took all my strength not to run into his arms. All I could do was smile so hard my cheeks ached. "Hello, birthday girl" he smiled.

"Hey, you" my heart flipped just seeing him in front of me. I clenched my fists by my side, hoping it would stop me from taking his face in mine, which was what I wanted to do in that exact moment.

"Do you like your surprise?"

"Yeah, I love it. I thought I was just going to have a day in with my parents, and I would have been more than happy with that, but this is even better. I'm so glad everyone is here. I'm glad you're here" I blushed.

"I wouldn't miss this for the world. It's my special girls' birthday, of course I'd be here" he smirked.

"I swear, you've got stop saying things like that"

"And why is that?" he grinned, raising an eyebrow.

"I will not hesitate to kiss you right this second"

"I'm happy with that. We can deal with the consequences later" he said, puckering his lips.

I playfully slapped him on his shoulder "You're just asking for trouble mister" I laughed.

"Hey" Liz said, running over. "We're going to cut the cake now, let's go"

"There's cake?" I squealed in delight.

"Well, duh. It's only the most important part of a birthday" she laughed, dragging me over to the table, where a large cake lay, the candles almost being blown out by the light wind.

Everyone gathered around the table, with me in the middle, my mom and dad looking on proudly as they snapped a few pictures. Looking around, I was so glad that I had all the people that I loved in one place. It made me grateful for everything and everyone.

"Make a wish" my dad shouted. I smiled, not having to think too hard on my wish. My eyes landed on a pair of beautiful green eyes as he smiled at me and blew the candles. Everyone cheered, my mother taking the cake back inside to cut up. I couldn't have asked for a better day.

"Liz, let's take a few pictures" I suggested, taking my phone and snapping a few selfies of my own. Soon, I was capturing pictures with everyone. I couldn't wait for the future when I would look back on these pictures and remember all the fond memories.

"I can't have this day end without taking a picture with you" I smiled as I approached Jason.

"Well of course. You can't not have a picture with the handsomest guy at this party" he smirked.

"Do you know what? I've changed my mind now" I laughed, turning to walk away from him.

"Hey, you know I was kidding" he laughed, taking my hand and pulling me back to him "Sort of"

I rolled my eyes and gave him my phone to take the picture. He placed his arm around my shoulder, and raised the phone to take the picture, both of us grinning like idiots. It was then I noticed someone in the background of the photo, someone very familiar.

I turned around, away from the camera, and wrinkled my forehead in confusion. What was he doing here? "Max?"

"Hey Rosie, happy birthday" he smiled, making his way towards me.

"Thanks Max. What are you doing here?"

"Its your birthday. I wouldn't miss it for anything" he shrugged. "Oh, and I have a present for you" he said, handing me his gift.

"Aw Max, you really shouldn't have"

"Just because we're not together, doesn't mean we aren't friends anymore, are we?"

"Erm... sure. I'm just surprised to see you here that's all. I wasn't expecting you"

"I didn't realise you were having a party"

"I didn't realise either" I said, now feeling awkward about this whole situation.

"We organised a surprise party for her" Jason interrupted.

"Oh Jason. I almost didn't see you there" Max smiled, almost sneering at Jason.

"I don't remember inviting you" Jason shot back.

"There's nothing wrong with seeing a friend on her birthday, is there?" Max shrugged.

"You know-"

"Hey, there's food on the table over there Max. Help yourself" I said, hoping to interrupt their little feud before it erupted into something bigger.

"I will do. I think I'll say hi to Liz" he said, heading over to the food table.

I raised my eyebrow at Jason, waiting for an explanation from him. He shrugged his shoulders in response. "What? You know I don't like the guy"

I shook my head. Of course, it was weird having an ex showing up when you least expected it, but at least Max was being civil about it. I looked over to see Liz engaged in conversation with Max, it seemed she was just as shocked to see Max as I was.

"C'mon, I'm going to give you my present now" Jason said, taking my hand.

"You have a present for me?" I beamed.

"Of course, I do"

"In that case..." I grinned, running into the house, eager to see the present.

We arrived in my room, the quiet noticeable compared to the outside. I looked outside the window, looking below to the garden, where everyone mingled and danced as the music blared. "This is turning out to be the greatest day ever" I smiled.

Jason came up behind me, placing his arms around my waist and his chin on my shoulder "Really? I would have thought it was that night in Edinburgh at the castle. Or have you forgotten about that already?" he chuckled.

There were too many great memories from this year. This was turning out to be the greatest year ever. "Hmmmm.... I think you're going to have to remind me of that night"

Jason twirled me around, making me giggle, as he pulled me in closer for a kiss. "Happy Birthday"

"Was that my birthday present?" I bit my lip, hiding my growing smile.

"Nope, this is" he said, as he pulled the present from his pocket.

"You didn't have to get me anything, you know" I smiled, taking the present regardless.

"Open it. I hope you love it"

I unwrapped the paper, which revealed a rectangular velvet box. I eagerly opened the box, where a shiny gold bracelet sat inside. I took it out of the box, admiring it, and noticed a castle charm dangling at the end of the bracelet.

"It's a charm bracelet. I'm hoping to fill it with memories of all the places we go to. The first is the castle, for Edinburgh"

My heart fluttered as I looked at the bracelet, the castle charm bringing back a flood of wonderful memories. "Jason, I love it". Jason took the bracelet from me and gently placed it on my arm. Looking up at Jason, I knew I would never feel this way about anyone, not in a million years. Spending time with him had been the best moments of my life. I looked up into his dark green eyes and knew I wanted more moments like these with him. "I love you"

Jason took my face in his hands and kissed me. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer, showing him with each breath on my body how much he meant to me. "I love you Rosie"

I pulled him back in for another kiss, smiling as I did so. This was shaping up to be a year I would never forget.

"Hey Rosie, you're needed downstairs" someone shouted, opening my room door.

We both broke apart, looking wide eyed at the guest at the door.

"Liz"

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Aaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!