"Welcome to the new age"
Six months later....
"Happy birthday dear Audrey, happy birthday to you!" Everyone around me finishes the song and claps.
"Make a wish!" Kay urges me.
"Wish for a unicorn!" Emma jokes.
I feel like I have everything I need so I close my eyes and wish for everyone I love to be happy. And okay, maybe I also wish for a unicorn. I then open my eyes and blow out the twenty-two individual candles on my chocolate birthday cake.
"How do you like your mini party?" Nate questions beside me.
"It's great. Thank you." I kiss him on the cheek.
He planned this party all by himself which is impressive. This morning he took me out for breakfast, then when we came back home, I opened the door and all I heard was "SURPRISE!" At first I freaked out since I've never had a surprise party before but then when I recognized the faces, my heart calmed down.
My mom, Kay, Emma, and Matt were there in the living room which was filled with ballons and streamers. It's not alot of people for a party but I don't care because these are the people that matter.
We are currently all hanging out in the kitchen sitting around the table.
"Time to open presents!" Emma claps.
"Okay..." I reluctantly agree. I hate opening my presents in front of people because I hate having to control my reactions. Also I could really appreciate and love the gift but I just don't look excited. Its like "I really love it, I do, trust me."
"Open mine first! It's from me and Matt." Em passes me a tall pink sparkly gift bag.
I know she picked this out on purpose because she knows I hate the color pink.
I start taking out the tissue paper and notice five bags of hot cheetos. "You guys, you really know the way to my heart." I fake a tear after holding up the bags for everyone to see. I notice something else at the bottom of the gift bag and sigh.
"I can see you love it." Matt jokes.
"You both know I'm not into this show." I eye Emma.
"I know, that's crazy! That's why you and I are going to watch it together." She exclaims.
I just shake my head and put aside the dvd from the first season of "Game of Thrones".
Next I open the gift from my mom and Kay. They got me a coach wallet that I had been eyeing when we went to the mall together. Inside each slot was a gift card from every store I like. I, of course love it.
Then comes Nate's gift. I unwrap the medium sized rectangular box and inside I find a mini toothbrush/toothpaste, travel sizes of shampoo and conditioner, and other small stuff you would find in the travel aisle.
"Um, thank you?" I don't really know how to respond since I'm not sure why he got me these items.
"Do you not like your gift?" Nate questions.
"Uh, of course I like it. These things come in handy." Is this what he really got me? I mean it's better than nothing. I'm starting to feel bad that I didn't seem more excited about it. Maybe he's not good at buying presents. After all I remember when he needed help picking out a gift for his sister.
"Your face right now is priceless!" Nate starts laughing along with everyone else. Alright, what is happening? I feel like I'm missing something.
"Why are you all laughing?" I finally ask them annoyed that they know something I don't.
"Okay okay, this isn't actually your birthday present. It's more of a hint." Nate clarifies.
"What is it then? There's nothing else in here." I flip over the box to demonstrate my point.
"Do you remember a couple of weeks ago when we were talking about places we wanted to visit?"
"Yeah."
"And you said you would love to visit Spain someday....." He continues to trail.
"Yeah." I repeat.
"Well, I planned a week long vacation for you and I to go to Barcelona. I booked a room at a five star hotel and we will be flying there by private plane."
"What?" I ask dumbfounded.
"My present for you is a trip to Spain." He finally spits out.
I let myself process this for a few seconds before responding."Oh my god, I'm going to Spain!" I then lift my hands in the air and tackle Nate with a hug.
"I think she likes the gift." Emma says out loud.
"I can't wait to go." I whisper to Nate.
"You won't wait to long. We leave first thing tomorrow morning. And don't worry about work because I already told Dan about it."
"Did I mention that I love you and that you are amazing?" I ask him.
"No, you have to remind me." He smirks.
"Can we eat cake now? I'm starving. Food is very important guys. I love you, but I love chocolate more." Kay mentions.
"Yes we can eat cake now. And thank you for your honesty....I guess." I answer her.
"I second that! I love cake!" Matt adds.
"I'm starting to think that you guys didn't come here for me, I think you all just wanted cake." I joke.
"Not true honey, but you gotta admit, this cake looks delicious." My mom says while cutting the cake with a plastic knife.
After we found out John, who I will never again call "dad" in my life, came up with my kidnapping, we decided to not waste our energy on him and just live our lives. I feel so lucky that she's my mom. Even though John wasn't a good father to Kay and I, we had her and that was enough.
"I want the biggest piece!"
"No! I deserve it, I'm the birthday girl's best friend!"
"I'm her sister!" Kay and Emma pretend to fight over the cake.
"It's my birthday so, I think it goes to me." I quickly grab the plate with the biggest slice and take a bite.
"Well, we lost that round." Kay mutters.
I just smile at them and enjoy the chocolatey goodness. It tastes like heaven. Seriously, I could eat this the rest of my life.
"Man you picked a great cake." I point at Nate with my fork.
"I already told you, I'm awesome. You refuse to listen." He gloats.
"No, Imagine dragons are awesome....you are okay." I tease.
Last week we went to the concert in Houston and it was amazing. Their performance was better than what I could have imagined (no pun intended). They had great energy and had sounded amazing live. Sometimes artists don't sound as great as they do on the radio, but they sounded even better in person. I wish I could have met them personally but I probably would have fangirled or fainted.
"I've been replaced?" He mocks being hurt by putting his hand over his heart and making sad eyes.
"Of course not. Are you jealous?" I continue to mess with him.
"No, cause I know you love me." He gives me a quick kiss on the lips.
"Audrey and Nate, K-I-S-S-I-N-G." Kay starts singing.
I start to blush as I realize they were looking at us.
"You know, you guys are too cute. I always knew the both of you would end up together." Emma tells us.
"Oh, we all knew. Except Audrey of course. She was in denial for a bit." Kay mutters.
"Haha, I remember that. Good times." Emma adds.
"Remember when Audrey was mad at Nate when she found out who he really was?" Matt interjects.
We all turn to look at him.
"Really Matt? Did you have to bring that up dude?" Nate asks while glaring at him.
"Sorry." Matt mouthes like a little kid who got scolded.
Matt and Nate have become great friends and when they get together they like to mess with each other and tend to act like small children.
"What's important is that they are now together and happy." My mom speaks up.
"Mostly thanks to me. You guys should at least name a kid after me. Or middle name." Emma informs us.
I don't even respond to that since it caught me off guard, but Nate just shrugs and says "We'll think about it."
Emma's response is to high five Matt.
Everyone then starts talking about how they shipped us from the beginning. The whole time Nate and I are just listening and laughing along with them.
I look at my family and friends and realize how grateful I am that they have always been there for me. I would do anything for them.
I put my head on Nate's shoulder and thank god for what I have.
Chapter Note: Part one of a double update! Next chapter is the epilogue and then that's it, it's finally complete. I hope you like the ending :)