“Don’t you miss dessert?” I asked.
“You’re all the sugar I need.” He winked at me.
I reached my fingers through his hair and ruffled it, winking back.
After Corrine and Ibrahim had finished dishing out the entire cake to our guests, they began serving the main course.
The piece of cake Caleb had fed me was particularly large, and I wasn’t hungry for anything else, so Caleb and I entered the dance floor again while everyone was busy with lunch. I enjoyed having the area to ourselves. I draped my arms around his neck, resting my head against his chest and listening to his heartbeat. I closed my eyes, blocking out the rest of the world, locking myself in our own little bubble.
When people finished eating many took to the dance floor again. The music sped up and became more lively. I enjoyed Caleb walking me through the different moves at various paces. I even tried a few moves of my own—something I didn’t usually do with him since he was so expert at leading me. As I did a little twirl, Caleb paused, looking at me with raised brow.
“Getting a bit adventurous, aren’t we?”
I snorted, before doing another twirl. I definitely felt more confident at dancing now than a year ago—all credit to Caleb. At least, I didn’t feel like such a klutz.
“Why don’t you try leading me?” he asked, taking my waist again.
“Leading you… into embarrassment?”
He laughed. “Just give it a try.”
“Okay.”
As the music picked up pace, I took the lead. It was surprisingly effortless. I was so used to mirroring Caleb, flowing with music came naturally to me now. I barely thought about it.
“I’m impressed,” he said.
“Well… you’re a good teacher.”
More people joined us on the dance floor again once lunch was over and we continued dancing for hours. I’d long lost track of how much time had passed, but I knew it must have been a lot because my feet were beginning to ache. Kicking off my shoes, I continued barefoot.
Then it was time for my presents. My mother approached us and pointed to the seats where a pile of wrapped gifts were stacked. I felt bad to see how large it was. I sat down and began unwrapping them one by one. My parents had gotten me a brand new phone. Vivienne and Xavier gave me an e-reader pre-loaded with dozens of my favorite novels. I opened Ibrahim and Corrine’s package to find my passport, reverted to its original state with my real date of birth. I looked up at Corrine guiltily. Also in the package was a collection of intoxicating perfume—apparently hand-crafted by Corrine.
My grandfather’s package was oddly shaped. Ripping it open, I found that I was holding a long silver dagger enclosed within a gold-encrusted sheath.
“Wow,” I muttered, sliding out the shiny blade. “This is badass, Grandpa.”
Everyone laughed.
“It took some time convincing your mother to allow me to give you that.” Aiden chuckled. “But I think you’ve shown us all you’re more than capable of wielding a weapon… Just be careful not to cut your finger as you slide it back in.”
I wasn’t ready to put the dagger away yet though. I used it to open the next present: Griffin’s gift. I sliced through the wrapping paper to reveal a massive bag of pig-shaped chocolates. I burst out laughing. “Back to the piggies this year, eh, Griff? You always know how to please a girl.”
Griffin threw me a wink.
Eli had gifted me… a clunky calculator. I looked up at him, smiling and wondering if it was a joke.
He grinned. “That’s no ordinary calculator. Trust me, it’ll make calculus homework more interesting.”
Okay…
Micah’s package contained a pair of pearl earrings while Anna’s family had gifted me an oil painting depicting a view of The Shade’s port.
“We all painted that together,” Ariana said. “Except my baby brother, of course.”
I was speechless. I wanted to run back to Caleb’s and my cabin and stick it on the wall right away. It was a painting I knew I’d treasure forever.
Within Kiev—who’d turned back into himself by now—and Mona’s box was a blue gemstone necklace and when I reached for the next parcel, Brett called from my right.
“Open this one next.”
I turned to see him milling through the crowd, holding a large object covered by white fabric—fabric I soon realized was the white shirt Brett had been wearing earlier.
“Oh, thanks Brett,” I said, as he dumped the object at my feet.
“It’s from Bella, too.” He nodded over his shoulder toward the ogress, who was still wearing the smock Corrine had fixed her up with—rather stained by now.
I stood up and unwrapped the object from Brett’s giant shirt. I found myself looking down at a dark wooden chair. It had pretty carvings around its base and, when I sat down on it, it was surprisingly comfortable.
“Thank you so much, Brett and Bella.”
Brett grinned from ear to ear before making his way back toward Bella.
Most of the other gifts consisted of beautiful handmade jewelry and clothes, gorgeous artwork and more chocolates. By the time I’d finished opening all of them, my right wrist felt sore.
I looked around at the crowd of family, friends and well-wishers surrounding me and said thank you for what felt like the hundredth time.
Wherever you are, Ben, I hope you’re having a good birthday too. Or, at least, a safe one.
Now that the gift-opening ceremony was over, many people retreated to the dance floor or seats further away.