Neptune

Chapter 28 | The Gift

It has been a few days since Luke left his marks on my neck and upper chest, but they're not gone yet. Damn it.

Consequently, today, I'm wearing a turtleneck sweater. It would be too embarrassing for anybody to see these hickeys, especially a poor and innocent kid like Aiden.

What if he asks, What are those marks? How would I be able to answer that? I shudder in disbelief.

It's almost dinner time, so I walk out of my room to have dinner with Aiden and Luke, like usual. The good thing about Luke is that he's always less of a jerk when he's around Aiden.

Just as I turn around a corner, I bump into Aiden.

"Cassie!" He grins. "I was just about to check on you. I want to show you something."

My eyebrows rise. What could it be? Aiden looks so excited.

I smile at him. "Wow. Is there something exciting that you want to show me?"

He nods, still smiling from ear to ear. His small hand takes mine as he leads the way, and I chuckle. Oh boy, what is this little boy trying to show me?

I notice that we're heading to the back patio of the house. But before we can reach it, someone behind me covers my eyes, making me yelp. These hands are big, so it must be—

Luke whispers in my ear, "Keep walking."

What is he doing? If Aiden wasn't holding my hand and leading me, I would probably knock Luke down and throttle him on the ground.

Slowly and carefully, I keep walking. By now, I must have reached the back patio. Luke releases his hands from my eyes, and when I look at what's waiting before me, I gasp.

There, at the back patio of the house, stands a small round table and three chairs, already set for dining, lit by candles. Lights from the garden and patio lamps also illuminate the place, so it isn't dark at all. Another table stands next to the dining table, on which sits a cake. Colorful daisies decorate the place.

I'm stunned.

What? A surprise? But... What date is it today?

"Happy birthday!" Aiden and Luke exclaim at the same time, making me jump.

My mouth drops open, my eyes still traveling around the place. I shift my gaze to Aiden, who's giggling. Then I snap my head toward Luke, who has a smirk on his face.

"Happy 25th birthday, Cassie," he says.

Oh, God, did he have to mention the number? I feel old. But, my birthday isn't supposed to happen until tomorrow.

Luke grins, noticing the confusion on my face. "I know that it's tomorrow, but Aiden wanted to be the first person to wish you a happy birthday, and he can't do that after midnight because it will cross his time for bed."

I'm still speechless. I turn to Aiden again, and he hugs me, burying his head in my tummy.

I hug him back, tightening my hold on him, feeling my heart melt again because of him. "Sweetheart, thank you so much."

Aiden pulls away and grins. I approach the cake, and a smile touches my lips as I look at the cute characters on the cake. It's a woman, hugged by a man on her right and a little boy on her left. It looks like a family of three. I have to suppress a laugh because this is so not like Luke—he wouldn't be this cheesy.

But then, what would he not do for his beloved nephew?

I turn to face them, a genuine smile on my lips, showing them how I appreciate all of this. "Thank you. It's beautiful."