15 Years Later Rucas

02 Happy Birthday

Fifteen years later

I walk across the chilled hardwood floor of my small three bedroom home early on a spring morning A breeze wafts into the kitchen throufh an open window above the sink and I lean across to close it

The clock hanging on the wall above ticks quietly displaying the alarming fact that its only six in the morning I sigh running my fingers through my tangled brunette hair and turn towards the coffee maker brewing enough for me to have at least two cups in an effort to stay awake

Early mornings were always my worst enemy growing up but unfortunately they were my norm for the last fourteen year's

A yawn tumbles from my lips as I reach into the cupboard for a box of cake mix As I place it onto the counter my coffee beeps and I abandon my cake for a moment to retrieve my caffeine I add a bit of creamer and one too many dashes of sugar to my coffee taking a few long sips before returning to the task at hand

Luckily the mix I bought only needed me to add milk and eggs so it doesn't take long to gather everything and mix it into a cake tin I toss it into the oven set the timer and return to my coffee which I had placed beside my phone that seemed to be blowing up with text messages

I lean against the counter and scroll through my messages smiling when I stumble upon one from my best friend

Maya and I had remained as close as we were since the day she climbed into my bedroom window but she had moved to the other aide of the country last year with her boyfriend my uncle Josh to pursue her career

I glance back at the time and reason that she's still awake despite the fact that it's three in the morning on the west coast

Peaches- Wish Quinn a happy birthday for me

A smile pulls at my lips as I staer to reply back

Riley- What are you smiling at I don't think I've ever seen you do anything but scowl this early in the morning

The voice teases My eyes leave my phone and land on those of the tall brunette green eyed girl in front of me

Riley- Your aunt Maya says happy birthday

I reply causing her own lips to quirk into a small grin she couldn't deny that she loved all the attention she got on her birthday

Quinn- Well tell her I say thank you

Quinn replies politely as she slides onto one of the stools at the island

But uh perhaps you'd like to explain why you're up earlier than usual

She adds raising an eyebrow at me as her arms fold on the counter

I push off the counter and stand across from her at the island taking her hands in mine

Riley- It's not everyday your daugjyer turns fourteen

I reply sweetly making the young girl roll her eyes at me

Quinn- It's not a big deal

She argues leaning back and shrugging her shoulders I shake my head

Riley- Quinn its definitely a big deal

I insist as the oven dings I turn around grabbing my oven mitts and open the oven door as I notice my daughter reaching for my coffee mug in my peripheral vision

And put that mug down

I instruct looking over my shoulder A shy smile tugs at her lips as her hands retreat to their previous position

Fine

She replies amusedly

Quinn- But if I can't have coffee and you insist that my birthday is a big deal that needs to celebrated then could I maybe invite Charles over after school tonight

She ask hopefully averting her eyes to the counter which has suddenly gained her full attention

A knowing smile tugs at my lips I knew that look well it was the same look I had all of middle school right after a certain transfer student caught me on the subway

Charles was my daughter's best friend His mom had been a frequent user of the daycare at NYU and our kids ended up growing close practically inseperable at this point

I nod my head in agreement

Riley- Of course you can

I reply glancing back at the clock to find that its already beeen over an hour since I woke up and Quinn needs to be out the front door in less than a half hour

Riley- But sweetheart you need to get dressed you've to leave in twenty minutes

She groand sliding off the stool

Quinn- I still don't get why I've to go to school on my birthday

Riley- You sound like your aunt Maya and would you just go

She chuckles and without further argunent she walks back towards her room to get dressed