«Star Shadows» A Night Angel Sequel

CHAPTER XIV - 24 LAPS AROUND THE SUN

29th November 2011. 07:15. St. Regis Hotel Nikolskaya, Moscow. RUS.

Sophia's POV

The sound of someone's stupid phone ringing disturbed the peaceful sleep I had been in for the last several hours. I groaned as the device wouldn't stop ringing and ringing. Taking the pillow over my head, I tried to block the sound of it, but it was of no use.

-Someone turn off the damn phone.- I groaned as I rolled on the bed, hiding my head between the mountain of white fluffy pillows. Opening my eyes, I realized I was the only person in the room. And that "stupid" phone was mine. Oops.

I begrudgingly moved from the comfort of the king sized bed and reached for my phone that was on the night-stand. Without checking the ID caller, I took the phone to my ear.

-Hello?.- I said just a yawn escaped my lips, my voice groggy and hoarse from sleep.

-HAPPY BIRTHDAY STAR!.- Instantly, I grimaced, pulling the phone away from my ear. Tony's scream woke me up more than it should've. For some weird reason, the scream was close, though. It was like he was here in the room.

Smiling a little, I sat down on the bed, rubbing a hand on my face and pulling my hair back.

-Thanks, T.- I said as I stretched my limps, my arms over my head, my legs across the bed, my back from side to side and my neck as well, cracking twice.

-Now, open the door before the candle melts.- He said and I frowned. Before I could ask him anything else, he had already hung up.

Standing from the comfortable 3 foot bed, I grabbed one of my sweatshirts that was on the couch and placed it on. No matter how high the temperature was in the room, the Russian cold was no joke. Walking to the door, I opened only to see a smiling Happy and smirking Tony holding up a medium chocolate cake with a candle in the middle.

They walked inside at the same time they sang "Happy Birthday". I smiled as Happy closed the door behind him. As we all made our way together to the small dinning room and kitchen the room had, I sat in one of the chairs at the table, Tony and Happy in front of me.

-Happy birthday, dear Star, happy birthday to you.- Tony and Happy sang the last bit, dragging the words a little bit, to give the song some emphasis. The three of us cheered and clapped a little.

-Now, make a wish Star.- Tony said as he gave Happy a polaroid camera (which I have no idea where he got from).

I shifted in my seat and looked at both men who were standing in front of me. Then, I thought back to a man who was probably sitting at his office by now, watching the view of the Seine river from his window, ready for another day of work. My head went to another man who was probably still at his office desk in the New York headquarters, going through papers and files, checking everything was in order.

I thought of a high-skilled archer and a red-haired lethal (but soft) spy. I thought of the strawberry-blonde Stark Industries CEO and the Lieutenant Colonel that is friends with my brother. I thought of the special agent that was always taking care of me like a father. I thought of the new friend I had made in the last months, the Brooklyn kid and then Captain from 1945 that I looked up to in my father's stories.

Lastly, I thought of the person that made me the happiest for 5 years. That no matter how, he was still here with me, by my side.

I thought of every single person I have in my life, and I realized as I filled my lungs with air to blow on the candle, that I don't need anyone else.

I have everything and everyone I could've ever asked for. I just wished to have them with me for many many more years.

Taking the air out, I blew out the candle, making Tony and Happy smile and clap, cheering my name. I smiled at them and Tony walked to crouch beside me. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and squeezed it. I turned to look at him with a nostalgic smile and he returned it.