Hoe for Hosie

Greatest Gift

Josie's PoV

Today is our birthday.

Lizzie is on her honeymoon after marrying Sebastian last week. She greeted me with a "Happy Birthday" and expressed how much she misses me, apologizing that we couldn't celebrate together.

I'm currently at the cemetery, visiting my parents.

I know they are happy now, and I know they are proud of us.

They would be glad to see we are still alive and doing well in our own lives.

When Lizzie had time, she used to visit me at our house, and we would do the same things we did before: shopping at the mall, playing in the arcade, eating at our favorite restaurant where our parents used to take us.

But it doesn't feel the same anymore.

We still remember how they cared for us.

How they always prepared for a party when our birthday came. How genuinely happy they were when they sang us a birthday song.

It was the best day of our lives.

My mother would give us beautiful dresses to wear while our father arranged the venue for our party. They planned it every year, thinking about the theme before our birthday arrived.

They woke up early just to prepare everything, making sure it was perfect.

All my life, I never saw them give up on us, despite life's challenges. They really tried hard so we could have a good future.

They succeeded.

I love them with all my heart and will treasure them for the rest of my life.

•••

After visiting the cemetery, I wasn't sure if I wanted to go home. It's sad being the only one celebrating my special day today.

I felt alone, but I understand everyone is busy with their own lives now.

All my friends are in different countries, traveling with their families or busy with their businesses. They all sent me video greetings and apologized for not being here to celebrate like before.

It's okay, and I understand even my wife isn't here.

Hope went to Europe to oversee the Mikaelson family business. Her father insisted it was important for her to be there now.

It's been a week since she left.

My father-in-law apologized to me for her absence, and I accepted it. He gave me a gift from Europe—a necklace with a pendant in the shape of the letter 'M'. Hope's family loves sending me gifts, and when they aren't busy, they visit us here.

I thought I would never feel the warmth of family again until I met Hope and her family.

They made me feel it once more.

I already miss her.

I know it's her responsibility to handle her family's other business.

So, I have no right to complain.

Hope didn't want to leave because she knew my birthday was coming up, but I told her it was fine.

It's her work, and I understand.

I also have things to do at my flower shop.

Earlier, I received a message from Hope, greeting me and saying she really misses me. I sighed heavily as I reminisced about memories of past birthdays while eating a slice of cake at the convenience store near my shop.