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July fourth seemed to approach faster than expected. When Nala woke up, she found a card and flowers sitting on her nightstand.
Opening it, she read, "Happy birthday and fourth. I hope I can make it as special as you are."
She could feel her heart flutter and those pesky butterflies swarm her stomach. Getting up, she headed up the closet and found something a little out of character for her. Nala had always worn t-shirts and shorts, jeans and hoodies. There were times when she stepped out of her comfort zone but it was rare.
But today was the fourth, and it was also her twenty-first birthday. Nala was the legal drinking age, she was officially an adult to most. That meant she had to wear something special.
Downstairs, Jeremiah was setting up all her presents in the living room. He'd been a complete birthday-Zilla since the moment he woke up, and he made sure everyone else was up with him. They'd all been getting the house ready since about five.
Banners were hung up, string lights and LEDs were placed along the walls. He'd done an entire wall of pictures for the occasion, and he planned on adding more later into the night. He watched closely as Steven placed the cake in the fridge.
"Don't put it in a spot where it'll get ruined," He says. "And don't sit it too far back, things always end up freezing back there."
"Micromanage much?" Belly laughs. "God, you must really want this to be perfect."
Jeremiah scoffed. "Why wouldn't I? Listen, Sayyora birthdays are everything in her family. Her mom always went all out for her and her sister. If I don't live up to the standard, I might get my head ripped off when I finally meet them."
"You haven't met her family?" Steven questions, seating himself at the island.
"Not officially. I've said hi over the phone but never anything face to face." He stops talking the moment he hears footsteps. The stairs creek as she makes her way down and to the kitchen, Jeremiah makes them wear happy faces even though they're completely exhausted.
Nala's eyes scanned over the many decorations. "No way... You guys did all this?"
"Jeremiah's been a dictator all morning, but we couldn't say no when it was for you," Belly smiles. Nala brings the girl into a tight hug, so tight that Belly thought she might suffocate.
When they let go, Nala's gaze falls upon Jeremiah. He's sporting that famous lopsided grin of his, it makes her stomach twist and turn but in all of the best ways.
"I know how much birthdays are important in your family, and you're really important to me so I wanted to make your day special."
"She should feel special. Imagine being born on the most patriotic day of the entire year," Steven laughs.
