Damage Repaired

Chapter 53

By Sunday, I knew for sure those two sworn enemies were working together, but I gave up trying to get them to admit it. If they truly were planning something for my birthday, I didn't want to be the asshole to ruin the "surprise" by prying too much. My birthday was on Wednesday anyway, so I was going to have my answers soon enough. I did enjoy the way Dylan thought he was doing a good job keeping the secret from me. The way he'd jump and grab his phone quickly if it rang or if he got a text was hilarious. Nathaniel, on the other hand, was the complete opposite of my best friend, but he was the king of keeping secrets, so that wasn't a surprise. It seemed like now that I was expecting something to happen, the days leading up to it were dragging by as slowly as ever, but work definitely helped, especially since I was drowning in it. There was so much I wanted to do for the kids and so many ideas to come up with. My brain was always working overtime as soon as I sat in my office, but it was so worth it. I came to work every day loving what I did, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Someone had to make a change, and I was more than happy for the person to be me and, of course, with the help of my incredible team on my side.

Tuesday was a long day. I ended up staying at work after hours trying to complete yet another business proposal, and by the time I got home, my brain was too fried, and I was too exhausted to even remember that tomorrow was the big day. I woke up the next morning to the smell of breakfast cooking, accompanied by Dylan's terrible singing. Before I even had time to blink the sleep out of my eyes, he came bursting through my door carrying a tray with a plate full of food in his hands.

"HAPPY FUCKING BIRTHDAY DUMPLING!" He whispered-yelled, placing the tray next to me on the bed to give me a hug when I sat up.

"Thank you, Dylan," I ruffled his long hair, grinning. "I see you took it upon yourself to break in again."

"If I didn't break in, how else would you have eaten this delicious breakfast I prepared just for you?" He asked sweetly, placing the tray on my lap and a fork in my hand.

"You bring up an egg-cellent point," I winked, scooping a mouthful of eggs into my mouth.

Dylan groaned. "You're lucky it's your birthday, or else I would've had to disown you for that."

"You'd never." I reached out, letting him take a bite of my bacon. "You love me too much."

"True. So, what are your plans for today?"

I shrugged. "Work, come back home, and chill as always. What are your plans?"

Dylan smiled mischievously. "Same." He obviously wasn't planning on giving anything away, so I didn't push it. "Do you want to open your first gift now or later?"

I laughed. "You're going to give it to me anyway, regardless of what I say, aren't you?"

"Of course," he grinned. "BRB."

He left, then came back holding a small wrapped present and handed it to me. "I hope you like it."

"It's from you; of course, I'll like it." I tore off the wrapping paper that was wrapped around a small flat box and opened it. Inside was a beautiful silver charm bracelet, and when I looked closer, I spotted multiple different charms that held meaning behind them. There was a plane, a heart, a phone, a globe, a letter D and a baby.

"You can add whatever other charms you want on it later, but those are the ones I picked out," he informed me with a hint of nervousness in his voice.

"Dylan, I love it, thank you," I whispered, touching each charm, trying not to cry. It was such a thoughtful gift; it made me love him even more. "You are the best friend I could ever ask for." I pulled him into a hug and then stuck my wrist out for him to do the honors of putting it on me.