Wish (Reworked)

Birthday Morning

(Fast forward almost 10 years)

"Just a few.... more....NO!"

Asha struggled to keep the frosted stars from melting once they hit the warm, brown cake. Below her, Valentino darted between her legs, waiting patiently for his prize. Finally, a dollop of yellow frosting hit the ground and the goat quickly bent his head to lick up the mess with a bleat.

"Valentino, shh! No one's supposed to know you're in here!"

No pets were allowed in the palace kitchens; Asha knew this and did her best to convince Valentino to wait in her room. But, as usual, he had his own ideas and followed closely behind her heels as she snuck down the grand stairs, through the servant's quarters, and into the kitchen. There was no time to drag him back upstairs, she was late getting started already! And after several dropped eggs, a broken spoon, and a bent pan she was so close to finishing the surprise birthday cake. If only the frosting wasn't melting!

"Do I want to know what's happening here?"

Asha jumped, eyes locked in the direction of the voice, though she slowly began to relax when she realized it was only Dahlia. Valentino bleated his greeting.

"Please don't tell your mom," Asha begged, still struggling with the frosting bag.

"What would I even tell her," Dahlia said, eyeing the cake cautiously. "What are you doing?"

"Well..." Asha shrugged. "It's my grandfather's birthday today. His 100th birthday! And I thought I would surprise him with a cake but it's.... not going like I planned."

"Asha, did you just take this cake out of the oven?"
The oven door was still wide open behind Asha; she didn't dare turn to look.

".... Maybe?"

"It's too hot to frost right now." Dahlia took the piping bag from her and placed it on the counter. "Once it's cool, the frosting won't melt. And maybe then your stars will stand a chance."

Asha sighed and gave her friend a small smile. "Thank you, Dahlia."

"Sometimes it pays to be a baker's daughter," Dahlia laughed. "Even if I'd rather chew off my other leg than ice another cookie for the wish-granting ceremony."

"Did you hear! Queen Amaya called a ceremony for tonight! That has to be a sign!" Asha's face flushed with excitement and Valentino galloped and bleated at her feet.

"Sign of....?"

"A sign that it's finally Sabino's time! It can't be a coincidence that there's a ceremony on his birthday, tonight's his night! I can feel it!"

"Feel what?" The old man shuffled into the kitchen slowly, but with one whiff, he knew he'd wound up just where he wanted to be.

"Sabas!" Asha and Dahlia quickly flew around the counter, shielding the half-finished cake. "What are you doing down here?"

"My eyes went twenty years ago, but this nose never fails, there's a chocolate cake in this kitchen somewhere," he said, hobbling closer and sniffing the air.

Asha let out a nervous laugh. "Oh, Sabas! You're imagining things again, Dahlia's mom isn't even here, who else would be able to bake a cake for your birthday?"

"My what?"

"Your birthday Sabas," she repeated with an exasperated groan. "It's your birthday today remember?"