Recollection

thirty-nine | birthday boy (part 1)

song : Pharrell Williams - Happy

January 24th, 2026

I woke to the loud crash of my door flying open.

"Happy birthday!" Levias yelled, his voice like a thunderclap in the stillness of the room.

I groaned, barely peeling my eyes open in time to see him charging toward the bed, his grin brighter than the sunlight peeking through the curtains.

"Levias..." I mumbled, still tangled in the warmth of the blankets and the arms of my man.

Beside me, Atticus stirred, his arm tightening protectively around my waist. "What time is it?" he asked groggily, his voice low and soft with sleep.

But Levias didn't answer. Instead, he launched himself onto the bed, wedging his way between us without a second thought.

"Move over, lover boy!" Levias teased, shoving Atticus lightly on the shoulder. "It's our birthday, Lia! You can't hog her!"

Atticus sighed, his breath warm against my hair. He sat up slowly, brushing the sleep from his eyes. "Levias," he said gently, a soft smile tugging at his lips despite the interruption. "It's barely sunrise."

"Exactly! The day's already slipping away!" Levias flopped onto his back, throwing an arm over my shoulders like he belonged there. "You don't even have to get up. Just let me celebrate with my sister!"

Atticus chuckled quietly, shaking his head. He leaned down and kissed my forehead, his lips warm and reassuring. "I'll let you handle this," he murmured, his voice tender.

"Wait," I whispered, reaching for his hand as he moved to stand. "You don't have to go."

"I know," he said, his smile soft and understanding. "But you two deserve your moment. I'll make breakfast, alright?"

I nodded, feeling my heart swell as he bent down to kiss me one last time, slow and sweet, before turning to leave.

As soon as the door clicked shut behind him, Levias smirked at me. "Well, he's nice."

"He is," I said, shaking my head as I tried not to laugh. "You didn't have to kick him out, though."

"I didn't kick him out," Levias said dramatically, throwing an arm over his face. "I merely relocated him. Now, let's talk about how you're spending your first hour of being twenty with me."

"You mean sleeping?" I teased, nudging him with my elbow.

"Rude!"

"Levias," I said, my tone half a sigh, half a laugh, "if you really love me, you'll let me sleep for ten more minutes."

He groaned in protest but finally relented, shifting to get comfortable. "Fine. But only because it's your birthday."

"Our birthday," I corrected, resting my head on his shoulder.