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three month's later...
Winter was now in full effect, and the holiday season had come and gone. Cairo and Haven had spent Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's with Haven's family, creating some great memories
But as the sparkle of the holidays faded, one more special occasion loomed on the horizon: Haven's birthday. The day she had been eagerly anticipating and persistently reminding him about for the past two months.
Not a day went by without Haven reminding Cairo that her birthday was approaching. Whether it was a playful hint dropped into conversation or a pointed question about what he was planning to gift her, Haven made sure it stayed on his radar.
Her excitement was unmatched, and while Cairo was no stranger to managing expenses, this wasn't about figuring out how to afford it all—he had the means. It was about navigating the back-to-back nature of Christmas, her birthday, and Valentine's Day while making each occasion feel unique and just as special as the last.
Cairo never looked twice at the budget because it wasn't about the numbers for him. Whether it was splurging on the perfect gift, covering her other expenses without hesitation, or creating lasting moments, Haven's happiness was always his priority. Her smile had a way of making everything worthwhile, and he took pride in being able to give her whatever she wanted. For Cairo, the math was simple: if Haven was happy, then so was he.
Haven's birthday happened to fall on a Saturday, the perfect day for all of her pleasentries. She spent Friday night, bringing in her birthday with a girl's night. Because of this, she was currently upstairs sleeping in. Cairo left, going to his barbershop to handle some things.
The natural sunlight streaming through the window caused Haven to stir in her sleep. Turning over completely, she squinted, noticing the absence of the familiar tight grip that was once beside her. Blinking and rubbing her eyes, she worked to clear her vision. Stretching, she reached for her phone, she glanced at the screen: 12:15.
Stretching lazily, Haven climbed out of bed and went straight to the bathroom. After using it, she carried on with her morning hygiene routine. Just as she reached for her face wash, her phone rang. The screen lit up with an incoming group FaceTime call. Setting her phone up against the bathroom counter, she answered it, seeing her close friends' faces popping up at once.
"Happy Birthday!" they all said in unison, their various tones blending together, bringing a smile to her lips.
"Thank you." Haven replied,her voice still laced with sleep but warm.
'How does it feel to be twenty-four? My baby cousin is growing up on me," Harmony said with an exaggerated sigh.
"The same as it felt being twenty-three," Haven said with a small laugh, rinsing her face. She reached for a facial towel and turned off the faucet, the silence allowing her to hear them more clearly.
