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2023, February 26 6:25 pm
📍London
✦✦
Rel's birthday had finally come, and Maria was all in for making sure it went smooth. The twins, Amy and James, were getting dropped off soon, and she had the plan all set: take them out, keep them entertained, and then make sure they were out of sight before the party turned up that night.
as soon as Amy and James arrived, they ran up to Maria with the biggest grins. "Is it Rel's birthday today?" Amy asked, hugging her stuffed bunny close.
"Yep, but he's got some birthday business to handle for now," Maria said, kneeling down to their height. "So guess what? We're going on a little fun of our own. you two in?"
the twins' faces lit up like christmas lights. "Ice cream!" James cheered.
they headed out to this ice cream spot down the street, and as they walked, the twins kept Maria laughing. James was telling her all about his school, every little detail like it was the most exciting story ever, while Amy kept pointing out every dog they passed.
at the ice cream shop, they had a solid ten-minute debate on flavors. Amy was set on strawberry with rainbow sprinkles, and James couldn't decide between cookie dough and chocolate fudge. Maria, sticking to her usual, went with vanilla and pretended to be shocked when the twins guessed it right.
Maria turned around noticing something odd. She thought she saw someone a few paces back, lingering just out of view. Then came the faint clicks she'd learned to recognize way too well. Cameras? Here? She tensed, glancing around, but the city bustled on, everyone minding their business. shaking her head, she decided she was just tripping, probably paranoid from all the extra attention lately.
once they had their cones, they found a small table outside, and the twins dug in like they'd never had ice cream before. Amy ended up with a face full of sprinkles, giggling as she tried to lick them off her nose, and James, taking his job as "ice cream expert" way too seriously, looked up at Maria, all dramatic.
"Vanilla? really?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "thats kinda basic."
Maria held her hand over her heart, "Excuse me? Basic? I'll have you know vanilla's a classic. cant go wrong with it."
he just shook his head, acting like he'd never heard anything crazier. "Whatever you say, but chocolate fudge wins."
maria rolled her eyes knowing that the 5 year old just gagged her.
after the ice cream, they walked to the park, and the twins raced each other up to the jungle gym. Maria sat on a nearby bench, keeping an eye on them as they climbed and swung from the bars. James challenged Amy to see who could swing the highest, and Amy was giving her all, even though James kept beating her by a few inches. she'd never admit it, though.
Maria watched as Amy and James raced each other up the slides, giggling the whole time. their laughter was contagious, and Maria found herself smiling without a second thought.
when they finally wore themselves out, they plopped onto the bench beside her, leaning against her shoulders. Maria looked at the two of them, all messy and happy, and felt a sense of calm she hadnt felt in a minute.
after a while, she took the twins to grab lunch. at the counter, she sensed the eyes on her again, but this time the feeling was stronger. her shoulders stiffened as she tried to glance around without drawing attention to herself. a flicker of movement—a camera lens? Someone ducked behind a car parked on the curb. she swears in her head that this wasnt her imagination.
she took a breath, reminding herself to keep her cool. Just focus on Amy and James, she thought. they didnt need to see her tense or worried. "Alright, twins," she said, forcing a smile as she paid for their meal. "We're heading back after this, got it?"
they made their way back to Rels place as the sun started setting, and even from a block away, Maria could feel the party energy kicking up. the bass was already vibrating through the walls, and the mansion looked alive, with people already drifting in, laughing and greeting each other.
Maria couldnt shake the feeling of being followed, but as they finally reached the door, she set it aside, relieved. Maria led Amy and James up the front steps, where their babysitter was waiting. she crouched down to give them both one last hug.
"you two had fun, right?" she asked, brushing a stray sprinkle off Amys cheek.
they nodded, and Amy gave her the biggest hug. "Tell Rel happy birthday for us!"
"promise I will," Maria replied, ruffling James's hair. she watched them go off with a bittersweet smile, then straightened up and took in the scene around her, she glances back towards the street one last time, wondering if anyone was still out there watching.
she shakes her head, forgetting about it. inside, it was like a full on club—music loud, people everywhere, lights dimmed. Maria could feel the party starting to pulse, and the night was only getting started. This was about to be one birthday Rel wouldnt forget anytime soon.
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