Finding Us (Interracial Romance)

Gifts of the Heart

One Month Later - April 27 

Cecilia

"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Cecilia. Happy birthday to you," I look up and glance at everybody around me as they grin with so much love in my dining room. 

I lean towards the sheet carrot cake with rich cream cheese frosting and blow out the candles prior to everybody applauding and whistling as Derrick cuts a slice for me first.

The laughter and hum of the party fade into a gentle buzz as the group shifts toward the living room. Anneliese has finally dozed off in Athena's lap, clutching her bunny, while Sylvia and Noah share an armchair, their heads leaning together in a picture of comfort. Plates are scattered on the coffee table, remnants of birthday cake and savory snacks, but my attention is drawn to Jeremy, who has been unusually quiet all evening.

"Alright, Jeremy," Athena says softly, trying not to wake her daughter. She looks at her twin, her brow arched. "Are you going to give her the gift or are you just going to keep being weird?"

Jeremy, who's been leaning against the wall with his hands stuffed in his pockets, straightens. "I wasn't being weird," he mutters, but his ears are a little red.

I laugh, tilting my head at him. "Now you've got me curious. What's the gift?"

He rubs the back of his neck, a nervous habit I've seen a thousand times. "It's nothing, really. Just... a little something."

"Just give it to her!" Athena hisses, her grin betraying her amusement.

With a dramatic sigh, Jeremy reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a small box, wrapped in shimmery gold paper with a black ribbon tied neatly around it. He crosses the room and hands it to me, his brown eyes meeting mine for just a second longer than usual. "Happy birthday, Ceci."

I look at the box, then at him. "Jeremy, what is this? You didn't have to—"

"I know," he interrupts, his voice soft. "Just open it."

The room falls into a quiet hush, a bubble of anticipation forming as I carefully untie the ribbon and peel back the paper. Inside is a simple yet elegant bracelet—delicate gold links with tiny charms that glint in the light. I recognize them immediately: a tiny book, a music note, a coffee cup, a cross, and a star. Each charm represents something about me—my love for reading the Bible, my music career, my job  at Smooth Brew, my devout Christian faith, and my tendency to look up at the night sky whenever I need to clear my head.

For a moment, I can't speak. My fingers brush over the charms and I swallow the lump forming in my throat. "Jeremy..." I finally say, my voice barely above a whisper. "This is beautiful."

His lips twitch into a small, almost shy smile. "I just thought... you've been through so much lately and I wanted you to have something that reminds you of who you are. Not who the world thinks you are. Just... Cecil."

Something about the way he says my nickname—so soft, so familiar—makes my chest tighten. I meet his gaze again and for the first time, there's something there I can't quite place. It's warm, steady, and more vulnerable than I've ever seen him.

"Thank you," I say and I mean it with every fiber of my being. "I love it."

"Here, let me help you," he says, stepping closer. His hands are steady as he fastens the bracelet around my wrist. When he finishes, his fingers linger for a moment, brushing against my skin. The air between us feels charged, like something unspoken has shifted.

Athena clears her throat loudly, breaking the spell. "Well, that was adorable."

"Shut up," Jeremy mutters, but he's smiling now, a little embarrassed.