You Promised

Chapter Eighteen

'Happy Birthday to you!' We chant to Hazel, who beams proudly at the top of the table. She looks radiant in a simple blue dress which makes her eyes shine. Her smiles extends across her face as she grins happily at us.
'Open your presents!' Anna commands. John stands and passes Hazel her first present. It's Jayne's. She has wrapped it in a beautiful golden wrapping paper with a silver ribbon around it. Hazel removes the ribbon gently and carefully undoes the paper. She lifts out an old box. Hazel studies it for a moment. Then she spots the clasp and slowly lifts it. The lid pops open. Inside is a green and blue silk scarf. Hazel lifts it. It rests on her hands like a cloud.
'Oh my. It's stunning!' Hazel exclaims. 'It must have cost a fortune!'
'Its nothing. You're worth it Hazel!' Replies Jayne kindly.
Hazel smiles at her as she is passed the next gift. It's more flat than the last and square. Hazel looks around and Anna grins at her.
'Open it.' Anna says. 'I hope you like it. I made it myself.' She informs us proudly.
Hazel opens the wrapping paper and looks at the present.
It's a framed painting, done to incredible detail as is Anna's style. It's of John and Hazel standing together, holding hands, in the middle of the poppy field. Hazel and John smile at the painting as Hazel hugs Anna, thanking her.
'Oh enough of that, get on with it. I want you to open my one!' John says impatiently.
Hazel laughs and picks up the next one. It's from her parents. They bought her a new light purple dress. Hazel runs to her room to try it on. When she comes back, she is wearing the dress and Jayne's scarf. Her black hair cascades down her back in curls that make her look like a model. She twirls around for a few moments then sits down to open the rest.
Soon, her hand finds my present and picks it up. Her eyes meet mine as she holds the carefully wrapped present in her hands.
She undoes the wrapping paper and rests the box in her hands. She opens the box. She opens the box and gasps. She holds up the pendant from inside. It is crystal and shaped like a swan. It has two gleaming sapphire eyes in it's proud head. It's wings are held high behind its head. The jewel in its head shines brightly out of its face. Hazel holds it in her hand. Anna and Jayne touch the matching necklaces I gave them for their birthdays. Jayne's swan has pearl eyes and Anna's eyes are amethyst and mine are ruby. We have a matching set now.
Hazel looks up at me and smiles, with tears in her eyes. Anna, Jayne, Hazel and I pull together in a hug. More being said between us than could ever be said in words. We slowly detach from each other and hold hands for a moment. Then John tells us to 'Stop being so damn emotional.' So we sit down again.
Hazel eventually opens John's gift. It's a simple pair of gloves. They are velvet and a light, sky blue. I recognise them. Our grandmother gave them to him. She told him to give them to the woman of his dreams. His eyes lock with mine and I understand the significance of this gesture. The meaning of this gift is not lost on Hazel who sees our glances and reaches up to kiss him affectionately on his chin. He looks away from me and puts his arm around Hazel, who is now being the hostess and thanking everyone for coming. Jayne, Anna and I retreat to the garden.
We sit on the grass and enjoy the sun. Jayne lies back on the grass and rests her arms across her eyes. Anna and I continue to blink in the glare of the sun. Hazel soon comes out to join us. The four of us sit together. The sun bouncing off of our matching necklaces.
Hazel's mother comes out with tea for us all and then goes back inside for more biscuits for us. We sip our tea and curl up close to each other. Hazel wears all of her new gifts and twiddles with her necklace. Anna smirks at her and lies down beside Jayne, who is wiping the biscuit crumbs off of her cheeks.
'Delicious.' Jayne mumbles as she tries not to fall asleep on the grass. Thomas comes out behind John and they sit on the grass a little away from us as we yawn in the sun's light. I get up and walk over to them.
'No no no.' John shakes his head at Thomas as he tries to make a grass flute.
Thomas fumbles with the grass, trying to get it like John's. He eventually throws the grass away from him in frustration.
'Hey Ami.' He says in a friendly voice.
John nods his acknowledgement at my presence then leans back on his elbows.
'Hey Thomas.' I respond. 'How are you?'
'Yeah, I'm grand thanks.' He says, glancing over at Anna who lies beside Jayne on the lawn.
'Tom.' Interrupts John. 'Did you meet that solider- not Adam-' he says briefly to me. 'In the hospital? James?' Thomas shakes his head. 'Well. He's a great chap. He's going to the football game on Saturday. You going?'
'Have I ever missed it?' Thomas replies cheekily, grinning from ear to ear.