Bound to You

Chapter 7: Birthday

“DARCY!” Rydel leapt knees-first onto Darcy’s bed and began bouncing up and down. Darcy rolled over and groggily looked up at her. “Delly go away, come back in a few hours.” She grumbled. She rolled back over and pulled her comforter over her face. Rydel ripped the blankets away. “I wanted to be the first one to wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” she squealed excitedly. Darcy sighed and rolled back over to look up at Rydel. She was beaming. Darcy felt a grin break out across her own face. She sat up and hugged her tightly. “Thanks Rydel.” She said sleepily. Rydel hugged her back just as tightly before leaping down from the bed. “Come on get up! Everyone’s waiting downstairs. Mom made you a special birthday breakfast.” She tugged eagerly on Darcy’s arm. Darcy groaned and slowly slid out from under her comforter. “Couldn’t breakfast have waited a few hours?” she asked tiredly. Rydel shook her head as she dragged her down the stairs. Darcy yawned as she slowly made her way down the last few steps and walked into the kitchen. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” She jumped slightly. The entire Lynch family, minus Riker, was standing in the kitchen. A banner that read: ‘Happy 20th Birthday!’ hung on the opposite wall. “I didn’t think you would all be up this early!” she laughed. Rocky and Ross crossed the kitchen quickly and wrapped her into a suffocating bear-hug. “Happy birthday Darcy!” they chorused. She patted their backs lightly. “Losing feeling in my arms.” She squeaked. They released her quickly and stepped back. “Sorry.” Rocky apologized. “My turn!” Stormie pushed past the boys and quickly wrapped her arms around Darcy. “Happy birthday sweetheart!” she said warmly. Darcy hugged her back tightly. “Thanks Stormie.” She said quietly. Rydel was bouncing up and down eagerly beside them. “Ok ok…enough hugs. Time for presents!” she squealed. Mark laughed. “Honey maybe Darcy wants to eat first.” He suggested. Darcy shook her head. “No, it’s ok. I’m fine with presents first.” She assured him. Rydel smirked playfully at her father. “See?” She took Darcy’s hand and eagerly led her over to the kitchen table. “Sit!” she commanded excitedly. Darcy laughed and obediently sat down. Rydel placed a small ribbon-bound box into her hands. Darcy turned it over. Something was clinking around inside. “Open it!” Rydel instructed. “Delly calm down!” Rocky laughed. Darcy quickly untied the ribbon and opened the box. Inside was a small golden bracelet with half of a heart that read ‘part I cri’ attached to it. She looked up at Rydel in confusion. “What does that mean?” she asked. Rydel held out her own wrist. A similar bracelet with another half-heart was attached to hers. She gestured for Darcy to put her half against her own. (http://www.pinterest.com/pin/48132289741467857/) “Oh!” Darcy exclaimed, finally understanding. “Partners in crime! Rydel I love it!” she gushed. Rydel beamed as she reached over to fasten the bracelet around Darcy’s wrist. “Excuse me.” A male voice mumbled. She looked up to see Riker pushing his way through his family crowded around her in the kitchen. He made his way over to one of the cabinets and pulled out a bowl and a box of cereal. “Son?” Mark said expectantly. Riker turned to look at his father. “What?” he asked dully. “It’s Darcy’s birthday.” Stormie tried. He turned back to the bowl of cereal he was preparing. “And?” he retorted bitterly. He placed the milk back into the refrigerator and pushed his way through the crowd again. She heard his footsteps thudding back up the stairs. Stormie turned back to look at her. “Darcy I’m-” “Stormie no, don’t apologize for him.” She interjected. Rydel eagerly tugged on her father’s arm. “Enough with Riker…give her your present!” she said excitedly. Mark laughed and pulled an envelope out of his pocket. “This is from the rest of us.” He said as he handed her the small white envelope. She eagerly tore open the paper. Two heavier pieces of paper fell out into her lap. She turned them over and gasped. “Oh. My. God.” She breathed. Season passes for the Georgia bulldogs in the fall. Rocky laughed. “I told you she’d like ours better.” He told Rydel smugly. Darcy shook her head. “No, no…really I like them both equally.” She assured her. Rydel laughed. “Darcy please. I was with you when you watched Georgia win the national championship back in January and I thought you were going to hemorrhage. I know how big of a football fan you are, it’s ok!” Darcy laughed as well. Suddenly she felt a slight pang of sadness shoot through her. Thinking of football always made her think of home. She and her dad had spent many Saturdays in the fall watching Georgia games together. She missed her family like crazy; she hadn’t seen them since January when she’d first come to Los Angeles. “Darcy you ok?” Ross asked. She looked up; the entire Lynch family was staring at her worriedly. She quickly shook her head. “I’m fine, I just miss my parents…that’s all.” She assured them. Stormie laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Maybe you should give them a call sweetheart, I’m sure they’re missing you too.” Darcy nodded. “I think I will. Mind if I put a hold on that breakfast for a few minutes?” she asked hopefully. Stormie nodded. “Of course, take your time!” she insisted. Darcy turned and quickly skipped up the staircase to her room, dialing her home number as she went.