A shiver runs down my spine as I blindly feel around my bed, attempting to find my duvet.
"Where are you." I grumble before reluctantly forcing my tired eyes open, only to see it in a crumpled mess of the floor.
I huff in annoyance, knowing I can't return to my peaceful slumber after opening my eyes.
After checking my phone and answering Ethan's daily 'good morning' text, since he actually sleeps at his house nowadays; only occasionally staying here. My eyes dart to my bedroom door when I hear a deafening scream.
My heart rate picks up as I shuffle to the door and quickly pull it open.
I let out a breath of relief at the vacant hall.
"He's not coming back." I murmur to myself before the excited giggles of Amelia radiate through the entire house.
A content smile makes it's way onto my lips as I trot down the wooden stairs and into the kitchen where she sits on my moms knee.
"Mommy!" Amelia cheers, her chubby hands reaching out for me. I swiftly lift her up and spin her around, her giggles traveling through the house get again.
"Guess what day it is!" She squeals in delight, staring at me with her doe eyes.
"Hmm...I don't know." I play dumb and watch as she laughs, calling me silly.
"It's my birthday." She shrieks, her eyes brighter than usual.
"It is?" I drop my mouth open in mock shock, adding a gasp for effect.
Little does she know I've been planning her fifth birthday party for the past two months.
Whether it's been organizing the theme, party games, snacks, bouncy castle or guest list; I spent more time on this than I did studying for finals.
"Gran is going to take you for pancakes okay?" I question with a small smile.
"What about you?" She mumbles, distractingly playing with a knot in my hair.
"Mommy has to do homework, but we can watch a movie later." I notice her face fall and my heart aches at the sight.
"Okay." She whisperers with a sad smile.
A short while later the front door bangs shut and I let out a huff before texting the group chat; telling Ethan, Jake, Sebby and Sophie to make their way over so we can get everything set up before they come home,
~~
Two hours later and my usually plain house has been transformed into a real life fairytale.
A hired princess stands tall in the sitting room with a practiced smile and bright, lively eyes in an enchanting pink gown.
The big princess bouncy castle sits in the backyard with Jake and Sebastian 'testing it, to make sure it's safe for the kids' Sebby's words not mine.
"Good job baby." Ethan grins, laying an arm around my shoulders and pulling me in for a hug.
"I hope she likes it." I mumble, my nerves clear in my tone.
"Are you serious? This is every princess lovers wet dream." I throw my bead back and laugh at his analogy.
I hear Mom's car pull into the yard and I whisper-shout for everyone to hide. Kids throw themselves behind sofas or beside the crouching princess.
The door clicks open and Amelia waddles in, too distracted by her toy to notice the decorations until we reveal ourselves, simultaneously shouting 'surprise'.
I watch as her face lights up and come to the conclusion that all the work I put in was worth it. The evenings of stress and frustration trying to get everything perfect was all worth the enormous grin tattooed onto her lips.
"Mommy!" She cheers, her eyes wide as she takes in her surroundings. After giving me a brief hug she joins the other children and princess in the backyard.
An evening of shenanigans just beginning.
~~
"I think today was a success." Sophie murmurs, nodding towards Amelia unconscious on the couch; drool dripping from her open mouth.
I let out a silent laugh as we make our way to the backyard where the boys are acting like hooligans, bouncing and wrestling on the bouncy castle.
They take notice of us making our way over and abruptly sit up; acting natural.
"Carry on princesses!" Soph shouts over to them, making them frown at the nickname.
"Why don't you join us." Jake smirks before jumping off and chasing her around the yard while she shouts and squeals in protest.
"Hey." I avert my gaze from the two crazies to face Sebastian.
"Hey." I give him a warm smile.
"I want to thank you for all your advise with Riley and I, it means a lot." He gently smiles, referring to a talk we had a few weeks ago when he came to me for help.
"Anytime Sebby, you know that." I pat him on the shoulder before making my way over to Ethan who's already looking at me with a curious gaze.
"Today was a success." He grins, as I take a seat on the edge of the bouncy castle beside him.
"Yeah." I sigh before laying my head on his shoulder, his arm coming around my back to pull me closer.
"I can't wait to start a family with you." He blurts out and I take note of his rosy cheeks.
"You're so cheesy." I chuckle, setting a hand on his chest.
"Me too." I whisper, thinking he didn't hear me until I feel his heart rate pick up under my palm.
Author's Note:
My apologies for the delay guys!
I couldn't find the motivation to write a chapter and I didn't want to post one just because I had to.
Anyways I hope you enjoyed :)
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A New Chapter
Teen FictionLife is like a book. There are good chapters, and there are bad chapters. But when you get to a bad chapter, you don't stop reading the book! If you do...then you never get to find out what happens next! - Brian Falkner Ashley has faced the worst c...
