Song of the Peculiars

Chapter 7

FEBRUARY 10, 2015- REAL TIME
SEPTEMBER 3, 1943- LOOP TIME
"Miss Weiss! There are quite a few packages for you!" Miss Peregrine called. I scrunched up my nose in confusion. I jogged downstairs and found the Bird (as the others told me they call her) standing before six very large boxes.
"Holy crap, what are these for?" I exclaimed.
"I was hoping you could tell me," Miss P chuckled.
"Only one way to find out," I said with a shrug. I tore open the first box. It was long but not very tall. A leather case with a letter sat inside. Miss Peregrine watched over my shoulder as I opened the letter. I gasped and slapped my hand over my mouth, choking back a sob.
To my dearest Cassidy,
Hello, sweetheart. You probably don't realize what today is because of the loop. Guess what? Happy Birthday! All of these packages are from us and the Portmans. We hope you like them.
I truly hope that you like the home. We miss you dearly, but I know it's safer for you there. We'll send another letter soon. I have a story about Aunt Tessa's debacle with a squirrel! We love you so, so much.
Love, Uncle Lou and Aunt Tessa.
The tears were freely falling down my face now. I had completely forgotten about my own birthday. In real-time, I was 18 now.
"Darling, are you alright?" Miss Peregrine laid a hand on my shoulder. I dosed frantically.
"These are gifts from my family. Today is my 18th birthday," I explained to her.
"That's wonderful!" She chirped. I heard a little gasp from the parlor. Claire and Bronwyn jumped up and down in the doorway.
"It's Cassie's birthday! It's Cassie's birthday!" They chanted and ran to tell the others, I presume.
"Well, finish opening your gifts," Miss Peregrine encouraged. I nodded and tore through everything else. I ended up with an electric guitar, a keyboard, an amp, and a full drum kit. I stared in amazement.
"You know, the study that has the grand piano isn't a very well-used room. I think it would be nice to convert it to a music room for you," Miss Peregrine suggested.
"Really?! Can I?" I asked in disbelief. She nodded and smiled. It reminded me of a mother looking at her child. I felt more happy then than I have in a long time.
I got up and hauled my instruments, new and old, to the study. I had a chair in the upper left corner with my acoustic and electric guitars on stands, and the amp to the left. My cello sat on the right. The keyboard sat on the desk in between the upper left and right corners. I somehow managed to push the piano to the upper right  corner. On the center of the left wall I set my drum kit up.
I looked around my new music room, thankful for everything that was given to me. I sighed in content and sat on the floor in the middle of the room, just soaking it in.
This was a life I would gladly live forever.