Ch4
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!” Blakely shouted at the top of her lungs as she barged into Bella’s room. Bella screamed and fell out of her bed, taking the nightstand down with her.
“Blakely!!” Bella heard her mother shout from the kitchen. “I said gently wake her up!!”
Blakely laughed at the mess Bella made as she stood up, frazzled.
“What the heck Blakely?!”
“Good morning Boo!” She exclaimed with a smile before hugging her tightly.
“Are you crazy, I sleep with a gun!” Bella whispered angrily into her ear.
“Oh, whatever, come on! Mom made breakfast.”
As Bella walked into the kitchen the smell of pancakes, eggs and bacon awakened the voice in her stomach and a loud growl echoed in her ear.
“Well someone’s hungry!” Braden chuckled as he took a big bite of bacon.
“And cranky!” Blakely added as she took her seat.
“Well you did scream her awake!” Ryan noted as he handed a plate to Bella. “Happy birthday sweetie.”
“Thanks dad.” She smiled as he kissed her cheek.
“Gosh, 25. I can’t believe it.” Melanie sniffled as she hugged her tightly. “my little girl is growing up.”
“We go through this every year mom.” She giggled.
“I know, but you just keep getting older and more beautiful each time!”
“Thank you.” She said as she took her seat next to Braden. “So, today Luke is proposing to his girlfriend at noon, so I won’t be able to make lunch. Do you think we could reschedule for dinner?”
“Sure sweetie. And can you tell me about this Candice girl?” Melanie insisted as she scooped eggs into her mouth.
“Uh, actually no. I can’t. I only know her from high school, but even then I hardly talked to her. I just know she’s blonde, tall, skinny,”
“And totally jacked your man!” Blakely shouted in rage.
“He was never my man, Blakely. Just my friend.”
“How can you even say that!? He was your best friend way before she came along!”
“Yes, but,”
“Don’t make excuses for her!”
Bella rolled her eyes. She looked at the clock and gasped. “Dang it! Blakely did you unhook my alarm clock last night!?”
“No, why?”
“Because I’m gonna be late for work!”
“Work!?” They all shouted.
“Why are you going to work?! It’s your birthday!” Ryan asked as Bella ran to her room.
“Because they take money out of my paycheck for vacation days!” And that argument was settled, no one gave her grief when it came to money.
As Bella walked into headquarters the whole floor erupted in applause and Nick rolled in a chocolate cake on a cart, singing the usual tune. As Bella blushed and giggled with a smile she blew out the candles.
“Thank you so much!” She shouted to everyone as she hugged Nick.
“Happy birthday.” He said as he gave her a tight squeeze.
