Soulmates | Kate & Ana

Chapter 13- Ana's Birthday

In the late morning, Kate wakes me by placing a small kiss right at the center of my forehead. I blink my eyes a few times, adjusting, then smile up at her. "Good morning, Ana. Happy Birthday." She leans in to kiss me again this time on the lips. "Good morning." I whisper groggily, after our kiss has ended. "So, what do you to do on your special day? We've got a party planned tonight but anything before then is entirely up to you." Kate smiles, leaving the choice to me. "I know what I want to do." I say, then I pull her back down into the bed with me for the first phase of my birthday celebration. The rest of the day is normal routine. We go see Ray and he wishes me a happy birthday. He feels awful knowing he won't be able to come to my party tonight, but I know if he could be there he would. It really is the thought that counts. We go home around early evening, giving us some time to get ready for the party. I shower, shave, and moisturize. Kate does the same. Then I sit on the edge of our bed while she dries my hair with her blow dryer. She works through my wet hair methodically, as I sit just wrapped in a towel. She's already fully dressed in a stunning black evening dress with sequin details. When she's done, I dress in a deep blue dress that she picked out new for me. We leave the house in Kate's car and she drives to the restaurant where she's planned for my 'surprise' party to be. It's not really a surprise because I know about it, but she's been very secretive about the details. When she walks me through the doors a few men seated inside look our way. I can tell they're eyeing Kate and I shoot them a possessive glare. She's mine. The ring on my finger says so and any man who disagrees can fight me over it. Kate leads me further into the busy room. There's people everywhere sitting and eating and drinking. I can hardly hear myself think over some of them talking.  Kate leads me through a doorway to the corner seating room and there at a massive oval table my party guests are seated.

I can't believe what I'm seeing. Kate's got my mother, Bob, Ethan, José, Mr. Rodriguez, and My assistant Hannah from work all seated together at the table. They smile and wave, a few of them shout my name or just 'surprise!' I stand, speechless, then turn to Kate with a huge smile on my face. "Surprise, baby." She pulls me in for a hug, then a kiss on the cheek. I can't wipe the smile off my face. My mom jumps up to hug me as I approach the table and as her arms wrap around me I stifle a sob in her shoulder. "Mom!" I hug her tightly, loosing all control of my emotions. "Darling, you look so beautiful." She holds me away, yet still in her arms, to look at me. "Happy Birthday, Honey." She pulls me in for another hug and I bury my face in her shoulder. Tears stream down my face, and I don't bother to stop them. "Don't cry. It's your birthday. You're supposed to be having fun." She holds my face in her hands and I laugh through my tears. "It's okay. They're happy tears, I promise. I'm just so happy to see you, especially since Ray can't be here. I thought you had forgotten." I blubber, rambling on without giving her a window to speak. She wipes away my tears with her hands. "Oh, honey. I'd never forget your birthday. That's not something one easily forgets, especially with their only kid." I giggle, feeling stupid for thinking for a second that she would forget about me. She's not the best mother by any means, but I know she loves me deeply, more than I probably know. She wipes away my remaining tears with a tissue she produces from her pocket. "Mom! Stop it!" I push her hand away, completely embarrassed. It's one thing to publicly cry hysterically, it's another for your mother to then wipe your tears and nose for you in front of everyone. I compose myself, quickly, so I won't embarrass myself any further in front of my guests. "All better?" I nod. "Happy Birthday, honey. Go greet your other guests I'm stealing all your attention." She steps aside and my other friends and family one by one get up to hug me and tell me happy birthday.

When all of them have finished wishing me a happy birthday and giving me hugs, we all are seated at the table. I sit with Kate and José on each side of me, my mom and Bob across from me, and the others in the open spaces in between. I want to cry again, all happy tears of course, all my extra hormones from the baby make it so difficult for me to reign in the tears once they start, for any reason. "Ugh..Oh my god. I'm gonna cry again." I mumble, starting to pout. "Go ahead and cry, baby. It's your party you can do whatever you want. This day is all about you." Kate assures me, placing a hand on my thigh under the table. Tears well up in my eyes and I cry again, this time only for a few seconds, before I get myself back to normal. There's animated conversations around the table as we eat dinner. Mom and Bob talk to Mr. Rodriguez. José chats with Kate and I, and Hannah makes polite conversation with Ethan. I gaze at all of them, only half listening to Kate and José. Everyone seems to be having a good time. I hear my name mentioned from Kate and I turn my attention back to her. She nudges José from behind our chairs, and I look between the two of them in confusion. "What were you saying about me?" I ask. "Nothing, baby. Why don't you share with everyone our news?" She changes the subject and I frown. I don't appreciate my name being used when I don't know what the context is. I sigh, knowing they'll never tell me what they were talking about when I was tuned out. "Okay." I mutter, to Kate. Then I address the rest of our group. "Hey, guys... Kate and I have an announcement we wanted to make." I start. "Some of you already know," I look at José, pointedly. "But Kate and I wanted to officially share with you all that we're expecting a baby boy. We found out just recently." I announce and my guests break out into smiles and cheers. The excitement over the baby is short-lived though, as it's replaced by a chorus of 'Happy Birthday' when my cake is brought out. It's a triple layered chocolate cake with twenty-two candles stuck inside. They blaze with fire on the tips and Kate leans in to my ear, so only I can hear. "Make a wish." She whispers and I blow out my candles eagerly, making my wish. My wish is for Ray to get better, to make a full recovery, and with time he does.