Notorious Hope

13. Happy Birthday Josh

Jones Household-6:42 am, Saturday Morning

The morning dew drips along her wood tiled panels. Her chocolate orbs, glisten against the sunlight. The aroma of chocolate pancakes and orange juice linger under her nostrils. Blinking away the sleep. Her father recently released for good behaviour before his trial in 3 months time.

''Morning birthday girl''

Her cocoa locks bunched into a messy bun atop her head. Glasses perched on her nose lazily. Alarm buzzing, caused by her inability to switch it off. Groaning at the fact that she still has to wake up this early on her birthday. Death staring her brothers as they drag her into the kitchen. Her father grilling bacon, while Elliot hands her a stack of chocolate covered pancakes, drizzled in chocolate syrup.

''Morning my dear brothers and father''

Her father affectionately kisses her forehead, giving her a side hug. Placing a jewellery box laced with gold ribbon and wrapped with solid red wrapping paper. 

''Happy 17th birthday, sweetheart''

Unwrapping her gift from her father with hesitance. Revealing a golden locket, unclasping the locket open. A photo with her mother and father, of Riley at the tender age of 4, on Christmas morning. The other half containing a photo with her brothers after a paint war.

''Thank you so much, Daddy''

Burying her face in her father's chest before he clasps the necklace around her neck. Admiring the gorgeous piece of jewellery. Jughead places a box in front of his sister, grinning from ear to ear.

''I haven't rigged this with explosives if that's what you're asking''

Tearing apart the poorly wrapped parcel with urgency. A chocolate leather scrapbook is unveiled. Her orbs brim with unexpected tears. Holding back her weeping state with the reminder not to let her guard down.

''This is amazing Jug''

He sits down beside his sister as she engulfs him in a bear hug. Elliot sitting on her other side as he passes her a rectangular box. Furrowing her eyebrows as they lace with confusion. Her chocolate orbs glisten with tears. Hundreds of polaroids fill the box, memories from her childhood. A bracelet her grandmother secretly gave the boys to give to her today, knowing she and her grandfather would be in Washington. A ring her great grandfather gave her great-grandmother, a family heirloom. And her grandmother, Rosie's journal from her young adult years, filled with stories of heartbreak, mourning, triumph, love and freedom. 

''I love you El, thank you so much.''

Stiles hands her his present. Furrowing her brows in confusion at the sight of a seemingly familiar leather journal. 

''Is this what I think it is, El? Holy Shit...''

Her mother's writing inked onto the crinkled papers. Her mother's letters of her journey's addressed to loved ones but never sent to them. News of deaths, celebrations, graduations and weddings. 

''Mom's journal, you'd think she would've buried this 10 feet under by the time she left.''

A knock on the door interrupts their festivities, grinning as she sees her boyfriend on the opposite side. Missing the fact that he didn't sneak into her bedroom the previous evening because of his mother's need for him to be helping with her and his siblings.

''Happy Birthday Princess''

Her boyfriend picking her up in his arms and spinning her around. Her giggle has always been his favourite song. 

''Lucas, my man! Are you going to join us for dinner tonight?''

Using code words with his daughter's boyfriend. Highly aware of his secret birthday plans for Riley. As for his daughter, she grins from ear to ear with excitement.