Unstoppable | The Vampire Diaries

30. Happy Death Day

Mommy: Happy birthday sweetheart! I'm gonna be working all day, but call me when you get home from school, OK? X

Riley groaned and rubbed her eyes. She was never particularly fond of her birthdays, but this one was looking like it would be the worst.

"Please don't say 'happy birthday' to me today," she said to her father. He watched her sit at the kitchen table, immediately feeling guilty.

"Does that mean you don't want some 'birthday' pancakes?" he asked, dishing some onto a plate.

She thought about it. "Have I ever said no to pancakes before?"

He laughed and put the plate in front of her, along with some maple syrup, and a can of whipped cream. "Have you heard from your mom?"

She swallowed the first mouthful and grinned – nothing was better than her dad's pancakes. "Yeah. She's working today."

He nodded, taking some pancakes for himself and sitting opposite her.

"So what have you got planned for today?" he asked curiously.

She shrugged. Even when she lived in New York, she never wanted to celebrate her 'special day'. "I don't want to do anything. Besides, with the whole 'Original vampire' thing hanging over our heads, it's not exactly the best time for a celebration."

Her dad looked at her sympathetically.

"Well, I thought my present was too much, but it sounds like you need something good today."

Riley smiled gratefully. "You didn't need to get me anything, dad."

He raised an eyebrow at her. "How often does my only daughter turn 18?"

He took a small box from his pocket and pushed it across the table towards her. She glanced at it warily for a second, before opening it. She stared at the key inside, not knowing how to react. It was obvious what it was for, but it couldn't be... could it?

"You know, you're the second person to give me a key," she told him. "I'm guessing this one doesn't open the door to the Salvatore house?"

"No, it doesn't," her father confirmed. "Why don't you go outside and see what it's for?"

She complied, walking to the front door with a rush of excitement in her veins. Then she saw it, and a wide grin stretched onto her face.

"Dad, are you serious?!"

Sitting in the driveway next to her father's old black BMW was a second-hand, white car. Or, to be more specific, a 'Kia Sportage' SUV. Her father watched from the doorway as she walked up to the car, touching it softly like it was made of precious gem stones.

"Dad, this is way too much!" she said, almost in tears. The car was beautiful, something that she'd never even considered being given. She ran back to envelope him in a huge hug.

"It's from your mom too. But the car comes with rules," he said sternly.

"I'll keep it clean, I'll keep it running, I won't speed, I won't crash..." she tried and failed to think of more rules, slowly opening the door and being taken in by the 'new car' smell.

"You won't let anyone else drive it," he added.

"I'll guard it with my life," she responded, running her hands over the leather seats. "Dad... thank you. This is amazing."

"Don't get too excited, that's worth the cost of your birthday presents for the next 5 years," he joked.

"Worth it," she said, getting into her new car. "Thank you thank you thank you!"