There was no crying Leo in the playroom, no panicked Olivia.
Instead, the room was hung with colorful balloons and streamers, a delicate chocolate cake on the table with candles on top. Olivia stood by the cake, wearing a simple white dress, a smile on her face. Leo stood beside her, small hands hidden behind his back, face full of excitement.
"Happy birthday!" the three of them shouted in unison.
I froze completely, standing in the doorway, mind blank.
"Dad, you got tricked!" Juliet sighed in relief beside me, finally showing a genuine smile. "Leo didn't fall—this was our plan!"
"I was so nervous," she muttered quietly. "Almost gave it away."
Leo pulled out a folded piece of drawing paper from behind his back and ran over to hand it to me. "Ezio, Juliet and I drew this together!"
I took the drawing and slowly unfolded it. The picture showed four wobbly stick figures—a tall man, a woman, and two children. They were holding hands, standing in front of a big house. Written in crayon: "Happy Birthday, Dad/Ezio!"
My throat suddenly felt tight.
"We made cake too!" Leo pulled my hand, dragging me toward the table. "Vivi helped us make it—it's chocolate!"
I looked up at Olivia. She walked over, eyes holding a gentle light.
"Happy birthday, Ezio," she said softly.
That's when I realized—today was November 15th. My birthday.
"I..." my voice was hoarse. "I forgot."
"We know," Olivia said, a smile playing at her lips. "Juliet said you never celebrate your birthday. But we thought this year should be different."
"Yeah!" Juliet pulled my hand. "Because this year we have Vivi and Leo! We're a family!"
I looked at them—these three people, these three smiling faces. My two precious kids, and the woman I loved.
"Come on," Olivia said. "Let's light the candles. The kids can't wait anymore."
They pulled me to the table. Olivia lit the candles on the cake, the flames dancing in the dim room.
"Make a wish," she said, eyes sparkling in the candlelight.
I looked at her, then closed my eyes. This time, my wish was clear—I hoped to always protect them, hoped Olivia and Leo would stay by my side forever.
I opened my eyes, took a deep breath, and blew out the candles.
"Yay!" the two children cheered and started clapping.
"What did you wish for?" Leo asked curiously.
"If you tell, it won't come true," Olivia said gently, ruffling his hair.
"Then let's eat cake!" Juliet said. "I want the biggest piece!"
"No, today's Ezio's birthday, he gets the biggest piece!" Leo argued.
Watching the two children argue, I couldn't help but laugh. Olivia was laughing too. She walked to my side and said softly, "Theyprepared this surprise for days. Juliet taught Leo how to draw, and Leo asked me every day if the cake was ready."
"Thank you," I said, looking at her. "This is the best birthday gift I've ever received."
"Don't thank me yet," her eyes flashed with mischief. "You haven't tried the cake. It's my first time making something this complicated. Not sure how it tastes."
