"Wakey, wakey, sleepy princess!" Sybil heard, but she felt too lazy to open her eyes.
The warmth of her cozy bed wrapped around her like a soft hug, and she wasn't quite ready to leave it just yet.
She squeezed her eyes tighter, trying to drift back into Dreamland. But the gentle whispers and warm breath fanning her neck were too distracting.
"Five more minutes, please," she whined in her tiny, sleepy voice, clutching her teddy bear closer and burying herself deeper into her luxurious black covers.
"Hmm, what if I told you that you're turning five today? Would you still stay wrapped up in bed?" Her mom teased.
Instantly awake, Sybil's once-locked eyes flew wide open. "What?! It's finally my birthday?" she yawned, rubbing her eyes as if trying to wipe away the last remnants of sleep.
As she sat up in bed, stretching, little streaks of sunlight poured into the room, momentarily blinding her. But once her vision was fully adjusted, she gasped at the sight before her.
The walls were painted a vibrant shade of purple. Purple balloons bobbed overhead, streamers hung from the ceiling, and confetti dotted the floor. Pictures of Cinderella in stunning purple dresses adorned every corner.
"Wow! This is so beautiful!" she squealed, throwing off her covers and leaping out of bed. She dashed to the little tea chamber and then to the enormous purple castle playhouse.
"This is amazing!" she exclaimed from inside the playhouse, her voice bubbling with excitement.
A chuckle escaped her mom as Sybil emerged with a beaming smile that lit up her cute oval face. She rushed to her mom and hugged her tightly.
"Do you love it?" her mom asked, smiling tenderly.
"I do, Mom! I love my castle sooo much! I can't wait to show Elise! Now I have my own Cinderella castle in my favorite color and it is bigger and more beautiful than hers!"
Suddenly, Sybil's expression shifted as she frowned slightly. "I just wish she hadn't gone to LA to visit Grandma Tricia. I would have shown her my castle and made her apologize for always calling me a lost princess of no kingdom just because she got that silly yellow Snow White castle!"
Her mom chuckled softly at Sybil's dramatic flair. "It's alright, don't be mad at Elise. Remember, she's your best friend and ..."
Just as she was about to say more, the door suddenly swung open, and both of them turned to see Aunt Leticia walk in, carrying a cake adorned with radiant purple frosting swirling around the edges. In the center, the number "5" was elegantly written in gold icing.
"Wow! A purple cake!" Sybil screamed in delight, breaking free from her mom's embrace and racing toward her aunt.
"Happy birthday, wildcat!" Aunt Leticia said as she set the cake down on the desk.
"Oh my goodness, Aunt! You made me a purple cake!" Sybil cooed, her face glowing with joy as she wrapped her arms around Aunt Leticia's waist.
"Of course I did," Aunt Leticia replied, rubbing Sybil's cheeks affectionately. "I wanted to do something special for you this year."
With a beaming smile, Sybil pulled back and looked up at her aunt. "It's perfect! Thank you so much! you're the best"
"Aww, You're so welcome, my sweet girl," Aunt Leticia said, placing a soft peck on Sybil's forehead.
Just then, they both heard a throat clearing sound and they turned to see Sybil's mom (Felicia) 1seated on one of the couch, her brow raised.
"Aren't you guys been too dramatic right now" she huffed, rolling her eyes.
"Awwwwwn someone is jealous," aunt Leticia cooed mocking her twin sister
"I'm not, but anyways I have something special for the birthday girl, so if she would come receive it" her mom said pointing towards a purple wrapped present
Sybil, bursting with excitement, quickly broke free from her aunt's hold and ran toward the present. She tore it open to reveal a stunning purple beaded ball gown, a jewelry box containing a gold necklace and matching earrings, white long gloves, a gold tiara, a black Louis Vuitton purse, and black Channel heels.
"Wow, Mom! These are so beautiful," she gushed, caressing the items gently.
"I know, right? I'm definitely the queen of fashion," her mom bragged, sending a cheeky smile at her sister, who rolled her eyes in response.
"I knew it, Felicia! You were jealous," Aunt Leticia smirked at her sister, walking towards Sybil as she handed her a big box. "Anyway, here's a present from your elder brother; he wishes you a happy birthday."
Sybil quickly took the box and opened it to reveal a yellow jumpsuit and a blue bracelet. Her excitement faltered as she frowned at the yellow fabric.
"Arrrghh, why is Thiago so annoying?" she hissed. "He knows I dislike the color yellow, yet he got me a yellow jumpsuit as a birthday gift. How am I supposed to wear it?" she huffed dropping the box on the floor.
As she sulked over the unwanted gift, she suddenly realized that Thiago was absent. Searching with her eyes, she noticed another bigger presence missing.
"Mom," she called out, her frown deepening. "Where's Daddy and Thiago?"
A faint smile crossed her mom's face. "My sweet child," she said, as knelt down to her eye level. "Daddy and Thiago are not here right now; they left this morning for an important game."
Sybil's brow furrowed, and her lower lip trembled as tears began to well in her eyes.
"That's so unfair!" she exclaimed, her voice breaking. "I thought we would all celebrate my birthday together. They didn't even wish me a happy birthday, it's so bad of them" She crossed her arms tightly, frustration evident in her posture.
"I know right, but don't worry, we won't let them spoil our fun," aunt Leticia spoke wrapping her arms around her " for your birthday, we are going to go to Palm springs then we would fly to Monterey in California, Imagine the swimming, snorkeling, and exploring, we would do all that and more without them"
"Really?" Sybil stared between her mom and aunt in disbelief.
"Of course, sweetie! Anything to make you happy," her mom replied with a soft smile.
"Wow, Palm Springs and Monterey—oh boy!" Sybil yelled, bouncing with joy. "I can't believe it! I've heard wondrous stories about those places!"
"I love you guys soooo much!" she squealed, hugging them tightly, her heart swelling with love.
"We love you too!" they replied, embracing her back.
"I can't wait for our trip!"
Her excitement grew as she imagined splashing in the ocean and enjoying delicious food. "We should start packing at once!" she said, racing toward her closet.
"Hey, little wildcat!" her mom called playfully. "You know you haven't cut your cake yet, right?"
"Oopsie! Sorry, I totally forgot," Sybil exclaimed, chuckling as she dashed back toward the cake.
With delight, she dipped both hands into the frosting, savoring the sweet treat and leaving smears of icing on her lips and cheeks, her childish actions causing her mom and Aunt leticia to burst into fits of laughter.
"What are you doing?" Aunt Leticia grinned, shaking her head in disbelief at Sybil's frosting-covered face. "You aren't supposed to eat the cake yet!" she added, bursting into another round of laughter.
"Now, now, little one," her mom said mock sternly. "You are impatient, you can't eat your cake without the proper fanfare!"
"First, we must sing a Birthday song for you, then you can make a wish, and only then can you eat it!" she explained.
"I'm sorry, Mom. I just couldn't help it," she pouted.
"It's fine, sweetheart," her mom whispered with a smile, brushing a bit of frosting from Sybil's cheek.
"Alright, let's sing our lovely princess a birthday song!" Aunt Leticia said enthusiastically, clapping her hands together.
"Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you…"
As they sang, Sybil's heart swelled with joy, her wide smile reflecting the love surrounding her. After they finished singing, she took a deep breath, blew out her candles, and closed her eyes to make a wish.
"The rest of your presents are downstairs; you could go check them out," her mom suggested with a twinkle in her eye.
"Really?" Sybil exclaimed, her eyes lighting up, and without waiting for a response, she dashed out of her room, earning amused glances and laughter from her mom and Aunt Felicia.