Selene awoke to the soft sound of a knock at her bedroom door. She groggily opened her eyes, the light of the morning streaming in from the cracks in the blinds. The warmth of the bed felt too good to leave, but the knock continued, persistent and familiar. She rubbed her eyes, wiping away the remnants of sleep, as she heard the voices of her mom, Ivy, Mira, and Kael, all singing in cheerful unison.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Selene…" their voices rang through the apartment, muffled only by the door.
Selene smiled softly, the sound of their voices filling her with warmth, though she couldn't help but feel a twinge of embarrassment. She had barely opened her eyes, her hair a mess from sleep, and here they were, gathered outside her room, singing as if she were a child. She could hear the laughter in their voices, playful and full of joy.
"…Happy birthday to you!"
The song ended in a cheery flourish, and a moment of silence followed. Selene sighed, shaking her head lightly, a small smile still on her lips.
"Come on in, you're already halfway there with the singing," she called, her voice still thick with sleep.
The door opened gently, and in they trooped—her mother first, followed by Ivy and Mira, with Kael bringing up the rear. Alina carried a small tray with a cup of tea and a plate of toast, her face glowing with affection.
"Well, someone looks cozy in bed this morning," Alina teased, her voice light. "We thought we'd wake you up with a bit of song. It's not every day you turn… what is it, twenty-five?"
"Twenty-four," Selene mumbled, rubbing her eyes again as if to confirm the number in her head. She stretched her arms above her head and sat up slightly, trying to shake off the last of the sleep.
Ivy and Mira grinned at her from the doorway. Ivy's dark hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail, and Mira's red hair bounced around her face with each step as she walked in. Both of them were holding balloons and small wrapped gifts, their eyes twinkling with excitement.
"Happy birthday, Selene!" Mira exclaimed, bouncing slightly on her feet. "We've got surprises waiting for you!"
Selene laughed softly, feeling a little more awake now, though the lingering embarrassment made her cheeks flush lightly. She hadn't exactly been expecting a full-blown birthday celebration, not so early at least. But she appreciated it—really, she did. It was just… well, a little too much for first thing in the morning.
"Alright, alright," Selene said, managing to stifle a yawn. "You guys really know how to make a girl feel special."
Kael stepped forward, his usual easy smile on his lips. His blue eyes were warm, and there was a softness to his gaze as he looked at her. "I told you we wouldn't let you get away with a quiet birthday," he said, his tone light but with an undercurrent of affection. "You've got the whole day ahead of you, and we're going to make it fun."
Selene smiled back at him, feeling a sense of comfort in his presence. "I don't need anything grand, you know. I'm happy just spending it with you guys."
Her mother set the tray on the nightstand, giving Selene a knowing look. "It's your special day, sweetheart. We're going to do whatever makes you happy."
"Yeah, just promise us you'll step away from those books for at least a few hours," Ivy added, winking.
Mira nodded vigorously. "Yeah, and no more translating old texts today! It's time for you to have some fun."
Selene chuckled softly, grateful for their good-natured teasing. "Alright, alright. I'll take the day off… but I'm not making any promises for tomorrow," she joked, leaning back against her pillows, accepting the cup of tea from her mother.
Kael looked at her with a playful glint in his eyes. "No work today, Selene. We're going out, and that's final."
"Well, you're the boss," Selene said, raising her cup in mock surrender, the warmth of the tea comforting against the cool air in the room.
Alina looked at her daughter fondly, brushing a strand of hair from her face as she sat beside the bed. "I'm glad to see you so happy, sweetheart. You deserve it."
Selene's heart warmed at her mother's words, and for a moment, the embarrassment she felt earlier was replaced by a deeper sense of gratitude. Despite her natural inclination toward solitude, she had always felt loved and cared for by the people closest to her. They were her rock, the ones who knew her better than anyone else.
"I'm lucky to have you all," Selene murmured, her voice soft.
Ivy grinned, nudging Mira. "Alright, we'll let you get dressed in peace. We'll be downstairs, waiting for our favorite birthday girl to get ready."
Selene laughed and waved them out of the room. "Give me five minutes, and I'll be down," she said, taking a sip of her tea.
As the group filed out, leaving her alone for a few moments, Selene sank back into her pillows, taking a deep breath. She closed her eyes, feeling the calm wash over her again, even though she knew the day ahead would be full of new surprises. It was strange—she wasn't one for attention, for big celebrations. But there was something about being surrounded by people who cared for her, who made her feel seen and appreciated, that brought her a deep sense of peace.