1 Prologue

On a bright new day, I looked out my window, the luminous orb rising from the East as it casts it's warming rays onto my face, I looked up watching the birds flutter their wings, chirping a melodious tune.

°I could get used to this°

I jumped down from my king sized bed, a chill coursed through my body once my feet touched the cold marble floor. I looked around my lavender pastel room finally seeing what I was looking for, my pink fluffy slippers.

I looked over my bedside table at the clock radio which read 6:24am.

°I woke up early!°

Determined to show off how early I was, I mentally took note of the time as I dashed out of my room. I slowed my pace as I approached my parents door.

°Should I knock? Should I not?°

Going for the latter, I let myself in as the door made contact with the wall with a Bang.

"MOM!! DAD!! WAKE UP!! IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!" I yelled, pulling on the stool by my right. Using it's height to propel me towards the toggle switch as I moved the lever, switching it on.

I cast a disappointed look at the bed where they were meant to be together but all I saw was my mom sluggishly trying to clear the sleep out of her eye as she adjusted to the light.

"Sweetie, it's 6:30am, the party doesn't start until 9:00am." She raised her brows.

"I know but-"

"No buts, you know how I like to make the best cake for my little girl, come here." She said as she opened her arms wide, which I gladly obliged kicking off my slippers and running into her embrace.

"Dad's still not home again?" I asked as I looked at the dipped part of the bed in which he had laid the previous night.

She gently pulled my chin in her direction, she looked at me squarely and said: "Daddy's got a very big contract today, I know he'll come eventually, it's his most important person birthday today! And he promised he'll make it in time." I nodded my head in response.

"What am I getting for this year's birthday mom?" I awaited her response knowing the gifts she gives are always my favorite.

"If I told you, would it still be a surprise?" She cocked a brow with a grin plastered on her face.

"No, but since it's from you, I don't mind it not being a surprise and besides I can still put on my surprised face like this." As I gestured, widening my eyes, my mouth in an 'O' as my hands held my cheeks. "See! It's all in the reaction, so could you tell me, please!! Please with little pink unicorns on top!" I clasped my hands together giving a big puppy dog expression.

"Wasn't it cherry on top?" She asked laughing, "You know I like the good old reaction to seeing a surprise gift, your puppy dog eyes won't work today." She replied poking my nose.

Aw, thought that would work, at least I know she has something waiting for my surprised expression, can't wait!!

"Can't wait then, I wanna try out my sparkly swan dress, I'll be like a Disney princess!!" I squealed as I ran out getting ready for the party.

"BYE!"I yelled, running to my room not waiting for her reply.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Katie, the guests will soon arrive, please come out." My mom begged behind my closed door.

"NO! He never misses my birthday, I won't come out until he is present." I protested sticking on to the little hope as I looked at the swan patterned rug below as my feet hovered several inches away from it as I sat on my Lavender colored bottom sheet.

°I refuse to cry! He will come, I know it°

"Sweetie I'm sorry, but he left a voice note, could you let me in, so you could listen to it?" She pleaded again in a whisper.

I turned around as I looked at the door, slowly approaching it, I reached for the lock.

*click*

I stood rigid as I looked on as my mom peered through the small opening before finally entering, "Thank You dear, let's sit." she gestured towards my bed. "Do you want me to say it or would you want to hear it from him?" Worry clearly written on her face, I could already guess what this was about.

"I rather hear it from him." I said playing with my curly brunette hair trying to calm my racing heart.

"Okay, here!" She passed the phone to me playing the message as I put it over my right ear, with the aim of imagining him speaking to me at that moment.

"My baby girl!, I'm so sorry I couldn't make it to your birthday today, the contract is still in progress and I couldn't leave or the deal will be closed, I did make provision for your birthday, you did say you wanted a tablet computer and I made sure you get everything you want, be good today, make sure to smile and show everyone why this day is special to you, love you and your mother, Bye! " the voice note ended with a beep, stray tears I didn't know I had been keeping at bay fell on my sparkly dress.

"Bu-but he prom-ised, he said he'll com-" I hiccuped as my bottom lip quivered, I couldn't hold the disappointment any longer as I curled into a ball as gut wrenching sobs tore through my chest, angry at myself for hoping on the impossible.

"I'm sorry dear, I really thought he could make it, please don't cry anymore, I'll make up for his absence, I promise, don't worry super mom can't disappoint you." I could feel my mom engulf me in an embrace.

Reaching for my ribs, she applied light pressure, that was all she needed to do to make me let out spasmodic laughter as I tried pushing her away.

"Mom!.. I'm... Fine" I managed to say amidst my laughter and thankfully she stopped just in time before I had any chance of ruining my hair and dress.

"Now can the princess of the day step out of her tower and into the grassy fields?" A satisfied grin on her face as she overly exaggerated her gesture towards the door.

"Yes please!" As I wiped off the tears from my cheeks, I reached close to her face giving her a quick peck on the cheek. "Thankyou!" I continued as I made my way to the living room.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Happy Birthday Katie!!" Everyone chorused as I smiled like a Cheshire cat. "Thank You everyone and on the first thing on my list now that I'm 10years old is to keep you all as one big family!"

"You'll be my uncle-" as I pointed to a man in his mid thirties who lived a block away from ours, he wore a blue shirt and a pair of black pants.

"You'll be my sister-" as I pointed to my friend who lived next door, she wore matching outfit as mine the only difference being the color, hers being pink. She jumped in delight at the idea.

"and you'll be my-" it went on and on until I've assigned everyone present at the party a role in my family.

~~~~~~~~~~

Little did I know my new found family will crumble in a matter of months and a beginning of a new lifestyle one that changed my view of people, one which is a constant reminder of the things I wished I never lost.

Life isn't always a bed of roses, as beautiful as it is; it also has thorns and my life never started with roses, the thorns was a constant reminder of good things to come.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

>>>Could anyone spot any hidden reference?<<<

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