Chapter 25 - Happy Birthday

I don’t think I’ve been this excited for my birthday before. I mean, I remember once when I was a little girl and Mum planned a whole Little Mermaid Party for me. It was the best party, even if only my parents and sisters were present. However, I’m really nervous about this coming birthday and it’s mostly because of Harry, I know that. I don’t get why he cares so much, I mean, he barely knows me and I’m sure he has loads of better things to do than planning my birthday. Whatever his reason is, he cares, even if I don't understand it.

Something tells me that it doesn’t matter what he does, it’s going to be special. My dad has asked me if I want something for my birthday but I always say the same: “Nothing special, Dad. I’ll be fine.” A part of me scolds me for doing this, but I don’t want to have any other plans for this day. I really don’t know what Harry is planning, but just in case I want to be a hundred per cent available.

By when the day comes I can barely contain myself. I couldn’t even go to sleep last night so I’ve had only a few hours of sleep when I hear knocking at my door. Groggily, I reply, “come in,” just to see my dad walking in with a tray in his hands.

“Happy birthday, my princess!” he chirps with a big smile and I rub my eyes to fully wake up. He’s normally by the crops at this time so it’s really sweet of him that he’s come here to bring me breakfast.

“Thank you,” I reply, my voice hoarse. I stretch, making my muscles and bones crack a bit before I sit straight on my bed and smile at Dad more like a human. I even run my hands through my hair to tame it a bit.

It’s only then when I notice Dad is not alone, another figure is waiting by the door and my eyes widen in shock and embarrassment when I recognise Timmy.

“Happy birthday, kiddo,” he says from the doorframe and I ran my hands through my hair again, trying not to look like a gargoyle.

“Timmy,” I breathe in, too surprised to say something else. He laughs, knowing it’s embarrassing for me. “Uh, thanks.”

Dad’s smile widens as he puts the tray on my lap and sits beside me on my bed, giving me a hug but being careful not to throw anything from the tray.

“I can’t believe my princess is eighteen. It feels like yesterday when I was changing your nappy,” Father remembers, his voice filled with emotion that makes Timmy and I laugh.

“No matter how old I become, I’ll always be your youngest daughter,” I tell him and he sighs.

“That’s true but not comforting enough.” I laugh again and try to hug him one more time but the tray is making things difficult. “Anyway, it’s an important birthday and I have something special for you.”

Confused, I stare at my father, wondering what he’s talking about. With our current economic situation it’s silly of him if he bought me something. We can’t afford unnecessary purchases and there’s nothing he can buy me. I hope he means something different and not a real present.

Father nods with his head and Timmy stand straighter taking something from his side, where I couldn’t see it. He takes one step inside of my room and I know exactly what he’s holding and I can’t breathe. I can’t believe it. This is not happening.

Father stands up and I automatically put the tray aside, still shocked by what I’m seeing. I blink quickly as Timmy keeps approaching, a knowing smile plastered on his lips. He knows, he really knows what this is causing in me.

“Dad… you didn’t… you…” I mumble and my father only laughs as he grabs the present from Timmy’s hands and gives it to me. The hard-shell case is black and shiny with a big red ribbon that sparkles with magic —I know it doesn’t, but it feels like that to me.

“Happy birthday, princess. This is from all of us, your sisters, myself and even Timmy,” Dad says patting Timmy’s shoulder. He’s really become someone from the family. “We’ve been planning this present for years with your sisters.”

I look at them with wide-open eyes that burn with unleashed tears.

“Thank you,” I whisper breathlessly just to focus my attention on the case on my lap.

I slowly grab the locks and open the case revealing the plush lining protecting the beauty inside. I catch my breath in my throat when I see it, gorgeous and shiny, perfect and all brand new: a majestic acoustic guitar.

My current guitar was from my mum and then she passed it to me. It’s old and it was time for it to retire, but I couldn’t afford a new guitar now with all the problems we were having, so I was just taking care of my old guitar. But now my family give me this, and not any guitar but a Hummingbird Quilt Gibson!

Am I dreaming?

With reverence I take it in my hands, almost afraid that I might break it or that I’ll wake up and I’ll have nothing but air in my hands. But it feels solid on my lap and when I press the strings on the bridge to make the first cord, and then the music that comes when I brush my fingers down the strings. Oh, if this isn’t magic I don’t know what it is.

Slowly, I start to play, just random chords and soon a melody comes to life, a melody that sounds a hundred times better and I still can’t breathe, I still think I’m dreaming. But then I look up to see Dad and Timmy watching me with big content smiles. I put the guitar in its case once again, as carefully as the first time and once it’s safe, I jump off my bed to hug Father and Timmy, both at the same time.

“Thank you so much! It’s so beautiful and perfect. Thank you, thank you, thank you!” I blurt out as they hug me back, chuckling softly. “You didn’t have to, though,” I add pulling away and trying to look severely. “I know that we can’t afford things like these, Dad.”

“Nonsense, Ariel. It’s your eighteenth birthday. It’s a present from all the people who love you and you’ll accept it without complains. It’s an order,” Dad states folding his arms and frowning at me, which surprises me but then he loses the seriousness of his expression and smiles brightly at me. “We know how much music means to you, Ariel. You never ask for anything.”

“Because I don’t need anything else,” I say and he nods with a heavy sigh.

“But I’m your father, I want to give you things from time to time and your birthday is the perfect excuse. Even if I can’t give you as much as I’d want to,” he adds and my heart twists so I jump to his arms again.

“You give me more than enough, Dad. Thank you,” I tell him honestly and he hugs me tightly.

“I love you, Princess,” whispers my father stroking my hair softly.

“And I love you, Dad.”

We hug for a bit more before he pulls back and tells me he has to go back to work. I give one last hug to him and one to Timmy before I go back to my bed to eat my breakfast and appreciate my new guitar. I can’t believe it’s mine. This is so surreal.

As I drink my tea I keep following the design of the humming bird and the leaves and the butterfly. And I love the reddish colour of it, like my hair. I feel like this guitar was made for me.

Once I’m done with my breakfast I spend half an hour just enjoying and familiarising with my new guitar. I even name her: Maeve, like my mother. She taught me to play, she taught me to sing and it’s when I’m playing when I feel the closest to her. I only stop playing when I notice it’s late and I need to go to deliver the daily order so I hurry to shower and then to the crops where Timmy has everything ready. I get there when he’s getting in the truck.

“No, no! I’ll do it,” I interrupt him.

“No need, Ariel. It’s your birthday, consider this your day off,” he tries to convince me but I shake my head.

“It’s okay, really, let me do it,” I plead and he sighs.

“I bet you only want to do this ‘cos you wanna see your boyfriend,” he teases me getting out the truck.

“H-h-he’s not my boyfriend,” I stutter, feeling my cheeks burning bright. I don’t even have to ask him about whom he’s talking about, I know he means Harry.

“Pff, formalities,” carries on Timmy and I blush even brighter. “Okay, go to him. Have a good day, Ari.”

I don’t say anything else, I’m just too embarrassed so instead I just get inside the truck and drive away, still feeling the blush burning in my cheeks. And as I get closer to the centre I start getting nervous. I don’t know if Harry will be there or if he’ll go later to the lake. He didn’t tell me to meet him somewhere, and I’m sure he’s not forgotten about my birthday. He’s mentioned it almost every day.

When I get there he’s not around, instead I meet Carl and soon a happy Mare that comes running to give me the tightest hug. “Happy birthday!” she sings and I laugh in her arms. “This is for you,” she says pulling back and taking one small present from her pockets. “I know it’s not much but I wanted to give you something.”

“Oh, you didn’t have to,” I say looking at her with bright eyes. I can’t believe she remembered my birthday. I think I only mentioned it to her once.

“But I wanted to,” is her reply and I give her a kiss on the cheek before I open it. I smile when I see the simple yet very cute handmade bracelet. It’s of an intricate design made of different colours of strings and it has a pendant of a seahorse at one end. “It’s said that seahorses are for good luck and they also symbolise strength and power, so I thought it was a good thing for you. Plus, you love all aquatic things,” Mare explains and I hug her again.

“I love it. Thank you so much!” I tell her and she smiles so happily. “Help me please?” I ask and she nods, helping me to put on the bracelet. It’s so beautiful, I really love it.

“I didn’t know it was your birthday,” Carl speaks once Mare steps back and when I’m appreciating my new bracelet. “Happy birthday,” he adds and he steps in to give me a hug.

I know we talk now and things are better with him but I still tense when I see him approaching. He’s not Mare or Timmy, whom I can hug without a second thought. He notices my reaction so he stops and instead of giving me a hug, he just smiles at me.

“Sorry,” I whisper and he shakes his head.

“I get it, don’t worry.”

I still feel bad for reacting badly to just a hug, which is a reminder that I still have problems, even when it almost feels like I’m normal when I’m around Mare and Timmy. I’m still scared of people, I guess.

Mare gives me encouraging smile and I sigh before we start working to put the delivery inside the kitchen. The usual process and by when we’re done it doesn’t feel that awkward around Carl, but I still feel bad. He just wanted to be nice.

When I leave the kitchen ready to get in the truck and drive home again I see someone leaning on the vehicle wearing a bright smile when he meets my eyes.

“Hey there, Ariel,” he says softly making my heart race. “Happy birthday.”

-:-:-

Do you like the new cover? I made a matching one for Call Me Ella as well and I'll make one for BBB. Let me know what you think.

Dedication to @CallMeTess. I hope this made you happy.

Bel, xx

NU: Tuesday (3.5K votes for another early update)

PS: Picture of Ariel's guitar at the sidebar.