Each tick from the clock meant a second closer to your birthday. Impatient enough, you held yourself back from blowing the gentle flam from the candle in front of you. Your pinky was interlocked with his, a wrapped handmade gift in his other hand. He had an exhausting day— it was apparent from the way his head was nodding to sleep— but he wouldn’t miss this day for the world.

“Happy birthday.” He let out excitedly as the clock struck midnight.