You’d been up since 6 a.m., the sweet smell of vanilla cake still lingering in the air, the glitter from the “4” balloon somehow already clinging to your shirt. The living room looked like something out of a Pinterest board—soft pinks, sparkles, streamers. A hand-baked cake sat proudly on the table, half-frosted with tiny fingers already swiping some off.

You’d always imagined birthdays like this—with Drew by your side, as a family. But things didn’t stay that simple. Now it’s one week with you, one with him. And today, it’s your week.

Still, you knew he‘d come.

Lila had picked out her own dress—a light pink one with tiny white daisies. You’d helped her tie the bow in her hair, watched her twirl in front of the mirror with that bright, giddy grin only little kids have. She didn’t stop talking all morning, bouncing from one room to the next like pure sunshine in motion.

And then the doorbell rang.

Before you could even react, Lila was already running—barefoot, breathless, full of excitement. “Daddy!”

The door opened, and there he was.

Drew stepped inside, a small gift bag in his hand, his eyes scanning the room quickly before they fell on her—his whole face softening the second he saw her. She crashed into him, arms around his neck, and he knelt to her level, holding her like she was the most precious thing in the world.

“There’s my birthday girl,” he said softly, his voice warm with affection. “I missed you, princess,” he murmured, pressing a tender kiss to her hair.

“I’m four now!” she declared proudly, holding up all five fingers and then quickly tucking her thumb back in with a giggle.

He laughed—really laughed. “Wow. You’re getting so big.”

You watched from across the room, arms crossed loosely, a tired but warm smile tugging at your lips. This wasn’t always easy—sharing her, watching him come and go. But moments like this? They made it worth it.

Drew looked up at you then. “Hey,” he said softly.

“Hey,” you echoed, your voice catching slightly. He looked good—same messy hair, same grey hoodie he always wore too much. He hadn’t changed. Not really.

“She made that cake,” you said, nodding toward the kitchen.

Drew raised an eyebrow. “Yeah? Then I guess we gotta eat it together.”

Lila tugged on both your hands, desperate to drag you toward the table. “Both of you! Come on!”

And just for a moment, as the three of you stood around that too-small table, under streamers and balloons, it almost felt like everything was how it used to be. A glimpse of something whole—even if just for today.