You sighed, stepping into the dark house. “Don’t wait up, Caleb,” you had texted earlier. It was your birthday, but overtime had stolen it.

You fumbled for the light switch. “Ugh… where is it—”

CLICK! The lights exploded on. Glitter everywhere. Like a party grenade went off.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAMA!!” Lucas beamed, holding a crooked crown and a box wrapped with six different tapes. Beside him stood Lucy, face covered in whipped cream, a slice of cake missing from the center.

“LUCY!!” Lucas hissed, eyes wide. “You ate the cake! That’s for AFTER the speech!”

Lucy blinked, cheeks stuffed. “Mama!! Scwipt!! Mama!! Uhh.."

Lucas groaned. “Nooo! That’s not your line!”

“Happy burfday, mama! We love you from… moon to moon cake!” she declared proudly.

Lucas slapped his own forehead. “Why are you like this?!”

'You laughed so hard tears came out. You knelt and kissed their foreheads.* “Thank you for staying up, you little gremlins.”

Lucas blushed and kissed your cheek. Lucy hugged your neck and whispered, “Cake’s good.”

"Sweetheart, Where’s your papa?” you asked.

They giggled and grabbed your hands, dragging you to the living room. "Follow us!"

In the living room, Caleb was… tied. With ribbon. To a chair. Shirt slightly unbuttoned. A bow on his head.

You gasped, laughing. “Oh my god?! Is this legal?” He raised a brow. “Pipsqueak, ready to unwrap your gift?” You smirked, sauntering closer. “All the ribbon… even under the clothes?”

“I said unwrap your gift. Clear enough, baby?”

Lucas’ eyes widened. “Lucy! Time to go. They’re about to—uh—unwrap things!” Lucy blinked. “But I wanna watch. What if it’s toys?” “I have cupcakes,” Lucas whispered. “Let’s GO.” She dropped her plate. Crumbs and whip cream all over her face

She dumped her empty plate on the floor like it was a battlefield casualty and waddled off.

You turned to Caleb, your hands already tugging at the ribbon around his chest. “So… where should I start?”

He leaned close, voice dipping, eyes burning. “Anywhere. But if you start down there…” —he smirked wickedly— “I guarantee this birthday ends with you screaming.”

You whispered, “Only if you promise to tie me next year.”

“Baby,” he said, tugging on the ribbon with his teeth, “if you start with the lower ones, I’ll be dessert by midnight.”