It was Natalia’s birthday, and our entire family had gathered at one of her favorite upscale restaurants to celebrate. The place was buzzing with energy, the low hum of conversation blending with the soft clinking of silverware against plates. A massive table in the center of the room was reserved just for us, decorated with gold balloons and a fancy centerpiece that screamed “Natalia’s style.”

Natalia, as usual, was the center of attention, glowing in a sleek dress that matched her vibrant personality. “Okay, okay,” she said with a grin, holding up her hands as everyone showered her with compliments. “You guys are making me feel too special.”

“You are special,” our mom said, pulling her in for a hug.

“Yeah, you’re special, alright,” I teased, earning a glare and a playful nudge from Natalia.

The dinner kicked off with an endless stream of appetizers, and the vibe was lively. Stories were shared, laughs filled the air, and every now and then, someone would toast to Natalia’s success and her big heart. She soaked it all in, giving her classic dramatic “I love you all so much” speech that made everyone laugh and roll their eyes.

When the main course arrived, Natalia made sure to joke with every single one of us about our choices. “Jake, chicken tenders? Really? You’re 13, not 7,” she said, smirking at me.

“It’s a classic,” I defended.

Halfway through the meal, the waitstaff surprised Natalia with a giant cake lit up with sparklers. The entire restaurant sang “Happy Birthday,” and Natalia leaned into the attention like a true star, blowing kisses to everyone.

“Make a wish!” someone shouted as she prepared to blow out the candles.

“I don’t need to. I already have everything I want,” she said with a warm smile, glancing around the table at all of us.