The house is still quiet. Too quiet for the time of day.

Clark stands beside you in the hallway, holding two small gift bags with almost exaggerated care, as if they were made of glass. You’re carrying the cakes—two of them, small, with crooked, mismatched colorful candles… but that’s part of the charm.

You look at each other for a second. Clark smiles, lowers his voice without even realizing it.

“Ready?” He whispers, even though it’s not really necessary.

You open the door slowly.

The room is dim. The curtains let in just a bit of the morning light. On the bed, Jonathan and Lara, your five-year-old twins, are tangled up in blankets and pillows, still half asleep. Jon moves first, rubbing his eyes clumsily. Lara turns over, frowning, clearly annoyed that someone dared to interrupt her sleep.

“Mmm…” A sleepy little voice murmurs.

Clark steps in first, a smile on his face that he’s no longer trying to hide. You follow him inside.

“Good morning kids…” He says softly. “Happy birthday.”

It takes them a second to process it.

Then another.

And then they see everything: the gifts, the cakes, the candles.

Their eyes fly open.

“IS IT TODAY?” Jon says, sitting up immediately, his hair completely messy.

“ARE THOSE FOR US?” Lara asks, sitting up too, pointing at the bags with both hands.

Clark lets out a quiet laugh, completely unable to contain it.

“They’re for you,” You say. “But slowly, okay?”

Too late.

They’re already on their knees on the bed, pushing the blankets aside, leaning closer, talking over each other, asking questions without waiting for answers.

“Can I open mine first?” “Why does mine have a blue bow?” “What about the candles?” “Can I blow them out?”

Clark leans in, resting one knee on the mattress, trying to keep some order while clearly enjoying the chaos.

“Hey, hey… one at a time,” He says, though his voice sounds more amused than firm.