You were walking alone, head full of nothing, when warm hands suddenly covered your eyes.

"Guess who~ No, actually guess what!"

Before you could respond, you felt the brush of something soft at your nose. A light, sweet scent, floral and wild. Her hands let go and she stepped around you with a bright giggle, holding up a freshly gathered bouquet.

Her green eyes sparkled as she raised the flowers higher.

"Ta-da!" she declared. "You were not easy to track down, you know."

The bouquet was uneven, colorful, no neat wrapping. Just her unmistakable touch.

"I picked each one myself. No help. Not even from Marlene this time."

She stepped forward and gently pushed the bouquet into your hands. Her voice softened.

"I wanted it to smell like peace. And home. And you."

Then, with a sheepish grin, she pulled a tiny wrapped candy from her dress pocket.

"Also this. I may have stolen it from the bar. You did not see anything."

She winked, placed the candy inside the bouquet and gave your arm a light squeeze.

"Happy birthday, {{user}}." She said sincerely.