by J. E. Cluney
Dixon and Natalie were already up, and Trish was just joining them. She clearly wasn’t feeling like a morning person with the scowl she was wearing as she sipped her coffee.
George joined us just as I sat down beside Ollie, informing us that Emma would be out soon, she was just having a shower.
He thanked Lucas for his hangover cure, which Marcus had given him when George had come inside for painkillers for her.
Fresh juices, tea, and hot milo were on offer, and I happily poured myself a glass of juice and sipped it, grateful that Lucas’ potion had kicked right in, and, true to his words, I was feeling good as gold now.
Marcus flitted out, setting out plates and cutlery before us in the blink of an eye before delivering a heaped plate of pancakes to serve around. A bowl of whipped cream, fresh berries, and a bottle of maple syrup were all flitted to the table as well.
“For those who want just toast, eggs, and bacon, let me know now,” Marcus said once he’d set another stack of pancakes out for us.
Dixon asked for bacon, eggs, and toast, as did George and Trish. Although both intended to have pancakes as well.
“Happy birthday, Allison,” Natalie beamed as she circled the table and hugged me.
Lucas snapped his fingers, and small fireworks exploded from thin air, forming the words ‘Happy Birthday’ over the table as magical wispy balloons formed and tied themselves to the verandah poles.
Music began playing, and I laughed as birthday hats magically appeared on everyone’s heads.
This started the birthday wishes and hugs as everyone took their turn.
Trish declared that presents would come after breakfast, and Ollie served up a stack of pancakes for me with cream and fresh berries.
I nearly moaned as I shoveled a forkful into my mouth. Damn, Marcus had gone above and beyond with these sweet, fluffy pancakes cooked to perfection.
‘I’m glad you like them,’ he chuckled.
We all laughed as we reminisced on last night while eating, and Marcus returned after a few minutes with the requested bacon, eggs and toast before sitting down and helping himself to the pancakes.
Trish gladly accepted some of the hangover cure when offered by Lucas, and by the time presents were brought out, she was cheery and bubbly once more.
My stomach knotted as presents were piled on the table for me, and I plucked the first one off the top from Trish.
She waggled her eyebrows at me, and I gave her a half smile as I ripped into the paper. God, I hoped it wasn’t something crazy.
I grinned stupidly as laughter bubbled up inside me, and Emma demanded to see it before erupting into giggles as well.
“What? I thought it was a good present,” Trish beamed before cackling madly as Natalie covered her mouth in shock and Hayley squealed before laughing.
I stared at the cute little vibrator she’d bought me. It was waterproof and rechargeable, and indiscreet, especially since it looked like a mascara tube. A satisfyer mini was the name.
Of course she bought me a sex toy.
“Mom! I can’t believe you,” Natalie gaped, but even Dixon was chuckling along with the guys.
‘Just imagine the fun we can have with that,’ Lucas purred.
‘I friggin love your grandma,’ Skip laughed.
‘Not at all what I’d have expected from her,’ Ollie snickered.
Marcus was just sending me dirty thoughts of what he could do while going down on me, and I had to try to shove him from my mind as he laughed.
Underneath the vibrator was a box of Lindt chocolate bunnies, and I just chuckled, especially considering our fun we’d had last night with chocolate bunnies.
“It’s awesome, thank you,” I chuckled as I set it aside, moving onto the next present.
A card from Emma, which I delicately opened. A puff of pink smoke erupted from it as soon as I opened it, forming the words ‘Happy Birthday’ before dissipating.
I grinned widely at the cute little magical touch, then slipped out the card. It was magicked, the wolf wearing a birthday hat running around madly before sprouting pixie wings. Cute.
Inside, she’d written a short message thanking me for being her friend and wishing me the best birthday thus far, along with a gift-card for Dotti, a clothing store.
“Thanks Emma,” I smiled softly as I leaned over to hug her while she perched on George’s lap beside me.
“There’s another from us,” she chuckled as I pulled back while she pointed at another present.
I reached for it and opened it, finding an adorable candle inside that smelled like vanilla.
“Ooooh, I’ve seen those, the Royal Essence candles. They contain jewelry, some worth hundreds or thousands of dollars,” Natalie marveled as she nodded in approval at Emma. “Great idea.”
“Wow, that’s awesome,” I murmured as I drew in the sweet vanilla scent.
“Yeah, so you just light it and burn it down. There’s a little bag in the wax you have to fish out once it’s melted and you’ll get surprise jewelry,” Emma explained.
“That’s so cool, thank you,” I grinned at her.
I moved onto the next present, one from Natalie and Dixon.
“You didn’t have to get me anything, you got me Dory,” I scolded them, but they waved me off and urged me to open it.
I tore through the wrapping paper, my heart skipping a beat as I saw a photo of my parents on the cover of the photo album.
“We found all the other photos we had, same with mom, she brought over all hers too that we didn’t have and we made it up for you,” Natalie murmured.
Emotions washed over me once more as I flicked through the album while tears stung my eyes. I blinked them back and swallowed down the lump in my throat. There were some in there of my father as a child, of Natalie and him playing outside, even a childhood photo of my mom. Then photos of them together over the years they were married and attending family functions on my dad’s side.
Then there were a few of me with them, and some of just me as a baby and toddler.
I got up and circled the table, hugging all three of them tightly while fighting the urge to cry.
They gave me tender smiles as I walked back around and retook my seat, smiling while fighting my emotions. There were even photos of Hayley and I when we were small, and Hayley chuckled when I showed her.
“This is awesome, thank you,” I murmured as I set it aside.
There was also a block of chocolate in the wrapping paper, which I set with the Lindt bunnies before moving onto another present. This one was from Marcus, and I ripped it open to marvel at the red silk nightgown, along with a baby pink one. The material was so silky and smooth in my fingers, and I knew it wasn’t anything cheap.
“They’re gorgeous,” I beamed at him, and he smiled softly.
“I’m glad you like them,” he murmured as he flitted over from his seat to give me a kiss on the cheek.
Ollie was residing in the other seat beside me, with the boys scattered around the table with everyone else.
“I already gave you my present, but we’ll take you shopping today so you can use the voucher from Emma, and I’ll buy you clothes since you really need some more,” Ollie gave me his adorable smile and I couldn’t help but lean over and hug him.
“I love my giant chocolate bunny too,” I remarked, and his smile only grew.
“Mine’s the last one. I wasn’t sure what to get you really,” Hayley said sheepishly as she played with her silver heart necklace that she’d told me Daniel had gotten her on Valentine’s Day.
I tore into the last present, chuckling at the packet of Freddos inside, along with a visa gift-card.
“Thank you, I love Freddos,” I grinned at her.
“Mom might’ve told me that,” Hayley gave me an awkward smile.
“It’s perfect, thank you,” I said as I sat back. All these presents were awesome.
“I know you don’t normally care much for cards, but I couldn’t help it,” Emma said
quickly, clearly noting that no one else had gotten me a card.
It was an odd thing. As nice as cards were, I never really kept them, although I’d make an exception for Emma’s magical card.
‘I told everyone not to worry about cards,’ Ollie informed me. He’d simply told them that their presence was enough, but cards just weren’t something I did. They didn’t mind this, instead saying it was becoming more normal to not bother with cards.
“Our presents are in the library room,” Skip said as he nodded over at Lucas.
I just frowned, forcing myself not to peek into their minds to find out what they’d gotten me.
Since we’d finished breakfast and Marcus and Lucas had cleared away everything, we headed inside to investigate my remaining presents.
“Close your eyes,” Lucas murmured as he came up beside me as we walked to the doorway into the library room.
I did as told, allowing him to lead me as everyone followed along behind me.
I heard Trish make a sound in awe, and Hayley whistled.
“Open!” Skip said gleefully.
I did, and my chest tightened in both joy and shock.
A black piano was set-up in the corner of the room with a guitar leaning against it. Both didn’t look cheap.
“Guitar’s from me, piano is all Lucas,” Skip informed me.
I just gaped as I wandered over, running my fingers along the ivory keys and testing out a few of them.
I broke into a grin as I began thinking about how I could be more like my mom. Maybe music could be my way to connect with her.
“I love them,” I breathed as the pair joined me.
“Good, and we expect you to start practicing and playing for us,” Lucas murmured in my ear before kissing my neck gently.
I turned to hug him tight, and he relaxed as he held me and stroked my hair softly.
“I’m glad you like it,” he whispered.
I just smiled tenderly at him and gave him a peck on the lips before slipping from his arms and moving into Skip’s.
He grinned down at me before ducking to kiss me.
He pressed his body against mine, and I melted into the sweet kiss before he pulled back.
“Let’s hope you can sing,” he chuckled, and Trish laughed.
“Yeah, bless her heart, but your mother couldn’t hit a note if her life depended on it. But she was a maestro with the piano,” Trish sighed.
“I wish there were videos of her playing guitar and piano. I would’ve loved to have heard it,” I sighed as I sat down at the piano and played a few keys.
“Well, we’ll check our home videos, we may have something,” Natalie said sweetly.
I nodded as I reached for the guitar and strummed it.
“We got the guy at the music shop to tune it for you, there’s a tuner there and some more strings. It’s nylon strings, you can change to steel strings later on if you want to,” Skip informed me as I tried to play some kind of tune.
I’d definitely be looking at a lot of youtube videos to learn how to play both instruments.
I felt the wave of emotions wash over me as I looked around at everyone, struggling to hold back my tears as I set the guitar down.
This had been the best birthday ever, and it had only just started.
I finally had a real family, and I felt loved and cherished right now.
“Oh, sweetie,” Natalie murmured as she stepped forward to pull me up and into a hug.
She held me as I fought back the tears.
“I’m just really happy, thank you, everyone,” I managed to gasp out.
Damn, I wasn’t going to be able to fight off the tears.
Dixon wrapped me up in a bear hug as well, and I drew in their joint summer flowers scent that I remembered.
I was loved.
We spent the morning playing games outside, from card games to board games, and I shared my chocolates around and even opened up my giant bunny and took a bite out of its ear.
The guys played some volleyball, and then Ollie jokingly offered to give pony rides, which Skip enthusiastically took him up on.
So Ollie stripped down, flashing me a cheeky grin as Trish wolf-whistled while Hayley and Natalie laughed.
His body rippled as he lurched forward, and in less than a few seconds, a gorgeous white stallion stood before us, looking majestic as fuck.
“Should’ve become a unicorn,” Dixon called out.
I instantly remembered a conversation with Ollie some time back about unicorns and how they could potentially be shifters, but not real animals. They were special shifter cross-breedings. A horse and narwhale I think he’d said. But he wasn’t sure if the stories were true.
Lucas snapped his fingers, and a birthday cap appeared on Ollie’s head like a birthday horn, and Dixon chortled as he slapped his knees.
Skip clambered onto him, grinning as he fist pumped the air as Ollie snorted and stomped a hoof.
Then Skip crossed his fist over his heart, and his face fell somber.
“Aye, fight and you may die. Run and you'll live — at least a while,” he started.
“Are you serious?” George baulked.
“What?” I frowned.
“It’s Braveheart,” Dixon snorted as he shook his head.
“See if he can stay on at the canter!” Lucas shouted out, cutting Skip’s speech short.
“What? Fuck no!” Skip shouted out, followed by a shriek and swearing as Ollie lurched forward.
He tore off across the yard as Skip clung to his mane and cried out.
“Jesus fucking Christ!” Skip screeched as Ollie did a harsh turn and came flying back towards us.
Skip was falling to one side, struggling to remain on Ollie as he torpedoed back to us.
He came to an abrupt stop just as Skip pulled himself upright, and Ollie flung his head down as he did it.
We all gasped as Skip was flung right over Ollie’s head and landed with a thump before he rolled.
“Oh, you little fuck,” Skip groaned as he got to his hands and knees.
“I’m sitting these pony rides out,” Hayley scoffed.
I could tell from our bond that Skip was okay, and he was actually pretty proud he’d stayed on as long as he did.
‘You wanna have a go? Don’t worry, I won’t do that to you,’ Ollie asked.
I’d never ridden bareback, but I figured I might as well add it to my list. Besides, I trusted Ollie to take care of me.
I stood up from my seat at the table and headed over, and Ollie knelt down, holding his head over his knee, his stunning white mane hanging down and touching the ground as he swished his tail.
I couldn’t help it, I had to stroke his forehead, ears and mane before carefully climbing onto his back.
He stood up carefully, making sure I was comfortable as he moved off at a slow walk.
We plodded around the yard as I held onto his mane, and I found it was quite enjoyable, especially since I didn’t have to think too hard about what I was doing.
We didn’t bother changing gaits, and I cherished the sweet little ride through the fruit trees before circling back to the verandah.
Natalie had a go, along with Marcus and Lucas.
Then he shifted again, changing from the stunning white stallion into a solid, sturdy looking clydesdale as Lucas joked that he and Skip should both ride and see if they could stay on together.
I watched as Ollie knelt down again, this time as a black clydesdale with a white stripe down his face, and the two boys climbed onto him.
Skip sat at the front, while Lucas took the back.
And then they were off, and we all just watched as Ollie cantered around the yard with them.
I felt Lucas’ mischievous little thought before it happened, and I just stared in sheer wonder as Ollie’s feet rose off the ground. He faltered for a moment, before realizing what happened.
“I’ll be damned,” Trish breathed.
“I might have to rethink trying out this ride,”
Hayley mumbled.
Ollie was now floating at least a meter or two off the ground as he cantered around, and the boys were clearly enjoying it.
They returned, and Dixon and Natalie had a go after Ollie used Lucas to inform them he could carry them both when Dixon hesitated about it.
They soared through the air as he cantered around the tops of the fruit trees, and I was just stuck in sheer amazement as I watched the elegant black horse gracefully glide through the air with my aunt and uncle.
When their turn was up, Marcus and I had a go, and he was thrilled as soon as we floated into the air.
My breath was taken away as we rose over the fruit trees, and I clung to Ollie’s smooth, thick mane as we rode over the backyard.
“This is amazing,” Marcus breathed into my ear as he tightened his grip around my waist.
It really was incredible.
Ollie’s body rippled beneath us as he continued to canter in the air, the gentle rocking horse movement relaxing me.
Despite being high up, I felt completely safe.
Ollie wouldn’t let me fall, and Marcus would flit me to safety if anything happened, not to mention Lucas’ magic.
‘And I’d catch you, if worst came to worst,’ Skip promised.
I believed him. But I also knew nothing would go wrong.
Right now, I could enjoy this moment, completely fear-free.
I threw out my arms, laughing as we soared towards the house.
I couldn’t feel more free if I tried.
We had roast chicken and salad for lunch, and Dixon and Natalie wanted to go nap afterwards, as did Trish.
“We’re going to take you down to the coast so you can get some more clothes,” Emma said excitedly as she plopped down in the vacant seat beside me.
“Can I come? I’d love to help out, and I’d like to maybe grab myself something too while I’m here, if you don’t mind,” Hayley asked carefully.
“Of course!” I exclaimed. Like she even needed to ask.
“I’m coming too, since I’m buying for you today,” Ollie declared as he strode over to stand behind me.
He toyed with my ponytail, and I quivered as sweet tingles ran down my arms at the touch.
Well, looks like that was settled then.
We headed off in George’s dual cab ute, since he figured he’d come as well. The rest of the guys would stay back and get some study or something done.