Constant Repeat

Part 8.3

She invited the lads to get comfortable as she went to drop the cowboy hat, which she had taken off to drive, on the kitchen counter and wash the wine glass.

Muffled by the sound of the water stream, she could faintly hear Matt on the phone with Breana and Ella got even more excited.

After what had happened in February, her birthday coming up had been something she was dreading. Maybe even more than she had been dreading Valentine's day. Because Julian and her had planned a weekend getaway to celebrate her, one that after having talked about starting a family, had sounded like she would have her birthday wishes come true before she even had to blow the candles out.

But after it all had gone down, thinking back to those plans had left a bitter taste on her tongue and brought the raging tears back to her eyes. And him showing up only a few days earlier to shout at her and call her names hadn't helped either. If she thought too much about it, the anger made her want to look for him just so she could shout back at him everything she wanted to say.

So she couldn't be happier to have these people now, who were so thoughtful and kind to her, when they truly didn't have to be. They had been the loveliest bunch and she knew that if she had them beside her, then she'd get to feel fine again soon.

When Bre got there, as everyone was watching a movie and sipping on tequila sunrises—Jamie had been the one to make the drinks since he had mentioned Katie showing him how to make them—, Matt had not let Ella stand up to get the door. Instead, Alex left his glass on the coffee table and covered her eyes for a minute.

Ella let out giggles of excitement, not knowing what was happening but then she heard steps coming her way and when Alex let his hands fall, she was met with a big chocolate cake with lots of lit up candles.

Everyone started singing happy birthday to her. Alex's voice was right in her ear as he was sitting beside her so her skin erupted in goosebumps. Matt, who was holding the cake, stopped right in front of her, Bre sat down to her right side and gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

When everyone finished singing, they encouraged her to make a wish and she truly had no idea what to wish for other than keep her amazing friends beside her for as long as she could.

That seemed like more than enough, because they made her incredibly happy and she felt like she deserved that.

With one strong blow, the candles went out and everyone cheered around her.

Ella giggled at the ruckus, smiling harder when Bre left a loud kiss on her right cheek but her face went red when Alex leaned into her ear to whisper, "Happy birthday darling." before leaving a bunch of pecks on her cheeks and temple.

The rest of the day was filled with laughter, cake and drinks. Ella dusted out her karaoke machine and it ended up being the best night she would have imagined.

Her throat had ended up hurting from how loud they were singing and they had only had to stop because her neighbors complained about the noise not letting their kids sleep.

Sleeping arrangements were easily settled, as Bre was quick to throw herself on Ella's bed claiming she'd cuddle her tonight. Matt had tried to jump after Bre but Ella didn't let him, the lads helping Matt be pulled into the guest bedroom with Jamie.

Alex said he'd be fine with sleeping on the settee and Ella brought out a twin size air mattress that she had hidden away in one of her garage's cabinets, which was where Nick was going to sleep.

Ella was feeling overly emotional, and it was probably due to the tequila, because when she was checking that everyone was set and ready to sleep, she'd make sure to crush them in a hug before leaving.