The next morning, when Luan opened his eyes, he saw Ingrid curling up against his chest like a lazy kitten and sleeping well. Luan could not help but smile as he continued to lay still in the bed next to her. With his hyper-sensory perception, Luan noted that there were no problems imminent. The fact that most of the monsters were exterminated made his mind lighter.

'They're coming back...' It was easy for him to feel his family members coming back towards the island. The fastest was Lenore, possibly only 2 hours away from the island.

Ingrid moved suddenly. Opening her eyes, she looked at Luan with a sleepy expression, then she smiled. "Today is Cristina's birthday."

"Mm." Luan knew this and planned to do something special. "We're going to have a party and invite only family members. It will be good for her to be surrounded by people who like her."

"I agree." Ingrid kissed him, then she sat up in bed. "Mmmm" Stretching, she started to crawl out of bed.

"Luan, a little help here?" asked Ingrid.

"Hm?" Turning around, he saw that she was decorating the house, and went to help.

"I hope Cristina likes it." Ingrid smiled sweetly as she placed assorted sweets on the checkered table. In the middle there was a giant five-story strawberry cake on the back wall. It said: [Cristina Dimas Happy Birthday!]

"Do you still doubt?" Luan arched his brow, then he smiled.

" How dumb I am. Yes, how could she not like it? I can even see her happy smile." Ingrid tapped her forehead and glanced at Luan out of the corner of her eye and laughed at herself.

"Dad?" Lenore's voice echoed.

"I'm in the living room," Luan said out loud.

Soon, a white-haired, red-eyed angel walked in... Lenore looked at the room's decor while getting curious. Some things are not for understanding, they are simply for living. Birthdays were something Lenore didn't celebrate. The customs of vampires and even many other beings did not celebrate every year of life, but most were at specific ages.

"Welcome back," Luan said with a welcoming smile as he looked at her. Lenore froze for a second, then she nodded and tried to smile, but tragically failed

Luan noticed her strange expression and tried not to laugh. Approaching her, Ingrid took Lenore's cool, delicate hand. "Want to help us? We are decorating for Cristina's birthday."

"Oh" Lenore didn't know how to react to this when she remembered that Cristina, who was 15 years old at most, was her aunt. Closing her eyes briefly, she gently pulled her hand away and said, "I want to help."

"Excellent." Ingrid smiled, not caring that Lenore was tugging on her hand.

After Lenore joined, the speed of the decoration process had increased.

"Should this go here?" With crates of beer, Lenore asked as she pointed to the white freezers.

"Yes," Luan nodded.

"OK." Swiftly, she correctly placed the beer cans in the freezer.

It was almost 5 o'clock in the afternoon by the time the Elite Squad returned. Only Maira, Catharina, Chloe, and the main hostess, Cristina, were missing. She, Catharina, Chloe, and Maira were not far away; in less than 30 minutes they would arrive. The main reason was that Maira and the rest were delaying their arrival to allow time to make all the preparations.

Cristina, although innocent in some ways, was able to deduce what was going on. When she arrived, Cristina could feel the presence of many people she knew in the mansion, yet still she seemed sweet with that genuine expression of affection. Her big eyes grew moist, and she felt like crying. Maira knew she couldn't hide anymore, and she hugged Cristina softly and murmured, "Happy birthday, baby girl."

"Mm... Mm..." Cristina nodded, unable to speak. The words were locked in her throat. She knew that if she tried to speak, she would choke with tears. Catharina and Chloe had a smile on their faces and helped comfort Cristina.

"I am better now," she said, her voice a little hoarse.

"Okay, they're all waiting for you, dear. Let's go in," Maira said affectionately as she wiped the trail of tears from Cristina's pretty face.

As soon as they entered the island, they passed the mansion door, screams echoed.

"Surprise!"

Maybe not so much, but Cristina felt her heart leap. She automatically felt like crying again when she saw so many familiar faces smiling at her. As far as she remembered, this would be the first time she would celebrate her birthday. Gradually, she was surrounded by the people she loved the most.

Alice Garcia, her best friend at school, said with a sweet smile, "You look beautiful, Cris."

"Thanks." Cristina blushed a little. "You look beautiful too."

"Hehee~" Aline stuck out her tongue. "I tried really hard, as it would be my best friend's first birthday party, and I wanted to be a part of the many that we will celebrate together."

Cristina didn't speak. Instead, she hugged Aline gently. Everyone who saw this had a gentle smile on their face. Elias' mother and father attended the party. Although Elias' father was very busy, he made time to attend. Everyone from Luan's immediate family was in attendance. Even their grandfather, Saulo Dimas attended, despite his busy schedule.

After singing Happy Birthday, it was time to cut the cake. When she took the first piece, Cristina looked in the direction of the person who had completely changed her life. "The first piece goes to the person who made me see how beautiful the world can be, and how I could also be loved. I have no words to measure how grateful I am to meet my Master and older brother. Luan, the first piece is for you."

Many were moved by the way Cristina spoke. Although she was young, her words were loaded with complex emotions. The feelings she went through in the little speech she gave was able to make many of them cry. It was touching how she knew how to be grateful and how she showed so many emotions in so few words. Her beautiful eyes of obsession sparkled beautifully as she passed the piece of cake to Luan, who accepted it with the kindest smile he could give her.

Warm applause echoed as Luan took the cake. Soon after, it was the second piece that went to Maira, subsequently to Ingrid, Catharina, and the rest. After they sang Happy Birthday, some who were busier began to leave.

"Pretty, this is grandpa's gift. Unfortunately, I can't stay any longer." Saulo smiled kindly at Cristina, handing her a 30 cm box. "Anytime you want, you can go visit grandpa, okay?"

"Ye, thank you." She smiled sweetly in response.

Saul laughed out loud and rubbed the cute creature's head. After that, he left. Not long after, Elijah's father also left. But the party didn't end just because of a few people leaving; it was still early, and the night was young. After a lot of things had happened, they deserved a day off.

'I am so happy!' Cristina was all smiles. She felt that this was one of the happiest days of her life. Her heart was overflowing with love for her family. She has never felt so loved in her entire life!

If she hadn't endured everything she had gone through before - if she couldn't survive Would she have ever been able to experience such happiness? Sometimes happiness is very close, one just needs to prevail that one day when they too can be happy. That's exactly what Cristina came to learn.

*

Please read the author's notes down here! s2

- Drop some power stone, please s2