"You are now free to go, Grace." The doctor says with a smile, taking the clipboard under his arm. I send him a smile just before he leaves the room and I get off the bed slowly, making sure not to put too much pressure onto my arm. I don't want to be back here anytime soon so it's best to take my time and watch my step.

"I have a suprise for you when we get home." Eve says, walking beside me as we walk towards the elevator. I look up at Eve and raise my eyebrow.

"A surprise? What kind of suprise?" I ask and Eve shrugs.

"Oh just a little something I put together." Eve smiles and I nod, trying to block out the terrible elevator music. Honestly, I just want to hit the person who created elevator music. Who's with me?

When we get into the car, I lean my head back into the chair, enjoying the wonderful sound coming from the radio. The song Scared To Be Lonely by Martin Garrix and Dua Lipa plays through the speakers in the car and a small smile spreads across my face.

It was great at the very start

Hands on each other

Couldn't stand to be far apart

Closer the better

I hum the tune of the song as I feel the car beginning to move. As the song continues, I can hear Eve sing along to the song, making my smile fall off my face.

Since when could Eve sing?

Is it just our bodies

Are we both losing our minds

Is the only reason your holding me tonight

Cause we're scared to be lonely

As the car stops, I open my eyes and look at the house that once was my happy place. Now, it's just like any other place to me.

Your getting mixed up in your thoughts again, Grace, my brain warns and I sigh, knowing that I have to control myself. I mean, I have Eve, right? I at least have someone to rely on, other than Luke.

I get out of the car and when I walk up to the door, Eve chuckles slightly. I turn around but she waves me off, turning me back to the door. I open the door and all of a sudden, my aunty and Luke scream out the words that make me mentally laugh at myself for forgetting about today.

"Happy birthday, Grace!"

●●●

I walk into the kitchen, a small smile on my face as I let my thoughts take over. I can't believe Eve did all of this for me. Every detail, every single detail is perfect and I know she put a lot of time and thought into this. The only thought that I really wish I can push away is the one telling me that I don't deserve this.

"Shut up." I mumble, grabbing a glass from the cupboard and pouring some water into it. I place the jug of water back on the counter and take a sip of the refreshing cold water.

"Decided to run away from the party, huh?" I hear someone ask and I turn around to see my aunty sending me a small smile. She closes the door behind her and takes a seat in one of the stools. I grab another glass, pour her some water and walk over to her, giving her the glass. My aunty thanks me before drinking it and I take the stool opposite from her.

"How have you been?" My aunty asks and I shrug.

"Better than I expected." I say and my aunty nods.

"Your a very strong girl, Grace. I always loved that about you." My aunty smiles and I chuckle, nodding.

"So I've been told. Anyway, how are you? We haven't talked much ever since-"

"Ever since Rose's funeral." My aunty cuts in and I nod, taking a sip of my water.

"Yeah."

"Well you don't need to worry about me. Oh, before I forget, I've been meaning to ask you this for a while now." My aunty says and I sit up, interested in what my aunty has to say. "You and that boy..." My aunty says, pointing behind her and I smile.

"Luke." I say and my aunty nods.

"Yeah, him. He is a keeper so don't let go of him." My aunty says and I chuckle. Before I can say a word, my aunty continues. "You two will have some beautiful children too." My aunty adds and I blush, shaking my head.

"Really? Did you have to say that?" I ask, placing my hands on my cheeks and my aunty shrugs.

"Its true-"

"Grace! Time to open your presents!" I hear Eve shout and I chuckle, getting out of my seat. My aunty does the same and follows me out into the living room where I take a seat on the couch. Eve and Luke stand in front of the coffee table while my aunty sits next to me on the couch. I didn't miss the small present she was holding in her hand though.

Eve smiles and places a fairly large present on the table and she claps her hands together. "Okay, this is from me." Eve says and I lean forward, beginning to unwrap the present. When I finish, my mouth opens in shock.

"Wow," I mutter, looking at the large brown case. I unlock the locks and open it, my eyes widening. "This is..." I trail off, not really finding the words that I want to come out of my mouth as this moment. Eve grins, looking between the case and me.

"You are a really good drawer so I thought 'why not get her the full package'? I hope you like it." Eve says and I smile, looking at the row of coloured pencils, crayons, lead pencils and all sorts of different artistic things. I stand up and hug Eve for a few seconds before letting go.

"Thank you." I say and Eve waves me off.

"Oh, it's fine. Now, time for the other presents." Eve says stepping back. I sit back on the couch, close the case and put it to the side. Luke steps in front of Eve and holds out a small box.

"For you." Luke says with a smile, handing me the box. I take it in my hands and unwrap it. When I am finished unwrapping it, I am now holding a blue box which makes my heart race. I open it and just like before, my mouth drops to the floor.

"Now, before you squeal like a mad man-" I cut Luke off by jumping up and wrapping my arms around him. When the pain in my shoulder comes to say hello, I wince but don't let go off Luke.

"This is beautiful." I say and Luke smiles, placing a kiss on my forehead.

"I'm glad you like it." Luke smiles and I take the ring into my hand, the small pink rose shinning in the light. I place it on my pinkie since it is the only finger that the ring fits on and hug Luke again.

"Thank you." I mumble and Luke chuckles.

"No worries, Gracie." Luke says and after a few more seconds of holding onto Luke which is probably making the air awkward between all of us, I finally sit down. My aunty smiles and hands me a box the same size of Luke's one. I take it into my hands and since it isn't wrapped, I open it and tears fill in my eyes.

"I know you have had a rough time with your father but I felt like this photo truly shows how proud he is of you. Also, I liked the photo because it has the three of you in it. Your mom, your father and the baby also known as Grace Leigh Parkinson." My aunty says and when I look into her eyes, I also notice tears in them. I bring her into a hug and let one tear fall.

"You truly know how to bring me into tears." I whisper and my aunty smiles, placing a kiss on my cheek.

"And you truly know how to make me smile." My aunty says and I look at the silver necklace and the locket that is connected to it. The locket, which is open, shows me a picture of my parents when I was first born. My mom is holding me in her arms and my father is standing behind her, looking down at me like he was the happiest man in the world. I clutch onto the locket and wipe my eyes. After sending my aunty one last smile, she grabs it from my hand and places it around my neck. I close the locket and hold onto it, a smile still on my face.

"Thank you, guys. You all are truly something." I say and Eve, Luke and my aunty smile before hugging me. I clutch onto the three main people in life like my life depends on it and let out a sigh.

My parents might not be here but I know they are looking down on me and wishing me a happy birthday, even though I can't hear them.

●●●

After saying goodbye to my aunty and Luke, I finally make my way upstairs, a smile on my face. I walk down the hallway and towards the guest room to see if Eve is asleep. Just as I thought, Eve's sleeping figure is quietly snoring away and I close the door, walking back down the hallway.

My eyes look at my parents door and all of a sudden, my legs don't take me to my room as planned. Instead, I find myself walking into my parents room. I turn the light on and look around the room. Everything still looks the same even though Eve still slept here after my mom died.

I walk over to the bed and sit down on it, looking around the room. When my eyes land on the drawer, I notice a piece of paper under a plastic tin and I get up, walking over to the drawer. I grab it and my eyes widen when I see my name on it.

Did Eve write this?

I unfold the paper and my eyes widen when I read the words on the paper.

Dear Grace,

Oh my beautiful daughter. I'm going to miss you so much, you know? I'm going to miss your smile, your laugh, that twinkle in your eyes when you are so happy or excited... everything about you is what I'm going to miss. What I'm going to miss most is telling you that I love you and hearing that you love me back right after.

Now, before you start to blow up with questions, I'm going to explain everything. I knew about what your father was doing at work. I'm actually okay with that. You know why? Because I told him that this wouldn't work. That the marriage wouldn't work. I know this would hurt you and I know you would start hating your father but it's not his fault. We both knew this wouldn't go as planned so we divorced. You don't know this but we divorced ten years ago. Shocker, I know. Grace, you have to understand that we only kept pretending because we didn't want to you be so upset because we aren't like any of the parents that stay together and grow old together. I told your father that he can see whoever he wants because I knew that I am going to die soon. No one escapes from cancer and that might be your father's fault that he did do this to me but you can't blame him. Everyone dies, we just don't know when or how.

I know I'm being blunt about it all but I'm just being realistic right now. I mean, you might have the perfect boy of your dreams and you might be living your life and have everything all planned out but trust me, it all doesn't go to plan. Nothing goes to plan.

I don't know when you will read this but please just remember I still love you and so does your father. I hope you can forgive him if you do hate him but remember, it's not him you should hate. Actually, you shouldn't hate anyone. Hate is a strong word so use it carefully, okay? Again, forgive your father. Don't throw your time away and push him away because if you need someone to blame, blame me. Just don't blame your father for something he didn't do in the first place.

I love you, Grace. Stay strong, okay?

Kisses and hugs.

- Mom

I drop the letter onto the drawer and let my shaking hands drop to my side. My legs begin to shake and before I can hold onto the wall, I drop to the floor, beginning to cry loudly.

My father didn't cheat on my mom...

"I w-was wrong."

●●●