#IT WAS SO HARD TO KEEP THESE TWO MANIPS A SECRET LAST NIGHT LOL

[erineverly]

                         ˗ˏˋ❤ˎˊ˗┊𝓗appy 34th Birthday, Axl !!! / @thornrosed

            Not even in her wildest dreams did Erin think she would ever get to celebrate Axl’s birthday again. Watch his angelic features contort as he focuses on making a wish right before blowing the candles on his cake out, see the brightest of grins when he’s carefully unwrapping each of his presents, feel his warm, loving arms around her as a silent thank you — it all seemed surreal, it still does. Too surreal to even hope for. Life isn’t a wish-granting factory, it’s not a fairytale and yet here she is, feeling like she’s just won a lottery and making sure to turn February 6th, 1996 into one of the most memorable days in Axl’s life. It just has to be unforgettable.

             The most delicate tints of yellows and reds fill the sky over Malibu all at once, reflecting off the oddly at this time of year peaceful ocean. The sun rises as a ball of gold, bright amid the blue, bidding the very few stars to take their daily rest. Silvery wisps of clouds are scattered across the sky, highlighted by the pinks and oranges expanding along the horizon. The white linen curtains, stretching from the ceiling all the way down to the bedroom floor, billow as a rather brisk and chilly morning breeze comes in through the open window. If today was a day like any other, just another unimportant Tuesday, the curly-haired woman would already be tugging at her boyfriend’s arm and whining for him to get up. However, today is supposed to be anything but ordinary and for once in her life, Erin doesn’t mind letting her boyfriend get as much sleep as possible. Staying in bed a little longer suddenly seems extremely appealing even to someone who’s such an early bird.

             “Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you.” Erin might no longer be a teenager but somehow her voice is still rather babyish and almost bashfully quiet. It’s filled with more than just an ounce of joy nonetheless. There’s something incredibly carefree and cheerful about these few sweet notes as they fall into the cool air around them. Dulcet tones creating the most precious melody that comes straight from the girl’s loving heart. She leans in just an inch or two to be even closer to her boyfriend’s ear, rosy lips tickling his porcelain skin. Dainty fingers combing affectionately through his long, fiery locks, brushing them out of his forehead with utmost delicacy almost as if she was trying to wake up Heaven’s favorite angel. And perhaps that’s true, maybe he really is a beautiful creature with invisible wings. “Happy birthday dear Axy, happy birthday to you.” Pressing a small kiss to the top of his head as she concludes the adorable song, Erin can feel her heart expanding with an immeasurable amount of love. She never thought feelings as strong as the ones swirling around in her chest now were real and could happen outside of fairytales. “Good morning, birthday boy.”

             Softly murmuring something incoherent under his breath, the redhead slowly wakes up to the soothing sound of her girly voice. There’s a shy smile creeping onto his features even before his eyelids have a chance to start twitching and emerald eyes flicker open. He’s lazily bringing his muscular arms from underneath the blankets and wrapping them around her neck, pulling the petite girl into his embrace. He makes heart swell, makes her feel more alive. Safe in their little cocoon and protected from all the worries of everyday’s life, she’s melting like never before. Her stomach flutters at the feeling of his body pressed so tightly against hers and she can’t help but sink even further into the warmth of his side, appreciative of the simple albeit incredibly special gesture. “Good morning, my lion man!” Wasting no time, Erin immediately begins showering his dimpled cheeks with sweet kisses. She knows exactly how grumpy the redhead gets in the morning and how he dislikes making a big deal out of his birthday, but she has a strong feeling that things will be a little different today. It seems to her that he’s nowhere near being grumpy now. “It’s your birthday, handsome angel,” a soft coo emits from the brunette as she keeps bathing in the kind of warmth only his body can provide and pecking his cheeks. “You don’t even know how happy I am to be here with you today. I’m one lucky girl to have you in my life. You’re my greatest blessing.”

             Being the kind of person who always pays a lot of attention to the detail and appreciates all the little things other people do for her, Erin happily stayed up late last night to decorate their bedroom once Axl had fallen asleep. She just couldn’t leave it bare and dull-looking. It’s not like her to be lazy and choose the easiest way when it comes to important things like making her boyfriend feel loved on his own birthday. So, now there’s at least a hundred blue and white balloons, floating above their heads and a giant, homemade sign with little roses and paws ( because he’s always been and still is her Simba ) around the bright, glittery letters taped to the wall that says — HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FAVORITE LION ! She didn’t forget about the flowers, either. There’s a glass, beautiful in its simplicity, vase standing on top of the drawer. A bouquet of red roses and sunflowers, something to symbolize not only her love for Axl but the unity between their souls as well. The sunlight, coming through the window, makes the colors seem even more radiant, tenderly kissing each petal and shining upon the foliage of deepest green. Their gentle aroma brings back all the happy memories to Erin. All the bags and boxes wrapped up in blue and red paper with white bows on top are waiting for the birthday boy in the kitchen. Erin’s planning on making him chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast while he’s busy unwrapping his gifts.

             But right now, she’s taking her time and making sure Axl knows just how much he means to her, how special and how beautiful in every way he is. She doesn’t want him to feel insecure today, like he’s not manly enough or something just as ridiculous. It’s his day, after all. It’s all about what he wants and how he wants it. “I love you more than you’ll ever know. I’ll love you forever-ly.” Giggling softly at the old joke of theirs, Erin cups his cheek and begins affectionately stroking his soft skin. “Gosh, I never want to miss your birthday again. February was horrible, and I mean horrible without you.” Plump lips pressing tender, lingering kisses to whatever part of his body they can reach — dotting his jawline, gracing his chin, spreading all over his cheeks, falling onto his nose like rose petals, covering his temples, even his neck and prominent collarbones aren’t forgotten. Manicured fingertips roaming all over the taut skin of her boyfriend’s stomach, affectionately tracing the outlines of his abs. “Happy birthday, my sweetest strawberry,” Erin whispers in between the kisses for what already feels like a millionth time today. She can’t help it, though. There’s nothing that should be treasured and celebrated more than the gift of life and that’s what she’s trying to do. Wrapped up in the warm blankets, surrounded with soft pillows and their love, it feels like they’re in their own little paradise. The world has stopped for a brief moment, so that the two of them can just be together and not worry about anything. Not yet, at least.

              There are exactly thirty-four strawberry and chocolate cupcakes with vanilla icing tumbling over the plate that sits on the bedside table, patiently waiting for the birthday boy to be fully awake and enjoy their sweet taste. Each of them is covered in rainbow sprinkles ( these are Erin’s favorite but she knows that Axl loves them too ) and has a red candle stuck in the middle. Their aromatic fragrance overpowers every other scent, lingering in the room. Even the roses don’t really stand a chance with that many freshly baked cupcakes. “I wanted to do something different,” the brunette explains, seeing just how surprised the redhead is. A joyous smile gracing her lips as she reaches out to take his lighter. She picks up one of the muffins and fixes the annoying strap of her nightgown, the one that just refuses to stop falling off her shoulder. “Now you can make one wish for each year you’ve been alive because just one? Really? What? That can’t possibly be enough. You deserve more than that.” Chuckling, it might seem like a joke but Erin is actually far from kidding as she carefully lights up each of them and encourages Axl to come up with all sorts of wishes. Finding her childish giggles contagious, the singer starts laughing along with his crazy girlfriend and has no other choice but to sit up, tuck his hair behind his ears and blow out all these candles. Somehow managing to make a long list of things he hopes can come true. He’s always been a dreamer and no matter how far he’s come, he still has a head full of plans and ideas and he still believes in magic.

              He doesn’t know that yet but Erin’s about to drop a huge amount of magic onto his shoulders later today and she’s not sure how he’ll react. She can only pray that he won’t start freaking out. It’s something he’s wanted for so long, but sometimes you never know, right? Everything changes, after all.

              Chest tightening, heart pounding in her chest, the brunette doesn’t want him to sense the sudden fear settling in the pit of her stomach and she’s quickly getting up. “I have something else for you! Wait here!” She cheerfully exclaims even though her voice is on the verge of cracking. Disappearing behind the door only to come back a minute or two later with a birthday card. It’s this tiny part of his gift that she made herself. She remembers giving him a similar one on this day just ten years ago, when they were just friends or maybe not even that. It was a few days after they’d met but she knew, she knew even then that this boy was going to change her life forever. It seems to be a tradition of theirs by now, these birthday cards. The front is messily decorated with all sorts of colorful doodles; balloons, a big cake, flowers, swirls, hearts and the most important part — a lion and a butterfly. The two of them. Inside, there are birthday wishes written in cursive by the blue-eyed girl. Dear Ax-el, thanks for being my Ax-el, thanks for being the best snuggle buddy ever !  I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am that you were born thirty-four years ago today. Not a minute goes by that I don't count my blessings that I only have in my life because of you. It feels like just yesterday you were taking that funny picture of me on the beach and threatening to drop me into the ocean, and now here we are. Crazy! Thank you for being the most important part of my life and for all the adventures, I know there are many more to come! You are so special in every way, shape and form. You are smart and incredibly talented. You better believe me what I say that you can do anything you set your mind on, my strawberry babe. Always reach for the stars even though you’re the brightest of them! Here’s to a million more years and birthdays together. Here’s to more love, more laughs, and more beautiful memories with your Erwin. Happy Birthday, Axy Baxxy!

              After a few more sweet and unhurried moments in bed with hugs and kisses, Erin finally decides that it’s about time they eat breakfast. Two more hours and they will have to call it lunch. She finds a large bowl and whisks together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. While she’s doing that, Axl sits down on the counter and begins opening his presents — a brand new watch made from stainless steel with a brown croco embossed strap, a Versace blazer, three T-shirts, a few big rings because his old ones got kind of ruined back in August, these effortlessly cool Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses that always remind her of their younger years ( and Top Gun ), ripped jeans that she likes to call dad jeans, a bottle of her HIS favorite cologne and last but definitely not least a rubber duck resembling the one they lost somewhere years ago. She wouldn’t be herself if she didn’t try to add a little more humor to his gifts. Erin almost burns the house down, paying more attention to his reactions to these gifts than to cooking. “Yummiest pancakes with no coal thanks to my cat-like reflexes for the birthday lion coming up,” the brunette chuckles, using a spatula to put not one but five heart-shaped, chocolate chip pancakes on his plate. She sets them down in front of Axl and takes out maple syrup and fresh blueberries.

              It’s late afternoon when she tells him that it’s not the end of surprises for today. The mere thought of what she’s about to do makes her heart palpitate erratically, chest spasming with emotions that shouldn’t even be here. She asks him to get dressed nicely and puts on her strapless red dress with a pair of high heels to match. When they get in the car, Erin feels like she’s about to throw up. Squeezing Axl’s hand, she makes him promise that no matter what he won’t freak out and scream. All it probably does is confuse the redhead but he’s lacing his pinky finger with hers anyway. Erin uses his old bandana to blindfold him, saying, “It’s a surprise. It won’t be a surprise if you can see it the second we get there.” She drives them to Beta’s house and helps him climb out of her Jeep. They somehow manage to do this without scraping their knees. Leading him to the front door, Erin’s heart is pounding in her chest. She carefully opens it and wraps her arm around his waist. “I love you. I love you so much,” she whispers and once they’re in the living room, slowly begins to untie the bandana.

              Two months ago, Erin began begging Beta to tell her more about Stephanie’s family and where they lived and the Brazilian woman eventually gave in and shared all her knowledge. The curly-haired girl had a plan — she was determined to bring Dylan back to Axl’s life, give her husband something he’d always wanted. His only son back. It wasn’t easy to convince Beta or anyone ( not even Sebastian and Maria wanted to help her ) to take part in Erin’s insane plan. “It’s madness! Madness! You’ve lost your mind! It will never happen, you’ll only do more harm.” She’d heard it all but there was no harm in trying, right? She’d even threatened to just do it all on her own a few times, leaving Beta no choice.  They grabbed a few old pictures,

              Dylan’s favorite dinosaur and took a trip all the way from Malibu to San Diego. Kelly was rather surprised to see the two women at her doorstep one January afternoon but she turned out to be nothing like her sister. She let them in and heard them out, showing nothing but empathy and compassion. That’s when Erin invited her and Dylan to Axl’s surprise birthday party. “I’ll think about it, okay? I promise. Leave me your number,” was all Kelly said. It was an even bigger surprise when just a few days later she did make that call. And somehow here they are now —

              A five-year-old with a head full of blonde hair, dressed in a polo shirt with black and red stripes on it, is sitting on the couch right between his aunt and former nanny with a Maltese puppy on his lap. His little fingers are carefully stroking the dog’s soft fur, caressing the big bow wrapped around his neck. The boy’s bright eyes flicker from the floor and find Axl’s the second his blindfold comes off. Beta clenches her jaw, glancing from Kelly to Dylan to Axl again and again, in a manner that means she’s incredibly stressed out. Erin’s heart comes to an abrupt halt as she nervously whispers, “Surprise.” And before anyone else can say something, Dylan’s lips are parting and three, slightly choked out and hesitant words emit from them, “happy birthday, dad.”