chapter 49

Josie POV

''Do you know what day it is? It's daddy's birthday,'' I said to Elijah. Once again he is on my knee, this time I hold the bottle and control the flow. Such little sips and his thirst is never-ending, or so it seems.

I was sitting on the couch while everyone around me was preparing for a birthday celebration for Matthias.

Maya came in with tons of gifts helping around with the staff to set up at our backyard. ''Look at my handsome nephew!'' She squealed. ''Goodness, why are you so handsome?'' she said in her baby voice.

''Probably because of Matthias.''

''True, or maybe because of his favorite auntie,''' she joked, tickling his tiny feet which brought a smile to his face.

Elijah yawned and cradled him into Maya's arms; she was in awe. His eyes glistened when Maya gave him a soft kiss. I got up from the couch and head over to the door when I saw guests walking up the stairs.

''Welcome, hi, how are you? How is everything?'' I greeted every single one.

The staff attempted to make up for it by ordering the biggest chocolate cake anyone had ever seen. Blue and White balloons floated around the house along with tables filled in with snacks and light drinks since they are some children around.

Matthias's birthday loomed on the horizon like a tsunami. He finally came over and parked his car in nearby the gate. He came out of the car with a solid two-button notch blue suit. His hair was groomed nicely and he carried his briefcase from the side.

I crossed my arms when he came to me with a soft kiss on my cheek.

''Who's birthday is it?'' He joked.

I raised my brows ''really'' and he laughed at me. ''Come inside, we're expecting you.''

''Alright then,'' We locked our hands together and walked inside our home. Left to right everyone whistled and clapped voluminously to him.

The staff came around with the cake and begin to sing happy birthday.

''Thank you guys, it means a lot to me,'' Matthias responded after the birthday song. He quickly blew out the candles and once again everyone applauded.

''Alright, let's this party started we're going to take it back groovy,'' The DJ said through the mic, he spin-off to Let's Groove by Earth Wind and Fire. The song that was playing got louder, pulling me in and wouldn't let go. Neon lights flashed everywhere like police sirens, but much more colorful.

Maya came to us and gave Elijah to me. ''Gonna dance, bye,'' kissed Elijah then me on the cheek and ran over to dance along with everyone.

"Come here,'' Matthias said, grabbing Elijah lightly away from me. ''You miss me?'' He smiled which made Elijah smiled and yawned. ''He looks tired.''

''Yeah, he kept me up all morning and now he wants to sleep.''

''Come with me outside.''

''You wanna leave your party?''

''Well, just for a while.''

''Okay, I'm right behind you.''

The little wooden bench-seat was my place of celebration. The garden birds are my sunshine, my inner warmth as I watch them play.

There are so many of them out there today, large and small, brown, red-capped and golden stripped. I listen to their chirping; I watch how they seek worms and insects from the soil.

My eyes rest upon golden arcing rays, knowing the dark is far and ever lit by stars. Elijah finally was asleep in Matthias's arm which brought to my attention.

''My sweet boy, he's so precious,'' I traced my fingers on his cheeks.

''Very precious,'' Matthias whispered. ''He definitely got it from his beautiful mom.''

''Oh yeah?'' I blushed.

''Yes,'' he smiled at me. His phone buzzed through his pocket and he urged me to take the phone out for him.

''It's Zach,'' I said. ''It's a text message. He said happy birthday and wished you the best, also say hi to me and Elijah.''

Matthias nods his head. ''That's it?''

''Yeah, that's it. Are you guys--''

''Good? Yeah, slowly but surely.'' Matthias got up from the bench, ''I'll take him upstairs, I'll meet you back in the party.''

''Please be careful.''

''Babe, you know I am,'' he stifles a laugh.

''I know I just--''

''--yes, yes, love. I got it. Don't worry.''

I whispered. ''Okay as he slowly went back inside to the stairs. I went back to the dance floor, joining everyone else.

Just minutes later, Matthias came down the steps as the DJ slowed down the music. ''Can we have Mr. and Mrs. Lekas in the front please,'' he said while the guests whistled ''Settle down, settle down there's a baby in here,'' he said and everyone laughed.

''Let's slow this down more, tuning this music a bit softer with this,'' he said, playing Perfect by Ed Sheeran.

I found a love for me

Darling just dive right in

And follow my lead

Well I found a girl beautiful and sweet

I never knew you were the someone waiting for me

His movements flowed with a dazzling grace that took away the breath of every person in the audience. I could feel his soul become one with the music and he unleashed his emotions into our dance.

''Falling in love with you was the easy part; it's admitting to myself that it happened that's hard,'' Matthias whispered to my ear. Everyone dance slowly around us, each partner one by one dancing to the music.

''When you smile at me I feel invisible hands wrapping around me making me feel safe. Having you in my life makes me feel like everything's possible in this world like I can conquer anything. I don't regret meeting you,'' I whispered back to him and I finally meet with his eyes.

We leaned our foreheads together and our lips fit like two puzzle pieces. My arms reached up and tangled around his thick, strong neck.

Happiness comes from being who you actually are instead of who you think you are supposed to be. Right here in his arms, I felt at peace, knowingly how much I love him and I was going to spend the rest of my life with him.

I wouldn't think I would fall in love with Matthias, but I did. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.