Kael's rare moment of 'relaxation' didn't end with the sunrise the next day.
On the contrary, perhaps it was because he had completely unburdened himself, or perhaps the starry sky and the promise of that night were simply too beautiful, but his entire being seemed to be gilded with a soft halo, becoming more... vibrant and gentle.
This made Theresa feel like she was floating in a honey pot every day, even skipping with joy when she walked.
And soon, a day everyone looked forward to arrived—little Kiana's first birthday!
The Kaslana Family's courtyard had been decorated early.
Colorful balloons, adorable cartoon banners, and a giant '1' stand adorned with fresh flowers filled the air with a childlike and joyful atmosphere.
Cecilia and Siegfried were busy running around, although most of the intricate decorating work ultimately fell to Kael and Theresa, who arrived promptly to 'help'.
"Kael, Kael! That bow is crooked! A little to the left! Yes, yes, yes!"
"Kael! Come give me a hand, this table leg seems a bit wobbly!"
"Uncle Chen! Balloons! Kiana wants that blue balloon!"
Kael, dressed in simple casual clothes, with the slightly clumsy scarf Theresa had knitted earlier even hanging around his neck, was directed around like a versatile handyman, yet his face always held a relaxed smile, good-naturedly fulfilling everyone's requests.
Theresa, on the other hand, was like a busy little bee, running to help Cecilia arrange desserts one moment, then scurrying to Kael's side to hand him tools, and incidentally 'checking' if he was sweating from exertion on his forehead—though each time, Kael would flick her on the forehead.
The main task, however, was keeping an eye on the little birthday girl, who was curious about everything and tried to put every decoration into her mouth to taste.
"Kiana! You can't eat that!" Theresa, quick-eyed and quick-handed, snatched the artificial flower from Kiana's grasp, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Kiana blinked her large, azure eyes, looked at her empty little hands, and her mouth drooped, on the verge of tears.
"Oh, oh, oh, don't cry, don't cry!" Theresa immediately became flustered, quickly grabbed a soft horm doll that was prepared nearby and handed it to her, "This! You can hug this!"
Kiana hugged the doll, which was almost half her size, and immediately burst into laughter, rubbing her little face against it, temporarily forgetting the 'sadness' of not being able to eat flowers.
Kael looked at Theresa's clumsy yet earnest attempts to coax the child, and couldn't help but laugh out loud, earning a playful glare from Theresa.
Everything was ready, and guests arrived one after another, all familiar friends and comrades, creating a lively and warm atmosphere.
Little Kiana, wearing a beautiful white gauze dress, like a true little princess, was held in Cecilia's arms, curiously watching so many people come to celebrate for her.
Gifts piled up like a small mountain.
Siegfried gave a custom wooden pistol, and Cecilia gave a hand-knitted woolen blanket with intricate protective patterns.
Other friends also brought various cute toys and clothes.
Then it was Kael's turn.
He walked forward with a smile, not taking out any fancy box, but instead squatted down and opened his arms to Kiana.
Kiana immediately leaned out of her mother's embrace and lunged towards Kael.
Kael, as if by magic, produced a not-so-large but exquisitely wrapped gift box from behind him, with a huge, crooked blue bow tied on top.
"Kiana, Happy Birthday," his voice was so gentle it could drip with tenderness.
Kiana excitedly used her chubby little hands to pull at the bow, and with Kael's help, the wrapping paper was torn open, revealing the gift inside—it was an extremely well-made horm doll, dressed in a custom-sized Asgard captain's uniform!
The doll's eyes and brows even bore a resemblance to Kael, and the name 'Kiana's' initials were embroidered in gold thread on its chest.
"Wow!" Kiana's eyes lit up instantly, she hugged the doll tightly, loving it immensely, rubbing her little face against it continuously, "Uncle! Haxxor Bunny! Pretty!"
Cecilia and Siegfried also looked at the doll in surprise; it was clearly custom-made and full of heartfelt intention.
Theresa also leaned over, looking at the 'Captain Haxxor Bunny', feeling a little sour, but more so happy for Kiana.
She poked Kael's arm and whispered playfully, "Kael, I want one too..."
She also wanted a unique gift from Kael!
Kael looked at her amusedly, and also took out another slightly smaller box from behind him, tied with a green bitter melon patterned ribbon, and handed it to her: "Here, how could I forget you?"
Theresa excitedly took the box and eagerly opened it—inside was a soft white scarf.
But the stitches were clearly countless times better than the previous one, delicate and neat, with a cute Haxxor Bunny avatar and the letter 'D' embroidered in the corner.
"Wow!" Theresa's face instantly turned red, she buried her face in the scarf, feeling its soft touch and Kael's thoughtfulness, her heart bubbling with sweetness, "Kael, when did you knit this?!" She didn't even know!
"Secret," Kael smiled and ruffled her hair, "Do you like it?"
"I love it! I love it the most!" Theresa nodded vigorously, immediately putting on the scarf, even though the weather wasn't cold, she just had to wear it!
The main event—the birthday cake—appeared!
Cecilia pushed out a three-tiered, beautiful cake decorated with a dreamy starry sky and cute Haxxor Bunny patterns, earning everyone's exclamations.
"Kiana, come, blow out the candles."
Cecilia held her daughter, guiding her to blow out the single '1' candle on the cake.
Everyone sang 'Happy Birthday', and Kiana's eyes narrowed into slits with laughter.
It was time to cut the cake.
The cake was a traditional sweet cream and fruit flavor, suitable for most guests.
But Kael turned and brought out two much smaller, uniquely shaped cakes from the kitchen.
One was a very small, single-layered fruit cake, with the sugar content reduced to a minimum, suitable for the little birthday girl.
The other was—a vibrant green bitter melon mousse cake, covered with matcha powder and bitter melon crisps, and topped with dark red chili chocolate crisps.
"Kiana, this is your special little cake." Kael first handed the small portion to the little one whose eyes were shining.
Then, he placed the bitter melon mousse cake and chili chocolate crisps in front of Theresa, with a smile in his eyes: "As for this... it's our 'sweet and sour' special edition. Dare to challenge it?"
Theresa looked at the unique 'two-flavor' cake, then at Kael's challenging and smiling gaze, and her fighting spirit was instantly ignited: "Who's afraid of whom! Bring it on!"
Both picked up their spoons simultaneously; Kael scooped a portion covered with chili chocolate crisps, while Theresa boldly scooped a large piece of bitter melon mousse, both putting them into their mouths at the same time.
The next second, Kael gasped from the spiciness, tears welling up, but he gave a thumbs up: "Powerful!"
Theresa, on the other hand, was utterly moved by the bitterness and the refreshing aroma of matcha, covering her mouth: "Delicious! Kael, you're truly amazing!"
The two of them ate their exclusive special cakes, 'hurting' each other while laughing like children.
The surrounding guests were all amused by their peculiar scene.
Little Kiana watched her uncle and Theresa sister eat with 'grimaces' but happily, and she also tried a bite of her special little cake, then narrowed her eyes in satisfaction, her mouth covered in cream... As the party neared its end, Cecilia took out a camera and suggested a group photo.
Everyone gathered together, with the beautifully decorated courtyard as the background.
Cecilia stood in the middle, holding Kiana in her little gauze dress and the 'Captain Haxxor Bunny' doll, while Siegfried stood beside her, embracing his wife.
Kael and Theresa naturally stood on either side.
"Come on, come on, look at the camera! Smile!" Cecilia set the timer and quickly ran back to her spot.
"Kiana, Happy Birthday!" Everyone shouted in unison.
Click!
The photo froze: the happy Kaslana Family, the gently smiling Kael, and Theresa, clinging tightly to Kael, smiling the brightest, with her new scarf still around her neck.
Looking at the perfect group photo in the camera, Theresa's heart was filled with immense happiness and a hint of greed.
She quietly tugged at Kael's sleeve and whispered, "Kael, next year for Kiana's birthday, we have to come together again! The year after that too! And the year after that! Every year!"
Kael looked down at her bright, eager, and dependent eyes, the light in them brighter than all the decorative lights in the courtyard combined.
The softness in his heart overflowed, transforming into a solemn promise.
He reached out and ruffled her hair again, his voice gentle and firm:
"Okay, every year."
Theresa's smile instantly bloomed on her face like the most brilliant fireworks.
She knew that their future, was still very, very long.
In the distance, a blonde woman was lying in the grass, holding binoculars, staring intently at the scene to be precise, staring intently at the captain of the Asgard.
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