Romey's Gifts

I wake up to sunlight pouring into my room. I get out of bed and put some slippers and a robe on. I walk down the staircase and see Benson standing at the bottom. "Welcome back Ms. Romey! And Happy Birthday!" He says. "Your mother is waiting for you in the sunroom." Still half asleep I cross the hall into the sunroom.

"Happy Birthday Darling!" Mum gets up from reading her book to kiss me on the cheek. "You're so grown up, my dear. So," she turns back to the table. "I had Ruben make chocolat chaud and croissants to celebrate!"

"Merci, mum!" I sit down at the table and place a croissant on my plate. Katherine pours some of the hot chocolate into my cup.

"So, darling. Lucas is coming over to see you at ten," she looks down at her daily schedule. "A luncheon at one with your friends and tennis at three. Then Ginnie, Phoebe and Ella are coming over at six for your party which is at seven. Good?"

"Perfect! Thank you mum!" I say. We talk about my trip for a while before I get ready to see Lucas.

The door bell rings throughout the house. "Ms. Romey, there is a visitor for you in the parlor." I'm wearing a black skirt with a white and ballerina flats as I run down the stairs. I walk into the parlor where Lucas is sitting. He stands up as I walk in and we both smile.

"Hi."

"Hi." He twirls me around as he gives me a hug. I laugh as he sets me down.

We sit down on the sofa. "So, how was your trip?"

"Amazing. I've missed Cade so much. We went to the MoMA and hiking and shopping and it was all so fun. Anyway, we have a couple hours until lunch. What should we do?"

"Father said the stable is open today if you want to go riding."

"Yes! Let's go." We pass my mum on the way out. "Don't forget lunch! At one!"

"Happy Birthday darling!" Phoebe gives me a kiss on the cheek. She is wearing a pale pink dress that goes nicely with my champagne colored one. She hands me my gift.

All of my friends are gathered on the deck. Ruben has prepared sandwiches, salad, scones, fruit, macarons and tea which are placed in the center of the table. Lucas puts his arm around me as I step on the deck and I hand the gift to Katherine. Eddie is reading on the lawn as we sit down to eat and the midday light shines down on us.

After my tennis lesson, Ginnie, Phoebe, Ella and I get ready for my party. I'm wearing a gorgeous dress from Oscar de la Renta with a bag and shoes to match. I descend the stairs and a guests are already buzzing in the transformed sunrooms and library.

"Romey! Romey! Look!" Eddie runs over to me with Lucas in tow and points to his adorable outfit which matches my dress.

Lucas looks over at me and kisses my cheek. "You look gorgeous." I blush.

I walk around greeting guests and sample the delicious asparagus tarts and salmon puffs. Ruben has selected all my favourite foods. We sit down for dinner after an hour or so. Mum, Lucas, Eddie and Phoebe all make toasts which make are my favourite part of the night. After a delicious dinner and a birthday cake, the guests begin to depart. Lucas pulls me into the parlor.

"Wait here." Some of my friends come in as well as Lucas tells them to, we're all very confused. "Good!" Lucas looks at all my friends to make sure that we're all here. "So, I wanted to give Rome her birthday present in front of all of her best friends."

Mum comes rushing in. "Oh! Wait for me! Wait! Did you open it yet?" She asks all excited and I shake my head. "Oh, good!" She sits next to me.

Lucas places three huge, brightly wrapped presents in front of me and Ella gasps. "Wow!"

I pull the paper off and see that they are a small, medium and large suitcases. Now, I love them. The luggage is gorgeous, but I was a little surprised that my mum wanted to watch me open them. I smile at Lucas. "They're beautiful, thank you."

"Yeah, you'll be needing them." My friends all look up at him confused. "We're all going to St. Barths for a vacation. Oh. My. Goodness. Now, this is why my mum wanted to see me open my gift. I jump up and give Lucas a hug while all of my friends chat excitedly. "Thank you thank you thank you."

"Are you happy with it? It was either St. Barths or Bora Bora, but for some reason I thought you'd go with St. Barths."

"You are so right! And I love love love the luggage and the trip."

That was my birthday! Here are some of the other gifts that I got!

Bag, tennis clothes (dress, skirt and top), shoes and the outfit for my birthday along with some clothes for my trip from Mum. Necklace and shoes from Grandmother. Rucksack from my other grandparents. Where we are staying in St. Barths. Dress and pendant from Cade. Adorable sunglasses from Cade's mum. Yummy chocolates from Eddie. Cream from Ginnie and perfume from Phoebe.

Thank you for making my birthday so special!

Xx,

Rome

[Image: @framboisejam]