Maya

My eyes fell upon my little boy, and his face instantly lit up at the sight of the cake and decorations. His small hands moved to cover his mouth, which opened in awe, and he blinked in surprise—my heart couldn't have asked for more. He was everything I could have ever wished for.

"Happy birthday, my little Jackie," Stella ran to him and scooped him up in her arms, peppering his face with kisses. He giggled at that before asking, "Is it all for me?" His eyes then turned to me.

"Mommy, is it all for me?"

"Yes, baby," I smiled, fighting back tears. "It's all for you."

"Yay!" He wriggled out of Stella's arms and began his little jumping dance, his kind of happy ritual for every moment of joy.

"Look at this kiddo," Kael chuckled, leaning in to ruffle his slightly curly hair. Most of Jackson's facial features were a mirror of their dads, from nose to chin, cheek to lips, and even the same-colored eyes. He inherited every feature from them, both the good and the bad. The bittersweet part was that he'd never get to know them, just like he hadn't all these years.

Nate gently grabbed my hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. "It's alright to cry when your baby's growing up so fast, but not now. You know he'll be nothing but concerned for you if he sees you crying. He might even forget about the party."

"You're right," I emitted a small chuckle, wiping away my tears. "I can cry later."

"Yes, later. Besides, tears don’t look good on you,” he chuckled before calling Jackson, "Buddy, come here. It's time to cut the cake."

Without any delay, Jackson, ever so fond of Nate, rushed over and jumped into his arms without a care for the world. 

Smiling, Nate hugged Jackson tightly and planted a kiss on his cheek before extending his fist for their signature fist bump. "Buddies forever!" they exclaimed, their voices filled with childlike enthusiasm. A small giggle slipped past my lips as I leaned in and placed a tender kiss on Jackson's temple.

"Happy birthday, my baby," I smiled, and he beamed back at me, planting a sweet kiss on my cheek.

"I love you, mommy."

My heart….

"I love you more."

"Okay, guys, let's cut the cake now!" Ivy announced as she walked over to the table and lit up the candles.

"Guess who's finally turning six?" I chuckled, caressing Jackson's cute pink cheeks. He couldn't contain his excitement, raising his hands in the air.

"Me!"

"Jackson's a big boy now," Stella chimed in, smiling at him.

Everyone gathered around the table, with Nate still holding Jackson in his arms, unwilling to let him down. It was always like that when he was with Jackson—Nate wouldn't let anyone take him away—literally none even if it was me. That was his way.

Nate was very fond of Jackson, and the best part was that he played a fatherly role in his life, guiding him and ensuring he never felt the absence of a father. I couldn't be more grateful for that. Nate had done everything he possibly could in these last few years, and to be honest, without him, nothing would have been possible. He had stayed by me and my son all these years, and I knew he would for the rest of our lives.

Without Nate, I wouldn't have had the courage to keep living. He had taught me how to truly live. He had stayed beside me through the toughest of times—he was that friend, my comrade I’d never thought I needed.

Jackson blew out the candle, and applause filled the room as everyone wished him  happy birthday. He held the cake first to my mouth, then to his favorite buddy, Nathaniel, and finally to everyone else, one by one. In return, I raised a cookie to his mouth.

"I didn't forget your cookies," I smiled, offering it to him. He took a bite, exclaiming, "I love you, Mommy!" His attention was momentarily diverted to the delicious treat in his hands.

"Jackson, you know everyone brought tons of gifts for you. Would you like to check them out now, or..."

"Now, buddy!" He immediately answered Nathaniel's question, his face beaming with excitement.

"Fine, which box should we open first?" Nathaniel settled Jackson on the couch, sitting beside him, while I took the other side.

"Hey, open mine! I brought his favorite—" Tyrone halted, catching himself before revealing what his gift was, eliciting laughter from the room.

"You will never get a hold of your mouth, will you?" I chuckled, unable to contain my amusement. He was surely something…..

"Tyrone, what did you get for me?" Jackson asked, his curiosity piqued.

"It's nothing, Jack. Now open your gifts as soon as possible to find out what everyone else brought, alright?" I interjected, successfully shifting his attention.

"Okay," he shrugged, taking a box in his hand and beginning to open it.

And so, we dove into the joy of unwrapping presents, watching his surprise and delight with each one, his cute little smiles making the room glow. Like I had said before, and would say again—I could never have asked for anything else.

Amidst all the nightmares, sleepless nights, scars, wounds, and pain that Maximus and Leonardo had given me, they had also given me one treasure I would forever protect with all of me—my baby. In the midst of all the horrid memories, they had unwittingly bestowed upon me a blessing, and I vowed to protect him from them and everyone else.

He had turned six, and I would protect him until he was sixty because he would forever be my little boy.

This was my new life and I’d not let anyone take it away….