June 4, 3011 — four years had passed since Lylia first met Lumiel. The sun was gentle that day, casting soft shadows across the small home of Hanz and Freya, where laughter echoed through the walls.
"Happy birthday to you~!" everyone sang in chorus. Freya, now holding her own baby who clapped its tiny hands with glee, smiled brightly at the scene.
Lumiel stood on a chair, a paper crown atop his head, cheeks puffed with excitement.
"What's your wish, Lumiel?" Lylia asked gently, kneeling beside him.
The boy paused, thinking deeply, his little brows furrowed in focus. Then he beamed and threw his arms around her.
"I know! I want to be with Mama forever!"
Lylia blinked, heart catching in her chest. She wrapped her arms around him in return, holding him close.
"I will never leave you, Lumiel," she whispered. "You are my best gift."
Freya, watching the two from across the room, leaned into Hanz with a warm sigh. Her head rested softly on his shoulder.
"I'm excited for our daughter to grow up too," she said quietly.
"Me too," Hanz replied, wrapping an arm around her.
The night drifted on with laughter, food, and soft conversation until it was well past midnight.
Now on the bullet train ride home, Lylia sat by the window with Lumiel curled up on her lap, his head nestled beneath her chin.
"Did you have fun today, Lumiel?" she asked, brushing a hand through his soft hair.
"Yes! It was the best birthday ever!" he answered, still buzzing with excitement. "The cake was so tasty—and the balloons and the confetti! Uncle Hanz and Auntie Freya were there too!"
Lylia smiled and pulled him a little closer. "I'm glad you liked it."
They arrived home safely. The clock read 3:49 PM. As Lylia put away their things, she turned to Lumiel with a warm grin.
"So… what do you want for dinner later?"
"Hmmm…" Lumiel tapped his chin dramatically, then lit up. "Oh! I want to eat your special egg fried rice, Mama!"
She laughed. "It's not really special, you know. Just a normal egg fried rice."
"No!" Lumiel pouted with pride. "It's special because you're the one who made it!"
Lylia's heart softened. She leaned down and kissed the top of his head.
"Well, thank you for loving Mama's cooking. I'll make whatever you want, okay?"
"Hmn-hmn." Lumiel nodded, his eyes already growing sleepy again in the comfort of her voice.
Lylia and Lumiel's sweet day continued as the night fell, and new, memorable memories were made.