That night for once Phoebe did not dream of David, she was not haunted by erotic or romantic dreams. She also did not dream about ghosts despite the therapist ghost crossing her mind twice before she went to bed.
She had a wonderful dream about a lovely white wedding by the ocean, not hers but that of her brother Collin and Shana. It was probably because when she ca ho the previous night, the house was brewing with excitent because the elders of both sides of the family had approved of the relationship between Collin and Shana.
Old man Lee had even voluntarily suggested that they make things official as soon as possible. They had agreed to choose a date for the children's formal engagent ceremony within a weeks ti.
Phoebe was not new to such arrangents, rushed engagents and marriages within founding families, she had seen many of them in her previous life. The Saxons were famous partakers in this long standing tradition. Even her sons had been betrothed at birth, sothing she did not approve of but could not reject.
Normally, all Saxon children were betrothed at birth or during their teenage years. The arrangents could be changed by an individual or the family depending on the situation.
Phoebe had once heard a rumor that David had been engaged to Moria Mortir but one of the two broke it off in their teenage years. She did not dwell on it because she was already David's wife anyway.
The sweet wedding dream was however interrupted by the delicious sll of strawberry cheese cake that was sohow strong enough to reach her bedroom. Her eyes slowly opened and the first thing she saw was the ghosts standing or floating around her, their smiles broad, from one ear to another.
They looked positively happy with themselves.
"Happy birthday!!!"
They shouted in unison, Connie was very generous with popping the party poppers, over four of them. Phoebe winced when the last one went off and she prayed the girl did not have more in stock.
Her stomach churned and she took a deep breath, reminding herself not to puke. It was just a day like any other, no big deal.
Oooh but it's a big deal, she thought.
"Thank you guys, finally a birthday where i am not doused with water." Phoebe's smile widened.
She rembered the tis Ruth woke her up by pouring water on her and claiming it was their birthday custom however not once did she agree for Phoebe to do the sa to her.
The one ti she did it, Ruth had sulked and provided her with a bill clearly marking how much the clothes, shoes and bag Phoebe had soaked with water cost. After Phoebe endured public accusations of arrogance, Ruth stepped in and generously forgave her.
Co to think of it, today is her birthday too, Phoebe recalled. She would have to send a paper man over and give Ruth a gift of at least ten minutes or an hour of lucidity. It was her first birthday in a ntal asylum, it would be a sha for her not to enjoy it.
Sylvester moved over and handed Phoebe a strawberry cupcake with a lot of frosting just the way she loved it. The cupcake had two numbered candles on it that displayed her age, twenty three.
"Thank you Sylvester, I can see that you guys put in a lot of effort." Phoebe jokingly stated as she took a tiny bite of the cup cake.
Connie chortled. "Not like your mother, there is no competing with Jennie Mayfair that's for sure."
The revelation miffed the Saxon spirit which slapped Connie's head. "That was supposed to be a surprise! You just ruined it, poor Jennie."
Phoebe released joyful laughter. "Co on guys, I know my mother. She has been sneaking around asking about my favorite color blah-blah-blah. I am sure she has sothing up her sleeves." She ate the cupcake rapidly, stood from the bed and moved to the bathroom. "No worries, I will act surprised ha-ha."
When she stepped out of the bedroom however, Phoebe didn't see any activity that indicated that a party was about to happen. No decorations or cake, no party music, nothing!
Her family was sitting in the dinning nonchalant like the day was a normal one just like any another.
"Good morning." She greeted, they responded without enthusiasm and one by one they left after breakfast was done.
Phoebe knew they were pranking her but a small part of her felt uncomfortable. She had endured many unhappy birthdays with the Gabriel's and the shadow was still chasing her.
Connie's brows pulled together. "Not even a birthday wish? They are pretending like they forgot and then later they'll surprise you, so predictable."
Hiding a knowing smile behind the cup that she was holding, Phoebe decided to play along. "Good bye mother, have a good day."
She ate her breakfast while making casual conversation with Maria and then left for the cafe along with grandma Mayfair.
"Phew!" Grandma Mayfair sighed in relief, she had been holding so much tension within her. "Your mother will not let anyone breathe in that house."
Phoebe let out a half chuckle. "Why, because she's planning a full fledged party?"
"Yes....What? Don't tell her I told you that otherwise I will never hear the end of it." Grandma warned lightly. "But all in all, happy birthday sweetheart and thank you for returning to us." She kissed her forehead.
She slipped a pair of gold and silver bracelets with a similar design onto Phoebe's wrist.
Sylvester whistled, "Holy crap, it's real gold and the silver one has diamonds. They are from the Bartier brand, each is worth seventy thousand dollars."
To Phoebe, it was not the money that mattered but the thoughts that counted.
"Thank you Nana." she hugged the old woman.
Again, grandma Mayfair kissed Phoebe's forehead and cuddled her granddaughter. Twenty minutes later they arrived at the cafe. Phoebe entered like a thief in case soone or sothing jumped out.
Nothing jumped out but Rossett and Marianne were waiting for her. The two won wished Phoebe a happy birthday and gave her cupcakes and gifts.
The cupcakes were also strawberry, one with chocolate and another vanilla.
"By the ti the day ends, your farts will sll like strawberries." Connie giggled.
"You have a delivery." Rossett pointed at wooden box that had been delivered early that morning.
Curious, Phoebe opened it. Her eyes landed on a pink gun, pepper spray, two pink knives with butterfly designs and other weapons used in self defense.
"Who in God's na sent such an unpredictable gift." Grandma Mayfair pulled her face in a frown.
The Saxon spirit pointed at the gift card, it had a familiar stamp. "Look!"
Phoebe took it out and read it out loud. "To my shaman, from the bottom of my grateful heart. Luna Elithera."
"Of course it's her." Grandma Mayfair mumbled.
Phoebe stared at the gun, unsure about what to do with it. It was cute and girly but guns were not her weapons of preference. However, with all that she had seen lately, it wouldn't hurt to own one.
"Couldn't she send you a puppy or kitten? Send it back?" Suggested grandma Mayfair
Surprisingly, Phoebe refused. "No nana, I like it. In fact I was planning to get one, if you haven't noticed i am accumulating a number of enemies."
"Supernatural ones, i doubt a gun can kill an evil ghost Pheebs."
"I am still keeping it Nana."
Phoebe carried the package to her office and work started like every other day. She did not forget to send Luna a thank you text.
Half way through the day, grandma Mayfair told Phoebe that they had to return ho.
"Your mother has asked to persuade you to go ho now because she is not feeling fine. I guess she is done with whatever she was planning. Pheebs whatever you do act surprised in fact shed a river of tears, nothing will make her day like seeing you in tears of happiness."
Phoebe was aware of how important it was to the Mayfairs that she enjoyed her birthday and she was willing to play along.
"Okay Nana."
She would cry so much that a small boat could float on the river of her tears.
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