"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Izzie, Happy Birthday to you!"
Chlo sang, as she led the way into the purple butterfly bedroom, which was flooded with light from the sunshine of that bright morning in May. Following closely behind, was Donte, cradling a large pile of neatly wrapped presents, all covered in fairies and ribbons, ready to be torn apart by an excited five year old.
Izzie giggled from her hiding place under the covers, and wriggled her way up the bed so her eyes just popped out the top. She saw the huge pile of gifts which were now being placed on the floor and immediately jumped up, grabbing her favourite teddy from the top of the overflowing tower and scrambling down to give her loving parents an excitable cuddle.
Chlo looked at Donte cradling his treasured sweetheart in his arms and smiled, overwhelmed again with the relief that she had made the right decision to keep the girl who was now most precious to her and her husband. Memories flooded her mind of that day in Rochdale five years before and she was overtaken with many emotions. She thought of Miss Campbell, the caring teacher, who spoke kind words over her in the school toilets and for the nine months before. Chlo also thought of Janeece, of Maxine, the two friends that had meant so much to her during that time, and who she missed so dearly. Next, her mother entered her mind, she hoped that Izzie would be looking down on her proudly, knowing she had done the right thing. And finally, her thoughts moved to Tom, the man who had cared for her and Mika during one of the saddest times of their lives. He had stood by so happily and watched Izzie grow up over her first four years, and it tore Chlo apart knowing they wouldn't be receiving a visit filled with love and care this year. They all knew he had died a hero, and she knew Mika and Josh were so proud too, but all she wanted was to see him again, grinning and twirling Izzie around their living room.
'Mummy?' Izzie questioned impatiently tugging at her Mum's arm and looking up at her with wide eyes.
Chlo suddenly snapped out of her thoughts, not realising so much time had passed 'Oh yes, sorry sweetie, I'll go and find some, I think we've got a few in the kitchen cupboard, back in two seconds!' She said, hurrying downstairs to find some batteries for Izzie's brand new Talking Disney Princess.
Donte grinned at his baby girl as she squealed with delight at the sparkly pink pair of shoes she had just pulled from the paper. He was amazed at how beautiful she'd become, already resembling her mother in so many ways, and he felt his heart could almost burst with pride. As Chlo came back into the room a few minutes later, chattering that there were only two AA batteries left and they would have to pop to the shops later, he looked around and knew he had made the right decisions in life. He was eternally grateful to Tom, for looking after them, for letting them get married, for the house they were still so happily living in, and he wished he were still here to tell him how much it meant to them. He looked again at his wife and caught eye contact with her for a just few moments, nodding, winking and pointing up, which was their signal to show that Tom and Izzie were together, watching over them somewhere. Chlo did the same, before stooping down to brush her daughter's hair with her brand new Barbie hairbrush.
'Alright then, who wants a very special birthday breakfast treat of WAFFLES AND ICECREAM?' Donte questioned, running around the huge pile of presents and scooping the crumpled wrapping paper into a black bin bag.
'ME! ME! ME!' Izzie screamed. She jumped up and down on her bed, grinning from ear to ear.
'Well you'd better get your new dressing gown on then hadn't you? And then Daddy can give you a piggy back downstairs.' Laughed Chlo as the phone began to ring, she hurried out of the room to try and answer the call before it went to answer machine.
Donte was about to haul Izzie on his shoulders when she suddenly stopped him and looked at him very seriously. 'Daddy, is Mummy still sad about Grandad?' She asked, her big brown eyes looking so sincere and innocent that her father had to choke back the tears as he spoke.
'Yes honey, yes she is. We all are because it was very, very sad. But we're happy too, because now he can tell Granny all about what a lovely little girl you are, okay?'
'Okay, I love you! Now let's have waffles.' She reached her arms up to signify that she wanted lifting, and they ran out the door and down the stairs, singing the Dora the Explorer theme tune as they went.