Cecily woke up that morning to find a new dress on her chair and a small note card next to it that read…

A new gown for a special celebration this evening! Meet at the dining hall at the usual time but wear this. Looking forward to seeing you there!

-Sophie

As she finished reading her mind began to race with questions. Did they know? Had Will told them? It was silly really, there were so many events taking place it was foolish of her to be hopeful her birthday was one of them, and how could it be when she had not told anyone? Will, after all had forgotten her birthday on more than one occasion so it was unlikely he remembered this year.

Perhaps I shall search for Gabriel, he still owes me a training lesson from yesterday and come to think of it I hadn't seen him since.

Cecily quickly slipped out of her night gown and into her training gear. She pulled her hair back into a tight bun before rushing out the door leaving it a crack opened behind her.

As she silently searched almost every corridor and room she came to stop at the librairy, clearly upset she had made no progress on her search. Cecily pushed the doors open just enough so she could slip in and grab a quick book. Reaching for "A Tale of Two Cities" her eyes wandered around and finally locked onto their target. There, lying outstretched on one of the green, plush couches was Gabriel. His mouth was slightly parted and his legs were draped over the arm of one of the couches, being a tall as he was of course. His outfit looked wrinkled and realized he had mostly likely worn it the day before.

Cecily could not help but smile at how young and peaceful he looked sleeping. Though when the though crossed her mind she felt heat creep of her face. This then brought up the questions she wanted to ask. Where was he? Why was he so tired? How long had he been gone?

Perhaps I should hold off the question for now after all I've never seen Gabriel so tired or vulnerable before. He's usually more wary and cautious of his surroundings. Suppose I'll see him at dinner tonight…oh the celebration of course!

Delicate and warm, Cecily placed her lips to kiss the boy's cheek before shuffling through the doors and stumbling into her own room. Though she did have a little time on her hands…

A training session on my own could do me good, see how much better I am now and afterwards a world awaits for me in a much needed book

She let her thoughts carry her down the hall and into the training room because what she really needed was a distraction.

Gabriel slowly opened his eyes and got up feeling sick to his stomach. The effects of drinking so late at night would pay off when he Cecily her birthday present…

Cecily

"By the Angel!"

He looked around to see that this was not his room and that it was half past four, dinner would be served at six. The clock on the wall seemed to taunt him for he had remembered hiding his present out in the stables before stumbling into what he thought was his room. Oh how he mentally scolded himself for not being more punctual and prepared.

Without a moment to lose he exited the librairy and practically ran through the halls before catching a glimpse of himself in one of the mirrors that hung there. He paused to notice his attire was dirty and wrinkled and that his hair looked disheveled. Reflected back was a pair of wild and dilated eyes and finally there was a pink splotch on his check.

Taking a closer look he saw that there was a mark of lips printed there which left him to draw his conclusion. Gabriel turned pale making it stand out even more before closing the door to his room, not wanting anyone to see.

*Time lapse*

Having changed his old attire into a crisp tan suit with a light green tie, Gabriel finally smiled at his reflection in the vanity table. He ran a hand through his washed and combed hair before slipping the Lightwood family ring on to his finger. Though he tried to act as cool and composed as he looked the butterflies were already his stomach making his nerves a bit jumpy.

Stop acting like a child that's afraid of monsters in the night! Hell I kill those things for a living and yet I can't manage to sit through Cecily's birthday celebration?!

Maybe it's because you love her and are afraid of feeling this strongly as you've never felt this way before…

Shut up you foolish inner voice! You bloody conscience!

You know I'm right…

Grumbling to himself as he collected his thoughts and walked out the door toward the dining hall…it was time.

After having put on the finishing touches Cecily gave herself a twirl in the mirror. The new dress was the perfect shade of blue for it complimented her eyes and delicate patterns of roses were sewn across the waist and bottom of the dress. Her long black hair was pulled back into a beautiful bun filled with pins that glittered and a larger bejeweled pin that sat on top of her bun and acted as a crown fit for royalty. A matching set of sapphire earrings and collar necklace also giving her the impression of her being a princess.

Cecily giggled at her reflection or rather transformation; she couldn't wait to show the others! Dashing down the hall she peered around the corner and felt her mouth hang open in surprise. Foods of all sorts such as roast ham, buttered mashed potatoes, biscuits and tomatoes soup and of course chocolate pudding! Sparkling china and glasses lines the entire table along with enough bottles of wine to fill a wedding!

"SURPRISE!"

She gasped as everyone came out from hiding under the table with warm smiles. Charlotte was the first to speak up with Henry by her side.

"Happy Birthday Cecily" she said.

"Thank you Ch—"

"Oh you look so beautiful!" cried Tessa and Sophie in unison before laughing out loud.

Cecily smiled and took her seat as all the gentlemen had already done so. Her normal place was in between Sophie and Gabriel but Gabriel was not to be found she began to search when…

"Sorry I'm late!" Gabriel shouted out of breath. "I had to take care of something and I—"