Time lapse.

It's Mia's birthday today.

I told mom to call the school.

Tell them I'm sick.

I was able to set up everything that we're going to do for today.

But I have to wake my baby up first.

Walking in her room, I saw that she was still asleep.

I checked the time.

It was already 8:00 in the morning.

I made my way over to her and knelt down by her bed.

I brushed some hair away from her face.

So gorgeous.

But she's growing up.

Too fast, I added mentally.

I almost berated myself for being so damn sentimental.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you," I sang softly, effectively waking her up.

She smiled through closed eyes.

"I got your favorite breakfast downstairs." I told her.

She opened one eye, almost questioning my knowledge about her favorite food.

"Chocolate chip and banana pancakes." I said, still in a low voice.

Both of her eyes are open now.

They're a stunning electric blue today.

"With berries on the side?" She inquired.

She was licking her lips already.

She knows how I do them.

"Picked the sweetest ones from the market this morning." I told her.

Only the best.

"I wanted to come," She pouted, now sitting up on her bed.

"Next time, baby girl." I promised. "But for now, let's go down and eat those pancakes."

"I'm four now." She beamed, as if she only realized that now.

"Yes, you are."

"I'm a big girl now."

Oh, God.

Not yet, please.

"Mm-hmm," I agreed halfheartedly.

"Are we going out today?"

"Yup."

She grinned at that.

"Okay."

I let her do her morning rituals before we finally went downstairs.

The pancakes were still warm.

Thank God.

"A short stack of mommy's special pancakes for the birthday girl," I announced, setting the plate in front of her.

I slapped myself internally because of how cheesy that must've sounded.

Thank goodness it's just us two today.

Beck would've had that on video.

And then use it against me in the future.

Beck.

After taking on his role as Mia's 'daddy', he's been smiling like there's no tomorrow.

Ever since then, he's been taking a multitude of pictures and videos of her, me, and himself.

I teased that I should enroll Mia in one of those ballet dances and he'd be the only man there to wait for the class to end.

To my dismay, he said that he wouldn't mind.

That crazy little nut.

Oh, well.

Can't do anything about that.

"Mommy, can you cut?" Mia asked, still not diving into her pancakes.

"Of course, just a sec," I told her, and then I proceeded to do the deed.

She likes them cut in eight slices.

They were sweet sandwich pizzas, she told me once.

I took pictures of her as she ate.

"Mommy, you're not gonna eat?" she asked, her mouth still full.

I wiped her lips with a napkin.

"That's all for you, Mia. I'm not that hungry."

I'm actually starving.

After I bought the berries, I found that we were low on groceries as I was making the pancakes.

But, hey.

As long as she gets to eat, I'm fine.

Plus, she's a small girl.

There will be leftovers.

"No, mommy, here," she said, poking a fraction of the pancakes with her fork and then handing it to me.

Bless your heart.

I let her feed me.

"They're really good, mommy." She said, helping herself to another forkful.

"I'm glad you like them." I smiled.

"Where are we goin' today?"

"I can't tell you."

"Why?"

"It's a surprise."

"Will I like it?"

"Hopefully. I think you will."

"Is there more?" she asked.

She took a strawberry between her fingers and started nibbling on it.

Was she talking about the pancakes?

I looked at her plate.

Three quarters clean.

Just a few more bites.

"More what?" I countered her question with a question.

"Surprises."

"Maybe." I tap her nose.

"Here, mommy. I'm really full." She said, pushing the plate towards me.

Two more strawberries and a one fourth stack of pancakes.

This will hopefully tide me over until lunch.

I ate her leftovers as fast as I could.

"Mia, do you think you can go to grandma and ask her to give you a bath?"

My mom's the one who usually did these things.

"Okay."

She scampered upstairs to find my mom.

Placing the dishes in the sink, I head back upstairs to my room.

I checked my phone and I saw that Beck has texted me.

To: Jade West

From: Beck Oliver

Hey, babe. Say happy birthday to Mia for me. :) You headed out?

I texted back a reply.

To: Beck Oliver

From: Jade West

K. Yup, won't be back 'til evening. Why?

It took him over a minute to respond.

To: Jade West

From: Beck Oliver

No reason. Have fun, love you. :*

He's the only guy I know who likes sending emoticons.

To: Beck Oliver

From: Jade West

K.

I'm not really into texting.

I put all of the essentials in my bag before heading to Mia's room.

"What can I wear?" She asked my mom.

"Your mom's here. She'll pick." She answered, looking at me.

Good choice.

She left the room without another word.

She looked at me with loving eyes.

I'm surprised that she never even dared to give up on me.

I flash a small smile in return.

"I bought you a new outfit." I told her, taking the bag that I hid behind her clothes while she was sleeping.

It was a classic Annie dress.

Only black.

It looks vintage enough for her taste.

"Here, let me put it on you," I said, unfolding the dress and slipping it on.

Perfect fit.

"Go in front of the mirror, see if you like it." I smiled.

She did, and she beamed.

Despite the wet hair.

She twirled around, admiring herself.

She wrapped her arms around my neck, kissing me on the lips.

"Thank you, mommy," She smiled.

"This is only the beginning," I told her, making her squeal out of excitement.

I couldn't help but smile.

"Curls?" She asked, touching one of mine.

"You want me to curl your hair?" I asked.

She nods.

"Then tie a bow." She grinned.

Such a little diva.

"Alright."

I did what she told me to do.

She looks adorable in curls.

I tied a ribbon.

The bow was on top.

Classic.

She slipped on her favorite oxfords.

"Ready to head out?" I asked, slinging the bag over my shoulder.

"Yup!"

Her curls bounced everywhere.

I stood up.

We headed downstairs.

I strapped her in her car seat (much to her dismay), and we drove off to our first destination.

Sorry for the extremely late chapter. We had our Mastery Tests for the past three days, so I really needed to focus on studying.

Also, thank you guys so much for all of the awesome reviews, and for putting this story on your favorites and alerts, and to the people who added me as a favorite author. You guys are just insanely amazing.

Please do tell me what you think. Wishing you all the best!