Alex gently led me down the stairs and into the dining room. I gaped for a minute at everyone waiting for me around a table. I turned to Alex. "This is your idea of a surprise?"

I heard a chair screech against the wooden floor, and looked up to see my father walking over to us. I let go of Alex and latched onto my father's arm.

Dad led me over to the seat where he had been sitting. I sat in the chair sideways so the back wouldn't touch my wings.

Alex walked over and stood next to me. He kept glancing around the room, like he was expecting something big to happen. All I expected was some bad news.

A door opened behind me. I turned and saw Finny walking into the room, with a few boxes in his arms. He sat them on the table, them walked over to me.

Once Finny was close enough, I reached out and hugged him. He hugged me back, gentle as always. I automatically felt better knowing he and Alex were both there with me, even though Alex still hadn't explained himself.

I let go of Finny and turned to my dad. "Alex kept saying that he left the other night because you had a surprise for me. Is he telling the truth, or trying to make sure I don't hate him for being a jerk?"

Dad laughed and Alex sighed. "Yes, Selena," Dad said. "We have a surprise for you. Alex left when he did because I told him to go get it. I didn't know him leaving would hurt you so much."

"I didn't either," I mumbled. Then I spoke up. "I don't know what it is, but I feel a connection between me and him, Dad. Is it because we're the same? Or is there something else?"

Dad smiled, and Alex was quiet. Did he feel the same thing? Then Dad spoke. "Hopefully all will become clear as you spend time together trying to restore your angel half."

"Yeah, maybe. But I think there might be a part of me that doesn't want to find out..."

Dad smiled sympathetically and brushed some of my hair from my face. Then he walked over to the boxes and went through them one at a time, before closing them. While he was doing this, a thought occurred to me. "Where's Maria?"

"She's upstairs preparing for the surgery to fix your wings, getting everything she needs pulled out and cleaned." Alex answered.

"What about Peter? We are back at Maria's house, right?"

"He's in his room studying. He's really smart for such a little guy."

I turned my head to Alex. "When did you meet him?"

"This morning when I was carrying you upstairs, he was standing in the hallway. He was worried about you. We talked for a bit before he went back to his room."

I nodded. "When did Maria want to do this surgery?"

"She said it would be best to do it as soon as possible, but we wanted to give you the surprise first."

I nodded again. I didn't have any idea why they put this surprise over my health. I felt exhausted and nauseous. My throat was dry and my head was spinning. I folded my arms on the table and rested my head on them, then turned my head in Finny's direction.

"Finny, can you get me some water?" I asked, my voice starting to croak as I became more aware of how I was feeling.

Finny nodded. "Sure thing," then hastily ran toward the kitchen.

Dad brought the boxes over and sat them on the table beside me. He then turned to Alex. "Go see if Maria wants to join us, would you?"

Alex nodded his head and then turned and ran upstairs.

"What is it?" I asked, then tried to cough lightly, but it came out harsh and painful.

Dad rested his hand on my shoulder. "You'll find out momentarily."

I sighed, only causing me to cough again.

Finny showed up a moment later with a glass of water, and he handed it to me. I sat up and took it from him, then drank about half of it before setting the glass on the table, and returning my head to my hands. My throat didn't feel as dry anymore, but I still felt tired and sick.

Alex finally came back downstairs with Maria behind him, who seemed to still be cleaning equipment. She looked up and smiled at me, then put down whatever she was holding on the table.

"Alright, now that we're all here," my father said with a smile, then slid the boxes over to me. "I know they're a day late, but here you are. Happy birthday."

I felt tears in my eyes. Didn't they know that I would never want another birthday again? I don't want any presents, or anything. It'll just remind me that Mom is gone, and I can't do anything about it.

I didn't sit up, or make any move to open the boxes. I looked away from them and down at the table.

I could almost hear Dad's frown. "Selena, I know you feel awful about this, but you need to accept the past and move forward." He moved a lock of my hair behind me ear. "There was nothing going any of us could do."

At that I shot up. "Really? Because before I passed out I saw an evil glint in his eyes. A look that told me he couldn't be trusted." I turned to Alex. "I thought you saw it too."

"I did, but I don't think any of us trusted Christopher after what he put everyone through. I-"

"So you didn't tell anyone? He was obviously scheming to kill one of us, if not all of us!" My voice was shaking, and my throat felt clogged. I started coughing to clear it, but it turned into a fit that felt never ending.

Alex picked up my glass of water and handed it to me. I took it from him and gulped down what was left, then set the glass on the table. I was ready to burst into tears.

"I could've done something," I said quietly. "If Mom hadn't called me, I could've done something to save her."

"Selena, the only way you would have saved her was if you first got yourself killed," Alex said. "Maybe that was why she called you before her death and kept you there. It was because she knew you would do something and get yourself killed."

"I'm going to die anyway. I could of saved her. I could've died and not her!"

I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder and turned to see Finny.

"Selena, your mom would want you to stay alive and think positive. You're not going to die. Maria is going to do whatever she can to help you physically, and Alex is going to help you revive your angel half. Just stay positive, okay?"

I looked him in the eyes. "Why me, Finny? Of all people, why me?"

I looked away from him, rested my head in my hands on the table, and cried over my miserable life.


Third Person POV:

Sebastian rubbed his daughter's back as she cried, and the rest of them stayed quiet, not knowing what to do.

Selena sat up and took a deep breath, causing Sebastian to take back his hand.

"I'm sorry," she said. "Whatever this is, I'm ready to go on with it. I didn't mean to break down like that."

"Don't apologize, dear," Maria said, walking over and placing her hand on Selena's shoulder. "You're in a rough spot right now. It's okay to cry if you need to."

Selena smiled brightly at Maria, the only woman left in her life that could be a role model. She always knew what to say and how to make Selena feel a bit better about any situation.

Maria smiled back at Selena, then handed her the first box. "This is from me."

Selena looked down at the box. It was a pale blue box with a lid the same color, It was a smaller box, maybe a bit bigger than Selena's head.

Opening the box, Selena was stunned when she saw what was inside. She set the lid aside and pulled out the contents. It was the same stuffed bear that Maria had gotten her on the ship over.

"How did you find this?" Selena asked, stunned. "I thought we left it at the inn."

"We did. While your father and I were out, and you, Finny, and Alex were back at the campsite, we went back to the inn and retrieved it."

"Christopher didn't have anyone watching for us?"

"Oh he did. I was able to bribe them, though."

And that was all Selena wanted to know, so she thanked Maria with a hug and pulled out the next box.

It was a very small box that fit in the palm of her hand. The box was white, had a top that was just pulled off. Selena pulled the lid off, and gasped.

It was a silver necklace, on it a rose, embedded with black jewels.

"Finny..." Selena said, speechless.

Finny smiled. "I thought you would like it." He walked over behind Selena, and stretched his arm out for the necklace. "Here."

Selena gave him the necklace, then pulled her hair away from her neck. Finny gently clasped the chain around her neck, then let it fall against her skin. Selena let go of her hair and examined the necklace with a huge grin

Finny walked around and stood beside her. Selena hugged Finny tightly. "Thank you."

Smiling, Finny waved his hand. "No thanks necessary."

Selena let go of him and grabbed the next box. It was bigger than all the others, but the color and type of box was the same. Removing the lid, Selena saw a black dress with a white hair ribbon. She looked directly to her father and smiled brightly.

Sebastian smiled back, and hugged his daughter.

"I'll change into it after the surgery, Dad, I promise."

"Wear it whenever you want."

Selena smiled again, then grabbed the last box and laid it in front of her. It was small, and black with a white lid.

Carefully removing the lid, Selena looked inside the box and smiled. She removed a charm bracelet, with charms of a pair of wings, and a skull and crossbones.

Selena slipped on the bracelet, then looked over at Alex. He was watching her, waiting for her response. She kept a straight face as long as she could, then broke out into a big smile. She reached out her arms, and Alex, playfully rolling his eyes, walked over and hugged her.

"Now all we have to do is reawaken your angel, and my present is complete."

Selena beamed at him, then stood and hugged him again, with her arms wrapped around his neck. She cringed as her wing came in contact with the back of the chair.

Maria noticed, and stepped in. "I think it's time we prep you for surgery, deary."

Nodding, Selena broke away from hugging Alex, and steadied herself against him.

"Alex, why don't you lead her upstairs for me?" Maria said. "Her gown is on her bed, if you'll go make sure she gets changed. Sebastian and Finny, could you come help me set up the operating room?"

Everyone nodded, and Alex took Selena back up to her room.

"Do you need any help changing?" Alex asked, blushing slightly.

"Can you just untie the back? I should be able to get it from there."

"Sure." Alex carefully untied the back of Selena's dress, trying not to touch her wings.

Once he was finished, Alex turned around.

"Should I leave?"

"I don't care. Wait there in case I fall."

Alex nodded, then Selena turned and changed into her gown.

"Finished."

Alex turned around and saw she had on the white gown Maria had laid out for her.

Alex grabbed Selena's arm as she started looking pale.

"Hey, are you okay?"

Selena nodded. "I'm fine. Let's just go."

"Selena, what is it?"

"I just told, you. Nothing is wrong!" Selena said, raising her voice.

Alex got in front of Selena and held her shoulders. "Something I wrong. What is it?"

Selena looked at Alex with tears in her eyes. "Fine! I'm scared, Alex, isn't that obvious?"

Alex looked at Selena sympathetically. "It's okay to be scared, but I promise you that you'll be okay. I'll make sure of it. Alright?"

Selena nodded, then hugged Alex. He hugged her back, then pulled away and led her down the hall to the make shift operating room, where she was hugged by everyone, even Peter.

"Hey," Alex said as the door was about to close everyone out. Selena turned to face him.

"See you when you wake up."

Selena smiled. "See you then." And then the door closed between them.