Goren and Eames had prepared a little surprise for Lola's seventh birthday.
Eames appeared with the cake in his hand, and placed it gently in front of Lola.
Lola moved her finger towards the candles, and started to count the number.
One, two, three...
There were seven.
Mom had not been mistaken.
At the stunned look on Eames' face, Goren had to bite his lip to keep from bursting out laughing, but couldn't hold back a little chuckle.
Shit...
Eames had heard him.
She turned to him, and glared at him.
This idea could only come from him.
Lola wouldn't have had the idea to count the candles by herself.
- I didn't do anything. Goren raised his hands, waving them. This idea of counting candles didn't come from me.
Oh the liar...
As if...
- It's true, Mom.
Alex opened his mouth to close it again.
Then even his daughter, was starting to take this mania from him.
Damn it...
She couldn't stop looking like him.
It was hopeless.
Gently, Goren put his hand on Lola's back.
- Go ahead and breathe... He brought his face closer to hers. Make a wish.
Lola nodded, and concentrated hard on her wish.
She brought her lips close to the candles, but not too close either, and blew.
- May Bobby be my daddy.
Eames and Goren looked at each other, touched by Lola's wish.
Gently, Goren put his hand on Lola's long golden hair, stroking it affectionately.
- I know I shouldn't say it out loud. Lola clutched the skirt of her dress in her fingers. But... She raised her big hazel eyes on Goren, and on Eames in turn. I would like it so much...
Eames brought his glance on Goren and Lola.
They were already like father and daughter.
Even though they were not related by blood...
They already loved each other as such.
Eames took out a package, which she handed to her daughter.
Lola took it in her trembling hands, all excited.
- This is from Bobby and me.
At her words, Lola was so happy to know that her gift was a joint gift, that she hurried to open it.
She found herself face to face with a box.
She lifted the lid, and her big hazel eyes lit up with wonder.
My God...
- How pretty she is...
In the box, and before her eyes, was a beautiful porcelain doll.
The doll had beautiful blonde curls, rosy cheeks, sapphire colored eyes with long black eyelashes, and she was wearing a beautiful emerald colored silk dress, and matching boots.
Lola was so happy.
The doll was beautiful.
And she already loved her.
After all...
It was a gift from her mom and Bobby.
Robbie her teddy bear was going to have a friend...
What was she going to call him...
That's it...
She had found it.
- I'm going to call her Alexa.
Eames gasped at the name...
Surprised that her daughter would name her doll that.
Eames had often used that name when she was undercover with Goren...
And they were pretending to be a couple.
- Robbie will have a girlfriend now...
Goren smiled, touched.
Lola was really a cute little girl.
She just had a gift...
And she was happy.
Damn...
How he loved that child.
- Bobby...
At Alex's voice, Bobby snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Alex, who nodded.
At her nod, he knew he had the green light to give her his own little gift.
- I have a present for you...
Goren took out an envelope, which he handed to Lola.
She took it carefully in her hands.
- What is it?
At his words, Goren blushed violently, his heart beating wildly.
He looked away, not daring to look at Lola, his hand on the back of her neck.
- Open... and you'll find out...
At her mother's words, Lola opened the envelope, and took out a paper, which she unfolded.