Endless Summer

Prologue

As I stared out of my bedroom window, I felt my eyes widen at the sight of the garden. Normally, the garden was pretty impressive to look at, with it's range of flower blossoms, it's own mini orchard, the old maze, and the many artistic statues situated around the garden so strategically. I had no idea how long the workers had been awake, but they had set up a large pink marquee on the largest of the lawns, and from my window, I could see tables being set up under the marquee. I felt myself smile and looked up to the sky. There wasn't a cloud in sight, and the sun was shining confidently. Would we even need a marquee?

"What do you think Kairi?"

I turned to look at my bedroom door and found Daddy standing there, a mischievous grin on his face. I realised that he'd probably been awake before the workers, to make sure everything went as perfect as possible.

"It's… more than I could ever have dreamed of. Thank you Daddy." I walked over to him and gave him a hug.

"Everything has to be right for my little Princess." When he pulled away , I noticed his grin get wider. Suspiciously, I tilted my head slightly and stared at him.

"You're hiding something." I said, slowly, and then watched as he brought out a small box from his pocket.

"Happy birthday Kairi." He smiled and I took the box from his hands, looking at it curiously. As he spoke again, I looked up. "I was going to wrap it up, but I have a feeling that by the end of today, you're going to hate the sight of wrapping paper."

I couldn't help but be excited. Well… wouldn't any sixteen year old be excited at the prospect of opening their first birthday present? Actually, scratch that. Wouldn't any person be excited about opening any present?

"Aren't you gonna open it honey? Unless you can move things with your mind, I think you may have to use your hands."

I smiled and lifted the lid off the box. Laid gently in the middle of it was a small golden heart, on a delicate gold chain. I glanced up at Daddy, and I knew my eyes were shining with tears. His grin had now been replaced by a soft smile.

"It's… beautiful…" I said, amazed by the present. He gently lifted it up, and immediately I noticed how fragile the necklace looked in his huge hands. He carefully undid the clasp, concentrating as he did so, his eyes narrowing slightly until he finally managed the task, and then moved behind me to fix the locket around my neck. It hung down and rested gently just above my bosom. I turned to let Daddy see what it looked like.

"Perfect." He smiled. I stepped into his arms for another hug, and when I pulled away, I caught sight of Daddy brushing away a stray tear. Immediately, I worried. I was a natural worrier, as soon as something happened, I always assumed the worst, and when Daddy started to cry, I worried why he was so sad.

"What's wrong Daddy?" I asked, my eyes filling with concern for him. He glanced at me, and shook his head.

"I'm not crying because I'm sad honey. I'm crying because I'm happy. My little Princess is growing up."

At that, I blushed a little, and turned my gaze to the floor. "I don't wanna grow up too quickly. I don't wanna leave you and Momma."

"You'll have to sooner or later. We're counting on you going to University so you can earn loads of money and look after us when we need it." Daddy winked at me, and then moved towards my doorway, slowly. When he reached the corridor, he turned and gave me one last smile. "I'd hurry up and get ready. Your mother is running circles around the house, worrying about everything."

I couldn't help but smile, we all knew where I got my worrying skills from. I could just imagine her pacing up and down, worrying that I'd sleep in, or that guests would be late, or that it was gonna rain. I glanced back at the window. Not much chance of that.

"Okay Daddy. I'll see you downstairs. And thank you for the locket. It's the best present I could ever hope for."

"Don't say that just yet." He commented with a laugh, and then left me to get dressed. I danced over to the door, standing on my tiptoes as I walked across the fluffy carpet of my room, and adding a little twirl in as I made my way back to the window. I couldn't stop smiling! Everything was so perfect. Daddy was right. Perfect…

I couldn't help worrying whether something would go wrong though…