Natasha held the package tightly in her hands and when she stopped at the door, anxiety washed over her chest. They hadn't spoken for days, and she didn't know how she would be received. Knocking on the door cost him the remaining courage she still had. The smiling face that greeted her gave her some comfort, and she didn't know if she was sorry or excited about coming.

"Natasha! Good to see you!"

"Hi, Emma, how are you?"

"I am fine. Did you come to see Ed? Come in, he's in the room, you can go there."

Natasha came in, afraid to go to his room. A place where she had been so many times since she was a child, but it was another time and there were not so many feelings involved, for the moments not known to her. She took a deep breath and knocked on the bedroom door that was just propped up. She noticed the boy's fright when he saw her standing there at his door. He was wearing a baseball T-shirt jeans and a nike tennis shoe. She found him very attractive and wanted to run to him and hug him, but the shyness was greater and made her stand still without reaction.

"Come here." He pulled her by the hand, leading her into the room and back to the door.

"It's your birthday, I wanted to come hug you. And ... I brought a gift." Natasha extended the package towards him who took shyly.

"Ah! No need!" He unwrapped and saw the Knicks cap that was his favorite team. The cap he had was already old and faded. " Thank you very much."

Edgar pulled her into his arms and hugged her. Natasha felt the warmth of his embrace and knew how much she needed it. They didn't even realize how long they had been holding each other, but they were probably long minutes that could be eternal due to their need and longing for each other.

"I missed you." Edgar said as soon as they sat on the bed.

"I felt yours too." Silence settled between them. They both knew that they would no longer be the same with each other, not after being carried away by their feelings as they had a week ago. " What's it like to be eighteen?"

"I don't know! I don't think I've realized it yet. In fact, nothing has changed." The boy smiled thoughtfully studying her with his eyes.

Natasha was beautiful. Her long hair fell in small waves over her shoulders, her black eyes were alive and piercing, he stopped his gaze on her heart-shaped pink lips. How he wanted to kiss her! It would be your best birthday present.

"I thought you forgot my birthday."

"I would never forget!" Natasha's eyes widened as she said it as if she wanted to make it clear that he was wrong.

"It's just that we haven't spoken for a few days, and I thought you weren't coming."

"We needed this time to put our heads in place. The last weekend was not easy."

"You're right. But now here we are. What do you want to do? Play a game or watch a movie?" The boy smiled all excited.

"Whatever, I just want to be here with you."

Edgar understood the cue and took her hand that was small and smooth and approaching kissed her cheek. He felt her heart race and kissed her on the lips. Natasha responded to the kiss with affection and the two were led by this moment as if there was nothing else in the world.

"You are beautiful!" Edgar said after parting their lips. Her face was flushed after the kiss and he touched it with his fingertips. " I wanted to kiss you so many times. But it seems that this was the right time."

They kissed again more intensely this time. Natasha wrapped her arms around his neck as he held her by the waist. It was all very intense and different, as it seems that with other people there was not so much feeling and as much history as the two had.

"I need to show you something." Edgar remembered the envelope he received midweek. He got up and went to the dresser and brought the envelope to her. "Open it."

"Wow! Ed! Congratulations!" He had passed college in Michigan. That was the best news of the week. The girl jumped on his neck and they both fell to the bed with the intensity of her hug. She kissed him sweetly congratulating him on the news. "Have you thought what you want to be?"

"I'm not sure, but maybe something in economics or politics."

"Hmm, said the future president." Natasha mocked jokingly.

"Only if you're my first lady."

She widened her eyes and he smiled. "Calm down, this is not a marriage proposal yet." They laughed at the conversation when they heard Lis call.

" Eddie. The mother is calling."

"Come on, Mom made a cake."

They went into the dining room where Lis and Emma were waiting for them. There were snacks and sweets prepared by Lis and her mother, and a small chocolate cake filled with birthday candles. Edgar put on a song and the atmosphere was very cozy. Tasha felt at home with Edgar and his family.

After eating and singing happy birthday Natasha realized that the boy had gone silent and looked sad.

"What's it?" Tasha approached worriedly.

"Is nothing. My father loved our birthdays, he always made a point of celebrating."

"He would be glad you continued to do what he liked."

Natasha took the boy's hand and linked his fingers with hers. The two sat on the couch and remained silent for a long time. The girl laid her head on Edgar's shoulder as he put his arm around her back. Emma realized that they were no longer the same and was happy, because she was very fond of the girl and hoped that they would do each other well.

Later Edgar went to take her home. They walked down the street holding each other and with happiness on their faces.

"The College is far away. I don't know if I will. Leave my mother and sister, and you..." Edgar had been thinking about this all week and knew it would be very difficult to leave them behind.

"You should go. It's a unique opportunity, Ed. They'll be happy and proud of you. And me too." They were standing facing each other in front of Natasha's house.

"Will you want to be my girlfriend even with so much distance between us?" A mocking smile passed over the boy's face.

"It that a request?"

"Yes. Do you want to be my girlfriend, Natasha?" The boy was holding her hand where he placed a soft kiss. As he lifted his eyes and looked at her cheek he saw a tear trickle down his eyes. "I love you Tasha." Edgar touched her cheek softly, wiping the tear away.

" I want to be your girlfriend. I love you too."

"Let's make it work." A passionate kiss sealed that moment.

" Remi, next year I'm going to the Military College. I've been preparing for this for years, and now it looks like it's going to work. What do you think about doing when we finish the school year?"

Kurt was lying in his bed with Remi by his side, they just loved each other intensely and only a thin sheet covered them. At least a week ago they had been meeting and ending up in their room.

"I haven't thought yet. I enrolled in some colleges, but I don't know if I will be called or if I will, it seems that this is not for me."

"You look very smart and you should think of a career."

In fact Remi felt that Helen was up to something, as the woman had not objected to her encounters with Kurt who although he had not talked to her about it was sure the foster mother knew. But she was so happy beside the boy that she didn't want to think of anything to ruin those moments that were theirs alone.

" Let's leave this subject for now, I don't want to get bored or even think about an uncertain future." Saying that Remi pulled him to her teasing him with kisses on the neck. "You like that?" She smiled mischievously between touches and kisses on the neck and chest of the boy who matched the height between caresses that also drove her crazy.

On the other side of town Helen was already preparing for her next steps, as she would not leave what was going on. She could not allow her boy and girl to get lost. The future that awaited them did not involve passions that drove them from their goals.