Anna's point view:
"We could have the House Elves make the cake," Minerva said from her seat as I stand behind Karina.
"I know," I replied, helping my daughter pour water into the mixing bowl. "We like making cakes, don't we?"
"It's fun, Aunt M!" Karina added.
"Is it now?" Minerva raised an eyebrow at her honorary niece.
"I'm going to blow kisses into it because I'm making it for Daddy," Karina added.
We laughed. "I'm sure Daddy will love it," Minerva replied to her.
"He will." I kissed my daughter's curls.
"May we get some candles from the House Elves?" Karina asked.
"Yes," Minerva replied. "They have some."
"Magic kind?" Karina asked.
"Ones that change color." Minerva smiled from her seat.
"Wow. Daddy and me will love those!"
"Help me pour in the milk, honey." I handed her the measuring cup of milk.
Karina poured in the milk into the batter. I helped her to stir it.
"Good think Daddy helped me nap because I'm using my muscles," Karina said.
I laughed. The things she'd say always made me laugh.
"I bet," Minerva said as her shoulders shook in silent laughter.
"Daddy doesn't nap because he workeded on his potions, Aunt M. Did you know that?" Karina asked.
"I did know that."
"Why don't you make him nap?"
"Why do you ask that?" Minerva looked confused.
"Daddy said you are like his mom to him."
A satisfied smile crossed Minerva's face. "He's too old for that."
"When I'm as old as him, will I still have to take naps?"
"No, sweetie," I told her.
"Good because I don't like them sometimes, even when Daddy kisses me so I'll go to sleep," Karina explained.
"Naps can be lovely," Minerva said.
"Mommy, may I have a bite of this?" Karina asked.
"After we pour most of into our pan," I told her. "Are you ready to help me?"
"Yes!"
I poured the batter into the pan as Karina's hands held onto the bowl.
"I'm going to put this in the oven now," I told Karina.
"May I help?" Karina asked.
"Maybe next time," I told her.
"Why, Mommy?"
"Because it's hot, and I don't want you to get burned."
"I'll watch with Aunt M!" Karina declared.
Smiling, I put the pan into the oven in our rooms, feeling glad that I'd asked for Muggle appliances. My mother taught me to cook, and I wanted Karina to know the skill as well.
"I'm going to grab a quick shower," I told Minerva, who'd pick up a book to read to Karina.
After showing, I pulled the simple red dress I'd wear for Severus' surprise birthday dinner. His birthday wasn't for two days, but we wanted to surprise him. He thought going to the Italian place where we had our first day would be his birthday celebration, but Minerva and I wanted to surprise him. Minerva told me this was the first time he'd celebrate it. The thought made me sad. Karina was only four, and she had more birthday parties than he did. I heard the timer go off, and went into the kitchen. I pulled out the chocolate cake; my whole rooms smelled lovely.
"Is it time to frost it yet, Mummy?" Karina asked.
"We'll let it cool a bit, love," I told her. "How about we put up some decorations?"
"Okay! Come on, Aunt M!"
We put up a few blue balloons as well as a 'Happy Birthday' banner.
"I think if this was just me doing this, Severus wouldn't be very happy," Minerva said.
"But Daddy will be happy because we're doing this for him!" Karina said, jumping in place. I'd never seen her so excited before.
"I'm sure he, will, honey," Minerva said. "How about you and I frost the cake while Mummy gets ready, hhmm?"
"May we, Mummy?" Karina asked.
"Sure. I'll be right out," I said, glancing at the clock. "We'd better hurry. He'll be here soon, and you know how punctual he can be."
Minerva nodded as her and Karina attacked the cake with frosting. I put some light make-up on, bringing out my eyes before straightening my red dress. It hugged my curves lightly. I grinned as I went into the joined kitchen and living room. I sat, enjoying a moment of rest. I'd been working hours to pull this off on top of a lot of grading. Next year I wouldn't assign a paper right before his birthday.
"Remember, we have to yell surprise when Daddy gets here. Okay?" Karina asked as she led her Aunt M by the hand.
"We will, honey." Minerva picked her up as she sat down.
"Daddy is going to be so surprised," Karina said.
A moment later, Severus opened the door. He wore his usual black sweater and slacks, making him look handsome.
"Surprise!" We all yelled.
Karina yelled it multiple times as she jumped up and ran to him.
"Happy Birthday, Daddy." Karina hugged his neck when he picked her up.
"What's this?" he asked.
"We're celebrating your birthday! Aren't you excited?"
"I suppose," he replied somewhat dryly.
"I'm so excited, Daddy! We made you a cake. Let's go look at it!"
Severus cleared his throat.
"May I show you?" Karina corrected herself.
"Yes you may," Severus replied.
"It's on the counter. Mommy and I made the cake part, and Aunt M and I decorated it. We even put sprinkles and candles on it, Daddy. Look at all of the colors, Daddy. I bet it tastes so good, and I can't wait to try some, Daddy."
"It does look good. Thank you for making it for me." He kissed her cheek.
"We got your favorite dinner from the House Elves, Daddy. Steak! Are you ready to eat, Daddy?" she asked.
"I am." He smiled. "We should sit with your Mum and Aunt M," Severus reminded her.
"Come on, everyone! My Daddy's hungry for his birthday dinner!"
I laughed as we sat together at our small table.
"This looks delicious," Severus said. "Thank you for doing this."
He took my hand and smiled at me.
"Daddy, I want to hold your hand," Karina said.
He picked up her hand.
"How will he eat, Karina, if we are both holding hands?" I asked.
"Oh! We can hold hands after, Daddy. Don't worry," Karina asked.
"I'll try not to."
We ate the steak, Karina chattering as usual. When we were finished, we sat near the fire as Karina handed Severus his presents. I sat next to him, resting my hand on his knee. Severus opened Minerva's gift first: another potions book. Severus offered his praise before opening Karina's letter to him.
"I made this myself, Daddy." She stood in front of him, bouncing up and down on her toes.
"Did you?" Severus opened the pick card. "Thank you for drawing a picture of you, Mummy, and me."
"You're welcome!" She jumped on his lap and hugged him, making Severus' breath run out of him.
Severus smiled as he hugged Karina.
"May I give Daddy his present now?" I asked Karina.
"Yes! Mummy wouldn't tell me what it was so I'm just as surprised as you are, Daddy," Karina explained.
Severus chuckled as Karina snuggled in his lap and he accepted my gift. He opened it to reveal a Daddy picture frame with Karina in it.
"That's me, Daddy!" Karina exclaimed.
"It is, my dear." Severus kissed her head before he looked at me. "I love this, my dear. Thank you."
"You're welcome." I leaned forward and kissed him.
"Mummy, may we have cake now?" Karina interrupted us.
We pulled away; Severus looked disappointed. 'Later,' I mouthed, and he nodded. We sang 'Happy Birthday' for Severus, and he blew out his multi-colored candles. We all had a piece.
"Shall we go on a walk?" Severus asked as Minerva helped Karina clean up the dishes; another thing I wanted Karina to learn to do the Muggle way.
"Absolutely," I sad, grabbing his hand.
Our fingers threaded together as we walked. We didn't say anything as we walked, and we didn't need to. Eventually, we roamed over to the lake. I watched the moonlight reflect off of the surface as Severus wrapped his arms around me from behind.
"You're affectionate tonight," I commented.
"I have reason to be," he said quietly.
"Why? Did you enjoy your party?" I asked.
"Yes … and because I love you."
I gasped, and turned around to face him.
"Tell me again," I whispered.
"I love you," he repeated. His dark eyes reflected his feelings.
"I love you too," I replied.
I leaned up and kissed him hard, not daring to let go.
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