Soft, dappled sunlight streamed past the maple tree outside, and in through the window. Delilah woke up at the first chirp of birds- and at first felt panic. She should've been up before dawn, baking for the day- but then she remembered. Her shoulders loosened, and she sank back into the covers.

Octavia was managing all of that today, because today was your eighteenth birthday. She lay in bed, feeling like her heart was about to burst at the thought of her adopted daughter. Today, she could actually confront the feelings she'd been running from- she was in love with you, and didn't want a daughter, but a wife.

It should've made her guiltier- how the little girl she found in the back alley was now the source of all her devotion- but she couldn't care less. She pulled back the covers, silk nightgown swishing as she slipped into her slippers. She still had hours before her darling girl would be awake.

She spent a while in the bathroom, getting ready- soft makeup, neatly styled hair, a soft pink dress- before striding out to the small apartment kitchen the two of them shared. She could hear the bustle of her empire beneath her- the bakery she had created all herself. She smiled as she pulled an undecorated chocolate mud cake out of the fridge. She'd made it so lovingly, and now was time to ice it.

Sure, she'd never normally let her daughter have cake for breakfast... but maybe she was a little curious about if you wished for the same thing.

She hummed softly, jazz melodies filling the kitchen as she piped soft orange, white and pink flowers atop the cake. Hopefully a good omen.

She finished placing the candle on the cake- 18- when you emerged from your room. "Dear..." She smiled, her eyes lighting up. "Happy Birthday!"