A clatter of metal and Chloe’s giggles replace the usual sound of the alarm clock, waking me from my deep sleep.

“Shhh! Daddy, be careful,” I hear the sweet girl scold her father in a whisper that’s probably louder than her regular voice.

The other side of the bed is empty, surprising me that I didn’t hear Jackson get up this morning. Why didn’t he wake me up? Did he sneak out? Or did he wear me out so much last night that I overslept?

“I will be,” Jackson answers her. “Okay, you run up ahead and open the door. Oh, and, Chloe?”

“Yes, Daddy?”

“Don’t forget to ask about the park, all right, hon?”

“You got it.”

I can hear the grin in her voice.

The knob on the bedroom door inches over and then slowly swings into the room as Chloe comes in dancing around excitedly. “She’s awake now, Daddy, come in!” she calls out to the hallway, her wild red hair flickering like flames in the streaks of sun spilling in the window.

“Here we go,” Jackson calls out and steps in the door as I sit up in bed with a smile that turns to total surprise.

“Happy Birthday. Ella!” They both say it at the same time as Jackson walks a red tray with a deluxe breakfast laid out on a plate. Pancakes, bacon, fresh strawberries and cream. It’s way too much for one person to eat, but it all looks so delicious I will give it my best shot. In a mug is a strong black coffee, just how I like it. The fragrant aroma of the rich coffee blends in with the sweet fruit and mingles in the air around us with the small bouquet of wildflowers set in a tiny vase of water on the edge of the tray.

“Do you like the flowers, Ella? I picked them all myself.” Chloe puffs up proudly.

I lift up the vase and inhale the perfume of the daisies, honeysuckles, and clover.

“They’re so beautiful, Chloe, almost as beautiful as you.” I can’t help but return her larger-than-life smile.

“She likes them.” She smiles up at her father gleefully and then starts to dance to a rhythmless song only she can hear.

“We wanted to do something special for you today.” Jackson watches his daughter for a second and chuckles. “I didn’t realize Chloe had a show for you too.” He laughs.

Realizing that all eyes are on her, his daughter sweeps her hands dramatically as she bounds across the bedroom floor, ending her dance in a dizzying twirl and a gracious curtsy.

“Bravo.” I clap and Jackson joins in. Chloe’s grin somehow managed to get just a bit bigger as she soaks in our praise.

“This is a beautiful birthday.” I smile at them. “But I’ve got to say, this is so much breakfast! I don’t think I can eat it all.”

“I can help you.” Chloe struggles to pull herself up the side of the bed, burying her face in the blankets as she tugs herself up with her arms. It looks awkward, but it works because before I have the chance to try to give her a hand, she’s already scooted up beside me in the bed.

“Would you like a piece of bacon?” I hold up a slice and she licks her lips.

“Yes, please.” She reaches out and I hand it to her.

“So, unfortunately I’ve been called into work this morning. I’ve got to head out in about an hour. I was wondering if you’d be able to take care of Chloe?” Jackson looks over at his little daughter, munching on a crispy strip of bacon.

“Of course. I’d love to.” I nod and cut into a pancake, loading up my fork with it and a slice of strawberry, and pop it into my mouth. My eyes roll back in my head as the flavor explodes on my tongue.

“Oh, uh, Daddy? Ella’s gonna take me to the park, right? That’s today?” Chloe tilts her head and furrows her fuzzy little brows.

“Um, well, that’s up to her. What do you think, Ella?” Jackson stands next to the bed, watching us like a painter putting the final brushstrokes on his masterpiece. The pride surging through him almost radiates from him like an aura.

“The park? Sure, I can take you.” I pick up another strawberry and hold it out. Her chubby little fingers pluck it from me and she stuffs the entire thing in her mouth.

“Fanks.”

“Thank you. I can’t wait for us to spend some time together today, Chloe. Just us girls. It’s a wonderful way to spend my birthday.” I look over at Jackson. “And thank you.” My tone grows more vulnerable, more fragile as the effort he put into this breakfast warms my heart. “For everything.”

“Anything to see you smile.” He leans back against the wall, resting his head back, and watches us with a wistful smile. It makes me wish we could photograph this moment. This point in time that I really became a part of their family.