Birthday party preparation

I woke up to the soft morning light streaming through the curtains and the sound of Elena's steady breathing beside me. She was still fast asleep, her face buried slightly into the pillow, her wild black curls spilling everywhere like a halo of untamed beauty.

I propped myself up on one elbow, taking a moment to admire her. She looked so peaceful when she slept, her features relaxed in a way they rarely were when she was awake.

Even in chaos, Elena carried a certain sharpness with her a wit, a spark but here, she was just soft and beautiful.

I smiled to myself, brushing a stray curl away from her cheek, careful not to wake her. As much as I wanted to stay here in this quiet bubble forever, I knew we had a long day ahead of us.