Page 27 of Being Julia

“Happy birthday, princess.” My dad smiled as he walked into my room, holding a single white rose.

“Thank you, Dad.” I smiled as I hugged him tightly.

“Breakfast is almost ready. The chefs have been here since the crack of dawn.”

“I’ll be down in a minute.”

He looked at me as he sat on the edge of my bed and took my hand.

“Today should be one of the happiest days of your life. I’m so sorry, Julia. I know it’s hard with London being gone, but you have to try and enjoy the day.”

“I know, Dad. I just don’t understand why?—”

“I know, baby. It’s not for us to understand. We have to accept it and move on,” he said as he pulled me into an embrace. “Now, get dressed and come downstairs for your birthday breakfast.”

I gave my dad a small smile as he walked out of my bedroom. It was going to be such a busy day with graduation, my birthday, and a difficult one without London around. Every year on my and Collin’s birthday, my parents brought in caterers to put on a big breakfast buffet for our family and friends. After graduation, my parents threw me a party. My mom went wild with throwing a graduation party at the beach house. My dad wanted it at the Astoria, but my mom said she wanted to keep it fun and casual, and we were already having my birthday party there. After I put on my new dress, I went downstairs, where everyone was sitting in the dining room having breakfast.

“Happy birthday, Julia!” everyone yelled when I walked in.

Hailey looked at me and smiled as I walked over to her chair and hugged her.

“I know this is hard for you, but if you need anything, please let me know,” she whispered.

“Thank you, Hailey.”

I continued to make my rounds to each guest as I was hugged and kissed to death. I grabbed a plate and walked over to where the buffet was set up.

“Happy birthday, sis,” Collin said as he put his arm around me and kissed my cheek.

“Thanks, buddy.”

“Maybe tomorrow we can hang out at Central Park.” He smiled.

“Yeah. Maybe we can.”

I made my way down the buffet table, filling my plate while faking a smile. It just didn’t seem right without London here. We had a nice breakfast with conversation, laughter, and good food. After breakfast was finished, everybody went home until the graduation ceremony. I was on my way upstairs when my mom and dad called me into the living room. My mom had her hands behind her back with a smile on her face.

“Happy birthday, sweetheart.” She grinned as she handed me a small red velvet box. “We wanted to give this to you now instead of at the party tonight.”

I sat on the couch between my parents and slowly lifted the lid. Inside sat a beautiful diamond infinity ring. It was stunning, and I loved it.

“Mom, Dad,” I said as I looked at it with tears in my eyes.

“You know by now that symbol has a special meaning in our family. We wanted to give you something that represents us as a family—something you can look at when your dad and I are gone and know that our love for you is infinite, even when we’re not here,” my mom said.

“Thank you so much. I love it,” I said as I hugged my mom and then my dad. “I’ll never take this ring off.”

“I’m glad you like it, princess. Your mom and I thought it would be the start of a tradition. You can pass it on to your daughter when she’s eighteen.”

“What if I don’t have a daughter?”

“Well, let’s hope you do.” He smiled.

I went upstairs, showered, and dressed for my graduation ceremony. It felt unreal that I was finally out of school and going to college in the fall. I put on my graduation gown and stood in front of my full-length mirror as I put my graduation cap on my head. There was a soft knock on the door, and my mom peeked her head in.

“Do you need any help?” she asked.

“No. I think I got it.”

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