It was Yurian’s birthday. Aselia got up early to help Esma bake a cake for him. They had decided to celebrate the birthday in the afternoon with Yurian’s parents and then head out for the night with fellow hunters and celebrate it at a nightclub. Both of them had taken a day off today. Aselia had called Foxi and had left instructions to call her in case some mission was assigned or there was a sudden attack.

"Good Morning!" Aselia wished Esma as she entered the kitchen.

"Good Morning my dear. Let’s get done with the breakfast and then we can bake a cake for Yurian," Esma was tying an apron around her waist.

"Sounds like a plan," both women got down to cooking. Aselia helped as much as she could without burning the kitchen down.

After arranging the table and placing the cake in the fridge, Aselia went to wake him up. She had decided to give him his gift, which she had ordered a few days ago. It was wrapped up in gift paper and a ribbon was tied to it.

Rony tagged along and Aselia made him hold the gift in his teeth from the Blue ribbon. He walked with pride on his four paws, his chest puffed out and head held high, he acted too important carrying the gift and Aselia couldn’t help but chuckle at him.

Knocking on the door, Yurian’s sleepy voice sounded from inside:

"Come in," Aselia slowly opened the door and entered along with Rony.

The curtains were closed and the only light in his room was coming from his bedside lamp, he was still lying in bed with a pillow over his head.

Aselia whistled and Rony ran up to the bed and jumped on Yurian’s belly and dropped the gift on it.

Aselia drew open the curtains so sunlight could flood the room and announced:

"Wake up sleepy Goldie," and he groggily opened his eyes to stare in awe at Rony who had settled on his stomach, seeming pleased with himself.

"Good morning! Hey man, what have you brought me?" he picked up the gift and sat up straight, Rony shifted to his lap.

"Happy Birthday, Yuri," Aselia gave him a small hug with a satisfied smile and he hugged her back.

"Thanks, partner," as they separated Yurian began to open the gift she had brought for him. It was the CD of his favourite game "The Era of Hounds." The final part had just been launched and Yurian was thinking of buying it but Aselia already got it for him.

"Ohhhhhhhh!" he exclaimed in excitement as he held the CD and kissed it, "thank you so much," he hugged her again and she couldn’t help but smile at him. His happy face always put her at ease.

"First tablet and now this. You are the best partner someone could have," although his words swelled her heart she couldn’t help but think about the tablet he owned.

She didn’t remember gifting it to him which meant it must have happened sometime last year. It was the latest model from the most renowned tech company, meaning it was an expensive one. But according to her previous bank statement, she had not purchased anything expensive.

Although Yurian had opened a new bank account for her, all the money from her previous one had been transferred to it and it seemed like she hadn’t spent anything in the last year. How was that possible? How has she been living? And how did she pay for the tablet?

These were the questions that were haunting her and she wondered if she had been in a coma for much longer than they had told her. It perplexed her.

"Back to Altair from space," Yurian teased Aselia by flipping his fingers in front of her, seeing she was lost.

"Oh! Sorry. I got lost for a second there. Come on freshen up we have a long and fun day ahead," Aselia got up and instructed him to do the same.

"I will be out in a minute," Rony and Aselia exited his room and headed for the living room for breakfast. Yurian joined them soon enough.

Esma and Razian were overjoyed and they both kissed their son and wished him a happy birthday. Their wide smiles and shiny eyes showed how much they loved him.

The family had a healthy breakfast and after that, Yurian brought out ’Monopoly’. "Let’s see who can defeat me," he gave everyone an evil smile.

"Beware! He cheats," Esma slowly whispered in Aselia’s ear who chuckled and replied:

"I know, I have played with him. He always got scolded and smacked by me for it."

"Why don’t we play partner to partner? Dad and me while Mom and Leia," he winked.

"You are on. But I am going to wipe the floor with you Yuri. Don’t think because it’s your birthday I will go easy on you," there was this evil smirk in her eyes and Yurian knew how competitive she was.

"We shall see, come, Dad let’s show the ladies how it’s done," and they started the long game of Monopoly which extended till noon.

Laughter filled the Razian household today as both parties tried to undermine each other but after a four-hour-long gruesome game, Aselia and Esma finally gained victory and did a happy dance. Men were dejected but they let the ladies taunt them.

"Loser will bring ice cream for everyone. Get that cash ready," Esma teased her husband and son and they laughed in defeat.

"Did the cat get your tongue, Yuri," Aselia made silly faces at him and he scowled.

Soon after the family had lunch and Esma brought out the cake she and Aselia had baked and decorated. It was a red velvet cake, Yurian’s favourite and he couldn’t help but give his mom a warm hug.

He cut the cake amidst clapping and wishes and gave everyone a bite. Esma and Razian had bought him a new flat-screen tv for his room so he could easily play his games in his free time. The older one had some issues with sound.

"Thank you, Mom and Dad, this is the best birthday I had in a long time, I love you guys," his words melted their hearts and they hugged while Aselia captured the beautiful moments on her cellphone with a satisfied smile.