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The kitchen was entirely dark except for the

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warm, flickering glow dancing across the ceiling.

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Leo stood back, squinting critically at his masterpiece.

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It had taken three hours of flower -dusted

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chaos, three distinct tears of rich chocolate

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sponge, and a terrifyingly delicate operation involving a

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spatula and a mountain of layered

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frosting, but it was finally done.

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The texture of the buttercream was a topography

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of soft swirls and peaks, perfectly catching

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the amber light.

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Twenty -five tiny candles pierced the summit, their

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flames bowing slightly in the quiet air.

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Scattered generously across the top and cascading down

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the sides were cheerful rainbow sprinkles,

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catching the light like spilled stardust.

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Leo wiped a streak of white frosting from

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his forehead, leaving a smudge just above

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his eyebrow, and smiled.

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With a deep breath, he scooped the heavy

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dessert up and carried it carefully into the

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living room, where a chorus of cheers erupted

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from the darkness.

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As he set the sweet centerpiece upon the

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party table, a room full of familiar faces

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rushed

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in, clapping and laughing.

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Someone started the birthday song, the melody a

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little out of tune and entirely full of

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heart.

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Leo closed his eyes, made a silent wish,

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and blew out every single flame in one

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triumphant

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breath, sending a wisp of smoke curling up

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into the night.