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Sand was awakened by a little snore coming from his right, slowly scooting closer and he yawned. Too tired to open his eyes just yet, Sand stayed like that for a little longer as he still felt too lazy to wake up completely. It was the weekend and it was still too early, so he just smiled and nuzzled closer to Ray, who was still sound asleep, shaking his head as his eyes slowly fluttered open, still checking the time and he rubbed his eyes.
Yes, it was still too early.
It was a very important and special day, but he and Ray had made preparations last night. The cake was ready, chilling in the fridge. They blew up the balloons and hung them up and a banner saying Happy 5th birthday. The presents were all wrapped up and ready to be opened up by their daughter.
Sand still couldn't believe she was already turning five.
It’s been five years since he and Ray had gotten together. There had been ups and downs, but things slowly calmed down. After Ray finished his rehab, he decided to keep on working with the orphanage, working as a volunteer there from time to time. The kids loved him whenever he would go there to read them stories.
One thing led to the other and two years ago they ended up adopting a girl – Luna. It didn’t happen overnight, the two of them spent a lot of time discussing it. Ray especially wasn’t sure if he was fit to be a father since he had his own issues to work through, but after a little while, Ray came more open to the idea of starting a family with Sand.
Things have been wonderful.
Becoming parents changed both Sand and Ray for the better. It brought them even closer than they already were and just last year they got married as well. Luna was the flower girl, of course she was, looking the most adorable of them all at the wedding and Sand smiled as he recalled the happy memories, sighing happily as he gently skimmed his fingers over Ray’s cheek, who was still asleep.
Ray nuzzled into the touch and Sand chuckled, pressing a little kiss against his cheek as he really couldn’t resist how adorable Ray looked. Still asleep, cheeks slightly pink as he probably felt too hot under all of the covers, but he looked so comfortable that it would be a shame to wake him up.
Sand sighed happily as he didn’t peel his eyes away from Ray, not even once and he licked across his lower lip, his fingers gently travelling through Ray’s hair, chuckling softly as Ray mumbled something in his sleep. Sand felt his chest getting tight. Sometimes he still had to stop and make sure that all of this was real because he was so freaking happy. His life had changed so much, for the better.
Though, some things were still the same.
Sand still found it impossible to say no to Ray and it just got worse because now it wasn’t just Ray. Oh, no. Much like her papa Ray, Luna was just the same. Sand was weak against Ray’s little pleas and his puppy eyed look, but Luna took it on another whole level and of course Ray was proud.
Like father, like daughter.
Sand snickered at his own thoughts, but a good proof for this were all of the presents that were waiting for Luna in the living room. Sand wanted to get two things, tops, but of course when he and Ray went shopping – Sand ended up agreeing to pretty much everything, so they bought a lot.
Both of them spoiled their daughter rotten, but she deserved it. She was only five, but her eyes had seen far too much, so Sand didn’t give a damn. He didn’t care how much he would have to pay for it, because the smile that would put on her face would be priceless.
Right?
That was what Ray taught him and he decided to go along with it.
Sand laid there for a little while, but then he remembered that he really needed to be getting up to check up on a surprise that he had waiting for both Luna and Ray. It was something that both of them had been trying to talk Sand into agreeing and of course Sand caved in and decided to surprise them both.
Sand slowly climbed off the bed, put on a T-shirt and sweatpants, slowly walking towards the study that was at the end of the hallway. Sand peeked inside and smiled when he saw that the little creature was asleep, curled up into a ball, shaking his head as he felt excitement bubbling up.
Sand was about to step into the study, but then he heard something, so he quickly closed the door and turned around. The sound was coming from Luna’s room, so he slowly walked towards it. Sand narrowed his eyes because he could hear Luna talking to herself, but then he soon realised that she was talking to her stuffed animals.
She had so many of them, yet it was never enough.
Sand snorted, but kept quiet as he listened.
“Today is a very important day, Daisy,” heard Sand and he pressed his lips together, shaking his head. Daisy was one of her unicorns, of course. “Can anyone guess what day it is today?”
Sand leaned against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest.
“Snowflake, you got it correct,” said Luna happily. “It is my birthday. Papa and dad say it’s the most important day in the whole world, it’s only for me,” she said happily and Sand chuckled.
Well, she wasn’t wrong.
“I’m a princess every day, so today I will be a queen!” she said happily and started giggling happily, Sand’s smile getting wider as well.
Hearing her laughter made everything worth it. Hearing her laugh like this erased all of those terrible nightmares that were with Luna two years ago. The nightmares gradually stopped and Sand sighed, leaning closer to the door and he took a little peek inside.
Luna was sitting on the bed, her stuffed animal friends sitting around her in a perfect circle. Ah, they were having a meeting, huh?
“I hope I will get a guitar, Mr. Hoppy,” said Luna and picked up her stuffed bunny, now talking about what she wanted for her birthday and Sand smiled. She had been talking about wanting a guitar for weeks now and it took all the power that Sand had within to convince Ray to not get her one right away. “I wanna be a rockstar like dad!”
Sand laughed when he heard that and he laughed too loud because Luna could hear him since he was standing right in front of her room. She let out a little yelp, quickly laid back down and covered herself with covers, pretending to be sleeping. Sand looked inside of her room again and he slowly walked inside since he already got caught.
Luna opened one eye, but quickly closed it when she saw Sand stepping into the room.
“Hmm?” hummed Sand playfully and slowly walked closer. “Are you still asleep?” asked Sand. “I heard someone whispering in here before,” said Sand and Luna was trying her best to hold in her laughter. “I guess I was wrong, huh?”
Sand glanced at Luna, who quickly closed her eyes when she saw Sand looked towards her. Still, he sat on the edge of her bed and picked up her stuffed bunny, Luna carefully opening one eye and covering her mouth with her hands because this whole prank on dad was funny in her opinion.
“What is that, Mr. Hoppy? Is Luna awake?” asked Sand as he placed the bunny right up against his ear and slowly nodded. “Ah, I see. Mn,” said Sand and Luna was already giggling silently.
“I’m sleeping,” said Luna.
“I think you’re playing a prank on me, miss,” said Sand and Luna burst into a fit of giggles when she suddenly sat up and Sand let out a startled gasp.
“Good morning, dad,” chirped the girl happily and Sand’s heart just melted.
“Mn, good morning and happy birthday,” said Sand, Luna smiling up to her ears. “Ready for your special day, m’lady?”
“Yes,” she said and happily clapped. “Where’s papa?” Sand smiled and he was about to answer, but Luna quickly worked it out. She knew that papa wasn’t really a morning person. “Papa is still sleeping?”
“Yep,” said Sand and Luna pouted.
“Let’s wake him up!”
“Yeah, but we should make him some breakfast first,” said Sand and Luna perked up. “With breakfast in bed he won’t be able to really pout at us, right?” asked Sand and Luna gave him a determined nod because that was true!
“I’ll help!”
Sand smiled and he slowly stood up, ready to finally start the day. As he stood up, Luna lifted her arms up, Sand picking her up and she gave him a big, big hug before they made their way to the kitchen, Sand making sure to avoid going anywhere near the study or the living room.
Ray usually didn’t like it when he was awakened earlier than he was ready, but that day was an exception, of course. The breakfast in bed was a nice touch, of course, but even without it, Ray would be just fine as it was a very special day.
After breakfast, Sand decided to take care of the dishes while Ray helped Luna with getting ready for the day.
“Papa, I wanna wear a dress today,” said Luna, always clear with what she wanted, much like Ray.
“Which one?” asked Ray as he opened up the wardrobe.
Luna had many, many dresses – all thanks to Ray.
“The blue one!” said Luna.
“The one with sparkles or the one without?”
“Sparkles, papa, everything looks better with sparkles,” said Luna and Ray was silently laughing as he turned around and handed her the dress. “I wanna wear a tiara, too!”
“Of course, what’s a queen without her tiara, mn?”
“Yes!”
“But, first I’ll do your hair after you put on the dress, okay?”
After Luna changed into her dress, she quickly moved over to her vanity desk, which of course she had. She climbed up onto the chair and then she waited for Ray to come over and he happily smiled as he picked up the comb, biting into his lower lip.
Mornings were his favourite part of the day, perhaps.
Little moments like this, just getting ready for the day with his daughter, was really special to Ray. She really was a princess, in every meaning of the word – his and Sand’s pride and joy. Perhaps they spoiled her way too much, but at the end of the day, she wasn’t a brat. Even if she got everything her little heart desired, she still had good manners and that was all that mattered.
“What style should we go for today, mn?” practically sang Ray and Luna hummed.
Ray was a professional by now – he had watched many tutorials online, so he knew how to make pretty much every single hairstyle Luna could ask for him. So, not only was he a five star husband, but also a five star father, which he took great pride in. And, of course, Ray still liked showing off just how amazing he was.
“I want two braids,” said Luna calmly.
“Two braids it is,” said Ray with a little smile.
“And butterfly hair clips at the front!”
“I’ve got you,” said Ray and gave her a thumbs up before he finally started braiding her hair. He first split her hair in the middle and then he moved to the right, splitting that hair into three sections, grabbing one of the hair ties that were resting on the vanity desk, gently braiding her hair and Luna was already singing again – singing herself a happy birthday.
Ray smiled and turned to the side, where he saw Sand standing.
Sand was already done with the dishes, so he decided to see what Ray and Luna were doing. When he saw that Ray was braiding their daughter’s hair, he just stood there as he didn’t want to ruin the moment. The smile on Ray’s face was to die for. He looked so happy, peaceful as he was braiding Luna’s hair, singing along with Luna and Sand’s fingers gripped onto his forearms.
Sand might’ve just fallen in love, all over again.
Ray narrowed his eyes and then he pressed his lips together.
“Everything okay?”
“Mn, the dishes are done,” said Sand and slowly walked closer, going behind Ray and he wrapped his arms around his waist, but didn’t stop him and Luna smiled when he saw her parents.
“Dad, I will look so pretty today!”
“I see – Ray’s doing an amazing job,” said Sand and Ray beamed as he looked over his shoulder, earning himself a little kiss against his forehead, which made his breath shake, but he slowly turned around as he needed to focus and finish the job!
After the two braids were finally done, Sand put the hair clips into Luna’s hair while Ray went to get the tiara she wanted and she hopped onto the floor, going over to the big mirror she had in the room as well and carefully placed the tiara onto her head, smiling when she saw herself.
“Do I get to open my presents now?” asked Luna and glanced up at her dad and papa, making sure to use the puppy eyed look and the pout; a mini copy of Ray, that was what she was!
Sand snickered and glanced at Ray.
“You’ve got to stop teaching her this,” said Sand, ‘’scolding’’ Ray.
“Teach her what?”
“Oh, don’t pretend to be so innocent,” said Sand, pinching Ray’s cheek before he pulled away. “Mn, you get to open your presents now,” said Sand and Luna happily jumped up and down.
Finally!
It wasn’t until Luna opened up all of her presents that Sand truly saw how overboard the two of them went this time. The whole living room was covered in wrapping paper!
Ray was smiling along as Sand was explaining to Luna how the guitar worked. Yes, she had a real guitar this year, unlike the toy one that she got last year. Throughout the year, she became more interested in wanting to learn it, so Sand and Ray decided to get her one. And with Ray being Ray, of course it had to be an expensive one.
Only the best for their princess.
Sand was sitting on the floor, Luna next to him as she listened carefully. The two of them were completely lost in their own world and it was such a precious sight. Sand was still very passionate when it came to music, and not only that his and Ray’s business was taking off, but Sand had released a couple of songs, which were quite successful.
Sand claimed it wasn’t much, but Ray was so freaking proud of him.
Maybe one day, Sand was going to release a song with Luna.
“Pretty cool, huh?” asked Sand and Luna nodded when she gently strummed along.
“Soon I’ll be as cool as you!”
“You’ll be even cooler,” said Sand.
Ray could tell how much this meant to Sand – that their daughter was this interested in something that he was doing for a living.
“You can become a real rockstar now, just like Sand,” said Ray and scooted closer to the two of them. “And I’ll be your biggest fan,” said Ray, winking.
Sand laughed and shook his head.
“I’m not a rockstar-”
“You are,” said Ray with a pout. “You’ve released songs, they’re successful!”
“Oh, that’s-”
“Right, Luna?” asked Ray and the girl nodded.
“Yes, dad is the coolest rockstar ever!”
Sand snorted and shook his head, but then he slowly stood up because there was one more surprise that he wanted to give to Luna… and Ray. R$ay frowned when Sand stood up all of the sudden.
“Where are you going?” whined Ray.
“Don’t leave us,” whined Luna together with Ray.
“I have one more surprise, so both of you behave if you want to get it,” said Sand and Ray perked up.
“What surprise?”
“Hmm, I wonder,” replied Sand with a little cheeky smile.
Ray had no idea what Sand was talking about, but he felt giddy on the inside as Sand went to get that other… gift. Ray had no idea what it could be, so in the meantime, he decided to clean up around the living room, putting all of the wrapping paper into one of the largest boxes, Luna helping him as she was very excited to find out what Sand had planned.
Luna quickly sat onto the couch when Sand was finally back, holding a cardboard box in his hands. Ray frowned and he could hear something moving inside of the box. The box wasn’t wrapped up, or taped closed.
“What is in there?” asked Luna, perking up.
“Something you’ve wanted for a very long time,” said Sand and carefully placed the box onto the floor, chuckling when the box almost opened up on its own. Well, not on its own, but…
“There’s something moving inside!” said Luna and Ray’s eyes widened because he was slowly getting the entire picture.
“Sand?”
“Open it up,” said Sand and stepped back, Luna slowly approaching the box and her eyes widened when she looked inside.
As she opened the box, she was met with a pair of curious eyes looking up at her. Ray heard a meow and he glanced over at Sand, who couldn’t fight back the smile anymore.
“You didn’t-”
“I knew how much both of you wanted a-”
“Kitty!” squealed Luna, but then quickly stopped screaming when she saw that it startled the tabby little kitten in the box. She covered her mouth with her hands and immediately, she started tearing up. “Hello,” she said softly instead and slowly picked up the kitten, which meowed back.
Luna hugged the kitten carefully.
“Wait, how long was it here for?” whispered Ray and Sand smiled.
“I was at the shelter two days ago with Nick. It’s been staying over at Nick’s and Dan’s place for a few days, until last night. After you two both fell asleep, I went to get it and I brought it here. She spent the night in the study room,” explained Sand. “I know how much both of you wanted a cat, so why not, mn?” asked Sand and gently ruffled Ray’s hair, who puffed his cheeks and nodded.
“It’s a girl?” whispered Luna. “She is so cute. What’s her name?”
“That’s up to you,” said Sand and walked closer, sitting down onto the couch next to Luna, who was gently petting the kitten’s head. “She’s yours to name.”
Luna stared down at the kitten and that was when she couldn’t hold back her tears anymore. She hid her face into her palms after the kitten laid into her lap and burst in tears, feeling happy. Sand smiled and gently rubbed Luna’s back.
“Aw, don’t cry, it’s okay,” started Sand, but then Luna slowly stood up, planted the kitten down onto the couch and threw herself around Sand’s neck. Sand stood up as the girl continued crying, making sure to thank Sand over and over again.
Sand smiled, hugging his daughter, but then he glanced at Ray and he threw his head back and laughed when he saw that Ray was also tearing up, wasn’t he? Sand stood up with Luna in his arms and walked over to Ray, who leaned closer and kissed him softly.
“You’re the best,” said Ray as Sand cupped his cheek.
After Luna calmed down a bit, she and Ray went to say hi to the kitten properly, Luna deciding on the name Lulu. Sand’s heart was so full when he watched the two of them with the kitten and Sand really… he was never going to get tired of this.
Spoiling the two most precious and important people in the world.
What more could he ask for?