Birthday Memories : Rydon

Childish laughter echoes round the kitchen as Ryan chases Spence round the room, demanding candy. "Come on you two, calm down." Mum laughs as she carries my cake over to the table avoiding my two best friends. "No cake." She threatens. Silence. Then a mad rush as the three of us scramble round her feet, pouting and begging for cake.

"Happy seventh birthday Brenny." Mum smiles as I blow out the candles, handing me a large present wrapped in red and gold. Ryan steals it off me and holds it to his ear, shaking it then giggling as it rattles.

I snatch it back and stick my tongue out at him. Tearing off the paper, I reveal a magic kit. I pounce on my mum and hug her; I've been staring at it in the shop window for weeks.

Spence laughs and offers me his presents, a small blue and green box. I pull it open, uncovering signed guitar picks from our favourite band. I screech and hug him before Ryan taps my shoulder, holding out a present wrapped in a violent shade of purple.

I take it gingerly; Ryan's presents are always special. I carefully remove the paper and slide out two rare CDs that are basically impossible to get hold of. I just stare at them shocked.

"Don't you like them?" Ryan's face falls and he bites his lip. "Sorry..."

I silence him by squeezing his waist and quickly kissing him, I mean we're best friends, right? "Thanks so much Ry!" he giggles as I bounce over and put one of the CDs in the player. The others grab cake while I start dancing, after a moment I drag Ryan up to dance, laughing as we twist.

A tongue traces along my jaw and Ry pushes me down onto our bed. "Happy birthday Beautiful." He smiles and kisses me properly. "Whatcha thinking of?"

"Our first kiss." I lean up and reconnect our lips gently. "Fifteen years ago." He flips us over so I'm sitting in his lap, wrapping both arms round my waist.

"Fifteen years..." he kisses between my shoulder blades then reaches out to our bedside table for something. "I love you." He links our left hands together, nuzzling the back of my neck.

"Love you too." I smile and lean back, resting my head on his shoulder.

"Close your eyes." He whispers. I do. He gently takes my right hand, palm up and places something velvety in it. "Baby, open your eyes." He murmurs, lightly kissing down my neck.

I smile slightly then open my eyes then still at the sight of the ring box nestling in my palm. "We've been together for six years, you mean the world to me, will you be mine. Will you marry me?"

I wordlessly nod and he slips the ring on, I turn to kiss him. "Happy birthday." He repeats against my lips.