The smell of pine needles and lavender fills the room. I keep my eyes closed and hide my smile as the giggles get closer.
“Mommy? Are you awake?” Maya’s little voice whispers loudly. I can feel her weight climbing onto the bed.
“Shhh, Maya, Mommy gets to sleep, because it’s her birfday,” Andreas giggles at her while he climbs onto the bed as well.
I roll over and pretend to yawn with a big growl and stretch my arms out wide, grabbing them both and bringing them toward me. Their happy squeals fill my heart with joy.
“Hello, darlings,” I squeeze them tightly in my arms.
“Mommy, happy birfday!” Andreas says happily and gives me a wet kiss on the cheek.
“Mommy, Auntie Delilah sa