Birds chirped noisily outside Claire and Skye's home. Claire fluttered her eyes, and woke up smiling, noticing Skye beside her, still fast asleep. She quietly laughed, because her husband hardly ever woke up early.

Claire took a seat at her table, munching on a piece of toast. She heard Skye yawn, get out of bed, and sat beside her, sipping some coffee. "Good morning," he murmured, still groggy from sleep. Claire grinned.

"Guess you're not a morning person."

"Not at all Angel." Claire rested her head on Skye's shoulder, while he stroked her blond hair. Finally, Skye asked something completely random.

"Claire, you never told me when you're birthday is." Skye said, facing her. She shrugged.

"In a few days. Why?" she said nonchalantly. Skye stared at her, very confused.

"What?! Claire, why didn't you tell me?" Skye cried, squinting his aqua eyes. Claire was taken aback, never seeing Skye raise his voice.

"What do you mean?" she questioned. "It's not a big deal Skye, just another day of the year."

"What do you mean, 'not a big deal' Claire? You're my wife, and you didn't tell me you're birthday was coming up?"

"Skye," Claire sounded calm. "My birthday doesn't matter to me. It's practically nothing." She checked the clock. "I've gotta go buy some seeds from Vesta's shop." She kissed his cheek. "Love you."

Skye just sat there, jaw dropped, wondering how someone as happy as Claire could hate her birthday.

                                                                                 ***

Skye ran to Mineral Town, knocking on the door to the inn. Ann opened it, and gave him her usual warm smile.

"Hey Skye. What's-"

"I need to talk to Jill," he panted. Ann arched an eyebrow, and nodded. Skye made his way to Jill's room, where he found Claire's best friend walking out her room.

"Claire's birthday is soon!" Skye said loudly, getting glances from a few villagers.

"Yeah, I know. On the 13th. She'll be 20. Why?" Jill stuck her key into the lock, where a click was heard. She began to stroll down the stairs, Skye trailing behind her.

"20! It's even a milestone and she didn't tell me?!" Skye was now getting louder, and Jill stopped walking.

"What? She didn't tell you?" Jill asked, then sighed, playing with a rebel strand of her brown hair that fell out of her scrunchie. "That's actually not a surprise. You know Claire."

"But I'm her husband. Isn't that something I should know?"

"She didn't tell you because when her parents died, her birthday didn't matter. Hardly anyone besides me wished her one. She even forgot it." Jill sighed again. "Dammit Claire, why are you so private?"

Skye looked at her, determination in his eyes. "Well, I am going to make her have a birthday she'll never forget. I am going to make her know she's loved."

                                                                                   ***

Claire glanced quizzically at the table two days later, furrowing her blonde eyebrows. A plate of scrambled eggs with bacon and some orange juice with a muffin was placed there, beside a manilla note. She picked it up and read it.

_{Hey gorgeous. Jill and I finished your farm work today, so take a break. Meet me at the mountain near Gustafa's house at six. I love you, and happy birthday!
                                                                                                            Skye}

Claire pushed her hair out of her face, tying it into a braid, and ate the delicious foods Skye had made her. She smiled, thinking of how nice a break would be, and wondered what Skye had planned for her.

"Happy birthday!" Jill strided into Claire and Skye's house, grinning widely. She hugged her friend, then placed a flowery cake on the table. Blue icing dotted it. "Let me tell you: Me, Ann, and Skye made this, and it took me every urge not to eat it. We're such good cooks!" Claire smiled, looking at Jill skeptically. "Okay, fine. They're good cooks, but I iced it." She pointed to the heavily frosted dessert. "Oh, come outside. I got you something." Claire groaned, but hid a smile, as Jill guided her outside. She handed her a small white kitten.

"Ta da!" The kitten was so tiny, it cold fit in Claire's hand. It mewed quietly.

"Aw, Jill. I love it!" She took the cat, petting it softly. She had missed her old cat Misty, who passed away a month ago from old age. And now she had a new one. "She's perfect. Thank you so much Jill!" Claire hugged Jill, saying a thousand thank yous.

"What'll you name it?"

"Hmm, Midnight," Claire answered. "My favourite time of day."

Jill laughed, then checked her watch. "You've got 5 hours to kill. Makeover?" There was a teasing sense in her voice. Claire gave her a straight face.

"Hell no."

Jill giggled. "Okay, I knew you'd say that. Now go! Take a day off." She pushed her friend out of her farm, waving. "And have fun!"

                                                                                   ***

Claire made her way up to the mountain, content because of her day. She forgot how nice breaks were. She first visited her parents gravestone, saying a tear filled "hi." Then, she went into the mines, finding all sorts of jewels. After that, she went to Mineral Town to see a few old friends, who all wished her a bright "happy birthday" surprisingly finding Muffy there, who forced Claire into a makeover. Her nails were painted cerulean, and her hair was in a pretty bun, filled with flower clips. Claire inwardly kicked herself for allowing Muffy to do this. But, she had to admit, she looked nice.

Skye stood at the hill, gazing down at the sea. Claire almost forgot how he nearly died there, and didn't know why he wanted her here.

"Hey," she said to him. He turned and smiled at her, surprising her with a deep kiss. She smiled, kissing him back, cupping her hands on his face.

"Well, that's a nice present," Claire said, grinning. Skye chuckled and shook his head.

"If it's such a nice present, I'll do it everyday." Claire blushed a little, and smiled. "But that's not your present. Close your eyes and turn around." Claire did so, her heart beating quickly. Skye's footsteps were heard behind her, and he put something around her neck. She opened her eyes, lifting the object on her neck, gasping when she saw it.

It was a beautiful key with the hole as a heart. Tiny sapphire jewels beaded it. Claire looked at the back, where a tiny message was engraved, blending in a little with the silver. _{For the love of my life, the key to our hearts. -Skye}

"And no," Skye said, laughing. "It's not stolen."

Claire felt her eyes mist, and wrapped her arms around Skye's neck, pressing her lips to his. Tears ran down her cheek, falling onto Skye's jacket. She pulled the collar of it closer to her, kissing him harder. Skye returned the kiss, clutching her waist, while she ran a hand through his thick silver hair.

"Skye," Claire whispered.

"Yes?"

"Thank... thank you for making my birthday a happy day. It feels nice to be...remembered. I guess I forgot how much I'd loved celebrating it with my parents, then after they-" Her voice choked, and she placed her head on Skye's broad chest, feeling his heart beat into the rhythm of hers.

Skye put his finger to her lips, removing it, then kissing her. "Shh, it's okay." He let her cry on him, calmly soothing her. Claire then knew why he asked her to come here-it was where he first told her he loved her in his last dying breath, and she said the same.

He lifted her gently into his arms, and she gave a small laugh. "Guess it's time to eat that cake."

"Yeah, once you get over the excessive frosting, it'll be good." Claire giggled, then stopped to murmur something in Skye's ear.

"I love you."

"I love you too, Angel."