Rachel got up before it was light, the soft hum of the city was still quiet outside. She put on a robe and quietly walked down the hallway to where David was sleeping. She pushed the door open just a little and looked inside.
Her small child was still covered up in his blankets, his chest going up and down as he breathed calmly. Rachel leaned on the door frame, feeling a burst of love.
Today was his fifth birthday. Five years of difficulty, five years of happiness, five years of him being the reason she got up.
She began to quietly hum a tune, then sang softly to herself.
"Happy birthday to you… Happy birthday to you…"
David slowly opened his eyes, and his sleepy face broke into a smile. "Mommy?"
Rachel walked over to his bed and held him in her arms, kissing him all over his face. "Happy birthday, my darling."
"Five!" David said happily, holding up all the fingers on his small hand.
"Yes, five," Rachel said with a laugh, her eyes shining. "My big boy."
