CHAPTER 138: THE TRIPLETS BIRTHDAY

"Wow! Is that our favorite shrimp soup, Mom?"

Egypt exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she peeked at the dishes I’d prepared for them.

"Yes" I said with a smile, carefully setting the plate down on the table.

"And I also made this for Cairo."

I placed a bowl of chicken tinola beside the shrimp.

"Th-thank you, Mom..." Cairo murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

"You’re welcome." I replied gently, smiling at him.

He looked so shy sitting there with his small hands resting on his lap, unsure whether he should speak or even reach for the food.

"Cairo, you don’t have to be shy around Mom and us—your sisters!" Egypt teased, grinning playfully. "We won’t bite you, promise!"

"Yes," Paris added with a sly smirk, "Egypt won’t bite you... but I might if you keep acting shy around us."

Cairo’s eyes widened in alarm. "Y-you’ll bite m-me?"

"Yup! Paris is the ultimate punisher in this family! Rawr!" Egypt declared dramatically, pretending to claw at the air like a cat.

"R-really? Is that true, Mommy?" Cairo turned to me, his eyes round with innocent fear.

Paris and Egypt burst into laughter at his reaction. Even I couldn’t help but laugh softly as I watched them.

Seeing the three of them together like this filled my heart with a warmth I couldn’t describe.

Now that they were beginning to accept that they were triplets, I couldn’t help but feel overjoyed. My happiness had no limits just watching them interact, tease, and laugh together made everything I’d endured feel worth it.

I couldn’t deny it anymore. Even if they’d only just learned they were connected by blood, the bond between them was already undeniable.

"Cairo," Egypt said proudly, puffing out her chest. "Since you’re the youngest, you should call me Big Sister Egypt. Now say it—’Big Sistah!’"

"Big... sistah?" Cairo repeated, uncertain but obedient.

"Yes! Just like that!" Egypt beamed.

"No," Paris interrupted, rolling her eyes. "Don’t call her that. She’s the same age as you. She won’t sleep all night thinking about it if you keep calling her big sister. Just call her Egypt—it’s fine."

"Hey! Don’t listen to Paris!" Egypt argued, crossing her arms. "Call me Big Sistah! Right, Mom?"

I couldn’t help but chuckle as I filled their plates. "Yes," I said softly. "So you should also call Paris your big sister too, Egypt. She’s older than you by about thirty minutes, and you’re older than Cairo by forty-five minutes."

The table went quiet. I looked up, wondering why they had suddenly gone still.

"Thirty minutes and forty-five minutes?" Egypt asked, counting on her fingers before looking back at me. "Wait... isn’t that almost one hour, Mommy? Wasn’t that... painful?"

Her innocent question caught me off guard.

For a moment, I froze. I wanted to laugh it off—but the memories rushed back, vivid and raw.

Yes... it had been painful. Not just the labor, but because I had gone through it alone.

No one had been there to hold my hand. No one had been there when I heard their first cries. I had carried that pain silently for years.

I forced a small smile, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Y-yes. It was painful... but it was worth it."

Egypt blinked, tilting her head. "Really? Worth it?"

I nodded, my gaze softening as I looked at each of them. "Yes. Because now... I have all of you here with me."

The three of them went quiet again, exchanging shy glances before smiling.

Paris reached across the table and placed her tiny hand over mine. "Then we’re happy you’re our mom, Mom. Thank you for giving birth to us."

My throat tightened. My vision blurred as tears slid down my cheeks before I could stop them.

"Oh, my sweethearts... you don’t have to thank me. Instead, thank you for forgiving me, even after I became an unfair mother—for separating you from Cairo..."

Egypt leaned forward, her eyes shining. "But we’re still thankful, Mom. You didn’t give up on us, even when you were all alone. We’re glad you’re our mom."

"Oh, my sweeties..." I whispered, unable to stop the tears now. "How could I ever give you up, when you’re the reason I kept going? You three are my life... my everything."

Cairo’s shy demeanor slowly melted away as he smiled faintly. "Then... we’ll stay together now, right, Mom?"

I nodded, my tears falling freely as I returned his gaze. "Yes, sweetheart. From now on... we’ll stay together. Always."

Egypt grinned, raising her spoon like a tiny warrior. "Then let’s eat together—forever!"

Paris rolled her eyes but smiled. "You can’t eat forever, Egypt."

"Fine! Then for a very, very long time, let’s stay together!" Egypt said, puffing her cheeks.

Cairo giggled softly for the first time.

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Next Morning...

"Happy birthday, sweethearts!"

I greeted cheerfully as soon as Egypt and Paris stirred awake. I leaned down and kissed each of them on the cheek, my heart swelling at the sight of their sleepy faces.

The morning light spilled softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow across their tangled hair and half-open eyes.

"Thank you, Mom!" they said in unison before throwing their small arms around me.

As I hugged them, my gaze drifted toward Cairo, who stood just behind them, rubbing his eyes with the back of his tiny hand. His hair was messy, sticking up in all directions, and he still looked half-dreaming as he blinked at us.

"Happy sixth birthday, my only son.." I said softly, smiling as I reached out a hand toward him.

For a moment, he simply looked at me, his lips trembling into a small smile. Then, slowly, he walked closer until he was standing right in front of me.

I knelt down to his level, brushing his hair gently away from his forehead before wrapping him in my arms.

He hugged me back tightly, his small arms trembling a little. "T-thank you, Mom... this is the most precious birthday of my life."

I felt my throat tighten at his words. I kissed the top of his head and held him close. "You deserve to be happy, Cairo," I whispered. "From now on, you’ll never celebrate without us again."

Behind us, Egypt grinned mischievously. "Of course! Because we’re celebrating together! Right, Paris?"

Paris nodded eagerly. "Yup! We’re triplets, remember? That means one big birthday for all of us!"

Cairo blinked, his eyes lighting up as if realizing it for the first time. "Then... it’s our birthday... together?"

"Exactly!" Egypt said, spreading her arms wide. "Triple birthday, triple cake, triple fun!"

I laughed softly and turned back to the kitchen counter, where plates of warm pancakes and glasses of milk were already waiting.

"Now come on, birthday kids," I said, placing three small plates on the table. "Let’s have breakfast before your cakes melt."

Paris gasped dramatically. "We have cake already?"

I smiled, lowering my voice like I was sharing a secret. "Maybe... but you’ll have to eat your breakfast first to find out."

"Whoa! Thank you, Mommy!" Egypt cheered, grabbing her fork and pretending to duel with her pancake.

Cairo giggled softly, finally relaxing as he climbed into his chair beside his sisters. His eyes sparkled as he looked at the food in front of him—maybe one of the few times he had such a cheerful morning meal.

After a while, I went to the counter and took out a small box where I had kept their birthday cakes—three slices with different colors and designs, one for each of them.

I set them down carefully, followed by three small gift bags I had wrapped the night before.

"Now," I said with a smile, "here are your cakes and my presents for each of you. Once you finish breakfast, we’ll make a wish together. And after that... we’re going to your favorite place—the amusement park!"

"Whoa! Really, Mommy?" Egypt gasped, eyes wide with excitement. "Then that means... we’re not going to school today?"

I chuckled, nodding. "Yes. I already talked to your teacher, Miss Amie. She said it’s okay for you to skip class today. We’ll spend the whole day together just the four of us."

"Yay! I’m so excited to go to the amusement park!" Egypt cheered, bouncing in her seat. She turned to Cairo with a bright grin. "Have you ever been there before, Cairo?"

"Amusement park?" he repeated softly, tilting his head. "What’s that?"

"Huh? You don’t know what an amusement park is?" Paris asked, blinking in surprise.

My hand froze as I set down their milk. I looked at Cairo quietly, his expression was curious, but innocent. My heart ached a little.

Maybe... he really hadn’t experienced being a kid the way others did.

My poor Cairo... he had spent most of his life surrounded by hospitals and white walls, never knowing the kind of joy other children took for granted.

I forced a soft smile and crouched down beside him. "It’s a place filled with games and rides, sweetheart. There are carousels, roller coasters, Ferris wheels... and so many colors everywhere. You’ll love it."

Cairo’s eyes widened, a small spark of wonder lighting them up. "Really? I can go there... with you and my sisters?"

"Yes," I said warmly, touching his cheek. "With all of us. Today’s your day to smile, laugh, and be a kid."

Paris grinned. "We’ll make sure you have fun, Cairo! I’ll take you on the Ferris wheel!"

"And I’ll win you the biggest teddy bear!" Egypt added proudly.

Cairo giggled, the sound pure and light. "Then... I want to ride everything!"

I laughed softly, my chest tightening with emotion. "Then everything it is. Now, finish your breakfast first, birthday kids—we have a big day ahead."