There were many things I loved. I tried to make a list of five things I loved every morning so that I was encouraged to have a great day to look forward to. After being kidnapped and tortured, it became harder to find five good things. In fact, the only thing I wrote in my journal was Zane's name. I needed him. I only had him to look forward to. It was only recently that I was able to add four more things every morning. I was doing much better and that was something to be excited about. And I was.

Today was Zane's birthday. I had that written in my journal.

I had worked with L/G/N to plan this perfectly. The ninja, Nya, Sensei Wu, J/G/N, L/G/N, C/G/N, and K/G/N were all going to meet at a quaint and private Italian restaurant in the city and I was going to go on a lovely stroll with Zane through the park during the sunset and we were then going to walk to the restaurant and ask for a table and the host was going to show us to the table where everyone would be waiting.

I wanted Zane to have a wonderful night to relax for his birthday without him having to rely on himself or someone else to cook. It was going to be the perfect night.

I was wearing a simple dress and Zane had his arm looped around mine while dressed in a nice suit. His hair was brushed back and he had a gorgeous smile on his face as he grinned at a joke I had just told about my school day earlier. I looked up at him with nothing but admiration and when he stopped laughing, his eyes met mine and he smiled wide at me. 

"You're staring at me," he softly smiled, leaning over to kiss the top of my head and then tightening his arm around mine as we continued walking. "You're easy to look at," I chuckled and looked forward again. 

The sky was dark but the moon lit up the pond we were walking next to. The small ripples in the water cast onto the shore and brushed against the sand at the bank. As we walked past the pond, Zane began to talk about his training for the day. 

We walked along the trail in the park that led to the city and I carefully listened to him talk about his spar with Kai where the both of them had been evenly matched in combat but their powers, fire and ice, made for a difficult fight. Zane eventually won after he trapped Kai in a block of ice but then Kai had melted it with his fire and the fight started back up again. I laughed when Zane told me that Jay had zapped them both with lightning in order to end the fight so he could train.

We completed our romantic stroll with smiles on our faces and the calming moonlight lighting our path. Zane suspected we were going out for a dinner in the city but did not know we were going to be with friends in his favorite Italian restaurant that he may or may have not stolen recipes from to recreate the lasagna at home.

Once we had reached the restaurant, Zane opened the door for me and gestured me inside with a smile. I entered inside and looked around. The room was quite full. Lots of couples on dates and what appeared to be parents out with their younger children. This restaurant was on the more expensive side so we were not here eating often (which is why Zane calculated the recipe) but for his birthday, the price was worth it. I was also paying for his and my meal and the others were paying for themselves.

Zane closed the door behind him and entered the building, also glancing around at everyone around. "Hello and welcome to Tivolti's. How are you this evening?" the hostess behind her counter asked me. I beamed back, "Hi, we are doing great. How are you?" 

The girl's eyes brightened. She clearly had not been asked that question very often and was very excited to provide an answer. "I'm doing very well, thank you! Do you have a reservation today with us?"

I nodded, "Party for Julian."

The hostess smiled and looked down at her notebook and wrote a checkmark next to the name Julian and then stepped out behind the counter. Zane stepped up next to my side and began walking with me as we followed the hostess.

When we had passed the main room, Zane brushed his hand against my forearm and looked around in confusion. But as the hostess pushed open the double doors into the private room, Zane's eyes lit up in both surprise and joy as he saw all his friends sitting at the tables made into a 'U' with white tablecloths. The tables sat 12 which was the exact number of us in attendance, yet the room was large enough that we did not seem cramped.

At on ahead of the table sat Sensei Wu and next to him was Nya. Next to her was Kai and K/G/N, Jay and J/G/N, two empty seats for Zane and I, L/G/N and Lloyd, and Cole sat at the other head of the table with C/G/N.

"I did not expect you all," Zane said with a laugh. "Z/G/N planned it all. Doesn't it look great?" Kai said happily while gesturing to the beautiful room with dim ceiling fixtures but plenty of string lights. "It does look stunning. You planned it all?" he asked while glancing down at me again. There was nothing but admiration in his eyes, the same look I had for him just thirty minutes ago.

"Every last detail dedicated to you."

Zane gave me a soft kiss before Lloyd patted the seat next to him so we could sit. Zane took the seat directly next to Jay and I sat next to L/G/N who seemed incredibly pleased that I was at this event. I could see very clearly that she was not yet comfortable in large group settings but I was overjoyed that she came out for this event.

"Thank you for coming," I said while giving her a hug which she kindly returned. "Of course. I came for the Italian," she grinned. I laughed, "Little tip, the lasagna Zane makes all the time is from here, so if you're looking to try something new, don't go for the lasagna," I whispered. Her eyes widened, "Seriously?" I laughed, "He stole it."

She burst out laughing and Lloyd leaned over to smile at her and question what was so funny in this instance. She explained the information to him and he beamed with delight at her joy. 

Zane conversed with his friends for a while, we ordered and ate, and when the cake had arrived (chocolate molten lava cake, of course), Zane blew out the candle immediately and looked at me, "I have all I could wish for. Thank you for being my wish," and then he kissed me.

It was Zane's birthday, but I feel like I am the one who is celebrating.