Next: London *Discontinued

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Mel's POV

By now it was just after 7:30 pm and Jill was parking in front of her apartment. We got out, I followed her into the house and we took off our shoes and jackets. We went into the living room and I sat down on the couch.

"We still have almost two hours before the first ones will show up here. What are we going to do until then?" asked Jill, sitting down next to me. I looked at her questioningly.

"Why do I have to decide?"

"Because it's your birthday?!" my girlfriend whispered and then gently took me in her arms. Sadly, I leaned my head against her shoulder and closed my eyes.

"I'm sorry you have to comfort me again. I was supposed to be in a good mood today, but...it happened a year ago with Emily and...I'm missing my family right now...", I rumbled and Jill leaned her head against mine.

"You don't have to apologize for that. I probably wouldn't feel any different if I were you. I just don't know how to help you," she answered and I buried my face in her neck.

"How about you Facetime with your family? In the meantime, I can clean up a bit...", Jill suggested and I nodded slightly but snuggled even closer to her.

"In a few minutes..."

"Alright" she smiled and gave me a kiss on the forehead.

Fifteen minutes later, I sat in Jill's bed and called my family. Maybe I felt better after that. Or it just made things worse....

The next moment, however, I immediately began to smile. Dad, Patricia and David were sitting there smiling happily.

"Happy birthday, Mel!" my brother shouted and I had to grin.

"Thanks! But I'm not deaf yet!"

"Happy Birthday!" smiled Dad and Patricia also congratulated me.

"Thank you!"

"Can I show Mel my picture?" my brother asked and when my dad nodded, he jumped up to get it.

"How are you?" my dad asked cautiously and I shrugged.

"I miss you guys."

"We miss you, too. But it's nice with Jill and your team too, isn't it?" my stepmom asked and I nodded with a smile.

"Actually, you already gave yourself a gift with your goal anyway!" my dad grinned and I smiled.

"You saw it?"

"Of course! Even if it means we have to get up early in the morning to watch you play.."

"Look at that!" my brother suddenly exclaimed, pushing himself between his parents in front of the screen. Then he showed me his picture and I immediately had to smile.

"That's you. And that's Jill. And I'm sitting on her shoulders." he explained to me.

"And we play soccer together." I added and David nodded immediately. But then he lowered the drawing and looked at his parents.

"Can we put this in the package you're sending Mel?"

"Package?", I asked confused and Patricia laughed shortly.

"David, Mel didn't know about that until now."

"Oh...oops..."

"Never mind! Well you're getting something from us for your birthday too. But it's not really a package. More like an envelope. But we can add David's drawing if you want," Dad said and I looked at him questioningly. Patricia reached next to her and held out a paper to me. It was a voucher for a weekend in Barcelona for two.