Kate was surprised to hear Daisy's explanation, but she knew she had to find a way to keep Daisy awake. After coming up with the right words, Kate said, "Well, I don't know. After all, a date is just a date. Nobody knows what will happen between us in the future."
Joseph glared at Kate, and she realized she may have gone too far, "I am just kidding, take it easy!"
Daisy was not sure what to say, it was an awkward conversation, but it did convince her to stay with them.
Kate sat next to her and patted her shoulder, "Come on, take a nap. I will wake you when the game starts."
Looking at the clock, Daisy saw she had plenty of time to nap. She was exhausted from shopping all day, she put her head on Kate's shoulder and fell asleep within minutes.
When Joseph saw that Kate wasn't going to be able to move for a bit, Joseph took the initiative to get up and sit by her. He then pointed at his shoulder, Kate leaned on him and smiled.
Anna looked at them smiled with a silly smile, "Oh, I envy you."
"I love her," Joseph replied with a smile.
"Of course, my sister is the best sister in the world," Anna still sounded innocent.
"Anna, here is the remote. You can change it to any show," Kate said handing her the remote.
Anna took the remote and smiled sweetly at her, "Thank you, Sister. How about a soap opera?"
"If that is what you would like," Kate looked at her, feeling as if they were back to the time when they first met. Anna was just as cute and naïve then as she was currently. Kate just hoped Anna would not deceive her again and that she would remain sweet.
Ten minutes before midnight, Kate quietly slid Daisy's head off of her shoulder and rushed to help Anna prepare the surprise. Once everything was in place, Kate shook Daisy gently, "Daisy, wake up! The game is starting!"
"Huh?" Daisy opened her eyes reluctantly, and said with a dazed expression, "I want to sleep, I don't want to watch a basketball game."
The clock chimed that it was midnight and Kate nodded at Anna, who immediately turned off the lights. Kate lit the candles on Daisy's birthday cake and began singing, "Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Daisy! Happy birthday to you!"
"You ..." Daisy suddenly understood why Kate and Anna were encouraging her not to go to bed. The birthday surprise was a complete shock to Daisy. She hugged Kate and cried, "Thank you! I haven't had a real birthday since dear Aunt Flora passed away. Thank you so much!"
"Come on! I don't need any more surprises," Daisy chuckled.
"Let's cut the cake."
"Okay!" Daisy gave the first piece of cake to Joseph and said, "You first, because you are the only man here."
Kate knew that he didn't like the cake, and whispered, "You can just have a taste. She won't feel bad."
Joseph took only a small bite, then fed the rest to Kate. She used to be shy with such intimate behavior in front of others, but she felt so comfortable with Joseph that she didn't care. And, neither Daisy nor Anna seemed to care.
After eating the cake, Kate went to the closet and took out a gift for Daisy, "Here is your present, I am sure you will like it!"
"Wow!" Daisy was excited and her eyes were glued on the gift box.
"Open it!" Kate shouted.
Daisy slowly and opened the gift box to see a beautiful dress inside. She exclaimed, "Kate, it's the one you bought for yourself."
"That was just an excuse to surprise you! I lied to you!" Kate laughed. When they were at the mall, she had asked Daisy if she liked the dress or not. After seeing that she liked it, Kate bought it.
"I love it! I love it so much!" She knew the clothes were expensive, "Thank you, Kate. It's too much for me."
"Don't mention it. As long as you like it," Kate knew Daisy was usually thrifty so she wanted to spoil her.
"I will cherish it," Daisy picked the dress up and held it close to her while she spun around.
"Sorry, I should take better care of you," Kate whispered.
Daisy replied, "Kate, don't say that. I know what you've done for me and …"
"Sister Daisy, this...is for you." Anna interrupted them and handed her a box, tremblingly.
Daisy looked stunned, she never expected that Anna would give her a birthday present.
She turned to Kate and hesitated to accept it, but Kate encouraged her to take the gift, "More gifts mean more blessings."
Daisy then reached out to take the gift from Anna. She replied politely and smiled, even though she only took it for Kate's sake. Daisy could not let her guard down, Anna may look naïve but Daisy did not trust her. Each time she saw Anna, the horrible pain that put her through over the years came rushing back.
As Daisy and Anna wandered off to bed, Kate walked Joseph out to the driveway.
"The flowers?" Joseph asked cautiously, wondering if Kate wanted them inside.
Although Kate was thankful, she complained, "I will accept them. However, next time do not waste your money."
Joseph frowned and said, "What does that mean? Don't worry, I may have just started my own business, but I have enough to buy you flowers."