After getting Celena tucked into bed, her parents smiled as they reminisced about the delightful evening.
"She had such a wonderful time tonight, didn't she?" her mother said with a warm smile. "The way her face lit up when she was dancing and playing games. These are memories."
Her father chuckled. "I thought for sure she was going to vibrate right out of her shoes with how excited she was! Though I can't say I blame her - those games and activities we planned really were a hit."
"We'll have to do something like this again next year," her mother mused. "You know, maybe turn it into a little tradition - a celebration eve the night before her actual birthday."
"A birth-eve celebration?" Her father grinned. "I love it. Celena would get such a kick out of having her very own eve tradition like that."
They shared a contented look, already looking forward to planning next year's birth-eve festivities and making more joyful memories with their effervescent daughter.
Rose went to the kitchen to finish cleaning up the kitchen from the evening's celebrations while Blake stepped outside onto the veranda. The cool night air was refreshing as he listened to the sounds of nature awakening around them. With his heightened senses, it was effortless to tune into the rustling of small creatures emerging, the crunch of leaves as they scampered about.
He could not only hear them, but see them clearly in the darkness.
Rose soon joined him, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind and resting her head against his back. "What are you thinking about out here?" she asked quietly.
Blake turned to face her, enveloping her in his embrace. "I was just thinking what a wonderful mother Celena has, and how incredibly lucky I am to have such a beautiful, caring wife," he said, his eyes shining with sincerity.
A bright smile spread across Rose's face. She rose up on her tiptoes to place a tender kiss on his lips, then began tracing small circles with her fingertips over his chest. "You're pretty wonderful yourself, you know," she murmured. "Celena and I are the lucky ones."
Blake grinned teasingly at Rose. "Well, with that look in your eyes, it seems like maybe Celena might want a little brother or sister to share these birth-eve celebrations with." He punctuated the statement with a playful kiss on her neck.
Candlelight always helped set the mood, so Blake blurred around the bedroom, strategically placing and lighting an array of softly flickering candles. Their gentle glow cast a warm, inviting ambiance.
By the time he was done, the room was a tranquil oasis, prepped and ready for Rose's massage. Blake took a moment to survey his handiwork, feeling satisfied.
There was an excited energy and enthusiasm to his superhuman movements as he eagerly prepared this relaxing experience for his beloved wife. Pampering Rose brought Blake a special kind of joy and contentment.
Rose emerged from the bathroom, a plush towel wrapped snugly around her chest. She paused in the doorway, taking in the transformed bedroom with an appreciative smile.
"Well, you certainly were fast," she remarked, eyeing the flickering candles, aromatic oils, and massage setup Blake had deftly arranged.
Blake gave her a roguish wink. "I couldn't keep my beautiful wife waiting, now could I?" He gestured towards the massage table. "Why don't you get comfortable while I get everything else prepared?"
As Rose made her way over and settled faced-down on the padded table, Blake turned his attention to preparing himself. He moved with his trademark blurred speed.
First, he blitzed into the bathroom and quickly disrobed down to just a pair of loose fitting pants. Then he efficiently brushed his teeth and splashed some cold water on his face to heighten his focus.
Back in the bedroom, Blake lit a few sticks of incense, allowing their woodsy, grounding scent to further relax the atmosphere. He pulled his hair back into a short ponytail to keep it out of the way.
Finally, he warmed a generous pool of scented oil between his strong hands, expertly blending the fragrant liquids. The familiar aromas of lavender, bergamot, and sandalwood filled the air.
With everything prepared, Blake moved to stand beside the massage table, rolling his shoulders and stretching his arms. His bare chest and biceps rippled with wiry muscle.
"All set," he murmured to Rose with a reassuring smile. "Just let me know if you need anything at all. This is all about your relaxation."