May this moment last Forever

Leia had left for work early that morning, leaving the house calm and quiet. Eve sat on the living room floor, sorting through a collection of crayons and papers she had been using for her drawings. Piz snoozed in the corner, his tail occasionally twitching as he dreamed.

Zero’s voice echoed through the room, breaking the peaceful silence. "Eve, I’ve got something interesting for you."
Eve perked up immediately, her curious eyes turning to the screen. "What is it, Zero?"

"Well," Zero began, sounding uncharacteristically playful, "Did you know that Leia’s birthday is coming up in just a few days?"
Eve’s eyes widened, her face lighting up with excitement. "Leia’s birthday? Really?" She leaped to her feet, practically bouncing in place. "I didn’t know! We have to celebrate!"
Zero chuckled at her enthusiasm. "I thought you might say that. She doesn’t usually make a big deal about her birthday, but that’s no reason we can’t plan something special for her. What are you thinking, Eve?"

Eve placed a finger on her chin, her face scrunching up in thought. After a few seconds, she gasped and clapped her hands together. "I got it!"

It was 5 May. The evening of Leia’s birthday was not as quite as she thought it would be as her eyes are now covered with scarf while Eve grabbing her hand, carefully navigating the path to their destination.
Suddenly, Eve stopped and so did Leia.
"What is it, Eve?"

"There's a hole, you need to jump."
"What? It dangerous, I need to open my eyes-"
"You can't, it ruin the surprise."
Leia sighed. "Fine, I'll jump."
With hesitation, she took a deep breath and leap through the hole that she can't see.
"I made it." Leia said proudly.
"Actually, it was a joked, there is no hole, let's keep going." Eve continue to led the way.

"Okay, stop here," Eve said finally, her voice filled with excitement.
Leia stood still, the warmth of the sun on her face, as Eve untied the scarf.

"Surprise!"
The cheerful shout came from a small but lively group gathered in the park. Leia blinked, her vision adjusting as she took in the sight. Rika, Ellen, Leo, Maria, and even Zero, displayed on a portable screen were all there, waving and smiling. Piz barked happily, his tail wagging as he bounded toward Leia.
A digital banner floating above them, reading. “Happy Birthday, Leia!” Streamers and balloons decorated the area, along with a picnic table was laden with food and a beautifully decorated cake.

Leia was speechless, She looked around still think that this might be a dream. She turned to Eve, who was beaming with pride.
"Did you do all this?" Leia asked, her voice soft with awe.
Eve nodded, clutching Leia’s hand. "With everyone’s help! Do you like it?"

Leia was speechless.

Maria stepped forward, her kind smile lighting up the moment. "Eve worked so hard to make this perfect. We couldn’t say no to her."
"And it wouldn’t be complete without us!” Rika chimed in.

"Happy birthday, Leia," Ellen and Leo said holding their gift for Leia.

Even Zero added a cheeky comment from his screen. "Consider yourself lucky that I put myself in this body again just to be here celebrating your birthday."
Leia laughed, tears pricking at her eyes as she stood, taking in the scene. "This… this is amazing. I don’t know what to say."

"What are we waiting for?" Leo said. "Let's began celebrated this special day!"

The party was in full swing, the park filled with chatter and laughter.
Leo tried to impress everyone by juggling three apples, but one slipped and hit Piz, who barked indignantly. "Sorry, buddy!" Leo apologized, laughing nervously.

Rika helped Maria prepared the tables with arranging the plates.

Piz, not to be left out, pranced around wearing a party hat. Zero projected a pair of animated sunglasses on his screen. "Stylish, as always," Zero commented dryly.

Then the group gathered around Leia, each person eager to hand over their unique gift.

Leo dragged out a comically large potted plant, the kind you’d see in an office lobby. “I figured your lab could use a little greenery.”
Leia blinked. "Uh, thanks, Leo. But how am I supposed to fit this… Anywhere?"
"It’s the thought that counts!" Leo grinned.

Piz trotted over, carrying a small box in his mouth. Leia opened it to find a keychain with a miniature Piz and Zero figure on it.
Zero’s voice chimed in, "Designed by yours truly. It’s so you can’t forget the best AI and robot combo in your life."
Leia snorted. 'How could I forget with reminders like this?"

Rika handed Leia a small velvet pouch excitedly. "It’s just something simple I thought you’d like!"
Leia opened it to reveal a sleek, platinum watch adorned with delicate engravings and a tiny diamond on the center between the watch index. Her eyes widened. "Rika, this is- This is insanely expensive!"

Rika tilted her head, genuinely confused. "Is it? I just thought it looked nice and practical."

Ellen leaned over to glance at it. "Oh, that’s a limited edition. They only make ten of those a year."
Leia stared at Rika. "You thought this was simple?"
Rika shrugged. "Isn’t it?"

Ellen, completely unbothered, handed over a small box wrapped in gold foil. "Mine’s even simpler."
Leia hesitated, dreading what simple meant in Ellen’s world. Inside was a pair of stunning, handcrafted earrings featuring rare blue opals set in platinum, again.
"Ellen!" Leia gasped. "These are worth more than my entire lab equipment budget!"
Ellen blinked. "Really? They’re just earrings. I bought that one because it got your eye's color."

"Just earrings?" Leia repeated, utterly flabbergasted.

Zero couldn’t resist. "Well, I guess if you’re that rich, everything looks simple."

Rika and Ellen exchanged confused looks, clearly not grasping the enormity of their gifts. Leia sighed, but she couldn’t help smiling. "Thank you, both. They’re… Beautiful."

Eve whispered to Piz. "I think Rika and Ellen live in a different universe."
Piz barked in agreement.

Now is Maria and Eve turned to give their gift.

Maria stepped forward, she carried a carefully wrapped frame. Her warm smile made Leia curious but nervous about what was inside. While Eve hide her gift behind her back.

Eve walked towards and show her, a self-portrait of Leia. Pretty impressive for a child her age, although her eyes not in the same size.
"Wow! This is impressive!"
"I drew it together with Maria! You like it?"
"I love it." Leia pat her on the head.

Then everyone turn to Maria.

"It was not as expensive as others gift because this is a self made.... But I hope you will like it," Maria said softly, handing it over.

Leia unwrapped it carefully, revealing an incredibly detailed and stunning self-portrait of herself. It captured her in a serene moment, her expression soft, her lab coat draped around her shoulders, and an aura of quiet confidence radiating from her. Basically the same with Eve but hers is more detailed.

The group went silent, their jaws dropping.

"Maria," Leia began, her voice shaky, "This… This is incredible."

Leo leaned closer. "Incredible? This looks like it belongs in an art gallery. No, a museum."
Ellen crossed her arms, inspecting the piece. "She’s right. The craftsmanship, the brushstrokes… Maria, you’re a literal master artist!"
Rika nodded. "Honestly, I’d bid millions for this."

Maria blushed, waving her hand dismissively. "Oh, stop. It’s nothing that special."

Leia couldn’t take her eyes off the portrait. "Nothing special? Maria, this is the most beautiful thing anyone has ever made for me."
Zero interjected cheekily, "It’s so perfect that even I’m jealous. Where’s my portrait?"
Eve pookked on his body, and show him a messy portrait of him made by Eve herself.
"Not bad, I guess." Zero compliment.

The group gathered around the picnic table where a beautiful cake sat, topped with candles that flickered gently in the evening breeze. Everyone looked at Leia expectantly, urging her to make a wish before blowing out the candles.
Eve clung to Leia’s arm, her eyes sparkling. "Make a really good wish, Leia!" She said excitedly, her voice full of hope.

Leia chuckled softly, glancing at the faces around he. Each one of them radiated warmth and care, filling her heart in a way she hadn’t experienced in years.

She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath.

I wish for more moments like this. For Eve to grow up happy and loved. For these bonds to stay strong. And maybe for myself to find the courage to accept all the good that’s come into my life.

When she opened her eyes, there was a glimmer of emotion in them. She leaned forward and blew out the candles in one gentle breath, the flames disappearing in unison.

The group erupted into cheers and applause.

"What did you wish for?" Rika teased with a grin.
Leia smirked, shaking her head. "If I tell, it won’t come true, will it?"
Eve tugged at her sleeve. "Was it a good wish?"

"The best wish," She whispered warmly, pulling her into a hug.

"Alright, enough suspense!" Zero chimed in. "Someone cut the cake before Piz decides it’s his turn to analyze it."
The laughter that followed was warm and full of love, echoing through the park as the celebration continued.

As the evening festivities wound down, the group gathered around the picnic table, sharing quiet conversations and smiles. Eve, who had been brimming with energy all day, began to lean against Leia's arm, her eyes fluttering with the weight of sleep.
Leia chuckled softly and adjusted Eve so the little girl was cradled against her side. "Looks like someone’s finally winding down," She said.

Maria smiled warmly, sitting across from them. "She had such a big day. It’s no wonder she’s tired."
Eve mumbled something incoherent, her head nestling against Leia’s shoulder. Piz circled the bench before sitting by her feet, his mechanical tail wagging gently as if standing guard.

"Look at her," Rika whispered, her voice tinged with awe. "She’s so peaceful."
Ellen leaned in, her usual cool demeanor softening. "I didn’t think anything could be this adorable. She’s like a tiny angel."
Zero’s voice came from the tablet on the table. "Correction. A tiny angel who gave me far too many orders today. Still… not bad for a first-time party planner."

Leia smiled, brushing a stray strand of hair from Eve’s face. The little girl let out a soft sigh, her lips curling into a faint, dreamy smile as she finally gave in to sleep.

"She really worked hard today," Leia murmured, her voice filled with love. "I don’t know how I got so lucky to have her in my life."
Maria reached over, placing a comforting hand on Leia’s arm. "She’s lucky to have you, too."

"Strawberry cake.... Yummy..." Eve murmured in her sleep.