Hearts On Fire
Chapter 26:

Flashback in the cave in the woods when Miranda and Amaya were young

Miranda: “You look adorable.”

Amaya: “We have matching dresses. Mir, do you think my mom will be mad that you gave me a dress?”

Miranda: “If she does, I'll punch her. It's your birthday. You need to have a cute dress.”

Amaya: “Thank you for the gift. Mir…you know they never celebrate my birthday. They only celebrate my brothers. I have an idea.”

Miranda: “Bub…you get in trouble every time you get an idea like that. What did you come up with now?”

Amaya: “We're going to the playground and then we're going to Marian’s party. I want a piece of cake too. We were born on the same day. It's my cake too.”

Miranda: “Yes.”

Amaya: “Let's go. Mir, you know I can't run that fast.”

Miranda: “Sorry.”

Amaya: “You're my best friend in this whole world. I don't know what I would do without you. You're the only family I have. We may not share blood but you're my sister.”

Miranda: “I love you, bub.”

Amaya: “I love you too, Mir.”

Miranda: “Gifts!!”

Amaya: “And cupcakes, I want them!!”

Marian: “What are you doing here?!”

Amaya: “We came to your party, brother.”

Marian: “You're not invited to my party.”

Amaya: “It's not fair, it's my birthday too. I deserve to be here.”

Marian: “You deserve nothing. You're nothing but trash and you're not my sister. How could you be my sister when you're a poor human?! We’re wolves. You don't belong to this family. It's a mistake that you were born.”

Miranda: “Don't talk to her like that!!”

Marian: “You're being brave again, Miranda?! thought you learned your lesson the last time you stood by her side. Stop defending her if you don't wanna get punished again!!”

Miranda: “I'll always defend her.”

Amaya: “Mir…you need to leave.”

Miranda: “I'm not leaving you.”

Amaya: “Please.”

Miranda: “No. We’re staying here.”

Marian: “You'll regret this. Both of you. Wait until mother sees you here. She'll lock you away again. (Amaya smacks Marian). You slapped me!!”

Amaya: “I did and I'll do it again.”

Marian: “You're nothing. I didn't even feel anything. you're weak. (Amaya and Marian fighting). MOTHER!!”

Amaya: “Go ahead, call for your mommy, you little brat. You can't deal with me on your own. One day I'll be so strong that you'll tremble in front of me.”

Marian: “I hate you.”

Amaya: “I hate you more…all of you. You're not my family.”

Maria: “Miranda, leave…right now!! Your parents will hear about this. And you!! How dare you hit my son?!”

Amaya: “Marian and I are twins!! I'm your daughter too.”

Maria: “You’re not my daughter. It's enough that I have to live with the shame of giving birth to an abomination like you. (Marian pushes Amaya on the ground). You did this to yourself. I thought you'd learn to behave by now. (in a bedroom lockup). It's much better now. You don't deserve to wear a pretty dress. You're nothing. This fits you much better. no food or water for you. You'll need to learn your lesson. Not only that you're miserable but you managed to get your little friend into trouble. I know her parents will punish her well for what you two did. How does it feel now? Stop giving me attitude or I'll make it worse for the both of you. (present time in Azar’s bed)”

Azar: “Wake up, sleeping beauty.”

Amaya: “Thank you for waking me up.”

Azar: “Why do you say it like that? You didn't sleep well?”

Amaya: “No. I had a nightmare.”

Azar: “But I thought they stopped since you're with me?”

Amaya: “They did. I haven’t had them in a long time. I guess today's different.”

Azar: “Because of what day it is?”

Amaya: “Yes.”

Azar: “Doll, you need to stop living in the past. You know you're safe here. Safe with me. No one can hurt you anymore. You need to start living. It's your birthday.”

Amaya: “I told you not to mention it, please. They always made me more miserable on my birthdays. Rubbing it in my face how awful I am. How it was a mistake that I was born. I'm trying but those things are carved so deep in my head. I can't escape it. I always resented my birthdays. You didn't prepare anything, right?”

Azar: “No, I didn't. To be honest, I wanted to surprise you but Miranda told me not to and that it’ll only trigger you.”

Amaya: “I'm sorry and thank you. Miranda has always been looking out for me.”

Azar: “She loves you so much. What's wrong?”

Amaya: “Oh my God!! I completely forgot!! It's your birthday too.”

Azar: “It is.”

Amaya: “I'm sorry. How are we gonna celebrate it?”

Azar: “We're not.”

Amaya: “What do you mean?”

Azar: “We're not celebrating it. If you're not celebrating yours, neither am I.”

Amaya: “You don't have to do that for me. you have such a loving family, they all love you. Your whole pack loves you. You need to celebrate it.”

Azar: “No. We're not doing it. It's only you and I today.”

Amaya: “What did I do to deserve you?”

Azar: “I'll wipe away all your tears with my kisses. I have something else in mind that will make you really happy.”

Amaya: “What is it? (they kiss). I'm already loving it.”

Azar: “At your service, little flame. Let me wash away your pain and replace it with nothing but joy and pleasure.”

Amaya: “I'm sorry. I didn't even get you a birthday present.”

Azar: “You did. You're my birthday present. The best one ever and I wouldn't replace it for anything in this world.”

Amaya: “Happy birthday then. Maybe you would like it even more if you unwrap it.”

Azar: “You're such a tease. Do you accept me as your present?”

Amaya: “How could I say no when you're kissing me? Yes, I accept you as my gift.”

Azar: “Good girl. (a few hours later in the bathroom)”

In Amaya’s head: After spending more than a half hour in the bed Azar told me he’d like us to go for a walk. He says there are some special secret places he wants to show me. I was a bit concerned that he actually did organize some sort of party but he reassured me that it'll only be the two of us. There was a spark in his eye when he said it. He was hiding something but I knew he’d never lie to me. I couldn't be happier that he respects my wish not to mention my birthday and it was working. He made me feel special. I can only hope that I'll spend the rest of my days like this with him by my side. (in the woods)

Amaya: “I love it here. Look at all those beautiful flowers.”

Azar: “I wanted to leave this for later for the evening but saying you smiling like that I just can't resist it anymore.”

Amaya: “What are you talking about?”

Azar: “Marry me, my little flame. Say something, doll.”

Amaya: “No.”