January 31st, 2008-Elio

I’n buried under a mountain of blankets, my dreams still lingering in my mind when suddenly, the sound of singing pierces the quiet. 

“Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!” 

I groan, burying my face deeper into the pillow, but the singing continues, more enthusiastic and cheerful than I could muster this early in the morning.

“Happy birthday, dear Elio! Happy birthday to you!”

I peek out beneath the covers to see Gia standing at the foot of my bed, grinning from ear to ear, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. She’s a blurry blob of polka dotted pajamas.

“Gia! It’s barely even light out!” I mumble, trying to blink the sleep from my eyes. “You’re going to wake up the whole neighborhood.”

“Good,” she exclaims. “It’s your birthday! You’re officially an adult now!”

“Thanks for the reminder,” I say, rolling onto my back and stretching my arms above my head. “Do we have to start celebrating this early?”

“Of course! Birthdays are a big deal!” She hops on my bed, the mattress dipping under her weight and starts bouncing. “Come on, get up! Mom and Dad said they’ll make your favorite breakfast, but only if you hurry.” 

“Fine, fine! I’m up!” I groan, reluctantly swinging my legs over the side of the bed. The floor feels cold against my feet, sending a shiver up my spine. “You’re going to be the death of me, you know that?”

Gia giggles. “But you love it! Plus, you can’t turn eighteen and be a grump! Today is all about you, Elio!”

“Alright, alright. Give me a minute to get dressed, and I’ll be down.”

“I’ll be waiting!” she says, bouncing off the bed and racing out of my room.

After a quick shower, I throw on a comfortable hoodie and jeans, the chill of the morning air nipping at my skin. As I make my downstairs, I can hear the sounds of clattering pans and the aroma of something delicious.

“Happy birthday, Elio!” Mom calls out as I enter the kitchen, a smile lighting up her face. She’s standing at the stove flipping pancakes, while Dad sits at the table. 

“Thanks, Mom!” I say, There are pancakes piled high, crispy bacon, and fresh fruit-everything I love. 

“Look who finally decided to join us,” Dad says, ruffling my hair as I sit at the table.

“Hey! I just fixed my hair.” I protest, but the laughter in my voice betrays me.

“Yeah, right,” Gia chimes in, plopping down beside me with her own plate. “You take forever, and I’m pretty sure your hair always looks the same.”

“Alright, alright, enough teasing!” Mom laughs, placing a plate with pancakes in front of me. “Now, let’s eat. You’ve got a big day ahead.”

I dig into the food, savoring each bite. It’s hard to believe that I'm finally eighteen.

“This is amazing, Mom! Best birthday breakfast ever!”

“Only the best for my birthday boy!” 

After breakfast we gather in the living room. There’s a small pile of gifts waiting for me, wrapped in colorful paper and topped with shiny bows. I look at the clock so I know how long before me and Gia need to leave for school.

“Alright, birthday boy, time to unwrap your presents!” Dad announces.

“Yay!” Gia cheers, practically bouncing in her seat.

With a smile, I start tearing into the first gift.

Elio’s Dad (Luca)-

As the birthday celebrations continue, the living room buzzes with laughter and chatter. Elio mingled and greeted everyone. He’s opened presents, each unwrapped gift eliciting smiles and cheers from our family and friends. But now, as the time for the slideshow approaches, I can’t help but feel a swell of nostalgia.

“Hey, buddy! Are you ready for this?” I ask Elio, who is sitting next to Max on the couch. The two of them sharing a quiet moment, Max’s arm casually draped over Elio’s shoulder.

“Yeah, Let’s do it!” Elio replies, his eyes sparkling with excitement, but I can see a flicker of apprehension too.

As I grab the remote to start the slideshow, I take a moment to glance at my son, feeling a rush of pride. Elio was born three months early, a tiny miracle who fought to come into the world. Those months in the NICU were filled with uncertainty, but look at him-turning eighteen, surrounded by family and friends.

The images flash across the screen, each one a snapshot of time. I see baby Elio, swaddled in the incubator, his little fingers grasping the wires and tubes that were keeping him alive. I can almost hear the beeping machines. But as the slideshow continues, the image shifts to happier times.

There’s a photo of Nonno holding Elio for the first time when we traveled to Sicliy when he was just two years old.  The memory floods back vividly. Nonno, with his weathered hands, cradling Elio like a precious treasure, his face lighting up with joy as he realized my boy carried his name.

“This is my Elio!” he exclaimed, his thick Italian accent ringing with pride. I remember how he beamed, his eyes shining with happiness.

“This is one of my favorite videos!” I say to the room, pointing at the screen as the image shifts to a home video. The camera shakes slightly as I adjust it, capturing the moment perfectly. “Nonno was so proud that day. He couldn’t stop smiling.”

The room quiets as the video plays. We watch Nonno’s animated expressions, the way he bounced Elio lightly in his arms, tickling him until his little giggles filled the air. It’s a sight I cherish, but it also stings to watch. Nonno passed away last year, and there’s an ache in my heart that reminds me he’s not here to celebrate with us today.

“I miss him,” Elio says softly, leaning into Max, who gives him a reassuring squeeze. I see the emotion in my son’s eyes, a mix of happiness and longing. 

“I know, buddy,” I reply, my voice thick with emotion. “But we can keep his memory alive by sharing these stories. He loved you so much, Elio. He was so proud of the man you’ve become.”

“Yeah, I just wish he could have seen me turn eighteen,” Elio replies, his gaze lingering on the screen, watching the younger version of himself. 

As the slideshow continues, I watch the images flicker by-Elio’s first steps, birthdays celebrated with friends, and family gatherings.Each moment a testament to how much he’s grown and the love that surrounds him.

“Remember this?” I ask, pointing to a photo of Elio blowing out his candles on his fifth birthday. He’s wearing a big grin, surrounded by friends and a cake that looks like it’s about to topple over.

“Ugh, Yeah! I was such a dork,” Elio laughs, shaking his head. “I can’t believe I ever wore that silly party hat.”

“You rocked that hat!” I joke, and the room bursts into laughter, lightening the mood as we share memories of those carefree days.

As the final images play out, the atmosphere shifts. The room is filled with warmth and love, laughter blending with the bittersweet memories we hold dear. I can’t help but smile at Elio, knowing that while Nonno may no longer be here in person, he will always be with us in spirit.When the slideshow ends, the room erupts in applause, and I can see Elio grinning from ear to ear. I feel proud of the young man he has become.

Max-

The music swells softly in the background, a sweet melody that wraps around us like a warm blanket. Elio and I are slow dancing in the living room, surrounded by friends and family who are all caught up in the celebration of his eighteenth birthday. But as we sway gently, lost in our own little world. Elio’s eyes sparkle under the soft glow of the string lights hanging above us, his smile wide and genuine. I can’t help but grin back at him, feeling a rush of affection. “You know, you look ridiculously handsome tonight,” I whisper, leaning in closer so only he can hear.

He blushes, the pink tint creeping across his cheeks making him look even more adorable. “Stop it, you’re just saying that.”

“I’m not!” I reply as I pull him closer. “I mean it.”

He laughs, the sound warm and inviting. “Okay,okay, I believe you.”

“Hey, Elio,” I say, pulling back slightly to meet his gaze. “Do you want to step outside for a minute? I need some fresh air.”

“Sure,” he replies, a curious look crossing his face. He follows me as I lead him through the crowded living room, dodging family members and friends who are chatting and laughing. We step out onto the back porch, the cool night air washing over us, refreshing after the warmth of the celebration inside.

Once outside, I lean against the railing, looking out at the yard and the distance lights.Elio stands next to me, his hands tucked into his hoodie pockets, his breath visible in the chilly air.

“What’s up, Max?” he asks, his eyes narrowing slightly in that adorable way he does when he’s trying to figure something else.

I take a deep breath, heart pounding in my chest. “So, I’ve been thinking about us…about what we mean to each other.”

He turns to me, his eyebrows raised, and I can see the wheels turning in his mind. “What do you mean?”

“Just... I know we’re young and everything, but what we have is special. You’re special to me, Elio,” I say, my voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in my stomach. “I want to make a promise to you.”

His expression softens, a mix of curiosity and intrigue. “A promise?”

I reach into my pocket and pull out a small ring box, holding it close to my chest for a moment as I take in Elio’s wide eyes. I can see the confusion, the surprise, and a hint of excitement all blending together. “Yeah. It’s a promise ring.”

I open the box to reveal a simple yet elegant silver ring, the small stone glinting in the dim light. It’s not extravagant, but it feels right. “This is to symbolize my commitment to you,” I continue, my heart racing. “It’s a promise that I’ll always be here for you, no matter what happens.”

Elio’s breath catches, and for a moment, the world around us fades away. “Max, I—”

“Just let me finish, okay?” I interrupt gently, taking a step closer to him. “You mean the world to me. I want you to know that no matter where life takes us, we’re in this together. This ring is just a small way to show you how much you matter to me.”

He stares at the ring, then back at me, his expression shifting from surprise to something deeper. “Are you serious?”

“Completely,” I say, my voice earnest. “So, what do you say?”

With a hesitant smile, Elio reaches out, fingers brushing against the ring box as he takes a deep breath. “You’re really going to give me this?”

“Absolutely,” I reply, grinning. “If you’ll wear it.”

“Of course, I will! I just... I didn’t expect this,” he admits, and I can see his cheeks flush again.

I gently take the ring out of the box and slip it onto his finger. It fits perfectly, a small symbol of our connection. “There. Now it’s official.”

The music swells softly in the background, a sweet melody that wraps around us like a warm blanket. Elio and I are slow dancing in the living room, surrounded by friends and family who are all caught up in the celebration of his eighteenth birthday. But as we sway gently, lost in our own little world, it feels as if it’s just the two of us.

Elio’s eyes sparkle under the soft glow of the string lights hanging above us, his smile wide and genuine. I can’t help but grin back at him, feeling a rush of affection. “You know, you look ridiculously handsome tonight,” I whisper, leaning in closer so only he can hear.

He blushes, the pink tint creeping across his cheeks making him look even more adorable. “Stop it, you’re just saying that.”

“I’m not!” I reply, my heart racing a little as I hold him tighter. “I mean it.”

He laughs softly, the sound warm and inviting. “Okay, okay, I believe you.”

As the song continues, I feel the weight of the moment settling over us, and suddenly I want to create a memory that’s just as meaningful as all the others we’ve shared. I take a deep breath, knowing this is the right time, the right place.

“Hey, Elio,” I say, pulling back slightly to meet his gaze. “Do you want to step outside for a minute? I need some fresh air.”

“Sure,” he replies, a curious look crossing his face. He follows me as I lead him through the crowded living room, dodging family members and friends who are chatting and laughing. We step out onto the small balcony, the cool night air washing over us, refreshing after the warmth of the celebration inside.

Once outside, I lean against the railing, looking out at the twinkling lights of Brooklyn, and the city’s energy hums in the distance. Elio stands next to me, his hands tucked into his hoodie pockets, his breath visible in the chilly air.

“What’s up, Max?” he asks, his eyes narrowing slightly in that adorable way he does when he’s trying to figure something out.

I take a deep breath, heart pounding in my chest. “So, I’ve been thinking about us... about what we mean to each other.”

He turns to me, eyebrows raised, and I can see the wheels turning in his mind. “What do you mean?”

“Just... I know we’re young and everything, but what we have is special. You’re special to me, Elio,” I say, my voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in my stomach. “I want to make a promise to you.”

His expression softens, a mix of curiosity and intrigue. “A promise?”

I reach into my pocket and pull out a small ring box, holding it close to my chest for a moment as I take in Elio’s wide eyes. I can see the confusion, the surprise, and a hint of excitement all blending together. “Yeah. It’s a promise ring.”

I open the box to reveal a simple yet elegant silver ring, the small stone glinting in the dim light. It’s not extravagant, but it feels right. “This is to symbolize my commitment to you,” I continue, my heart racing. “It’s a promise that I’ll always be here for you, no matter what happens.”

Elio’s breath catches, and for a moment, the world around us fades away. “Max, I—”

“Just let me finish, okay?” I interrupt gently, taking a step closer to him. “You mean the world to me. I want you to know that no matter where life takes us, we’re in this together. This ring is just a small way to show you how much you matter to me.”

He stares at the ring, then back at me, his expression shifting from surprise to something deeper. “Are you serious?”

“Completely,” I say, my voice earnest. “So, what do you say?”

With a hesitant smile, Elio reaches out, fingers brushing against the ring box as he takes a deep breath. “You’re really going to give me this?”

“Absolutely,” I reply, grinning. “If you’ll wear it.”

“Of course, I will! I just... I didn’t expect this,” he admits, and I can see his cheeks flush again.

I gently take the ring out of the box and slip it onto his finger. It fits perfectly, a small symbol of our connection. “There. Now it’s official.”

Elio stares at the ring, then back at me, his eyes shimmering with emotion. “Max, this means so much to me. I can’t believe you would do this.”

“Only the best for you, Elio,” I say softly, brushing a strand of hair behind his ear. “You deserve it all.”

He steps forward, closing the distance between us, and I feel his warmth envelop me as he wraps his arms around my waist. “Thank you,” he whispers against my shoulder, his voice thick with emotion. “This is the best birthday gift I could ever ask for.”