After hours of dancing and laughter, the party began to take on a more intimate but no less exciting tone. The dance floor had turned into a chaotic mix of family, friends, and acquaintances moving to the rhythm of the music. Olivia led the chaos, as always, dragging her cousins, sisters, and even Uncle Bob into an improvised choreography that seemed straight out of a romantic comedy. However, I knew this moment of frenetic energy wouldn't last forever. Soon, dinner would be ready, and Coldplay would take the stage.
Finally, Ellie announced that it was time for dinner. We all headed toward the Dining Area, decorated with warm lights hanging from above and long tables covered with impeccable white tablecloths. The chefs were already prepared, getting ready to serve elaborate dishes that would do justice to the extravagance of the night. The delicious aroma of black truffles and fresh seafood filled the air, and the waiters walked around with trays loaded with exquisite appetizers.
Olivia sat at the center of the main table, surrounded by her family and close friends. Sack and I took our seats beside her, while Charlotte, Ellie's younger sister, positioned herself next to Olivia with a bright smile. Despite being only eight years old, Charlotte was completely fascinated by everything happening that night.
"This is incredible," Olivia said, looking around with a mix of pride and excitement. "I never thought I'd have such an elegant dinner at my own birthday party."
Sack raised an eyebrow, amused.
"Really? Because a few weeks ago, you said you wanted it to be 'an event worthy of royalty.'"
Olivia pretended to be innocent.
"Well, maybe I meant something more modest. Something simple, like a small family gathering."
Everyone laughed, including James and Sophia Hart, who were seated across from us.
Sophia chimed in, smiling.
"Our daughter has a very particular concept of 'modest,' don't you think?"
Lindsay nodded, laughing.
"Definitely. But if there's one thing I've learned from Olivia, it's that she never does things halfway."
Olivia made a dramatic gesture with her hand.
"Exactly. If we're going to do something, let's do it right. Besides, when will I have another chance to eat lobster covered in edible gold?"
Sack shook his head, though he couldn't help but smile.
"Only you, Olivia, could say that as if it were the most normal thing in the world."
The waiters began serving the main courses: lobster with truffle sauce, steaks accompanied by caramelized vegetables, and, of course, handmade Swiss monk chocolate for dessert. The presentation was so impressive that even the most demanding guests were left speechless.
After a few minutes of enjoying the food, James Hart stood up with a glass of champagne in his hand. His deep voice resonated over the murmur of conversations.
"I'd like to propose a toast," he said, looking at Olivia with pride. "Today, we celebrate someone special. Someone who has brought joy, energy, and, well, quite a bit of chaos into our lives. Olivia, you're one of a kind, and we're incredibly proud of you."
Everyone raised their glasses, and Olivia gave her father a huge smile.
"Thank you, Dad. But I want to add something," she said, standing up as well. "This night wouldn't have been possible without my friends. Without Lindsay, Sack, and Ellie, who worked tirelessly to make this madness a reality. I also want to thank my family, who has always been there, even when I'm… well, complicated."
Emma burst out laughing.
"That's an understatement."
Olivia shot her a playful look before continuing.
"So, thank you all. For being here, for supporting me, and for making this day unforgettable."
We raised our glasses and toasted, while the orchestra played a soft melody in the background. It was a perfect moment, filled with warmth and gratitude.
After dinner, it was time for the moment we had all been waiting for. Chris Martin and Coldplay took the stage, greeted with thunderous applause. The lights dimmed, and the atmosphere shifted immediately. When Chris began singing "Fix You," the audience was completely hypnotized.
"When you try your best, but you don't succeed
When you get what you want, but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse…"
The lyrics resonated deeply, and I could see many people closing their eyes, letting themselves be carried away by the music. The orchestra, following the rhythm, complemented every note, making the experience even more epic. Olivia sang every word with enthusiasm, while Sack and I watched her with a mix of admiration and tenderness.
When they reached songs like "Viva la Vida" and "Yellow," the crowd began singing along in unison. Even the usually reserved adults couldn't resist joining in. The energy was palpable, and everyone seemed to be living the magic of the night.
Charlotte, sitting near Olivia, clapped excitedly.
"That's my favorite song!" she exclaimed, pointing at Chris Martin.
Olivia smiled widely.
"I knew you'd love it. This is exactly the kind of night you deserve, Char."
Charlotte hugged Olivia, who, for once, looked genuinely relaxed and happy.
Several hours passed before Coldplay finished their set, but no one wanted the party to end. Finally, Ellie announced that there was one last surprise. We headed to the central area, where the night sky was clear and filled with stars.
Suddenly, the roar of fireworks illuminated the sky. Explosions of vibrant colors painted the heavens, reflecting on the astonished faces of the guests. But that wasn't all. Right after, the drones appeared, forming spectacular figures in the air.
First, they created an image of Olivia smiling, with Sack and me on either side. It was an almost perfect recreation of one of the first photos we took together last year, when we barely knew each other. Then, the drones formed words like "Happy Birthday, Olivia" and "Thank you for being yourself."
Olivia looked up at the sky, visibly moved.
"I can't believe you did this," she murmured, wiping away a tear.
Sack put an arm around her shoulders.
"You deserve it, Olivia. You've worked hard and brought so much love into our lives."
I nodded, feeling a lump in my throat.
"This night is a reminder of how much you mean to all of us."
Charlotte tugged at Olivia's sleeve.
"It's so beautiful! Thank you for letting us come!"
Olivia knelt down to hug her.
"Thank you for being here, little one. It means a lot."
As the fireworks continued and the drones kept drawing images in the sky, I paused for a moment to observe everyone present. My parents, who had flown in from another state to be here, were chatting animatedly with the Harts. Emma and Sarah were dancing together under the flickering lights, while Matthew tried to convince Robbie to have a dance-off. And in the middle of it all, Olivia, Ellie, Sack, and I stayed together, enjoying the moment.
I knew this night would be etched in our memories forever. Not just because it had been incredibly epic, but because it represented something much deeper: the connection, love, and friendship we shared. Olivia was right when she said we deserved to do things right. And tonight, we had definitely achieved that.
With one final burst of fireworks, the party officially came to an end. But in our hearts, we knew this was just the beginning of many more adventures together.