It was just an ordinary afternoon—or so Lala thought.
The house was calm. CEO Kien was pretending to be busy with paperwork, Mom Lan Anh hummed quietly in the kitchen, and Bibi kept sneaking glances at the clock. Lala didn’t notice any of it. She napped on the rug, unaware that today was her day.
But then, the lights dimmed.
The soft scent of grilled chicken and sweet melon filled the air. The hallway flickered with soft candlelight. And then—music.
“Happy Birthday to you… Happy Birthday to you…”
Lala lifted her head, confused. Then she saw it.
The whole family stood in the living room, smiling wide. In the center of the table was a small, pup-safe birthday cake topped with a single candle and a pink melon slice. The table was decorated with balloons, tiny banners, and a party hat just her size.
Lala blinked, stunned.
Then her tail began to wag.
She ran to them—first to Kien, then Lan Anh, then Bibi—jumping up, wagging, spinning in joyful circles. Her eyes were bright, her heart full. She didn’t understand how they remembered or why they did it like this, but she felt it.
Loved. Celebrated. Cherished.
Lan Anh knelt to put the hat on her head, laughing gently. “Surprised, baby?”
Kien lit the candle. “Make a wish.”
Lala barked once—softly—and watched as they blew out the candle together.
They all sat down to share the special meal, with Lala’s cake placed proudly in front of her. She took slow, happy bites while the others watched, smiling.
That night, as she cuddled between them on the couch, Lala knew something for certain:
Family isn’t just about being together—it’s about feeling seen, even when you’re not expecting it.
