Music wafted softly from the stereo system and across the backyard of the house as the guests associated with each other with warm and welcoming smiles engraved vibrantly on their faces.

Different gifts of varied sizes crammed the centre table as the celebrant's family delivered more wrapped presents to the already piled heap on the table.

Emerald, Armani, Maggie and Luca, together with Oriana and Logan — who had arrived the day before to help with the preparations — tended to the guests, mingling with them with wide smiles on their faces.

Feeling as though her legs would fall off anytime soon, Emerald walked over to an empty chair, away...