"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you!" I stood in the middle of the kitchen, staring down at the beautiful cake Noelle and Liam had decorated together, laughing at Noelle's attempt to spell 'birfidea.' I was glad Juli didn't go buy me a big, nice cake. This is exactly what I wanted, a clam evening at home with my family. Plus, the kids made it the best damn cake I'd ever seen. "Happy birthday dear Alex, happy birthday to you!"

Everyone was looking at me with hopeful eyes. Glancing around the room, I found myself feeling truly blessed. All of my best friends were there- Rian, Zack and Jack, along with their kids and wives. Tom and Aubree were both smiling brightly at me, holding hands and whispering to each other from time-to-time. Nate, who had been texting a girl from his phone all night, had been thoughtful enough to put his phone away and wait for me to blow out the candles. Liam was tapping his fingers, hungry for a slice of his mom's home-made cake, while Noelle was clapping her smile hands. Then, there was Stella and little Jack, who were standing away from each other but passing glances every few minutes. I chuckled to myself, wishing for happiness and success in the year to come, and blew out the candles. Everyone clapped loudly, cheering for me, while Jules kissed my cheek and began to cut the cake. Naturally, the two youngest kids lined up to take the first slices... Big Jack was also in line with those kids.

"Happy birthday, brah," Zack pulled me into a manly hug. "We figured we'd wait to give you all of your fits and really celebrate when the kids get bored and go find something else to do."

"Hey, I've got a nice big garage that has a big screen tv and a fridge full of beers."

"Amen to that," Rian winked from across the room. "Have you had a good day, dude?"

"Have you seen my cake?" I snorted, laughing to myself. "Of course I've had a good day."

"This cake is bangin'," Big Jack joined us, Noelle's messy icing on his lips. "Jules can cook."

"Well, she's had a years of practice," Juli grinned from across the room. Cass and Jamisn were keeping her busy with girl talk. "Happy birthday, baby."

"Thank you, love."

About an hour went by of all of us simply talking and eating. By now, the adults were all sipping on beers while the kids were making jokes with one another. I had to admit, seeing Tom and Aubree flirt and giggle made my heart burst. They were adorable together, especally when Tom would kiss her cheek and she'd smile like her father with her mother's eyes. I sighed, letting my eyes scan to my older daughter, who was whispering quietly with Jack. I guess they were cute, too, but my love for Jack had hit a wall. What if he hurt my daughter? At least he was making her happy. I'd deal with beating the boy when the time came.

"Guys?" Stella stood up, her cheeks draining of color. "I have something I want to say."

"We," Jack stood up beside her. "We have something to say."

I smiled to myself, watching as everyone else looked at them with confusion. Well, almost everyone. Their friends knew perfectly well what was about to happen. Stella took a step forward and cleared her throat.

"Jack and I, well, we, uh.."

Jack stepped forward and linked their fingers together. Realizing Stella was nervous, he took the lead.

"We're dating. Long story short, we finally realized what we wanted. I know what you're all going to say, what about the band? Isn't Stella too young to date? The answer is no. Tom and Aubree are perfectly happy together and she's even younger than he is, so we ask that you give us your blessing and leave it at that."

"Did you think we'd be mad?" Jasmin stood up, laughing to herself. "We love little Stella!"

As she pulled my daughter into a hug, Big Jack joined her, giving his son a hug.

"We just ask that you don't have any babies until you're out of our house."

"Yes, sir," little Jack snickered.

"And Jack?" Juli grinned, holding Noelle in her arms. "If you ever make my little girl cry, please trust that I'm far more dangerous than her father."

Jack laughed nervously and pulled Stella into his arms. "If I ever so much as upset her, I hope you all remind me of what I have."

Admittedly, his words made me feel a little better, but I still knew better than to trust him entirely. I looked over at Rian, grinning faintly.

"If my son ever hurts you daughter, you have my permission to beat him," I grinned wider as Rian laughed. "I understand now."

"Oh, trust me," Rian shrugged, sipping his beer. "It only gets worse."

Eventually, the party died down a little. The kids retired to the basement, where Tom had declared that they were going to work on a song so they could reveal their band name to us tomorrow (the final decision) so the adults went into the living room and relaxed. It was the perfect end to a perfect day. My friends, drinking and laughing just like old times, and my beautiful wife curled up in my arms.

Happy birthday to me.

Notes

Dear Silent Readers,
PLEASE SPEAK.<3.