Hi :) Decided to write a short story, only few parts, I think. Just a small break after the all angst in Home Truths :)

It was special day for Craig and John Paul did everything to make it special for him. The whole living room was already decorated with colored balloons and garlands, his favorite chocolate cake freezing in the fridge, present hidden in a save place, so there was no chance he could spot it even if for the last week he seemed to turn the house upside down to find it. Of course without mayor results. This year John Paul made sure he outsmarts him.

'John Paul did you see somewhere my brown shirt?' Craig called from the bathroom where he spent the last hour preparing himself for a party.

'You didn't take it with yourself?' He asked not surprised if his shirt was already hanging on the door, in front of his face.

'If I had it, I wouldn't ask you, would I?' He snapped irate.

'I'll try to find it.' John Paul said and reluctantly marched toward their bedroom. 'But don't you dare to sneak into living room and search for present, Craig. You'll get a slap.' He warned him and with a small smile opened the wardrobe. He already check the half of it, when he heard disturbing noises coming out from their small garden, on the back of the house. He threw some old sweater on the floor and unsurely approached the window. This time someone was definitely giggling outside the house and John Paul was sure to whom the voice was belonging.

He wanted to kill them, slowly and painfully.

'Do you know what time is it?' He asked in harsh whisper as he managed to open the window and look at both man carrying something big in hands, staring at him with guilty faces. He almost forgave them…Almost.

'Almost five?' Spike asked him glancing at his imaginary wristwatch with a stupid grin on the face.

'And at what time you should be here?' His fingers tapped nervously on the windowsill as both men tried to set up the common version.

'At six?' Jake tried without successful.

'The party is starting at seven. Craig is still in the house.' He snapped at them, irate. 'He can't see you now!'

'We only wanted to set up everything, before you two come back, okay?' Jake raised his hands in defense. 'We're doing a favor for you two.' He recalled him.

'Fine…But what are you carrying on? Is it present for Craig?' He frowned his eyebrows as he watched carefully the big, flate thing wrapped with a florist paper with a big, ugly pink loop on the top. 'It's a desk?'

'It's from Frankie.' Spike replied with a sly smile. 'She bought a bunk bed for you. Just need to put everything together. I saw instruction, it shouldn't take you more than whole day.' He informed him kindly with cheeky smile.

'But we don't have two kids.' He noted, raising eyebrow. 'We don't need a bunk bed, unless she thought it'll be good for me and Craig.' He added, wouldn't be surprised if Frankie fall in such stupid idea.

'It's not my problem. I'm only deliver.' He replied with cheeky smile and winked toward Jake. 'But if we think how active you two are, I wouldn't be surprised to see another one in the nearest future.'

'Shut up, Spike.' He snapped embarrassed, while Jake shot the man dead glare. Let's say there are some things, your older brother doesn't want to know about. 'Just stay quiet and wait until we don't go. You can manage it?'

'Sure, we can.' Jake stated and causally leaned against Frankie's present.

'John Paul you found my shirt?' He sighed as Craig's annoyed voice reached his ears.

'Almost!' He yelled back and quickly emerged toward the wardrobe to find a cloth, before Craig decides to do it personally.

John Paul grabbed the keys from the car and emerged from the cabinet as the first, while Craig was still watching himself in the mirror and checking if everything was in the right place. John Paul decided to not comment, knowing it's a special day for him, and at least one day in year he can be really nice for him and keep remarks for himself.

'Do I look good?' Craig asked him, unwisely going on a very slippery topic.

'You look fine, babe.' He assured him with false smile, hoping he wouldn't sniff out his lie. It wasn't like he looked bad. No. The truth is, there was only one thing ruining his whole image. Very visible thing, and that's the problem.

'The idiot is going to be there, too?' Craig asked drily, screwing his face slightly.

'Don't be rude, Craig. Recently Spike was very nice for you.' He recalled him. 'And you two even bury the hatchet.'

'Yea, I remember. I was so drunk that night, I couldn't handle to go back to home on my own.' He replied sarcastically, finally leaving the mirror in peace.

'Try be nice and don't ruin the party.'

'It's not a party, only nightmare. My each birthdays were ending with some catastrophes.'

'Stay positive.' He retorted with a warm smile and kissed him shortly. 'Now, move. We're already late.' Craig growled behind his back, but obediently followed him.

They reached the living room, when they spotted two persons sitting on their couch and chatting with pints in hands, like they were in some bloody pub. John Paul gnashed his teeth irate.

'If I knew it's costume party I would chose something adequate to situation.' Spike said for a welcome with cheeky grin as he noticed Craig was wearing his old cardigan with snowflakes. 'Nice cardi.' Craig sent him a cold look, immediately tensing.

'I know we're very traditional family, Craig.' Jake decided to continue. 'But do you really have to wear this cardigan every year?'

'And can you two just shut up?' He asked annoyed. 'I didn't know you two become friends.'

'We're not friends. Spike just help me to carry for you…'

'A table.' Spike came into his word, before John Paul could strangle them. 'It's gonna be a lot of food and John Paul was worrying, there won't be enough place for it.'

'So where's this table?' Craig asked wisely, looking around the room.

'In the garden. I'm sure they'll bring it inside, before we come back.' John Paul said with soft smile. 'Can we go, now? Don't try to set the fire, okay?'

'Sure.' Spike nodded with a smirk. 'Have a fun.' Craig glanced at him suspiciously.

'That was close!' Jake chuckled when the door closed behind two men and they left alone.

'You and your big mouth.' Spike rolled his eyes and took a gulp of his pint. 'You're lucky John Paul didn't kick you on the ass.'

'It's not like you ever complained.' Jake stated with a big grin. 'You think they noticed something?'

'Don't be silly. John Paul is too busy fussing around Craig, while Craig wouldn't even know he has face, if it doesn't look back at him when he looks into mirror.' He snorted.

'Don't be so harsh for him.' Jake smirked.

'I'm not.' He mumbled, but Jake still staring at him. 'Fine. I'll try my best, okay?'

'Good.'

Small girl with a ponytail was biting down on the hardcover book as her big blue eyes watched her grandma pacing around the room, trying without successful zip her turquoise, tight dress. She dropped the book on the carpet and on all fours chased after her.

'Where are you going, pumpkin?' She looked up and showed her all teeth in smile as her aunt stopped above her and eyeing her up with curious.

'Stop calling her pumpkin, Michaela.' Myra said to her as she approached them. 'Put her to pen and help me with dress. I can't zip it up.' She ordered.

'Wouldn't be easier if you change the dress or lose few pounds?' She asked annoyed and reluctantly picked up her niece from the floor. 'When John Paul is going to take her back to home? She's like a dog. Biting down on everything she has in hands.'

'She's small kid, stupid cow.' Mercedes snapped at her as she came to the living room, trying to find earings. 'You weren't better in her age.'

'Eww…She's dribbling!' Michaela screwed her face in disgust and quickly put her in the pen. 'I can't show like that to Soony.' She moaned, irate as she noticed few wet stains on her new dress.

'You're still seeing with him?' Myra asked her sharply. 'You forget how rude he was to your brother?'

'I don't care. We're together and you have no choice but accept it.' She retorted with a smirk and moved toward the stairs. 'So, when John Paul is going to take pumpkin?'

'Tonight.' Mercedes replied, rolling her eyes.

'Oy, where are you going?' Myra called after her. 'You suppose to help me zip my dress!'

'Mercy can do that!'

'I'm going to take Lynette for walk.' She announced as she wore her earring and quickly picked up the laughing toddler.

'Since when you look after kids? You never liked them.' Myra asked annoyed, putting hands on her waist.

'Malachy is outside.'

'That sounds more like you.' She stated and shook her head. 'Michaela, come down! Otherwise you can forget about going anywhere!'