His fascination with space was something quite endearing. The way his eyes would sparkle with glee at the mention of NASA. He knew the names of all the planets of the solar system before he knew all the states. He could tell you how many light years it would take to make a round trip from the Earth to Jupiter. He's my adorable little junior astronaut in training. His eighth birthday is tomorrow and I know exactly what to give him.

—oooooooooo—oooooooooo—oooooooooo—oooooooooo—oooooooooo—oooooooooo—

"Mommy where are we going?"

His birthday party ended hours ago. He and his sister went to bed and Jack and I started the cleaning. After the last chair was put back into place I marched up the stairs and into his room, dressed him up, put him in the back of the GAV and drove off.

"To a special place, its mommy's birthday present to you"

He gasps and all complaining stops. The anticipation is killing him I can tell, his legs are swinging. We drive for another hour. I look into the rear view mirror and see he has fallen asleep again. I smile at my cute little boy. It's better this way, now it will be an even bigger surprise.

Finally, we get to the spot and I park the GAV. Stepping out and opening the back door I see Danny drooling on the seatbelt. He's too cute for his own good. I set up the blanket and pin it down with a few heavy rocks. Content with my handy work I wake him up.

"Danny sweetie, were here"

He slowly stirs, rubbing his eyes and looking at me all sleepily. My heart melts at the sight of him. I give him a big kiss unbuckling the seatbelt and pick him up. He leans on my shoulder, threatening to fall asleep again.

"Look Danny, happy birthday"

I say as I point up. He looks and gasps. All sleep forgotten, his eyes grow to the size of dinner plates. I put him down on the blanket and he's mesmerized. Above him are thousands of stars shining brightly, not a single cloud in sight. All of them reflected in his bright blue orbs. The awe in his eyes gives me pause. it's as if time has slowed down for him. He abruptly snaps his head in my direction with a serious expression, too serious for an eight-year-old child.

"Mommy, you're the best mommy ever in the whole galaxy"

He hugs me tight around the neck and I can feel my heart turn to jelly. He gives me a kiss and I just about squeal at how cute my baby boy is. He lets go, sits up and we start pointing out constellations.

"Look, mommy! It's Ursa Major! Oh! And that one is the Big Dipper! And that one is Orion's Belt!"

I smile while watching him. I'm very happy that he has found something he's so passionate about, even if it's not ghosts. I have no doubts in my mind that he will make a great astronaut. Suddenly he gasps and stands up.

"Mommy look! It's a shooting star! Quick make a wish!"

He closes his eyes and scrunches up his face in concentration. Little hands clamped over his heart. A few seconds later he looks at me and smiles, front teeth missing. I can't help but giggle.

"What did you wish for sweetie?"

"It's a secret"

I laugh. Years later he finally tells me that his secret wish was for Jack and I to succeed in building the Ghost Portal. When I ask him why he didn't wish to become an astronaut he tells me that he knew he would get there on his own. Something very wise for a little boy.

We sit there for a while, just stargazing and even making up our own constellations, a smile on his face the whole time.

Suddenly the sun begins to rise and I realize we've stayed out too late. Good thing it's Saturday now, Danny can catch up on sleep. As we walk back to the GAV hand in tiny hand he yawns and rubs his eye whispering

"Best birthday ever"