The weeks continued to flow like water, and Soda and I grew closer and closer as we settled into a routine. Half the week was spent at Tim's and the other half with the Curtis boys. We'd re established some aspects of our relationship, but others were still up in the air. But either way I was grateful he hadn't dated anyone since my return. We had enough on our plates without adding a new person into the equation. Fate was on my side as well, because since my run in with Sandy girls' had weaned off making so bold with Soda, and the selfish part of my rejoiced at the small victory. Shaking my head at my wishful thinking I returned to the business at hand.

It was Soda's 18th birthday , and I'd been left in charge of arranging everything while the others were at work. It was moments like these when I hated being one of the only girls in a group of guys. It was a week day too, so I couldn't even make Ang help cause of school.

"Looks like its up to us to make Daddy's birthday special," I said to the twins who were content to in their play pen for the moment as I prepared food for later.

Soda loved pot roast with blue mashed potatoes, ears of corn, and of course chocolate cake. It was early September, and still warm enough to eat outside so I was planning a sort of picnic to accommodate everyone would be in and out. Birthdays were a big deal around the neighborhood, and Soda was plenty popular. Moving things outside I set up the picnics Mr. Curtis had built with Soda's favorite color sky blue and the happy birthday decorations two-bit and a few others had "procured" over the past few days.

"What do you think guys?" I asked looking down at the twins who were playing with blocks I chuckled when they gave me a disinterested look before continuing their game of building up blocks to knock them back over.

" That good huh?" I mumbled shaking my head as I gathered them up toys and all , and headed inside for lunch. Setting them up with sliced pieces of apples and raisins along with pb and j sandwiches I nibbled on my own ham and cheese sandwich as I moved things around the house. Brining the record play into the kitchen so we could hear it outside I moved the breakables and tidied up.

"Time to get dressed for Daddy's party," I said carrying the two into Soda's room where we kept some of our things for the days we stayed over. Dressing Poppy in a red and white gingham dress with white tights and red mary janes I dressed Ace like a min version of his Father with a tiny pair of dark denims, a white t-shirt covered with a yellow plaid t-shirt, and min chucks the gang had all pooled together to purchase for him.

" Look at how good you look," I said placing them in front of a mirror while I dressed. They'd loved playing with their reflections from the moment they realized what a mirror did. I always said they'd inherited that from their Father considering he'd always taken longer than me to get ready. Not that I complained, when the end result was so scrumptious. Coordinating with Poppy I wore a red pencil skirt with a form fitting white top, and red peep toe heels. Applying a light coat of make up I topped it all off with red lipstick before heading out to the living room.

"Look guys Uncle Darry's here!" I whispered as the door swung open and I grinned. Not only had Darry given the ok for the party to be held here, he'd taken off early to be a part of it. Which was something that would mean more to Soda than any gift he might receive.

"You look nice ," Darry said making me smile.

"Thanks Dar, everything's ready to go," I said as he nodded , setting his tool belt where the twins couldn't reach it before moving over the floor and playing with them for a while.

" Okay Im going to hop in the shower, Two-bits picking them up from the DX, told him I was working some overtime this morning," he said grinning before he headed to the bathroom. He looked more like the boy I had once knew just then. Before the accident, and the heavy weight of responsibility. Directing the others as they trickled in I was nervously shifting my weight holding Poppy when the time came for Soda and Steve to return from work with Two-bit. Darry and Pony boy were there , and Pony had Ace while Ang and Curly had come by along with Tim and a few of his guys who knew Soda pretty well.

"Surprise!" We yelled as the screen door opened and Soda ran in with Steve on his heels stopping short as his eyes grew wide, and a smile spread across his face.

"You guys did all this for me?" he asked as I nodded grinning as he reached out to take Poppy from me.

"You look so pretty baby doll," he whispered kissing her as she giggled snuggling into his neck before passing her back to me and taking Ace.

" Sharp like your old man huh?" he asked placing him on his hip as he headed into his bedroom.

"I'm going to change real quick, and I'll be right out," he said as I nodded before going into hosting mode as I lead the others out back, and put on some records.

The party was a huge success, and we brought out the cake with a one and an eight on it I couldn't help but think we were a picture perfect family on the outside. Soda had dressed to match Ace in dark denim with his favorite yellow plaid. Smiling at the camera as Ang snapped a few pictured before we began to sing I felt my heart ache slightly. I wished we were the family we appeared to be. Forcing a smile as I sang and watched him blow out the candles I raised an eyebrow at the frown that marred his face before smoothing out just as quickly. Tilting my head to the side I wondered what had made him sad when I realized he had to be thinking about his parents. Placing my arm around him I smiled as I leaned against his side and Poppy and Ace snuggled in almost as if the sensed his sadness. Moving away a few moments later I continued to play hostess until the twins heads began to nod, and I put them down for the night bringing the baby monitor outback with me as I rejoined everyone. Mingling I started to clear things away as the party wound down.

" Hey," I said looking up from the sink full of dishes as Soda entered and walked over to me.

"Hey, thanks for … everything," he said as I forced myself to shrug.

"It was nothing, I'm glad you had a good time," I said playing it cool as he paused to study me, .

"What? " I asked removing my hands from the soapy water and towel drying them as he frowned slightly.

"There was just one thing missing tonight…. You."

"I was there the whole t-," I said swallowing when he placed a finger to my lips shaking his head.

"You and me the way it used to be, the way it still is , even though we tip toe around it, and never let out glances linger," he whispered stepping closer as I swallowed to moisten my suddenly dry mouth. If I woke up to find this all a dream I might lose my grip on sanity.

"W-what are you saying?" I whispered licking my lips as I held my breath leaning in to him as I studied his eyes.

"we have a family together, and its time we start acting like it ," He said as I shook my head as my heart ached. I didn't want it this way.

"Soda, I don't want you to do this because of the children," I said not about to be one of the many girls in the neighborhood who trapped a guy that way.

"Everything's fine the way it ism there's no need to change anything," I said moving to step around him when he caught my arm.

"There's every reason, Violet I love you and I'm tired of living this half life," He whispered pulling my body against his as he rested his forehead against mine.

" I want the whole thing, me you Poppy, and Ace, together all the time, I don't want to split the week and sleep in separate beds, I want you with me all the time in the same bed, " he whispered holding my gaze as he leaned in to press his lips against mine as I melted. I'd been dreaming about this moment for two years. Closing my eyes I savored his taste, a sort of ever present flavor of milk chocolate mixed with something dark and earthy and all him. Wrapping my arms around his neck I snuggled in closer as he deepened the kiss twining his hands in my hair as we devoured each other.

Breaking away for air we stared at each other dazed until we realized people were clapping. Looking up I fought down a blush as Soda smirked. There in the doorway was the rest of the party applauding us.

" I knew it'd happen sooner or later," Steve said smirking as Soda nodded. He was always on the cocky side, but as a Shepard I liked that. He wouldn't be able to handle me otherwise. Leaning against Soda who had his arm wrapped around my waist I knew things were going to be okay.