Sorry about the late posting, I had to tweak some things. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday

Quorra P.O.V.

The wind billowed through my hair gently as I stood about a foot away from the edge of the cliff that led to the sparkling ocean. I looked straight ahead of me, watching the Sun slowly sink towards the western horizon. A few clouds lingered by the horizon, creating a beautiful scene of colors in the sky.

Sam stood behind me, his arms wrapped around my torso and his chin resting on my left shoulder. I could feel the side of his face tickling my cheek every once in a while. I could hear Gracey's echoing laughter as she played with Marvin on the grassy terrain behind us.

"You know, I'm still surprised that you still find this so amazing," Sam whispered against my ear before nuzzling the side of my head playfully and kissing behind my ear.

I smiled, biting my lip as I leaned into him and wrapped my hands around his. "I don't believe I will ever tire of this, Sam Flynn," I said as I watched the Sun begin to sink behind a patch of clouds. "I hope that you will never tire of taking me to see the sunrise and sunset," I added softly as I leaned my head against his.

"Never," he breathed simply. He twined one of his hands with my own and squeezed gently. Our bodies swayed slightly from side to side in the smallest of rhythms. "It makes you happy and I love it when you're happy."

I removed my gaze from the changing sky and turned around to look at him. "I'm happy regardless," I said softly as I pressed my hand against his cheek. I looked over his shoulder to see Gracey, rolling on the grass with Marvin. "Don't do that, Gracey, you'll get all dirty," I called before moving my gaze back to Sam.

"Mom…" Gracey mumbled before I saw her stand and then toss one of Marvin's toys a couple of yards away.

Sam grinned before his smile faded and he looked off into the distance. "I have something to tell you," he said as he made a slightly pained look.

"Does it have something to do with this?" I asked him softly as I pulled a small wrapped box out of my pocket, holding it out to him. He was about to say something but I shook my head. "Open it up first," I instructed with an encouraging nod.

He sighed and took the small box from my waiting hands. He looked at me curiously and opened it to reveal a gold watch that had his family crest on it. His full name was engraved on the top. "So you know?" he asked as he looked at me carefully, his gaze calculating.

"Yeah," I breathed with a slight nod. "Happy birthday, Sam," I whispered as I took the watch from him and put it around his wrist. I leaned in and kissed him gently before wrapping my arms around him in a tight hug.

His arms found their way around me after a few moments. "How'd you find out?" he asked, confusion lathering his tone.

"Sam, you're entire life is on the Internet, talked about in the media. I can find almost anything about you there," I replied as I pulled back. "What schools you went to, places you've been, girlfriends you've had…" I trailed off. "And you do really think that Alan and Lora would keep something like that from me?"

He smiled down at me. "So you've been stalking me online?" he questioned with a short laugh.

"That's irrelevant," I said with a laugh. "I'm your fiancé, Sam Flynn. I'm allowed to know things about you, especially when your birthday is," I said as I gave him a saddened smile. "I wish you had told me."

"I'm sorry," he supplied as he rubbed his hand over my arm.

I shook my head slightly. "I don't think you are. You're only sorry because I found out from a source that wasn't you," I mumbled and sighed. "But I do understand why you did it," I added as I gave him a reassuring smile. "And since it's your birthday, I will refrain from being mad at you."

"Well, that's a relief," he said softly as he leaned in to kiss my cheek. "And do you really understand?" he questioned as he rose his eyebrows.

I nodded. "I get to spend a lot of time tinkering around in your head these days," I reminded him as I smiled somewhat apologetically. "I heard it all…you didn't think you had anything to celebrate because you thought that you were alone," I said as I ran my fingers through his hair.

"You don't understand, I was, or I felt like it," he said as he moved his hands to my side. "It brought back memories that I wasn't ready to revisit," he explained in a quiet voice.

"I understand but you're not alone now," I insisted. "Alan and Lora are there for you, you've always had them. I'm here for you, Gracey is here," I went on as my lip quivered. "You're not alone, Sam."

He smiled softly at me. "Don't be upset, I didn't mean for it to come across like that. I know I have you both," he promised. "It's just…" he trailed off and looked away from me.

"What?" I pressed.

He heaved a sigh. "It's hard to explain," he told me honestly. "It's just never been important to me since my Dad disappeared. It was like a giant pity fest and I was the center of attention," he grumbled as he shook his head slowly.

"It's important to me, and our daughter," I said as I looked over at her. "She's been dying to wish you happy birthday all day, I mean it. You know how she gets when she's on one of her nagging rants…" I told him with a grin. "We're a family, aren't we?"

"We are," he agreed as he leaned his forehead against mine. "I am sorry, I mean it," he said as he leaned in to kiss me gently.

I kissed him back for a few seconds, standing on my toes to reach him. "I love you, Sam Flynn."

"I love you," he breathed back as I pulled away. "Gracey," he called as he turned his head to look at her as she ran through the grass, chasing after Marvin. "Come here."

She stopped and waltzed over to us, grinning widely. Sam leaned down and picked her up into his arms briskly. She looked over at me excitedly. "Now, Mom?" she asked breathlessly as she clung to Sam's shoulders.

"Now," I agreed as I nodded slightly.

She laughed and turned to look at him. "Happy birthday, Dad!" she cheered as she hugged him tight. "I love you," she murmured as she pulled back and pulled on his ear playfully. "I have a present for you," she squealed excitedly.

Sam balanced her on his side and reached a hand out towards me. I smiled and moved to his side. "What is it?" he asked her curiously.

"Close your eyes," she said as she pressed one of her hands against his face, covering his eyes. She reached into her light jacket and pulled out a little paper-wrapped square. "Here," she said as she showed it to him.

He took it out of her hands and smiled. "You're going to have to open it for me," he said as he grinned at her. She made a mischievous face at him and took it back, tearing the red wrapping off of it. Once she finished tearing the paper off, she held it in front of him.

"Mom took me to this pottery store and I got to make it," she explained happily.

She had made a small ornamental-like object that had her handprint on it. "The process for this little thing was actually a lot more complex than I believed it would be," I said as I placed my hand on the small ornament for a moment, looking at it carefully.

"Whose hand is that?" Sam asked her with a slight grin. "It's really small."

She stuck her tongue out at him. "It's mine," she answered with a laugh as she poked his cheek. "Mom said that you could put it on your desk in your office," she added as she glanced over at me. "You will, won't you?"

"Of course I will," he said. "Thank you," he said as he squeezed her cheek. She laughed and turned away from him, wrinkling her nose.

"And you're last present is at home," I told him eagerly.

"What is it?" he asked.

"It's a surprise," I replied as I began to walk away from him, picking up Marvin's leash and putting it on him.

Sam trailed behind me as I looked back at him, beginning to walk towards the car. "It is?" he asked as we walked down the hilly slopes and got into the car.

"Well, not really," I answered with a shrug as I got in the driver's seat. Sam helped Gracey into the car and then sat on the passenger side. "We're throwing you a party."

I backed out of the parking space as Sam scowled at me. "But I don't want a party."

"You don't?" I asked as I glanced over at him briefly, turning onto a small winding road. "Alan said that a party was a good idea. Your friends seemed excited about it," I went on.

He shook his head. "Quorra, don't you think there's a reason why I don't hang out with them anymore?"

"Because they like drinking, getting high, and then doing something completely out of control because of it," I answered as I tilted my head to the side. "I know, but they're still your friends, aren't they?"

Sam heaved a sigh. "That's not the best environment for her," Sam said as he glanced through the rearview mirror at Gracey.

"And she won't be staying. She's spending the night with Lora and Alan. They're taking you to Build-A-Bear later, by the way," I said as I glanced at Gracey through the mirror.

She grinned widely. "That's great, I want that white little puppy that they have in the window," she squealed eagerly as she twirled her hair in between her fingers.

"And I'm guessing that you're staying?" Sam asked me.

I nodded, smiling. "At first, I was thinking that I'd just go with Gracey but Alan wants me to stay," I answered as I pressed my foot on the accelerator, beginning to speed down the freeway. "Something about having your priorities straight. I'm not sure what he means by that, though."

Sam grumbled under his breath and looked out the window. "I do have my priorities straight…" he mumbled.

"I didn't say that you didn't," I soothed. "Do you know what he means by that?" I questioned.

"Good decision-making," he answered in a disgruntled tone as he continued to stare out the window. I gave him another confused look and he chuckled. "I'll tell you some other time, okay?" Sam asked as he squeezed my shoulder gently, smiling slightly.

I slowed to a stop at a red light. "You'll enjoy yourself, won't you?" I pressed. "It'll be fun, I'm excited. I've never been to a party before," I said. "Well, other than those occasional things that your company has."

"Just…don't do what everyone else is doing just because you think you have to," he said with a soft laugh. "We don't need to be testing theories while other people are around and you'd probably get sick anyways."

I laughed, rolling my eyes. "Alan already gave me a rundown, I don't need another lesson," I murmured softly. "But before she leaves, we're all having cake and ice cream," I said to him. "Alan and Lora are will be there too as well as a few of our neighbors."

Sam's eyebrows rose with interest. "Cake? What kind did you get?"

"You're favorite," I answered as I turned into the parking lot to the complex.

Sam smiled. "Marble with butter cream frosting?" he asked.

"Yeah," I replied with a giggle. "And cookies n cream ice cream, which I've also heard is your favorite," I added as I parked the car and turned to face him. "So do you think you can have a good time?"

He grinned. "I officially have the best fiancée ever."

So let me know what you thought or if you have any ideas for future chapters. I hope to update quicker in the future, I hope. Thanks and don't forget to review.