China outdone herself, Valkyrie thought as she looked at Gordon's, her, house. Glittering gold and silver fairy lights danced on the banisters, windows, around doors and walls. Candles were dotted generously on tables where food and drinks weren't. Men and women dressed smartly in black and white walked around carrying silver trays with small food with big names on them. Champagne or some fancy wine filled everybody's glass, excluding little Alice, who was instead sucking down her fourth Fruit shoot. The guest list was big, inviting everybody who didn't hate Valkyrie. So why Fergus and Beryl were there was a mystery.

Everyone was in their very best clothes.

Melissa was wearing a subtle eggplant purple dress, with her brown hair in a complicated bun. Desmond wore a classy brown and blue mixture. China wore a risky ruby red dress, tightly fitting to her perfect frame. Her lips matched, as well the pendant at her throat. Milo was wearing jeans that probably cost more than everything Valkyrie own and a loose fitting navy blue shirt. Valkyrie herself was wearing a black dress, with a slit up the side to mid thigh. She looked hot. She felt hot. Skulduggery looked amazing, and Valkyrie couldn't stop her heart from beating every time he leaned in and whispered a snide, sarcastic comment in her ear. He wore Valkyrie's favourite, but a somehow dressier version. His shirt was dark blue, and his jacket and trousers were blue pinstriped. His tie was black, matching the stripes. He wore the cufflinks she got for him years ago. He was the picture of class, sophistication, style.

Then there was Fergus. He wore a crumpled, ill-fitted suit that was black but over worn so it looked light a very dark grey. Beryl was wearing something too tight and too bright. Alice was adorable, wearing a pink, full dress. She walked up them and tugged on Valkyrie's finger. Valkyrie took her hand. "Yes, Alice?"

"I feel like a pwincess." She said, smiling a toothy smile. Skulduggery got on one knee, bowing his head.

"That is because you are." He said, smiling. Alice giggled and ran away to reattach herself to Melissa's leg. Crystal came over, wearing a neon pink dress with feathers on it.

"Hey, Val... So, who is magic and who isn't?" She asked, winking.

"Everybody but you, your parents and mine." Valkyrie said, forcing a smile.

"Cool... Cool, that-" But she never finished. She was looking behind Valkyrie and Skulduggery, staring at the doors. "Who is he?" She whispered. Valkyrie turned and saw Ezra and Dexter walk in, greeting China. Dexter did look good. They both did. Ezra scanned the room until her eyes landed on Valkyrie and Skulduggery. She tapped Dexter's shoulder and pointed and they made their way through the crowd. "Val! Happy Birthday!" Ezra said, wrapping Valkyrie in a warm embrace. As soon as Ezra left, Dexter took her place, enveloping Valkyrie in his arms. "Happy Birthday!" He said, winking, like they both knew something no one else did. "Ezra, Dexter, this is my cousin Crystal. Crystal, this is Ezra, Skulduggery's sister, and Dexter, her boyfriend. Two of my closest friends." Valkyrie said, somewhat proud of her introduction of the two. Ezra held out her hand. "Hello, it's nice to meet you." She politely, smiling her bright smile. Crystal clasped her hand then let go. "Yeah, yeah, okay. Hello there." She said, stepping closer to Dexter. Ezra frowned. So did Dexter. Then Alice saved the day.

"Uncle Dexxy! Aunty Ezzy!" She cried, launching herself at them. They each hugged her, then she ran off again, dragging Crystal with her. She made eye contact with Dexter and licked her lips as she was pulled away by the determined toddler. Dexter cleared his throat as Valkyrie tried not to vomit. "It would seem you have a admirer." Skulduggery said once she was out of ear shot. Dexter shook his head. A flicker caught Valkyrie's eye as she saw Fletcher and Tanith arrive. They walked over, taking champagne from a silver tray as they did. Fletcher was dressed smart. Tanith was wearing the same as normal, but with a fancy clip in her blonde tangles. Just as they were about to walk into ear shot, China stopped them taking the presents away and setting them on a table with eh rest of the pretty packages. "I still don't think I've ever met someone as uptight as her." Tanith said as a greeting. The party was fun. Everyone was drinking more than they probably should be, but no one minded. Skulduggery had disappeared from Valkyrie's side, and so had her parents. Chine came and took her hand as Tanith took the other. Then out walked Skulduggery holding a huge cake, a look of great concentration on his face so he didn't drop it. Her parents were on either side of him. They were laughing at the look on his face. 23 Silver candles were on top of the round cake. "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy birthday dear Valkyrie!" Valkyrie's cheek were red, she just knew it. But all of her embarrassment melted away when Skulduggery looked at her and said in his deep, velvety voice "Make a wish." Valkyrie closed her eyes, did so, then blew out the candle. But one wouldn't go out. She looked at Skulduggery who smirked.

Once everyone ate cake, people started dancing. A slow song came on, and Crystal tried her damdest to ambush Dexter but with no luck. Valkyrie was sitting down, somewhat tired. Skulduggery was sitting at one of the many tables with her, his hand on her back. She didn't mind the attention, she just wanted it to be directed elsewhere for a moment. She looked at everyone dancing. Her parents, lovingly looking at each other, their hands clasped together as they swayed. Milo was dancing with a man who went by the name of James Raven, and they were laughing and twirling, not sure who should be leading. Dexter and Ezra looked like angels with the dim, sparkly lighting. Ezra had her arms around Dexter's neck ad her head on his chest, his hands on her waist. Fergus and Beryl were bickering and swatting at each other, oblivious to the fact that out of the, what, sixty or so people in the room, they were two of the five who were two of the six. Lila had asked little Alice to dance with her, and they were having a ball, spinning and laughing and clapping. Crystal had found poor Tipstaff and decided that he would make do. Fletcher and Tanith were mock dancing, laughing loudly the whole time. "I got you something." He said. Valkyrie turned and looked at him. She grinned. "Really?"

"Really."

"What is it? Is it another stick?"

He chuckled. "No, not another stick. Don't tell China or she'll cut my hand off for giving you it early, but close your eyes." Valkyrie did so.

She felt cold metal closing around her wrist. "Okay. Open."

She opened her eyes and gasped. The bracelet that now adorned her wrist was utterly beautiful. It was black gold, with a tiny little silver sparrow charm dangling from it. She giggled at the inside joke. "It's beautiful, Skulduggery."

"You seem surprised. My taste in everything is excellent. My clothes, my car, even my sister is pretty top notch if ask me. And so is my partner." He said, tucking a brown strand of hair behind Valkyrie's ear. She cleared her throat, having trouble focussing.

"You're right, your partner is pretty amazing." She said and Skulduggery laughed.

Thanks for reading, as always!