Chapter 14

Two more days passed and it was officially August 2nd. The day the strike ended. It also just happened to be Fox's twelfth birthday, so the boys and Katherine were planning a party.

She'd been doing a whole lot better and even got a little closer to Katherine. She was having some pretty bad nightmares, but that was understandable.

Joyce also ended up going to jail and the boys had a huge surprise for Fox.

The morning of August 2nd, Crutchie, Buttons, and Romeo went up to Fox's room and knocked loudly on her door.

"C'mon, Fox, get up!" Romeo shouted.

"I don't wanna. I wanna sleep," Fox mumbled, half-asleep. "It's your birthday though! You gotta have your special birthday breakfast before it gets cold!" Buttons shouted. "And before Race and Elmer eat it!" Crutchie added.

Fox realized they weren't going to leave her alone unless she got up, so she climbed out of bed, got dressed and followed the boys downstairs.

After grabbing some pancakes she sat next to Mush. All of the boys had noticed how Mush and Fox's relationship strengthened after she came back from the hospital. Of course she was still somewhat close with the other boys, but it was different with Mush.

"Happy birthday, Fox!" Mush smirked, nudging the smaller girl with his elbow. She nudged him back with a smile and said, "Thanks."

"So how's it feel bein' twelve?" Specs asked, sitting across from the pair.

Fox shrugged. "Not really any different."

"That what I said when he asked how it felt when I turned thirteen," Romeo whispered to her as he walked past, making Fox laugh.

"Since it's Saturday and we did such a great job selling yesterday, Kloppmann said we can stay home and celebrate today!" Jack announced, walking in, making the room erupt into cheers.

Fox jumped at the sudden noise but gave a small smile. Ever since she got back, she'd been jumpier than usual, but the boys didn't question it. They already knew why.

"I called the Jacobs and Ace and told them to get their butts over here so we can celebrate. After all, it's not everyday you celebrate the one year anniversary from a strike and a birthday party on the same day!" Jack shouted enthusiastically.

The boys cheered again and Mush shook Fox's shoulders gently. Mush was the only one Fox allowed to touch her. The other boys she still shied away from. It's not that she didn't trust the other boys, but she was much closer to Mush.

Anyway, the Jacobs brothers and Katherine showed up an hour later. Katherine came with a cake and the brothers came with balloons and streamers. Everyone spent most of the day decorating the Lodge.

Fox struggled a bit hanging the streamers because of her broken arm, but she was able to blow up balloons. She just had to get Davey to tie them for her.

By the time the sun was going down, they'd finished with their messy decorating and were celebrating. Loudly. It wasn't until Mush noticed that Fox was very stiff that he told the boys to quiet down.

"You ok?" he whispered to her.

She moved her head the slightest in a nod. "Do ya need to step out?" She shook her head 'no' and after five minutes she relaxed.

They threw water balloons around outside, played Twister, Charades, Truth or Dare, and Fox even joined in on Albert and Henry's game of 'Hide Race's Cigar'.

"Ok, ok! Calm down, all of ya! Listen up! Buttons, don't you dare eat that entire can of whipped cream," Jack shouted, pointing at said boy, who slowly hid the can behind his back.

"Fox, we've got a little present for ya. It's actually a miracle it's stayed a surprise this long," Jack said, muttering the last part.

Fox frowned in confusion and looked up at Mush, who was grinning.

Then she noticed Specs and Davey had disappeared.

"Specs, Davey, come on in!" Jack called, cupping his hands around his mouth.

It took a minute, but Specs and Davey walked in with a little boy following them. The little boy looked around, confused and scared.

It took Fox a second, but as soon as she recognized him, she gasped and shouted, "Eli!"

The boy turned at the sound of his name and saw his sister. A grin broke out on his face and the siblings ran at the other, meeting each other halfway.

"I've missed you so much!" Eli said in her shoulder.

"I've missed you too!" Fox said into his shoulder.

"Eli's comin' to live with us at the Lodge, Fox!" Jack announced.

Fox could've exploded with happiness. She hugged her brother even tighter as she sobbed happily into his shoulder.

She was finally knew where she belonged. She and Eli finally had a home. And she was never, ever, going to leave again.

A/N: Well, that's the end! I don't have any plans on a sequel, but if I come up with an idea or someone gives me one that I like, I'll consider it. Comments would be appreciated! TTFN!