Once again thanks to all of you who keep reading.

Chapter 21: Birthday

Lizzy spent the rest of the week and a half before her trip trying to spend time with Ben and Seth then her dad. It was slightly awkward with her dad but he tried hard to be there for her. With only two days before Fulton's birthday, Lizzy packed up everything she'd need for that school year and then loaded it into her car. On the 11th, Rob helped his daughter load what was left into her car. "Are you sure that you have everything?" Rob asked.

"I've got everything that I need, I promise. If I don't, I've always got my emergency credit card, an envelope full of cash, and I'll be at Matt's. He can buy me whatever I need. If there is something here I absolutely have to have, you could just send it or maybe I can stop back by before I go to my grandparents," Lizzy told her dad confidently.

"Well, okay. What time are you leaving tomorrow?" Rob asked.

"Considering it's an 11 hour drive, I figure on six or seven am," Lizzy answered.

"Well, okay, be careful."

"Always."

The following morning he reminded her again to be safe and Lizzy said goodbye to her dad and brothers before heading out. Nearly 11 and a half hours later she pulled up to Matt's house and called Portman. He answered and she could hear the sounds of a movie playing in the background but couldn't tell what movie it was. "What's up?" Portman asked.

"I just pulled up at my brother's. I should be down there in about three minutes or so. Can you get him outside?" she replied.

"I could." He paused for a moment. "Or ..."

"Or the front door is open and I could just walk in and surprise him?"

"Smart kid."

"What are you watching?"

"Air Force One."

"His parents letting you watch a rated R movie?" Lizzy asked.

"His dad's right here," Portman said.

"Of course. I'll see you in a bit."

"Later." Lizzy hung up and started walking down the street to Fulton's. She wasn't sure why she felt so nervous, she had just talked to him a few days before, but for some reason she felt like she wouldn't be well received by just showing up at Fulton's. She stood outside the Reeds' front door and contemplated whether or not she was doing the right thing. For a moment, she hesitated then decided to ignore the consequences that could come up. They were her surrogate aunt and uncle, her best friend, there was no reason to be scared of them. She opened the door then slipped inside. She walked up behind Fulton and slid her hands over his eyes as Portman paused the movie. Jim looked back and grinned.

"Guess who?" Portman said.

"I already know you're here, Port," Fulton said.

"Those aren't my hands." Portman smirked though Fulton couldn't see it. "Come on, Dude, guess."

"How am I supposed to tell with no hints?"

"You're just supposed to know, son," Jim answered.

"Okay, well, they're on the smaller side so they're probably not a guy's and they're soft but I didn't see Mom come out of the kitchen so probably not her either." Fulton said. "Can't you just say something so I recognize you and we can put this behind us?"

"Where's the fun in that?" Portman asked.

"It's my birthday; shouldn't it be fair for me at least?" Fulton asked.

"Think, Fulton," Jim said.

"Hey," Nat said, coming into the room. "Dinner's ready." She looked at the three boys then at Lizzy and smiled. "Would you like to stay?"

"We'll be there as soon as Fulton figures out who it is," Portman said.

"It's a Duck. I pretty sure you still consider them a Duck," Nat said.

"Aw, Nat," Jim said. He frowned at his wife, hoping she hadn't ruined the boys' fun.

"Once a Duck, always a Duck, but that doesn't help," Fulton said. He reached up and ran his hands over the hands and arms over his eyes. Lizzy could tell he was going through a list of all the Ducks. "Hmmm, I know it's not Connie, and the way they're not freaking out by my hands means it's not a guy. Umm, I don't think Julie would come out here." He stopped then sniffed. "Hello, Lizzy."

"How'd you do that?" Portman asked.

"Julie smells like perfume, Lizzy doesn't. Plus, Lizzy has a scar on the inside of her right arm. Car accident when she was a kid," Fulton said, pulling the hands from his eyes letting them drop around his shoulders as he looked up at her.

"You don't sound surprised," Lizzy pouted.

"You're my best friend, it's my birthday, of course you pouted your big blue eyes at your daddy and you got exactly what you wanted." Though he didn't roll his eyes she knew he was thinking it.

"Oh, well—" Lizzy frowned.

"Fulton Daniel," Nat chastised.

Fulton instantly looked at his mom. "I didn't mean it like that," he said as Lizzy started to pull away. Fulton grabbed her arms and pulled her back to him. "Of course I'm glad you're here. And I'm glad you came today, I just can't be surprised by it. Stay for dinner? My mom made a killer meatloaf."

"How exactly is my meatloaf killer?" Nat asked, her hands planted on her hips.

"It's just a saying Mrs. Nat," Portman said.

"Alright, come on, before it gets cold," Nat answered. They followed her into the kitchen and sat down for dinner. After dinner, the boys went outside to set up the hockey net and Lizzy looked at Jim.

"Are you sure it's okay that I'm here? Fulton didn't really seem happy about it," Lizzy said.

"He is very happy his sissy is here, he's just not surprised," Jim said comfortingly.

"It just—it feels weird."

"Don't tell the boys," Jim looked out the back door at them, "but Fulton knew you were coming. He overheard Dean asking me if it was okay for you to stay a couple of days."

"Sweetie, Fulton loves having you here and if he had to wait two more weeks he wouldn't be as happy. Why do you think your dad changed his mind about letting you come up?" Nat asked.

"You changed my dad's mind because Fulton told you it was unfair?" Lizzy asked. Nat smiled and nodded. "I know I shouldn't doubt myself or my friendship with Fulton but sometimes I wonder if maybe he's only friends with me because I manipulated him into it."

"Manipulated him? You guys have been friends since before you could talk; there was no manipulation about it. And you're not really his friend," Nat said. Lizzy looked down, hearing her fear confirmed. "Sweetie, you're his sister. By more than what we promised your mom and dad. You're his sister because he loves you that much. Don't ever think that's going to change. You could turn your back on the team, on everything you've ever known, make their lives miserable, and he would still consider you his sissy. You'd need to be pulled back on course, but he'd still love you."

"Liz, are you coming?" Fulton asked, popping his head back in the door. "It's my birthday and I need you."

"Are you sure about that?" Lizzy asked.

"I will always be sure about that."

"Why no party?" Lizzy asked.

"Guy's out of town until Thursday. We'll have it Friday night at the skate shop. My granddad and Jan are even going to be there. Now, come on." Lizzy looked up at Nat and Jim who both smiled then nudged her towards the door. "You staying tonight? I'm sorry, that sounded like a question. You are staying tonight, whether your brother likes it or not."

"I love you, Fulton."

"Okay, get rid of the mushy girl and get your butt out here." Lizzy smirked and ran outside to play with Fulton and Portman.

"Alright, kids, bedtime," Nat said later that night.

"But Mom," Fulton said.

"No buts, I can still cancel your party," Nat answered.

"Come on, Sport, it's late," Jim added.

"Dean, would you mind bunking with Fulton so Lizzy can have the guest room?" Nat suggested.

"Nat, come on, you know how many times I've slept in Fulton's room? He's like a brother," Lizzy answered.

"You're 17; there comes a point where it's no longer acceptable."

"It's fine, Mav, not my first night giving up my bed," Portman said. Lizzy sighed but accepted it.

Friday afternoon, they all met up at the skate shop for Fulton's birthday party. The first person to show up was Charlie. He instantly wrapped his cousin in a hug. "Okay, hi," Lizzy said confused.

"What? I missed you," Charlie said.

"Thanks. I've got something for you in my car. Chris said he sent the wrong one."

"Oh, that makes sense. Matt says you've been distant. Spending most of your time with Fulton and Port."

"Yeah, well things happen. But we're not here for that. Curious, what did Matt get you for your birthday? Besides the hockey stick?" Lizzy asked.

"Does it matter?" Charlie asked.

"I'm just curious," Lizzy answered. She noticed her cousin looked a little nervous.

"You'll see if you drop by my place but, Liz, what did Matt give you?"

"He showed up to my birthday party and Dad convinced him to bring my favorite ice cream. That's it. You know what? Never mind. I should be happy he came, that's what's important." Lizzy looked around the shop lawn and spotted Adam. "Banksie!" Lizzy made a quick getaway and wrapped Adam in a hug.

"Hey, how you doing?" Adam answered, hugging her close.

"Does it sound weird that I want to go back to school?"

"Tired of your family?" Adam answered.

"I kinda feel like I'm being a spoiled brat again," Lizzy said.

"Why?"

"I don't know, I just do. Somehow my family always does that to me. Maybe they do spoil me. Anyway, how's your summer been?"

"Fine, hung out with the Ducks, old friends, played some hockey, studied a little," Adam said. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"You really want to know?"

"Lizzy, you're my best friend; of course I want to know." As more people showed up, Lizzy told Adam what was bothering her.

"I know I'm being a brat about this, but it's bugging me that my brother Matt can just show up to my birthday party and expect me to take that as the greatest present since like sliced bread or something. I mean sure, I loved having him there and he brought my favorite ice cream but that's all he brought. I don't know why it's bugging me. It's my first birthday he's been to in four years and I should be thrilled that he showed up but part of me feels like he should have brought me a present and that's why I feel like I'm being a spoiled brat. He's in my life and that's more than most people can say. I have to go apologize to him."

"Before you do, what did he get Charlie and Fulton for their birthdays?"

"I don't know. Charlie was real cryptic about it and as far as I know, he hasn't given Fulton anything yet. And if I step back and really think about it, I know that he's spent more on me this year than he has in the past. I mean he got me an autographed Red Wing's poster for Christmas, he dropped $3500 to fix my car when it got messed up, he pitched in $500 to help the ball field, and he's given me a couple of game worn jerseys which are probably worth at least a couple hundred a piece, and on top of all of that, he's letting me stay at his place here in Minnesota for free. Now, I'm an even bigger brat for complaining about what he didn't give me for my birthday. I hate being the youngest."

"It's going to be okay. Yes, realistically it sucks when you don't get anything for your birthday, but have you told him this?"

"No, like I said I'm being a brat and he doesn't need to see me that way."

"Thinking that you're being a brat and wanting to keep that from your brother actually makes you not a brat," Adam said.

"I guess you're right. But today is about Fulton and not me, so I'm going to go see what he's up to," Lizzy said. She gave him another hug then walked away.

At the end of the party, after most of the Ducks had gone, Lizzy overheard Chris and Matt talking. "I'm just asking if you're sure about this. Maybe you should wait until you realize exactly what you're about to do," Chris was saying.

"I know what I'm about to do. Even talked it over with his parents. We're all in agreement that this is a good idea. I don't know why you're not," Matt said.

"Because I know what it'll do—" Chris stopped. The brunette stared down his blond older brother wondering how to put it carefully. "You dropped six grand on a brand new Cherokee for Charlie, more than anyone else chipped in, you're about to give Fulton your Camaro, which you got by putting in some work for your sponsors—"

"So, it's my car and both Charlie and Fulton deserve to have a car, especially now that they're 17. I wish I could have done it last year."

"Tell me, what did you get our baby sister for her birthday?"

"I got her—" Matt stopped and stared at his brother.

"I get it, it's been four years since you've been in Lizzy's life constantly and I know that's our father's fault, but those four years were hell. I can't tell you what she went through, I wasn't home but the little bit I got from Ben wasn't pretty. She needs to know that she won't go through that hell again. You have to be there for her, just as much or even more than you are for our cousin and her godbrother."

"I know and it kills me that I forgot her present. I was sure that I had it or that I had already given it to her. How do I apologize?"

"Carefully."

Lizzy walked away from her brothers and called her other brother, Ben. Though he was the closest to Fulton of all of Lizzy's brothers, he had picked up a summer job and his boss refused to let him have time off to visit. "I'm going to ask you something and I need you to be honest. For your birthday in March, what did Matt get you?" Lizzy asked.

"He bought me a new computer. My old one got fried so he paid to have what they could, salvaged and then bought me a new one."

"And for Chris's graduation?"

"A trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee."

"And Seth's birthday?"

"I'm not really sure, why does it matter?"

"It was just a question." Lizzy said. They talked for a few moments longer before hanging up then Lizzy walked over to Portman, grabbed his arm, and hauled him away from everyone. "I need your help, Mav to Goose. You've been my friend and I need to control my temper but I'm worried that I won't be able to. It's our best friend's birthday, my brother is about to surprise him with something major. It is going to piss me off and I want to control that. My first birthday that Matt has been back in my life in four years was this year. I should be grateful that he came and brought me my favorite ice cream; that he has dropped just over four grand on me in the past year. I need to be grateful for that, but right now it is really hard. I love my brother and I know he's doing a lot and I appreciate him being there."

"So what's the prob, Mav?" Lizzy told him everything she had just found out. "Okay, so your brother likes to give expensive gifts."

"And I'm about to sound like a brat. He showed up to my birthday party with a $6 gallon of ice cream and himself," Lizzy said. "How do I stay grateful when he's about to give Fulton a car?"

"Find out why he did it. Ask him to be honest with you. If he forgot, if he was busy, or God forbid, even if he was just tapped out. How'd he get the Camaro?"

"I'm pretty sure he got a check from one of his sponsors a few years back. Some kind of commercial or something."

"Well then, maybe he is tapped out now and couldn't afford to buy you anything. It's a chance. Give him time to explain it."

"What if I don't like his answer?"

"You're not going to like mine."

Lizzy took a deep breath and slowly let it out. "Okay, go ahead."

"Don't push to rebuild the same kind of relationship you used to have with him. You both grew up, got older, changed. You need a different relationship with your brother. You said it yourself, the attachment you had to him wasn't good and while it was even worse to sever that so completely, so quickly, it could help you build a better and healthier relationship with him, like the one you have with Chris or Ben. That's something you need. If you don't like what he has to say about why he didn't get you anything, then so be it, just remember that you shouldn't expect him to shower you with gifts or spoil you because he's your brother and you should love him either way."

"I hate it when you're right."

"Good, now Fulton's looking for us, let's go."

"Thanks," Lizzy said.

"Any time," Portman answered. They walked back over to her brothers, Fulton, his parents, grandfather, and Jan and Matt handed Fulton a small box. Fulton looked at it for a second but pulled the lid off and pulled out a set of keys. He looked at Matt confused.

"Hit the lock button," Matt said. Fulton did and the horn went off on Matt's Camaro.

"These are to your car."

"It's your car. Happy birthday. Why don't you take her for a spin, see how she handles?" Matt suggested.

"Before I do, Dad?" Fulton asked. Jim pulled his keys from his pocket and Fulton retrieved a package from his dad's trunk. He walked back over to the Camaro handing the SUV keys back to his dad then motioned Lizzy over to him. "Happy birthday," Fulton said. "Open it."

"Fult, you didn't have to."

"Of course not, I should have sent it but I wanted to see the look on your face. Now, please open it." She sighed but opened the package to find a Tweety Bird steering wheel cover and the newest Trisha Yearwood cd. "You're always complaining about how cold your steering wheel gets in the winter time and I know how much you love Trisha Yearwood."

"Thank you. Can't put it into words."

"Don't have to. Now, get in, we're going for a ride," Fulton said. Lizzy slid into the passenger seat and Fulton drove them around town for a bit.

So looks like I included Portman in the chapter that shares his number, but come on, did you really have any doubt that I would?