A/N Sorry about that notification for the chapter update earlier. I just made a couple punctuation changes in chapter 20.

Disclaimer: I own only the plot and McDaniel's restaurant.

Max POV

"Ready to go?" Fang asked and I quirked an eyebrow.

"Where are we going exactly?"

"We're all going out to dinner to celebrate your birthday."

"Oh, we don't have to do that."

"Yes, we do, Max. We already made the reservations. Let's go." Fang grabbed a fancy suit jacket off of the coat hanger and slipped it on before lacing his fingers with mine. His giant callused hands enveloped my own and they fit perfectly together.

"I borrowed a van from a friend so we could all travel in one car." My mom said and led the way out the door.

The restaurant was a big tan building with giant stone embedded columns next to its double-door entrance. Spotlights illuminated the name and a big fountain sat about ten feet in front of the entrance. My neck craned to take in the entire structure and while doing so I stumbled in my heels; as I was about to fall two strong arms wrapped around me, under my arms from behind. I turned to see Fang chuckling as he set me on my feet.

"Watch where you're going before you kill yourself." He said. I swatted his chest playfully before sliding my hand down and into his own.

The rest of the Flock followed behind and into the building we went. The front lobby was even grander than the outside. A giant crystal chandelier hung from the thirty foot high ceiling. The walls had old tapestry type designs wallpapered on and the carpet was a deep burgundy compared to their dull tannish brown. A blonde lady probably in her late twenties stood at the front desk. She wore a white dress shirt which was tucked into her black dress pants and a black apron was tied around her waist. She smiled warmly at us as we approached.

"Reservations under 'Martinez', party of six." My mother said.

"Ah, yes. Welcome. Right this way." She gave us another smile and led us through the maze of tables to a huge booth in the corner.

"Thank you," My mother said graciously for all of us as we sat down.

"My pleasure, is there anything else I can get for any of you?" We all shook our heads. She nodded, handed us our menus and then scurried off to seat the next customer.

"This place seems so expensive. You didn't have to take me here. "I told everyone but mostly my mom.

"You let me worry about the money. This is your night, sweetheart. Enjoy it." I smiled at her and nodded.

"Omigod! That was soooo good. The steak was seasoned to perfection and that baked potato….yum…What do you guys think that green stuff was? Onions? Or peppers? I don't know but it made the potato even more delicious. God, I'm stuffed. What's the name of this place again? It's probably too expensive for me but I'll know where to come when I have the money. Did anyone w-" Gazzy clamped a hand over Nudge's mouth stopping her ramble.

"Yes, it was delicious, Nudge. Moving on," I said.

"Presents!" Ella squealed and grabbed a small present bag from under the table which I didn't see her carrying in. She handed it to me and I gave her a look. She smirked.

Inside I found a picture key chain with a photo of Gazzy, Ella, Nudge, and I on one side and a picture of Fang and I curled around each other on the other. I smiled.

"I love it, Ella. Thank you." She smiled back.

"My turn! My turn!" Nudge said and basically threw a small box at me. I opened the top and saw a charm bracelet. On it were two charms. One was a heart and the other was a pair of headphones. "The heart was to represent all of us that love you and the headphones represent your love of music. I thought you could add more when you wanted to."

"Thank you, Nudge. It's beautiful." I smiled at her.

"I guess I'll go now." Gazzy said and handed me his present. I unwrapped the paper to see a picture frame with a picture of Ella, Nudge, Gazzy, and I as kids. Gazzy had an extremely wide grin on his face and I stood laughing beside him. Nudge's arms were wrapped around Ella who was crying, trying to comfort her. Her hair stuck up in a whole assortment of places and soot coated her face and hair. I laughed at the image while Ella glared at Gazzy.

"I'll go next." My mom said and handed me another present. It was a paper folded into fourths. I unfolded it to see a signed poster of Pierce The Veil. I smiled.

"Aww, mom, thanks!" I said and reached for her hand across the table. She took my hand and squeezed, smiling.

Fang just smiled at me and handed me his present. It was another piece of paper except it was only folded in half. I unfolded it to see a drawing of Fang and I. He was hugging me and smiling down at my face while I was smiling up at his. It was amazing. The drawing was in black and white but it didn't need color to bring tears to my eyes. I looked up to see Fang studying me. I smiled widely at him.

"It's beautiful. Did you draw it yourself?" He nodded. I leaned up and pecked his lips, leaving my lips lingering on his for just a second longer than necessary.

"I didn't know what to get you so as I was thinking I started to draw and that came up on my paper." He explained.

"I love it," He grinned and slipped his arm around my waist.

"OOOOkkkaaaayyyy, everybody it is Max's seventeenth birthday today and us here at McDaniel's want to wish her a happy day! Sing along if you know the words! Ooohhh, happy happy birthday it's your special day! We hope that it is great and fun in every single way! Hopefully your smile will never fade away! On this great and very special seventeenth birthday!" The waiters sang at our table. I blushed as the whole restaurant looked at our table. I buried my face into Fang's chest and he wrapped an arm around me.

"KISS! KISS! KISS! KISS!" Everyone shouted. I pulled away to see them staring at Fang and I. He turned and smiled at me as he leaned down. When our lips met everyone clapped and a few people whistled. His hand cradled my face and my hand rested on the back of his neck. As we pulled apart he gave me those last few pecks and smiled again. I felt like I couldn't stop kissing him. I had missed him so much.

"I love you, happy birthday, love." Fang whispered in my ear.

"I love you, too. Thank you. Thank you to all of you. This has been great."

"Oh, it was nothing." Ella said and waved off the thanks.

"Yeah, we just wanted to make you happy. It's your special day." Nudge said. Gazzy shrugged.

"How about we all go for a walk to burn off these calories?" My mom suggested and we all nodded.

As we headed out of the restaurant the chill night air began to creep up and down my arms causing goose bumps to rise. I rubbed my arms to bring the warmth back to them. This stupid dress didn't have any sleeves. Fang noticed and slipped off his jacket, draping it over my shoulders. It was still warm from his body heat and I held it tighter around myself.

"Better?" he asked.

"Much. Thank you." I said and leaned into him as we walked.

The moon was out, high in the sky. A cool breeze blew through the city and as we walked I gazed around. We were in between busy streets so we traveled in the dark in between street lights. Nudge, Ella, and Gazzy walked ahead of Fang and I and my mom strolled along behind. I felt Fang shiver from the wind but he didn't complain to me. I smiled and held open the jacket for him to join me. He shook his head but I wrapped it up onto his shoulder anyway. Because he was so much taller the jacket had to twist to reach. He put his arm around my waist on the inside of the jacket and I instantly felt warmer. I had everything; the perfect boyfriend, amazing friends, a fantastic mother who cared for me. What more could I need? I could never imagine leaving any of this behind but I would soon have to.

A/N What could Max mean? This story is pretty close to ending. Maybe five or six more chapters. It's just a cute story about Fang and Max so no major plot twists. To WingsRock72: I like the ideas but I'm not planning on carrying my story on for that much longer so I can't use them. :( To I Am a kick ass Princess: I was inspired by your suggestion. See? They all went out but not in a diner and they went for a walk but not on a beach. To MPH Knows: I'm sorry, I'm not planning on having them meet. :/ To Aspie Story Teller101: They did plan on seeing each other on summer break but for Max's birthday Fang flew out to see her as a surprise. You only have a few more chances to review any suggestions you think I should put in here so I would do that soon if you have any. Thank you all so much for reading this and I hope you continue to enjoy. :)

~TAGGWRITC (Kiara)