This is Elena Joy's 10th birthday which she shares with Bekah.
It was Friday April 8th, 2005 where Della, Ken, Paul Jr, and Finian were up working on the next morning's birthday surprise for Elena and Bekah.
Ken had gone to check on the mother and daughter who were cuddled on Elena's bed, something Bekah always did before their birthday – no matter how old Elena got. He smiled, Bekah was the world's best mother, irrespective of her past.
Finian had woken up early with Della the next morning as they started the coffee as Bekah walked into the kitchen as Della kissed her daughter's cheek,
"Happy birthday, sweet girl." Bekah smiled as Finian hugged her,
"Happy birthday, darling." Holly snuck in and hugged her mother,
"Morning Holly Marie." Bekah smiled and snuggled with her youngest daughter on the couch as Della smiled taking a picture of that moment. Paul Jr woke up and heard a small gasp from Elena's room as he walked in seeing her sit up in bed with tears in her eyes.
"What happened, 'Lena?" Elena looked to Paul Jr,
"I had a dream where I saw… Grandpa Perry. I know he died before I was born, but he was a young man. Like in the pictures that Grandma Della's shown me." Paul Jr sighed,
"But why the tears?" Elena smiled softly before beginning to cry.
"He told me that he loved me beyond a shadow of a doubt and that he will always be with me." Della was standing outside the open door out of eyesight as she smiled before walking in,
"Grandma Della. I'm… *her breathing came in gasps as she continued to cry* I'm sorry for talking about Grandpa Perry." Della smiled softly,
"You don't have to apologize. Especially with how you're talking about him." Elena looked to Della as she continued,
"I'm honestly surprised if this was the first time you've seen your Grandpa in your dreams. Was that the first time?" Elena shook her head,
"I remember when Mama told us about losing our little brother or sister, he came to me then." Della nodded and held Elena close,
"I don't want this ruining your birthday today, sweetheart." Elena pulled back,
"I didn't say I was sad; I feel at peace now." Della nodded,
"Let's get up." Once the trio had made it to the living room,
"Happy Birthday, Elena Joy." Bekah said as Elena went to hug her Mama.
"Happy Birthday, Mama." Finian smiled and took a picture of that moment as the day began. It was another wonderful day for the family, with all their troubles on the backburner.
"…Mama, can you and I go visit Grandpa?" Elena asked, like Perry did for each of his birthdays since he turned 10, as Bekah nodded as she wanted to go as well.
They sat there in silence and Bekah felt her father's presence around them as she began to giggle softly as they left to head back for cake and ice cream.
"…'Lena?" Paul Jr asked as Elena looked at him,
"Yes, Uncle?" Paul Jr smiled as he hugged his niece,
"Did you have a good time today?" Elena nodded,
"Yeah, I mean the dream from this morning just made my day all the better. I did tell Mama about it on the way home from seeing Grandpa and she was just as happy to hear about it." Paul Jr smiled as he looked up and sent a silent "thank you" to Perry for allowing him to be a part of the family from the beginning.