I'm sorry it has taken me so long to update my stories but I've been going through a lot and I've been stressed and I've been dealing with depression. It just completely drained me and I'm just now starting to feel better so if I don't update for a while then that's the reason. Just know that I will update when I can. Thank you for the reviews and I hope you guys like this chapter! Happy holidays :)


Stephanie turned over and reached her arm out in search of Paul and then slowly started to open her eyes after her arm landed on the empty space beside of her. Paul had been practically living at her house for the last few weeks since his and Shane's fight and she was usually up before him on weekends. So, it was unusual to her that he was up before her. She let out a yawn and stretched before she started to throw back the comforter just as she heard her bedroom door open and then the click as it shut again. She stayed sitting on the bed waiting as Paul came into view holding a tray.

"Good you're awake" Paul said coming closer to her and she could smell the aroma of bacon and her stomach suddenly rumbled in response. "I decided to make you breakfast in bed."

"That's so sweet" Stephanie replied as she leaned against her headboard as he put the tray down in front of her. "You got up early just to make me breakfast?"

"I wanted to start your birthday off to a good start." Paul smiled and leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips. "Happy birthday baby."

"Thank you" Stephanie replied before taking a bite of her food. With all the drama with her family lately she hadn't been that excited about it like she usually would have. But with Paul getting up just to try to start her birthday off with a good start made her have some hope that it could still be a good birthday.

"I'll be right back. I have something else for you too" Paul said hurrying out of the bedroom before she could ask him anything. She continued eating her food as she sat there trying to wait patiently for him to come back.

It wasn't that long before she heard footsteps and when she looked up from her food he was walking into her room holding a vase filled with a dozen red roses.

"They're beautiful" Stephanie gasped putting the tray on her night stand and getting up from the bed to take the roses from him.

"I also got up early to go buy these for you."

"I love them" Stephanie replied with a smile.

"That's not all I got you but I was talking to your mom this morning while I made you breakfast and she asked me to wait to give you your birthday gift until later."

"Why?"

"Something about wanting to give you gifts later tonight at the birthday dinner" Paul replied and Stephanie groaned. It was a tradition for as long as she could remember for the family to go out for dinner for birthday's. But considering how things were lately with her family she didn't think it would be happening this year. Her dad hadn't been around in weeks, she hadn't even talked to him on the phone. Then there was Shane who thought Charlotte could do no wrong that he had blamed her for things that had been Charlotte's doing. Paul and Shane hadn't really been speaking either especially after Paul had told him he was looking for a new place.

"I really didn't that was going to happen this year. It's a terrible idea" Stephanie replied shaking her head.

"I know it's not how you prefer to spend your night but I'll be right there with you" Paul replied as Stephanie sighed and put her vase of roses on her dresser for the moment. Maybe the dinner wouldn't be so bad with Paul there and who knows with the way Shane had been treating her if he would even show up. It could end up just being her, Paul and Linda. That thought made her feel a little better about the dinner tonight. "Are you done with your breakfast?"

"Yeah I'm not so hungry anymore" Stephanie replied looking over at the tray where only a little bit of food was left anyway. At least there wasn't much that was going to waste and she had enjoyed what she had ate. "I guess I'll take it downstairs. Mom is probably waiting to wish me a happy birthday."

Stephanie grabbed the plate off the tray and heading out of the room to go downstairs to the kitchen. When she arrived in the kitchen she was surprised to see Ali sitting and talking to her mom.

"Happy birthday!" Allie shouted at her when she noticed her walking into the kitchen.

"Thanks" Stephanie smiled as she walked over the trashcan and dumped the food left on the plate and then she put the plate in the sink. "I'm surprised you came over here just to wish me a happy birthday."

"Well I came over to give you your birthday gift too" Allie pointed at the wrapped present beside of her. "Linda was telling me about the birthday dinner tonight. Unfortunately, I'm not going to be able to make it because I have to work. It's the reason I'm over here so early so I would able to do something with you on your birthday."

"So does that mean I get to open my gift from you now?"

"No you will open it with all your other gifts tonight" Linda replied before Allie had the chance to.

"This is ridiculous mom" Stephanie sighed and sat down next to Allie. "This whole birthday dinner is going to be a disaster. I don't know why you insist on wanting to do it."

"It's what we always do."

"Yeah when we were an actual family" Stephanie mumbled but Linda must have heard her because her expression on her face looked hurt. "Mom- "

"I know this your day Stephanie but this is the one thing that feels normal for me considering how everything has changed so much in the last few months. For once I just want something to stay the same. Maybe you're right, we aren't much a family anymore considering how your father left and Shane and you have been fighting. But you and Shane are the only thing I have left and I want to make today special for you" Linda replied wiping away a tear that had fallen and Stephanie couldn't help but feel bad. She hadn't realized this dinner had meant so much to her mom.

"I know you don't want to the dinner but do it for her" Paul whispered in her ear. She wasn't sure when he had joined them but it had apparently been when her mom was giving her explanation for the dinner.

"I'm sorry mom. We'll do the dinner, I didn't know how much it meant to you."

"Thank you Stephanie" Linda gave her a smile and even though the dinner was something she wasn't looking forward to she was just going to suck it up and get through it for her mom.

"If it ends up being as bad you think then I'll make it up to you" Paul whispered in her ear and then gave her a kiss.

"So, Paul is it okay if I steal the birthday girl from you for a little while?" Allie asked as he sat down beside of them.

"Allie has to work tonight so she can't make the dinner and she wants to do something with me now."

"It's your birthday you can do whatever you want. I'm sure I can find something to do while you're gone and then when you get back you and I can spend the rest of the day together."

"Then we probably should get going so you two will have time to spend together" Allie said jumping up from her seat.

"How long do you think it's going to take?" Stephanie chuckled as Allie shrugged.

"When we go shopping you never know how long we will be" Allie replied as Stephanie got out of her seat.

"I'll be back in a little bit" Stephanie said to Paul as she leaned down and kissed him.

"Have fun" Paul replied and kissed her again before Allie started gagging noises and started telling her to hurry up.


Later that night as Stephanie and Paul headed to dinner at her favorite restaurant where Linda had booked a reservation she started to feel nervous. She really didn't want her night to be ruined when her day had been good. Earlier when Stephanie had got back from her shopping trip with Allie she put away all the stuff she had bought herself as birthday gifts. Then her and Paul spent the rest of the time before dinner watching her favorite movies and cuddling. She hadn't really wanted to do much honestly but sit back and relax with her boyfriend and she had to admit just doing that had made her birthday one of the bests. Maybe it was because she was spending it with the guy she had wanted for years that had made it one of the best. But now she was nervous the rest of her night was going to be ruined.

"Are you ready?" Paul asked squeezing her hand gently getting her attention as they walked to the entrance of the restaurant.

"Not really but we're here so might as well go in" Stephanie sighed and opened the door and stepped inside the restaurant. There was loud chatter all around and the place looked busy but she tried to ignore it as she gave her name and they were led to their table. As the table came into view Stephanie was surprised that the first person she saw was her father and then she noticed he was sitting by her mother. They were talking and Linda suddenly starting laughing and as Stephanie got to the table Linda's eyes fell on her.

"The birthday girl is here" Linda announced as Stephanie looked around the table to see Shane had made it after all and he unfortunately brought Charlotte with him.

"Happy birthday sweetheart" Vince said as she took the seat in front of him.

"Thanks dad" Stephanie smiled not sure what else to do. She was feeling confused at the moment, part of her was pissed off that he was acting like everything was great. But the other part of her was happy to see him and happy to see her parents even sitting together.

"Shane, don't you have something to say to Stephanie?" Linda asked looking over to Shane.

"Oh, happy birthday" Shane said coldly and then turned his attention to the menu in front of him. Apparently, he was still pissed at her but she's was just going to ignore it. It was the best way to avoid any drama right now and she could deal with their issues with each other later. Although she did wonder if he was still pissed at her why did he even bother to show up? Oh well at least Charlotte wasn't even going to pretend like nothing had happened and tried to be nice to her. Instead she didn't even glance at Stephanie and kept her focus on Shane.

"Don't let them get to you" Paul said quietly to her breaking from her thoughts and her attention away from Shane and Charlotte.

"I'm trying not to. I just don't even know why he showed up, especially with her."

"He might be pissed at you right now but you're still his sister and he loves you."

"I'm kind of finding that hard to believe right now. He took up for her instead of even hearing me out and now he brings her to my birthday dinner."

"He does love you. He's just caught up on Charlotte and her bullshit. He was this way with her before and it's why mine and his friendship suffered after Charlotte and I broke up for good" Paul replied as the waiter approached and starting taking their orders.

"It's suffering now because of her."

"Yeah but that's my issue and you don't need to worry about it. Just try to ignore them and enjoy your dinner" Paul replied as everyone waited their turn to give their food order to the waiter.

Stephanie watched as Vince whispered something into her Linda's ear making her chuckle and her eyes light up. It had been awhile since Stephanie had actually seen her happy since Vince left. It made her feel good that at least her mother was enjoying herself and was happy for the time being. The only thing she was worried about was how this was going to affect Linda when he was gone again. Which also made Stephanie wonder why her mother was suddenly unaffected by all the things that had being going on with her and Vince. If she was Linda she would not be sweeping their problems under the rug and getting along so well. Tonight, was definitely weird but at least it was going better than expected.

After their food was brought to their table and everyone started eating, the chatter at their table disappeared. Until Stephanie was half way done and Vince's cellphone starting playing music. She watched as he pulled it out of his pocket and she assumed it was a text because he started tapping away at his phone. She looked over at Linda and noticed the hurt look on her face as she stared at Vince's phone and then Linda turned her attention back to her food.

"I have to make a phone call. I'm just going to step outside but I'll be right back" Vince said getting up from the table and Stephanie couldn't help but feel pissed off.

"Unbelievable" Shane scoffed and then Stephanie heard his fork hit his plate. "If he was going to run off in the middle of dinner just to talk to his new play thing then he should have just brought her with him."

As soon as the words were out of Shane's mouth Linda excused herself from the table and Stephanie watched as she rushed to the direction of the bathroom.

"Did you really have to say that?" Stephanie scolded him and he shrugged.

"It's obvious that's what he is doing. Hell, he could have hurt mom less if he had just brought the new woman with him instead of giving mom false hope that maybe things could be salvaged between them" Shane replied and Stephanie had to admit it did look like her mom might have had some hope. It was clear her mom was still in love with her father and probably enough just to try and put what happened past them and work on their relationship.

"But you could have just kept your opinion to yourself instead of hurting her worse" Stephanie argued before getting up from the table and heading after Linda.

When she opened the bathroom door Linda was coming out from one of the stalls dabbing at her eyes with a piece of tissue as she walked over to the sinks.

"Mom I'm sorry" Stephanie said going over to her as Linda tried to fix her makeup in the mirror.

"It's not your fault. You shouldn't be the one apologizing" Linda replied wiping underneath her eyes.

"No, it should be Shane- "

"It's not his fault either. Maybe I don't deserve an apology at all really. I'm the one who got caught up in the moment forgetting why your father and I are no longer together" Linda replied turning on the water and washing her hands quickly. "It doesn't matter. Let's just get back out there and enjoy the rest of dinner."

"But…." Stephanie trailed off as Linda dried her hands and then left her standing there. Stephanie stood there for a few minutes trying to calm down her emotions when the bathroom door opened. She knew it was time to get out of there when she saw that it was Charlotte. Ignoring her she walked past her and went to leave and go back to the table.

"Heading back?" Charlotte asked and Stephanie looked over to see her standing in front of the mirror reapplying her lipstick. "It's pretty bad at the table right now. It looks like your man might still have feelings for me. They're both at the table fighting over me."

"They're not fighting over you. They're fighting over the problems you've caused so don't delude yourself" Stephanie replied jerking the bathroom door open and left. She didn't have to make it back to the table before she heard their raised voices at each other but they weren't the only ones. Vince was back at the table now and him and Linda were both arguing with each other. Charlotte wasn't lying this time when she said things were pretty bad.

"Guys" Stephanie hissed as she sat back down in her seat but it was like none of them even heard her as they kept arguing. It started attract attention to their table and it got even worse when some of the waiters started singing happy birthday and carrying a cake over to their table.

That hadn't even got anybody's attention at the table but it seemed like everyone in the restaurant was staring at her. Not being able to take anymore she got up from the table and pushed her chair in and started heading outside as the waiters stood there looking uncomfortable. Never again would she let Linda talk her into something like this again. She knew it was going to be a disaster and now her night had been ruined.

She walked outside and remembered that she had come with Paul so it was either wait for him to notice she had left or call a cab to come and get her. But there was no way in hell she was going back in that restaurant, she already felt embarrassed enough by everyone's behavior. So, she decided to walk to Paul's car and wait and if he didn't notice she was gone soon then she would just take a cab home.

Stephanie wasn't sure how long it had been but it hadn't seemed long when she saw Paul walking out of the restaurant and then to the direction of the car.

"Steph I'm so sorry" Paul apologized but she ignored him and waited for him to unlock the doors. "You're pissed at me."

"Yes, I am" Stephanie replied and got into the car after he unlocked the doors.

"I really am sorry. I didn't mean to get in fight with him but he was being a fucking asshole" Paul replied but she just stared out the window as they started to drive away from the restaurant. She knew she was being childish but she was just pissed off at all them for causing a scene and she didn't want to fight with Paul. The best thing right now for her was just to keep her mouth shut.

The whole ride back to her house was spent in silence except for the music playing low in the background. As soon as they pulled into her driveway she hurried out of the car and into her house. All she wanted to do now was put on some music while she took a bubble bath and just try to relax. Maybe she could spend some of the rest of her night in a good mood.


Stephanie wasn't exactly sure how long she spent taking a bubble bath but as soon as she was done and dressed she headed to her room. The first thing she noticed was lit candles and a trail of rose petals on the floor from her doorway to her bed where was Paul sitting. No one had ever done something like this for her before. She thought this kind of stuff only happened in the movies.

"I'm sorry for getting in a fight with Shane and ruining your night" Paul said when she came into the bedroom.

"It's not your fault. Everyone was fighting, it wasn't just you."

"I know but I still shouldn't have been involved in it. For that I am sorry and earlier I told you if the dinner ended up being bad then I would make it up to you" Paul said going over and picking a glass up from her nightstand and handed it to her as she came closer to him. "I got us some champagne and I was able to get two slices of your birthday cake from the restaurant."

"I don't remember seeing you bring anything out of the restaurant."

"Well that is because you were ignoring me" Paul replied and gave her a quick kiss before she could say anything in response. He then handed her a plate with her slice of cake.

"It's kind of funny my day started off with eating in bed and now it's ending with eating in bed" Stephanie chuckled as she sat down on the end of her bed.

"It will end with a lot more than just eating in bed" Paul smirked at her before taking a sip of his champagne.

"Maybe" Stephanie replied and took a bite of her cake. She knew he was right though there really was no denying it.

"I was able to get this for you too" Paul said ignoring her maybe comment and reached inside his pocket and pulled out a small wrapped gift. "It's your birthday gift."

He held it out for her and she put down her glass of champagne and took it from him. She tore the paper off to find a small velvet box. When she opened the box, she saw that it was a heart shaped diamond pendant.

"Paul it's beautiful" Stephanie replied taking it out of the box. "I love it."

"Here let me help you put it on" Paul said scooting closer to her and taking it from her. She pulled her hair up out of the way for him as he put it around her neck. "Happy birthday."

He kissed the side of her neck and then kissed her on the lips. Dinner with her family might have ended up shitty but Paul really was making up for it just as he promised. Overall, she would have to say it was a good birthday and the night still wasn't over yet.