Before...

Tomorrow was Eric's birthday.

Milly was beyond excited. It was November 30th, and thanks to Geneva, Milly was able to do what she had been thinking about doing the second she won the prize money from the costume contest on Halloween, and had happened to read about to Kingston Falls annual air shows that took place every Sunday up North from March through December, meaning this month was the last chance to get tickets. Geneva, who had it real bad for Alex York, had agreed to drive that Sunday, as long as Alex could attend. Milly could tell her mother was a little uneasy allowing her fourteen year old daughter to get into a car, and leave for a day trip with a couple of hours, but after finding out Milly had already called ahead to buy the tickets, she sighed, rubbed her temples, and reminded her that next time she wanted to make big plans like this, she needed to get her permission first. Milly of course apologized, but hugged her mother for allowing her to go, and promised her she would be home by curfew, and left her the address to where the air show would be taking place. Her mother didn't seem too pleased that it was almost two hours away, but told her to be safe, and to tell Geneva to go the speed limit. Milly was thrilled, and even more excited when Uncle Hugo agreed to let Eric go. The new therapy classes he was taking were helping, especially with sound. Milly had noticed the night of the Halloween contest, Eric seemed uneasy by the loud music, and crowd of people. He kept looking around with wide eyes, and kept squeezing her hand for dear life. At Skateland, he seemed a little bit better as he walked with her as she skated in his socks, but seemed startled whenever a loud song would start over the speakers, or if anyone laughed too loud or screamed. As always he would jump slightly, before grabbing her hand and squeezing it for comfort.

Milly was already prepared and showed Uncle Hugo, when he frowned, looking at the pamphlet for the air show.

"I'm not too sure Milly. This is a great idea, and very sweet of you but...those jets and planes get awfully loud. I just don't want him to get upset..."

Milly then showed him the special ear plugs Mrs. Sherman had helped her order ahead of time in the small plastic case. She explained they could help with the loud engine noises, and are specially made for people with autism. Uncle Hugo ended up agreeing, and the Saturday before, Milly spent it making a cake for Eric for Monday. Twice she had to scold Luis for trying to dip his fingers into the frosting. Putting it into the cake saver, and sliding it into the back of the fridge, she knew it was perfect. Casually the other day, the two followed Geneva into the local bakery Sweet Treats, when the three of them were returning back from the park. Geneva said she needed to pick up fresh bread for her mother for dinner. Milly and Eric walked into the bakery, smelling the sweet scents of baked goods. Milly decided to use the few bucks she had in her pocket to buy herself, Luis, and Eric a cupcake. The man behind the counter got a box ready for Milly to take them to go, before motioning to the glass display case, and told her to pick out whichever ones she wanted. Milly got two double chocolate cupcakes for herself and Luis, before turning to Eric who gazed at the glass counter of sweets in wonder. Milly asked which one he wanted, and to point to whichever one. Eric looked super focused, before his finger went out and he pointed to a strawberry flavored cupcake with strawberry frosting. Milly smiled, surprised at this choice.

"That one?"

Eric nodded and smirked. Milly smiled, feeling a fluttering in her heart that she constantly felt whenever she stared at him, and was reminded of what a truly wonderful, and special person he was. The fact that he was her boyfriend, and he was making such progress made her heart swell.

She paid for the cupcakes, as Eric closely watched the baker tie up the box with red string, and put it in a bag for Millie. The walk home it started to drizzle then picked up to heavier rain. Geneva groaned, pulling up her rain slicker's hood.

"Of course, two blocks from home and it starts raining..."

Milly cursed herself for only wearing her jean jacket, rolling her eyes knowing her hair was probably going to look like a poodle by the time she reached home. Suddenly, she felt Eric pull her arm. Stopping, she raised an eyebrow.

"Eric what? We gotta hurry, it's pouring."

Eric stared at her before letting go of her and staring straight at her. Silently, he unzipped his hoodie, before handing it to her. Milly made a face and shook her head.

"Eric no! You'll catch a cold! We're almost home!"

Eric insisted, holding out his hoodie as his hair began to get wet and soaked against his forehead. Geneva was already halfway down the sidewalk before she turned around, waving her arms, and yelling for them to hurry up. Knowing that Eric wouldn't budge, Milly rolled her eyes before taking her own jacket off and holding it out to switch with him. She placed the bag of cupcakes down for a second.

"Here! I'm not letting you not wear one!"

Eric silently took it, as Milly took his, and both quickly pulled their exchanged clothing on. Milly smirked seeing how tight her jean jacket was on him, and was touched when he reached forward and pulled her hood up. Picking the bag back up, Milly held it as the two took hands, and began hurrying home, their sneakers splashing in puddles as they caught up with Geneva. That night as she split her cupcake with her mother, who claimed she really even shouldn't have since she kept meaning to start a diet. Milly told her mother she was beautiful. and sat at the table with her drinking milk, as she had coffee. Luis was allowed to bring his cupcake into the other room as long as he didn't make a mess to watch TV. It was raining even harder out now, and Milly had said goodnight to Eric after bringing him to his door, and taking his cupcake out and handing it to him.

He smirked, kissed her cheek, and went inside.

Glancing out the window she saw that through the closed curtains, Uncle Hugo's kitchen light was on, which probably meant Eric and him were doing something very similar to what they were doing. She could see it in her mind, Uncle Hugo nursing a beer, listening to the ball game on the radio, as Eric silently ate his cupcake beside him. She then smiled, and decided she would make a cake for Eric and make it strawberry flavor. She had finished the cake, and planned on giving it to him after school tomorrow on his actual birthday.

Today, Geneva, Alex. Eric and herself took Geneva's mom's car up on highway 92, all laughing, and giddy with excitement over the freedom and being able to go on a trip out of town alone, even if it was just a few hours. Geneva had the radio on and singing along with Alex in the front seat. Milly meanwhile sat beside Eric, who held her hand, and smiled, silently looking out the window. The flight show wasn't as crowded as Milly thought it would be, which was a relief to Milly. In the parking-lot she showed Eric the earplugs and explained they would make things not seem as loud. She helped him put them in, before she gave the thumbs up sign to see if he was okay? Eric took a second, looking wide eyed around before nodding. Smiling, she took his hand, as the four of them checked in through the gates, before finding their seats on the bleachers.

They were all wearing their winter coats and gloves, yet still huddled together since it was a chilly gray day that just promised snow. As soon as the first planes whizzed up, doing loops in the sky above, Milly looked at Eric's face and knew this had all been worth it. His eyes were huge, and his smile went from ear to ear as he watched. At one point he even laughed, which made Milly know seeing him this happy was probably one of the best feelings in the world. By the time they got home, it was freezing and it was dark. Milly promised him to walk with him to school, since it hadn't started to really snow in the area, and the sidewalks were still free. She also promised she had another surprise for him. That night as she collapsed in bed after showering, she had a feeling Eric might have gone out to fly. It was late, and dark enough, but for once she didn't worry. She figured he wanted to spin around and fly in the sky just like the planes and the jets they watched earlier. She fell asleep with a smile on her face, and was very much in love.

The next day...

School dragged on, but several people actually surprised Milly as she walked through the crowded hallways with Eric, as they passed by, smiling, and wished Eric a happy birthday. Eric showed no emotion, but Milly smiled for him. At lunch, they sat together, and Milly kept reminding him about his surprise, causing him to look across at her a smile as she helped him peel his orange. Once school finished, they went back to their lockers to grab their coats, when Mrs. Sherman walked by, and surprised Eric with a book about airplanes. Eric carefully looked at the cover, running his fingertips across it, before looking up at her and smiling. Milly helped him tuck it into her backpack, since he didn't use one. Eric then surprised them both when he gave Mrs. Sherman a hug. Holding him in the hallway, as the last of the students trickled out, Mrs. Sherman gently stroked his hair, and whispered to him to have a very happy birthday. Milly smiled, before Mrs. Sherman let go, looked at Eric proudly, before smiling at Milly, and told her to make sure they hurried home, a storm was just predicted on the radio right before dismissal, and it was supposed to get pretty bad. The small childlike glee of the thought of the first snow of the season made Milly's mood even better, as she promised, and Eric and her pulled their gloves on, joined hands, and left, hurrying to pick Luis up. Later... Luis was perfectly content with the grilled cheese that Milly made for them, before yelling in excitement, jumping up and down in front of the front window when the first snow flurries started to fall. Holding his sandwich, he cheered, before turning towards Milly and Eric who were both sitting at the table splitting a grilled cheese.

"Milly! Can I go out to play?!" Milly wrinkled her nose. "It's barely snowing yet. Wait a while, and do homework first. Upstairs now." Luis groaned, rolling his eyes.

"Ugh! Milly pleaseeeeeeeee!"

"Upstairs homework first. After I check it, then maybe you can play out back. Only if you're done."

"But mom..."

"She's having dinner with Garry tonight, and he's driving her home since her car is in the shop. She'll kill me if I let you go wild just because there's a storm."

Luis knew arguing wouldn't get him anywhere. Rolling his eyes, he continued carrying his sandwich up the stairs, stomping his feet, muttering that school would probably get canceled tomorrow anyways. Once they heard his bedroom door slam, Milly smiled. "Mom said next week we can go get a tree. We don't really have many decorations like we used to before the move, but I love laying underneath the tree when it's all lit up. Do you guys put up a tree?" Eric stared at her for a second, before slowly shaking his head. Instantly Milly felt heartbroken.

"But you have lights up in the attic. Your uncle doesn't decorate?"

Eric shook his head again, before returning to eating his slice of grilled cheese. Feeling sorry, she sighed, before remembering Eric's present she picked up Saturday night. Geneva had taken her, and she had been able to hide it in her mother's bedroom who shockingly enough didn't seem to mind. Luis somehow by the grace of God hadn't let the cat out of the bag, and Milly couldn't wait to show him. Smiling, she looked out the window and saw the snow picking up. In the back of her mind, she hated that she was slightly worried about Garry driving her mother home in this, but knew he had snow tires. Taking a second, she got up, and stood by the table for a second.

"I'll be right back, finish up."

Eric continued eating, as Milly ran up the stairs, and got his gift. She carefully climbed down the stairs, with a spare table cloth draped over it to hide it. She carefully carried it over, before setting it down. Eric raised an eyebrow, staring at it, before Milly smiled.

"My dad used to let us open our birthday gifts before we sang. Thought you would like this."

Eric pushed his plate to the side, before pulling back his chair, and standing. He stared at the covered up object, before slowly making his way around and stopping beside Milly. She smiled, gently squeezing his arm.

"Happy birthday Eric. Go on."

She motioned for what he should do, and Eric pulled the table cloth off, before his eyes widened and he grinned. A beautiful birdcage that Milly had found with Geneva at a yard sale on the edge of town. Inside it, after Milly had cleaned it up, she had used the last of the money she won from her half of the prize from Halloween to buy a beautiful red and lime colored love bird. It sat on the perch, softly chirping. Milly had been taking care of it, as well as her own bird that fascinated Eric whenever he was in her bedroom. Eric stared at it fascinated. Milly smiled.

"I bought a huge bag of bird seed, and I'll help you take care of it. You just need to make sure he has water, and I'll help you change the papers. I already asked your uncle and he said it's fine."

Eric leaned down closer, sticking his finger in between the bars, smiling as the tiny bird cocked it's head to the side. Milly smiled, as Eric stared at it, fascinated for a solid ten or so minutes. She stood back proudly, as he carefully moved the cage, and continued looking at it. Finally, he stood up straight and looked at her. Milly nervously smiled. "Do you like it?" Eric smiled, before he leaned forward, and Milly felt chills, as he came in close, and gently kissed her on the lips. Closing her eyes, she sighed into the kiss, as their mouths slowly opened and closed. Finally, he pulled back as the two of them stared at each other. Milly smiled, taking a deep breath, before she gently put hands on his shoulders.

"Happy sweet 16th Eric."

He smiled, before she leaned forward and gently kissed him again.

"It's a love bird. Just like mine. What do you wanna name him?"

Eric put his arm around Milly as they stared at the cage. He then looked up as if he was deep in thought, before turning his head towards the window. Smiling, as if it just came to him, he nudged her, and pointed at the window. Milly saw it was snowing even harder than usual. Smiling, she watched him point out the window.

"What? Snow? You wanna name him snow?"

Eric made a face and shook her head causing her to laugh. She guessed again.

"Storm?" He shook his head again.

Finally Milly laughed.

"Blizzard?" Eric lit up and nodded. Milly smiled and looked down at the cage.

"Hello Blizzard Gibb. Pleased to meet you." The bird continued to stare up at them, cooing softly.

Later...

Milly's mother called, letting her know she was safe. The storm had picked up, and Garry would be bringing her home within the hour. Luis came downstairs, excited about Eric's gift that was finally out in the open. Milly checked his homework, before seeing he got all the answers wrong, and his writing was sloppy and clearly rushed. Milly went over a few of the problems with him, before erasing everything, and telling him to re-do it and take his time since mom would be home soon. If he rushed through it again, and didn't take it seriously, she wouldn't save him a slice of cake, or let him go play out in the snow. Luis glared at her, mumbling again that all she cared about was her boyfriend and stomped up the stairs. Milly stuck her tongue out in his direction, and caught Eric mimicking her, causing her to crack up completely. Now alone, she dimmed the lights, and told Eric to sit down and wait. Going into the kitchen, she took the cake out, before smiling as she placed the candles, and used the cheap lighter she brought to light them all. Once that wonderful scent of strawberry frosting, mixed with the burning scent of candles, as she carried it out and began singing.

"Happy birthday to you..." She walked in, and placed the cake in front of a very surprised Eric.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Eric. Happy birthday to you."

She stopped, and smiled leaning in, as he stared at the candles in wonder.

"Make a wish Eric."

Eric smiled, before he thought for a second, and then blew out the candles. Milly clapped, before she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. Later... Milly had brought out plates, and poured them milk, as they cut into the cake, and plucked out the candles. The two sat together, and Milly smiled ear to ear watching as Eric worked on his third slice. She promised to put some away for Uncle Hugo. Finally feeling bad, she brought a plate up to Luis, who was sulking over the very last of her homework. He cheered up, seeing that she only corrected one match problem, and told him mom would be home soon, and then she could decide if he could go out back. Going back downstairs, Eric was finishing up the last of his third slice, as Blizzard swung slowly back and forth on his tiny little perch. Milly cleaned up, putting three slices in tupperware for Eric and Uncle Hugo. She had the bag of bird seed ready as well, and figured she would probably need her snowboots when she walked Eric across next door. Still, she knew she had roughly a half an hour before her mom came home, which usually meant she had an hour or so to either watch TV with Eric, or read with him upstairs. Once cleaned up, she took Eric's hand, before they stood in the bay window, looking out at the falling snow, and plows going by. Leaning her head on his shoulder, she smiled.

"Happy birthday Eric."

Eric stood with her for a few minutes, before he squeezed her hand, and brought her into the living room. Instantly Milly knew what he wanted to do. Smiling, she went to the record player, and looked through the vinyl records they had saved.

"What should we listen to?"

Eric stood beside her, looking down as she flipped through them, before he nudged her arm when she stopped at once.

"This one?"

She raised an eyebrow and looked at him. He smiled and nodded, looking down at the cover. Milly stared at the cover, sadly smiling. She picked it up, staring at it.

"This was my dad's, We would listen to it every December. This is perfect."

She slid the vinyl out, before placing it on, and dropping the needle. Instantly Bing Crosby's smooth voice filled the air. Milly smiled, since usually dancing to

"Do you hear what I hear?"

wasn't what you would usually dance to. Still, she loosely put her arms around Eric's neck, as he put his hands on her hips. Together they swung back and forth, staring into each other's eyes. Staring at her, straining, he softly spoke to her as they danced in the living room.

"Thank...you...I...I...Love you...M...M...Milly."

Milly's eyes lit up as she rested her head on his shoulder as they continued to slowly dance together.

"I love you too Eric."

Present.

Milly sat at the dinner table, sitting back drinking a glass of wine as Eric read the latest few new pages of her book. It was a tradition of hers, that whenever she felt her writing was as polished as it could be, she would have Eric read it, before sending it to the publisher. She sat back, waiting to hear his reaction. Finally Eric put the papers down, and looked over at her. Milly tilted her head to the side. "So? Thoughts?" Eric then smiled and began to sign to her.

"I loved it."

Milly made a face.

"No fooling?"

Eric laughed and signed back...

"No fooling? I absolutely love the direction you're going with it. That Eric character is amazing, handsome too."

Milly laughed and playfully shoved his arm, before he reached over and took a drink of her wine. Setting it down, he smiled and signed...

"I like how in this one he's starting to meet other children that can fly. The new characters of Scarlet, and Jason are great. Your publisher is still on your back about the parents?"

Milly rolled her eyes. Lately a few parents complained that there should be a warning in her books that children really couldn't fly, and since her books were so popular, they were worried one day a kid might jump off the roof and break their neck. Milly was currently trying to find a tasteful way to do a disclosure at the beginning of the book, which had been making her stomach twist in knots. It was so weird, that she was constantly worried that God forbid something like that might happen. Sighing, she sat back.

"We're trying to figure something out. Hopefully..."

She shook her head and laughed.

"I guess maybe it's because I really do wonder...are there more people like you? Do you ever think that?"

Eric shrugged and signed...

"It's possible. I'm sure if they are, they know nobody could ever find out...your books are harmless, and wonderful children's stories. Stop worrying so much honey."

Milly sighed, drinking her wine, before rubbing the back of her neck.

"I guess you're right."

Eric smiled and reached over, gently rubbing her arm.

"I say we celebrate your latest chapter. Hot tub?" Milly looked up and laughed, as always Eric knew how to cheer her up.

Later...

Eric and Milly sat in the hot tub they put in two years ago when Eric and two of his co-workers built the deck. It was inside on the screened in section, allowing them to have privacy. She remembered all the dirty looks she got from her estranged mother, and she hated that this was how they were living, angry with each other, and never allowing themselves to heal. Luis, who was currently stationed in Florida, dating a nice waitress from the area, and he was sorta the buffer between them, updating Milly on whatever was going on with her and Garry. Still, the fact remained, she disrespected her husband, and said such cruel things, Milly made the hard choice in picking Eric, and trying her hardest to focus on living a nice life with him.

The two sat together in the hot bubbling hot tub, arms around each other, drinking wine. It had been a few weeks, and Milly yesterday had taken a pregnancy test, and it was negative. She had another vivid dream last night of Jet, this time Eric and her attending his high school graduation. When she woke up, she started sobbing, and Eric instantly woke up, and put his arms around her, calming her down. Today, she knew Eric could read her like a book, and was trying to take her mind off things. He had his arm around her, as she sat in the hot tub with him, nursing her glass of wine. They cuddled, and made out for a while, feeling like a couple of teenagers, before finally they got out, showered together, and went to bed.

That night Milly woke up screaming...

She dreamt that Eric was dead.