Disclaimer: I do not believe I own any characters in this story other than Angel, Eddie, and Jesse, which are my own creation. The other characters are property of ABC/Disney.

"So, explain to me again why you won't tell me what you're getting Angel for her birthday?" he asked Jesse while sitting in the Recovery Room. It was mid January, and they had met for their lunch hour. He had realized very early on he enjoyed her company, and that she loved spending time with the kids. If something came up and Jesse didn't stop by for a day or two Angel would start asking him where she was.

"Because, it's a surprise. I want you and her both to be surprised," she said, guessing that he was really bad at surprises.

"Well, fine then. Do you really have to go on that business trip in a few weeks though?"

"Yes, it will only be a week though. I'll be back before you know it. Who knows, you might even realize you don't like spending so much time with me."

"I doubt that will happen."

Looking down at her watch she realized she needed to get back to work. "How come time seems to fly by when we're together?" she asked, getting up and straightening her skirt out.

"I'm not sure," he smiled as he gave her a hug and kiss on the cheek. "So, you'll come by tomorrow afternoon, and we'll head over to Lucy's together for the party?"

"Yes, I'll see you then," she said, flashing her smile at him as the door closed behind her.

He sat back down, and finished his sandwich. He started to think of what he needed to get for Angel's birthday. Reese was making the cake, Lucy had the decorations at the house. He was going to pick up some pink roses from the florist today after work. Angel loved pink roses, he'd give them to her with her breakfast in the morning. He paid the bill, and headed off to work, still curious as to what Jesse had planned for tomorrow.

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Jesse pulled into the driveway, and picked up the small box next to her. She was worried that Angel wouldn't like the present, or Rafe would be upset at what she'd done. She had gone to Lucy last week and got help with it. It was too late now to get something different. She walked up to the door, and knocked before opening.

"Hello, anyone home?" she asked, not hearing the usual commotion when she came over.

"Jesse!" Angel yelled in excitement, as she ran over and got a hug.

"Hey birthday girl! How has your day been so far?"

"It's been great. Daddy got me pink roses, and had them at my seat in the kitchen. I got my favorite breakfast too! At school my class had cupcakes for my birthday. I'm all ready to go now."

"Ok, well let's see where your daddy and Eddie are first," she said, walking down the hallway. "Rafe? Rafe?"

"Hey Jesse. I'm just finishing getting ready. How was your day?" he asked, smiling as he looked at her from the bathroom

"It was good, work went by pretty fast," she said, sitting down on Rafe's bed. She was still worried about the present she held in her hand.

"Ok, I'm all done. Are you going to give that to Angel now, or wait?" he said, noticing the present she held.

"I'll give it to her now, if you want."

"Angel, come in here. Jesse has a present for you."

Angel came running in and jumped on the bed. Jesse handed the present to her. "I hope you like it."

She opened the paper to find a small box inside. Opening it up she saw a small silver heart shaped locket. When she opened the locket she saw there were already pictures inside it. The one on the right was Rafe, the one on the left was Alison.

"I love it. Thank you Jesse!" she said giving a huge hug from behind her.

Jesse noticed that Rafe hadn't said anything. Worried that he didn't like it she looked over. Instead of a look of being upset at what she'd done she saw his eyes were filled with tears.

"Are you ok? What's wrong?" she asked, scared she'd done something wrong.

"It's just, that you are so caring. I would have never thought of that. I'm just so glad that I've found someone like you that cares for my kids and myself, including my past," he said, trying to keep from crying. He didn't know how it happened, but he leaned over and kissed her on the lips.

"Daddy, can you put it on for me?" Angel asked, jumping off the bed and coming around to where he was.

"Sure, sweetie," he said, he was kind of glad that moment had been interrupted. "Why don't you go show Eddie, and see if he's ready to go?" he said as she ran out of the room. "Thanks again, that was too much."

"You're welcome. I was worried you would be mad at me for doing that."

"No, it was a really nice gesture. Can I ask who helped you with the pictures?"

"It was a little birdie," she said, smiling at him.

"I'm going to take it that this birdie's name probably starts with an L, am I right?"

She didn't get a chance to respond when Angel and Eddie bounced into the room and together said "We're ready!"

"Alright, let's go then," Rafe said, getting off the bed. At first she thought he was about to walk out the room, but he turned around and put out his hand. She grabbed it tightly, afraid of what may happen if she were to let go.

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"Hey you two," Lucy said as she watched Rafe and Jesse come through the door, giving them each a big hug. "Did you forget some people?" she asked, not seeing Eddie and Angel brining up the rear.

"They should be behind us," Jesse said, looking back at the door.

"Hello!" shouted Angel, running up and giving Lucy a hug. Eddie walked in a few second after she did.

"Happy Birthday Angel! Lucy said, squatting down and noticing the locket. "That's a pretty necklace you're wearing. Is there anything inside?"

"Yeah," she said, opening it up. "It's a picture of my daddy, and my mommy. Jesse gave it to me before we came over."

Lucy looked up and smiled at Jesse, and then looked over and smiled at Rafe. Her eyes were already tearing up, even though she helped Jesse find pictures for the locket.

"Hey, come here," Rafe said, taking Lucy in his arms. "Thanks for helping her plan the necklace, and I guess I better be thanking someone else up there too, huh?"

"You better," she said, whipping the tears from her eyes. "Well, who's ready for a party now?"

"I am!" said Angel, excited and already filled up with sugar from school.

"Me too!" said Eddie as he ran into the play room.

"Were you surprised at the gift?" asked Lucy, having started to follow the kids into the playroom.

"I was more than surprised. I had the same reaction as you, but you know what, I'm so glad that Jesse is in our lives now. She cares about the kids, I already knew that. What's more important though is she cares about our past."