Soda's POV

I decided to take the day off for Brianna's birthday. That way, I could spend the whole day with her. And I could play with her like I used to before I went back to school. It was hard knowing that I was spending less time with her. I'd play with her a little before I had to leave for school, but it wasn't the same. I missed being with Brianna every night and I knew she missed me, too. Even though I still saw her every day.

"There's my little birthday girl!" I said stepping into her room that morning. Ponyboy was with her and had already gotten her dressed in jeans and a blue shirt. He sat on the floor playing with her until I scooped her up from the floor. "Have you been playing with uncle Pony?"

Ponyboy stood up and grinned at me. "You better hurry up and get breakfast before Two-Bit shows up. Darry made pancakes."

"Chocolate chip?" I asked following him out of the room with Brianna.

"No, but you could put chocolate syrup on them." Pony answered. "Oh, and Brianna already ate. She was up with Darry when I got up."

"Oh, so I take it I'm the last one to eat?" I handed Brianna back to Ponyboy.

"Well, it is almost nine. You slept later than usual." Pony pointed out. "Even Steve came to eat. He said he'd come over after work. But I guess we'll be stopping by there anyway since we have to pick up the cake and stuff."

I groaned. "That's right. We have to get the cake. I hope Two-Bit's bringing his car. You did say he's coming, right?"

As if on cue, Two-Bit walked in the front door. "Anyone home?"

"In here!" Pony and I both yelled at the same time. Not that we had to. Two-Bit was in the kitchen before we could finish.

"How's the birthday girl?" Two-Bit asked as he took Brianna and swung her around. He then proceeded to set her on the floor and she staggered a little before falling because she got dizzy from being spun around.

"Did you bring the car?" I asked.

"Sure did. and it needs gas so we'll have to stop and the DX." Two-Bit replied.

"Well, looks like Steve will have some visitors." I commented. "Let's go now. "

I put a coat on Brianna and we all went outside to Two-Bit's car. I made sure to sit in the back with Brianna while Ponyboy sat in front.

Ponyboy's POV

We arrived at the DX station within five minutes. And as usual, it was busy. Soda got out of the car with Brianna and I followed. Two-Bit had to stay and wait until he could get his gas tank filled.

"Hey Curtis, I thought you called in." A middle aged man yelled from across the small parking lot.

Soda waved. "I did, Paul. I wasn't going to work on my daughter's first birthday."

Paul walked over to us, along with half the girls of America. "Well, aren't you a pretty little thing?"

The girls all oohed and aahed over Brianna and Soda. I always thought it was bad before Soda became a father. But with the attention that Brianna draws, the girls seem to be crazier than ever. Something about babies just makes people excited, I guess.

"Hey little one." A voice behind us said. We turned around in time to see Steve pick up Brianna. "Did you come to visit me on your birthday?"

Brianna just grinned and gave him a big hug. For some reason, she adores Steve.

"Two-Bit had to get gas. We're going to go get the cake for tonight." Soda explained.

Steve put Brianna back down. "Yeah, well I should get back to work. I'll see you all tonight. Oh, and Two-Bit's ready to go."

We all said our good byes and left to pick up the cake at the bakery.

Two-Bit's POV

Brianna's birthday cake had pink frosting with flowers on it. Something I pointed out right away.

"Well, she is a girl, Two-Bit." Soda pointed out as he carried the cake to the car.

"I know, I just didn't think Darry would order something with flowers on it." I commented. "So, where are we going now?"

Pony rolled his eyes at me. "We have to get ice cream, dummy."

"Pony, don't get mouthy." Soda warned from the back seat.

I just drove to the ice cream shop and sang the Mickey Mouse song as loud as I could. Ponyboy pretended to ignore me while Brianna gave me weird looks in the rear view mirror.

"What? You don't like my singing?" I asked glancing back at Brianna.

Soda leaned down and whispered, "Tell him no."

"Tell me I'm the best singer in the world." I said.

Pony joined in, "Yeah, if everyone else is tone deaf."

I sighed and pulled into a parking spot. "I'll go get the ice cream. My treat. Vanilla?"

"And chocolate." Soda said. "Thanks Two-Bit."

A half hour later, we were back at the curtis house putting the cake and ice cream away until we'd be ready to eat them that night.

Brianna went off to the living room to play with her toys. Soda, went to join her. He had been looking forward to spending the day with her all week. Now, he sat on the floor with her, playing and talking to her.

"I'm going to go get her gift." I said to Ponyboy.

"Wrapping paper?"

I grinned. "I'm getting her a doll."

Pony swatted my head. "You made a big deal about flowers on her cake and now you're getting her a doll?"

"Hey, I don't know what else to get. My mom suggested it. Said it'd be nice for Brianna to have some girly toys to play with." I replied.

"I guess. She has been playing with our old toys a lot and even her new ones aren't very girly." Pony admitted. "Well, we'll see you tonight."

I waved to Soda and Brianna as I left. but they were too busy playing to notice.