*Fast forward a few days – Ryan has been discharged from the hospital the day before*

"Are you sure you're up for this?" Alex asked uncertain on whether her husband was up for a 2 year old birthday party with toddlers running around and being on a sugar rush.

"I'm sure. Besides, I think it's too late to let everyone know the party is cancelled since we're an our away from starting." He rationalized as his wife started to worry.

Chaos.

The grownups, including most of the usual bunch who works down at the Headoffice of FBI Quantico, those with and without kids were at Phoebe's birthday party. As well as some of the moms from day care. Alex felt a tinge of guilt since she didn't organize the party herself but relied on the grandparents to do so. But the offered and at the time she was extremely grateful for all the help.

All of them observed Phoebe and her birthday party guests gambol about the indoor playground. The kids' shrieks and shouts echoed throughout the cavernous facility. The cacophony made it difficult for the adults to communicate unless they were sitting really close to each other which was what they were doing. A funny sight as all the grown ups had juice boxes in hand, it made them look badass and comical in the same way. Every now and then the men would excuse themselves to go outside on a smoke break those of them who smoked, the non smokers just going with for some company.

CJ has started to crawl and everyone had to watch him making sure he won't get out of sight or go somewhere he might get hurt. Renata, made it her job to take CJ to the play pen but making sure she keeps an eye on him. This in turn ended in questions on when Natalie would go for number two so Renata can have a sibling.

"She doesn't need siblings, she ha a lot. See there she has CJ and Phoebe and Asher." She shrugged not close to even thinking about another child.

"Based on my understanding Quade is the only smoker." Nimah commented when all of them got up to go outside, and stand behind of the building in the smoking area to be out of sight. "Why do all of them have to go with?"

Nimah didn't think anyone would hear the question but Caleb did.

"Same reason all the ladies go to the bathroom at the clubs." The blonde replied and Nimah shrugged and nodded. Maybe he had a point.

The noise coupled with the primary color palette created a dizzying toddler paradise. Little Asher went from one arm to the next as he was way too small to participate in all the festivities of his sister's party. But he had no problem with it.

If it was up to Alex Phoebe would not have a birthday party this year since she got a huge one when she turned one, but her grandparents won't have any of that. Theresa out about this particular facility and eagerly suggested it, "They do everything—games, cake, all of the organizing. You just basically show up. With a credit card, of course."

The morning began with Phoebe throwing a rare tantrum related to her attire. It was a struggle getting her to get out of her pajamas and put clothes on. And once they overcame that barrier she refused to wear shoes, wanting to parade around in her unicorn slippers the entire day.

"You know what Pheebs. If you put shoes on I promise I will give you cake and mama won't be able to tell you you can't have." Her father tried to bargain.

"An no gween food?" She asked making sure he understands that the deal involves not eating vegetables either.

"No green food, I promise." And based on that he was able to get her to put shoes on.

Alex made one final check to see that she packed everything for Asher especially. Picking up her handbag and diaper bag and carrying him she was ready to leave when the peace was short lived as she clutched to her slippers protectively that her father put on the couch.

"We can take it with but you can't put it on, alright?" Alex made sure she understood as they were probably already late. She dreaded the day she has to go through all of this again with her son, who was sleeping peacefully.

"NOOOOO I WANT TO WEAR U'CONS!" Phoebe burst into tears and clutched the slippers in her hands holding them close to her chest protectively. Alex handed Phoebe over to Ryan knowing he does not like to deal with issues like discipline and would probably allow his daughter to get away with it. She might be making a big deal ot of nothing but she's not willing to let it slide just because it's Phoebe's birthday.

"Phoebe Calm down." She cradled Phoebe tightly as both of them sat down on the couch until the toddler calmed down.

She attempted to reason with her again. "No slippers, today. ,

"Hey, we gotta calm down and go to the party or we'll miss the cake and presents and all your friends." This made the toddler sit up and look at her mother with big eyes. She nodded her head and put the slippers aside. "Wipe your face and then give me a kiss." Alex said, Ryan smiling in the corner as he looked at the two of them. He would not have been able to do all of this without eventually giving in to his daughters demands.

"I would've done that." Ryan said when they got into the car after strapping the kids into the car seats at the back.

As they drove to the venue of the party Ryan and Alex sang the birthday song to Phoebe as she shrieked.

Theresa and Sita staff members who assigned themselves to the party, clapped their hands to get the kids' attention. "Ok, everyone, come, gather around the birthday girl's throne so we can sing!"

Theresa put a gold crown with plush felt lining on Phoebe's head and placed her on an ornate chair upholstered with red velvet. The kids crowded around.

"Ok, everybody," Joey announced, "Here we go! One, two, three!"

The rest of the adults went over to participate and Ryan snapped pictures of an overwhelmed yet thrilled Phoebe. As the song concluded, Shelby brought out the cake with a candle in the shape of a "2" in the middle.

"Stand back, kids, as I light his highness' candle!" Caleb, recently returning from his smoking spree produced a long rod lighter decorated to resemble a torch and lit the "2" in exaggerated fashion.

"Princess Phoebe, close your eyes and make a wish!"

Phoebe closed her eyes for two seconds and opened them again. More intrigued by the flame dancing on top of the cake.

"Now, blow out the candle Pheebs!" Her father encouraged

Phoebe blew out the candle after numerous attempts, and cheers and applause ensued when the flickering light died and everyone clapped.

After the cake was served and eaten, Ryan and Alex stacked presents next to Phoebe's throne. She proved to be an expert at tearing through wrapping paper and ribbon. The two parents stood by her side collecting the new toys and prompting Phoebe to say thank you to each person after she opened the gifts. They would definitely need two trips to cart the new dolls,, puzzles, and books to the car.

"Ok, everyone!" Joey said grandly after Phoebe had opened all presents, "Now we must store the Official Birthday Crown for the next King or Queen, but we will give Princess Phoebe a replica to take with her."

One of the managers of the venue handed Alex a lighter and less lavish version of the birthday crown.

The manager instructed the kids and the grown ups to wish Phoebe one more collective "happy birthday" and they boisterously shouted.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PHOEBE!"

Ryan and Alex thanked and said gracious goodbyes to the other parents as they left with their exhausted and sticky toddlers.

This party compared to the previous one were low scale and they didn't have to do all the cleaning up afterwards. Ryan was gratefu for all the help but somehow he still felt extremely tired after the day. His bodys way of telling him that he has not fully recovered from his pneumonia. He did stay away from the children especially as long as he possibly could and tried to come into minimal contact with each of them.

Ryan gazed sleepily at Alex when she returned to bed later later in the evening. Phoebe has passed out as son as they got home. Alex was about to give Asher his bottle and make herself comfortable in bed.

All energy spent, he lay sprawled on the bed .The television was tuned to ESPN, and he stared at the screen but wasn't paying close attention to the game.

"Hey," she greeted him sweetly. "You look exhausted."

"I am." He said looking at her running a hand through Asher's almost white hair. It started growing quite rapidly now.

"I feel like I haven't seen enough of you this past few days. The kids look like they have grown in the blink of an eye. I need them to stay small forever." He said when another face appeared in the door of their bedroom. Wordlessly Phoebe walked over to their bed, extended her hands towards her father s he can pick her up and place her on the bed. She made her way under the covers and closed her eyes.

Alex and Ryan glanced at each other not knowing what just happened but they weren't questioning it either they went with it. Alex relaxed against the headboard positioning Asher while he drank his bottle taking big slurps.

"Do you remember that night Phoebe was born? I had no idea what to do when I saw you standing in the shower in pain. And when she was born, that first cry was music to my ears." Ryan said looking at his sleeping daughter in the bed next to them.

"I thought I'd die because the pain was so much. I was almost certain I would not be able to push, but it was all worth it in the end." Alex smiled kissing the top of Asher's head as his bottle was now empty and he moaned when he sucked and no content came out.

"You drank it up mister, it wasn't me." She looked into the matching blue eyes of her son that matched her husband. A miniature version of Ryan. She positioned him on her shoulder to burp him. "Did you ever think we'd reach this point in our lives where we'd be married, own a house and have children?"

"No." Ryan chuckled, "but I sure as hell won't change this for anything in the world.