I wake up a little early because today is my thirteenth birthday. Well, that and I want to get a fly in.

I port to the roof then jump and, while in mid-air, shift into a peregrine falcon. Still haven't figure out how to do a phoenix, even though it would be pretty fucking awesome. Maybe someday.

God, such a nice day to fly.

I swoop then end up catching a thermal. You'll have to take my word for it when I tell you that I'm laughing on the inside.

Mmm. That warm air feels sooo good.

I catch sight of Jay-Todd.

Ooh. Maybe he's picking up a prezzie for me.

Since I want to be surprised, I quickly fly past him. After all, I do love flying fast. I mean, hell yes, I got a need for fucking speed.

After about 15 minutes, I fly back then, after landing on the roof and shifting back, port into the living room.

I end up startling Jay-Todd a little. "Sorry."

He laughs. "It's no big, birthday girl. Enjoy your fly, Nyx?"

"Fuck, yes!"

"I thought so, little sis. Damn, you're a teenager now. How's it feel?"

I shrug my shoulders. "Not much different, really. You wanna port to the Manor with me?"

He nods. "I've got everything."

So my prezzie is prolly pocket sized.

When we get there, I'm greeted by Dick, Babs, Tim, Bruce and Alfred.

I admit to feeling a bit flustered by all the attention. Well, that could also be because I didn't have any birthday celebrations when I was with the Pierces.

The closest thing I got was the librarians wishing me a happy birthday. One year, I was presented with a saved copy of Edith Pattou's East complete with an interview with the author. Good book, by the way. I liked it a lot.

I shake off the memory and look at the five gifts and food on the table.

I nervously run one hand through my hair then load up a plate. Trust me, flying makes you hungry.

Jason laughs. "Oh, you're definitely my sister. Way to carbo-load, Nyx."

I shrug my shoulders. "It's a Brooklyn thing. We take our carbs very seriously. So seriously that fights can be started over the mentioning of a favorite pizza place."

"What if, hypothetically, you're from Chicago?"

"Well, Tim, you're a heathen and a tourist. So you can fuck off, either by going back home to Times Square."

"Nice to have more than one option."

I laugh. "Come on, we're not that jaded." I tend to be bitter though. However, you'd prolly be too if you'd been through what I have.

Soon, it's time for cake.

I smile when I notice donut holes around it.

The candles are lit and everyone's singing.

Almost everyone calling me something different.

Miss Phoenix from Alfred.
Phoenix from Bruce.
Firecracker from Dick and Babs.
Firebird from Tim.
Nyx from Jason.

Best of all, no insults. Even better, the warm feeling I'm getting, knowing that I'm part of a family.

Why should I even make a wish when I have that?

I just blow out the candles but I still end up getting cheered.

Bruce hands me his gift first. It's wrapped in black. I open it to find a smart phone with a charger.

I can't help but grin when I see the phoenix emblazoned on the back in red, orange and blue.

"The service plan's paid for and you have the phone numbers needed to reach everyone in this room put among your contacts. The phoenix on your phone is heat-sensitive so your phone, if needed, will automatically call for help."

Babs smiles. "Try not to get mad over the fact that it was my idea. Believe me, I know the stubborn type when I see it."

"Two things, Gingie. One, as a Brooklyn, I make no promises in regards to my temper. Two, I much prefer the word determined."

She laughs. "Fair enough."

After I put the phone in my right pants pocket, Babs hands me her gift, wrapped in green. I am not in the least bit surprised that it's a laptop but, just for shits and giggles, I gasp dramatically.

She laughs again. "I'll give your regards to Broadway."

'"Fuck that!"

This gets a laugh from everyone.

Dick is the next to hand me his gift, wrapped in sky blue. It's two shirts.

One being a black T-shirt for L'amours. You add the s when you're from Brooklyn and it's our rock capital.

The other shirt's a black nightshirt with a phoenix on it and red, orange and blue letters that say Firebird Fly.

Tim pouts. "Damn it, guys! That's what I call her."

I fold up both shirts then roll my eyes. "You gonna accuse them of co-opting just because I like both shirts? Because, if you are, that's pretty fucking petty of you. If it isn't Tom, it's a heartbreaker."

Music humor. I fucking love it.

He breathes out slowly. "No, Firebird, I won't accuse them of co-opting. It's a pretty awesome shirt."

He hands me his gift, wrapped in red. I open it to find Melissa Grey's The Girl at Midnight trilogy and Hannah West's Kingdom of Ash and Briars.

"Thanks, T-bird! I've always wanted to read that series."

He grins. "Not a problem, Firebird, I really think you'll like it. Same with the other book."

My fingers itch with the desire to open the first book and start reading now but I have yet to open Jay-Todd's gift.

He hands it to me, wrapped in gray. I open it to find a red Swiss army knife that has, engraved in black, the words For Nyx.

My grin widens. "Cool! I've been wanting one of these."

Dick laughs. "Damn it, Jaybird, you've got Firecracker all excited over a weapon."

I roll my eyes and scowl then end up saying in unison with Jay-Todd, "Damn you, Dick, it's way more fucking practical than a nightshirt!"

I run one hand through my hair. "Both shirts are pretty bitchin' though, don't get me wrong. It's just that a right hook and Brooklyn manners only get you so far, you get me? There are reasons I don't like taking the subway."

Babs nods then rolls her eyes. "Yeah, no kidding." She grins. "I can say I've got my own wheels."

I laugh. "Way to go, Gingie. Traveling in style!"

She laughs. "That's a nice way of looking at it, Firecracker. Will I be accused of co-opting if I use it?"

I smile and shake my head then, after putting my knife in my other pants pocket, eagerly open Melissa Grey's The Girl at Midnight to warm laughter from Alfred.

"Enjoy your book, miss, and the rest of your birthday as well. I'll get a sandwich bag for the leftover donut holes."

I end up eating them while I read the book. After all, both are better than one.

Babs's P.O.V

Phoenix is a good kid but something doesn't add up.

I use the few clues I have to search the records for foster care in Brooklyn.

No...
No...
No...
Wait.

That's definitely Firecracker.

Does she have a twin?

No.

It's just her name is not Phoenix.

God.

She wanted to put that, of all things, behind her?

How were the Pierces even allowed to foster when they did something as terrible as that?

I've got to tell the others.

More importantly, I have to talk to Phoenix.