Mari & Ilna-you're the best.

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Hard to Pick (1/1)

"It's hard to pick which birthday party was my favorite," DJ said as sat on the deck with his parents, his sister, Danny, Gabby and Grace finishing up the last of the desserts left over from his party. "The LEGO one was so fun, but so was the baseball one, and this year … double digits! You plan all the best parties, Grace. Thanks a million for planning mine again."

"I was happy to do it." Grace beamed. "I'm glad you had a good time."

"I can't wait to see what you plan next year," DJ said, then hesitated. "If you have time, that is. I know you're busy with college and your job. If you can't plan my party next year I understand."

"You better not throw me over for another party planner," Grace teased. "I'll still be planning your birthday parties even when I'm old and gray."

"Like Daddy," Angie said matter of factly as she took a bite of cupcake that left frosting not only around her mouth but also on her nose.

Danny snorted a laugh.

"Daddy isn't old," DJ told his sister.

Steve smiled. "Thanks, buddy."

"His hair is gray though," Angie countered.

"Some people get gray hair before they're old," DJ explained. "Some people even get it when they're young."

Steve smirked in Danny's direction.

DJ dipped his finger in the icing on his cake. "Or when they're middle-aged. Like Daddy."

Steve's smirk turned to a grimace.

"This is the best day I've had in quite a while," Danny laughed.

"DJ is right." Catherine patted Steve's leg sympathetically. "You did an amazing job of planning the party, Grace. Who knew there were so many games that revolve around the number ten."

"Some of them I had to fudge a little," Grace admitted. "But I think they worked out pretty well."

"They were perfect," Steve said. "All the kids had a great time."

"The bowling one was my favorite," Angie bubbled. "It was very, very fun."

Danny tickled his niece's side. "Especially once we all learned it was better not to stand behind you on your back swing."

Angie giggled. "That ball was kind of slippy."

"Also thankfully pretty light weight," Catherine added.

"Michael said he's gonna have his mommy call and ask you if it's ok if she copies your idea with the hotdogs and burgers for his birthday party," DJ told Grace.

Grace smiled. "Of course it's ok."

In an effort to make even the food at the party "10 themed", Grace used a small round cookie cutter to remove the center from each burger, leaving it donut shaped. When she placed them on the table she laid each one next to a vertically arranged hotdog in a bun so it looked like a 10. She then arranged the cut out pieces into a large circle of their own next to a foot long number one made out of chicken nuggets.

The food was a big hit with kids and grown ups alike.

"I don't know which I liked better," Gabby said. "The double chocolate brownies, the double layer vanilla cake, or the double oreo cheesecake."

"I noticed you made it a point to try all three," Danny teased.

"And I make no apologies." Gabby grinned. "Though I'll be working it off until the next party."

"That's me and Uncle Danno," Angie said excitedly. "Our birthdays are next."

"Actually Mommy and Daddy's anniversary is next," DJ pointed out. "It's next week."

Angie's eyes lit up. "Are we havin' a party for a 'versary?"

"Anniversary," Catherine corrected gently. "And no. No big party this year."

The curly-haired youngster frowned. "What are you gonna do if you don't have a party?"

"We haven't exactly decided yet," Steve admitted.

"What do people usually do on their anniversary?" DJ asked.

"Normal people?" Danny chuckled. "Or your parents? Because normal people usually have a nice quiet dinner, maybe go see a movie or even, for reasons that escape me, take a walk on the beach. But these two." He pointed at Steve and Catherine. "They jump out of planes or hike into volcanos or swim with sharks or do any one of the other completely crazy things they consider to be fun."

"I'm gonna jump out of a plane when I'm old enough," Angie said excitedly. "You can do it too, Uncle Danno. Mommy and Daddy will teach you."

"Thanks for the offer, but I think I'll pass," Danny said adamantly. "Uncle Danno will be keeping his feet firmly on the ground."

"You might change your mind," Angie told him. "It looks very, very fun."

Danny shook his head. "Don't hold your breath."

"I'm still deciding whether I want to try it or not," DJ said.

"I thought it was super fun," Grace said. "But not everybody likes the same kind of things and that's ok."

DJ beamed at her.

"Maybe you can go skydiving for your anniversary," DJ suggested.

"We'll see." Steve tousled the newly minted 10 year old's hair. "Whatever we decide to do, it'll be perfect. Because we'll be together."

"Awww." Grace's eyes sparkled. "That's so sweet."

"Don't forget, we have to watch the movie of your wedding," Angie reminded them. "We do it every year."

"It's one of my favorite traditions," Catherine said.

"Mommy looked like a princess," Angie said dreamily. "Her dress was beautiful."

"It certainly was," Steve agreed.

Angie clapped her hands and her eyes sparkled with excitement. "I'm gonna wear a dress just like that when I get married."

"I'm not sure dresses like that will still be in style in forty years," Steve said.

Grace, Gabby, and Catherine rolled their eyes good naturedly.

"They will." Angie's confident tone made both her parents smile. "And if I decide not to get married I'll just throw a big party and wear a very very pretty dress."

"That sounds like a great idea," Grace said.

"I'm also gonna wear the sword I got at Dizzyworld and my favorite boots," Angie added. "And you can wear your Hero of the Day pin, DJ."

He grinned. "That sounds like it's gonna be super fun."

"And very far in the future," Steve reiterated.

Angie nodded. "But I can also wear a pretty dress to prom and that's a lot sooner."

Steve dropped his chin to his chest.

Danny looked across the deck as his grown up, self confident, composed daughter and smiled. "Life comes at ya fast, partner."

THE END

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