A/N: hi everybody. I'm so sorry it took me so long to update! I've decided to give you a bit of a challenge. By the time this story gets to have 20 chapters, I want to have 75-80 reviews. What will the prize be? It's a surprise. Translation- I don't know. Suggestions welcome.

About a week later, I was able to walk around without hurting my foot too bad. Iggy, who I now thought of as the world's biggest jerk (and one of my best friends) continued randomly hitting people to see if I could feel it. I always could.

Anyhow, today is the day of my birthday party. Nudge won't let me go downstairs until they've finished decorating and she's done my hair for the party. I hear her barking out orders to the others downstairs. This can't be good.

Once I'd sat still while Nudge did the side-braid thingie for me, I slipped into my usual black jeans, Cupcake Cult t-shirt, combat boots and fingerless gloves (A/N- I'll post the link to the outfits on my profile) I sauntered downstairs.

The downstairs was completely transformed. There were purple streamers hanging from the ceiling, and a purple tablecloth with black polka dots covering the ratty dining room table. A huge balloon announcing that I was the Birthday Girl hung from the seat at the head of the table. Nudge ushered me to the balloon seat and shouted to everyone else to sit.

Once everyone was seated (Nudge sat on my left, and the seat to my right was left empty) Iggy emerged from the kitchen with, bless my soul, a giant platter with steak tips in one hand, and a monstrous bowl of fettuccini alfredo. (A/N: I have no idea how to spell that, and spell check isn't coming up with anything) Iggy places the food in the middle of the table and sits down next to me.

"Omigod, how did you know to make this?" I ask excitedly as I load my plate with my favorite meal ever.

"Angel told me it was your favorite," he says through a mouthful of pasta. At first I'm confused, since Angel never asked me about my favorite food, but then I realize she must've been snooping around inside my head. I shoot her a look, glad she didn't read any personal thoughts.

For a while, all you can hear is the sound of seven bird-kids chewing away on our amazing dinner. Eventually, however, there is no food left. Iggy disappears into the kitchen again and emerges with a humongous cake. Stenciled in fancy writing is "Happy 13th Birthday Cali" on the top of it. Nudge takes out a pack of candles and sticks fourteen of them in the cake.

"I swear to God, if these are trick candles I'll kill you," I whisper to her.

"Don't worry about it," she whispers back.

After a somewhat off-key round of Happy Birthday, Iggy cuts into the cake.

"Omigod! Is that red velvet?" I ask excitedly.

"Mmhmm," he says. "With cream cheese frosting."

It's all I can do to suppress a shriek of joy at this point.

After helping myself to four jumbo slices of delicious cake, Nudge suggests that we move the party to the living room. Once everyone is seated, she shoves a box into my hands.

"Who's this from?" I ask.

"Everyone," Fang says.

"Except me," Iggy adds.

Choosing not to question why Iggy felt the need to get a separate present, I nod and tear off the paper on the package. What I see inside amazes me.

"A camera?" I say excitedly, pulling it out of the box. It small, white, and has a nice flash on the side. Like that one Ashton Kutcher advertises, but probably less expensive. Nearly bouncing up and down with joy, I make my way around the room giving each person (except Iggy) a hug. Finally, I sit down and say, "So, where's my present from Iggy?"

"Here," he says, holding a small package out in my general direction. I take it and unwrap it. Inside is a small jewelry box. I open it and peek inside. I gasp out loud. It's a beautiful ring with a crystal on the silver band. A silver etched feather overlaps the crystal. I'm left speechless, staring at it. Finally, Iggy breaks the silence.

"Do you like it?"

I nod vigorously, but then I remember he can't see me. I throw my arms around his neck and whisper in his ear, "Thank you so much. It's beautiful," and I mean it. I'm so touched; it's all I can do to keep from kissing him here and now.

"Thank you all so much. I love the gifts," I say, taking a deep breath to prevent myself from doing something stupid, like tearing up.

We stay there, talking, goofing off, and watching my favorite movies ever (The Shawshank Redemption and Princess Bride) everyone departs to go to bed.

As I lay in bed that night, I absentmindedly twirl the ring around the middle finger of my left hand, thinking of how I could never imagine a better family.

A/N: okay, this is officially the longest chapter I've ever written. Hope you enjoyed, because it took me forever! Although, I have play practices, softball practice (2 teams), studying (regional spelling bee and standardized testing this month...), basketball, and trying to convince my parents to let me take up the guitar and tae Kwan do, it may take a bit to get the next chapter up. Hope you liked this one. So...

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