Antonio very carefully walked into the Shiba House with a cake that was worth almost as much as his fish cart. Lauren's birthday had finally rolled around, and it was her first one since she had come home. Jayden and Antonio wanted to make it special and they also wanted to surprise her. The party would be the best she had ever experienced, and the best she would ever experience. All her friends and family were invited, and Lauren had no idea it was coming.

She was out of the house for the day. Summer was coming to an end, so Mike and Serena both had to get ready to return to work which left Emily alone for the day – at least it was the excuse Lauren received for why she was spending the day with Emily.

Emily's pregnancy was also reaching its end and her stomach had expanded about as far as it could go. With her tiny body, her baby bump had been noticeable from an earlier point, and twins only made it grow a little bigger, a little faster. At the start of her ninth month, Emily didn't want to be left alone for even just five minutes. She needed help with nearly everything.

"Don't drop it," Ally smiled as she took the cake from Antonio, who was also carrying a few bags filled with decorations and one was his present to Lauren. Ally was Lauren's girlfriend. The two had met one night at a restaurant and Ally had been Lauren's waitress. A little flirting from Ally sparked Lauren's interest. When she reciprocated Ally asked her on a date. They had had a bit of a slow start with Ally and Lauren both being nervous around each other, but they soon grew comfortable and were now happily in a relationship that was sure to last a while.

"Sorry," Antonio said as he followed Ally to the kitchen and saw she, Jayden, Ji, and Kate had already gotten the decorations set up there. "I was just thinking of Emily trying to get up from the couch."

"We need to focus on the party," Jayden reminded his fiancé and then gave him a quick kiss, "Emily's only going to be able to keep her distracted for so long."

"Let's get this party started!" Mike's voice called out through the house as he and the rest of the Samurai family, minus Lauren and Emily of course, walked into the house.

"Not without the birthday girl," Jayden called back, "You guys get started on the common room!"

-Samurai-

Emily glared at her stomach, "Come out now. Get out. Leave me alone!"

"Pregnancy can't be that bad," Lauren came back from the kitchen at Emily's house. Emily turned to her with an intense glare that made the red Ranger shutter.

"I'm carrying two demons inside of me. They kick and punch all night, my feet hurt, my back hurts, my boobs hurt, I can't get up and breathe at the same time. I can't do anything and breathe at the same time, and I haven't seen my feet since forever ago! I only know they're still there because they kill! And that's just the start of it."

"Sorry," Lauren shrugged her shoulders and sat down beside her cousin, "I'm new to this pregnancy thing."

"Sorry," Emily sighed and looked to Lauren. "I know this isn't how you wanted to celebrate your first birthday back…"

"I'll have more," Lauren shook her head as she wrapped a comforting arm around Emily, "Besides, at least I'm still with family. Growing up, that's what I wanted most for my birthday."

"And it's official now. Well, as official as it can get," Emily nodded her head. "Mentor and Kate seem really happy."

"They are," Lauren smiled, "It's really sweet."

"And what about you and Ally? You probably had plans to see each other today…"

"Emily, it's fine. I really don't mind."

"But…"

"You and the other Samurai fought two years to protect the world and my brother. I don't mind helping you out today, even if it is my birthday."

"Have you told Ally about that yet?" Emily looked over at Lauren and asked, "You know, how you're the mysterious and awesome red Ranger who came in at the last minute to save the world from all evil."

"I remember Jayden being the one to defeat Xandred."

"I remember you running right into battle against Xandred without the Ranger suit to protect you. And a broken arm. Maybe the Sealing Symbol didn't work, but there's no way we ever could have defeated Xandred without your help. You're a hero. Isn't it about time Ally knows?"

Lauren shrugged her shoulders, "Samurai normally wait until after engagement to…"

"Yeah, but there's no one we're trying to protect by hiding out identities," Emily shrugged her shoulders. "The Nighlok are gone, and aside from annoying fans and the people out there who still hate us, our identities being public won't change much. It wouldn't put anyone in danger."

"I guess I'll tell her but I've got to figure out how. I mean, it was easier for you. Mike was a Samurai."

"You can talk to Serena. She had to tell James. Although… given how that talk went, maybe not. Maybe…"

"Maybe?" Lauren pressed but Emily shook her head and grabbed her stomach. After a moment, she took in a breath.

"Sorry. I think the twins aren't getting along," Emily glared at her stomach, "Don't make me come in there!"

"Are you sure everything's okay?" Lauren asked with a look of concern. "You've been doing this all…"

"I don't want you to miss out," Emily said and looked to the clock on the wall, "Jayden and Antonio should be home from working at the dojo, right?"

"Yeah."

"You should at least celebrate with them. Why don't we head to the Shiba House, I'll nap in my old room and you give them a call. You can at least celebrate today with your brother."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah," Emily nodded her head. "Consider me getting off the couch my birthday gift to you. Now, help me get off the couch."

Emily held her hands out and Lauren laughed. She grabbed her cousin and pulled her up.

"Need help with your shoes too?"

"Don't let me walk out with different shoes," Emily nodded, "Again…"

-Samurai-

Riley was responsible for keeping watch for her aunts while the Samurai put the finishing touches on the party. When a car pulled into the yard, Riley turned away from the window and cried, "She's here!"

"Everyone hide!" Antonio called out and his voice reached nearly every room in the house as the Samurai raced to the common room and all found somewhere to hide. It wasn't a surprise party unless they all jumped out and shouted surprise.

They waited for the door to open. And they waited. And waited. Suddenly, Mike's phone rang. All eyes turned to him and he held up his finger, signally for everyone to stay quiet.

"Emily, what's up, we're…"

"Emily's water broke," it was Lauren's voice, but that wasn't what surprised Mike.

"Wait, her what?"

"I'll take her to the hospital, can you meet us there?"

Mike jumped out of hiding and ran to the door. He burst out of the Shiba House and saw Lauren was trying to help Emily walk back to the car. He dropped his phone and ran to be with his wife, surprising Lauren who had no idea he had been in the Shiba House.

"Emily," he took her from Lauren and sat her down in the passenger seat, "Did it really? It just…"

"We have to go," Emily muttered through her teeth as she looked to Mike, "The little monsters want out."

"Don't we have a little time? The books say…"

"I've been having contractions since last night," Emily whispered. Mike's eyes widened.

"You…"

"I didn't want to ruin the party," Emily said. "Until now, they've been few and far between."

"And now?"

"It's baby time."