He sat on the table sipping the hot coffee. The more he tried not to think about, the more the visions permeated his thoughts. It had all seemed so real, and what was worse is that it could have been real. It could have been his reality.

It had been a long day at the office. Being a photographer was his dream, but it often meant long hours, grueling photo shoots, and endless hours of studying angles and lighting hoping to get just one front-page worthy shot. As he pulled into the driveway, he could feel the tension leaving his body. Just being there made him relax. He made it down the walk quickly and smiled as he heard the footsteps rushing to the door before his key even completed its turn.

"Daddy!" the little girl squealed as she threw her arms around his knees. He swooped her up to return the affection and gazed into the blue eyes that always made him melt.

"Have you been good for your Mommy today?" he asked, kissing her quickly on the forehead and he plopped her on the couch and sat his bag down by the door.

"Uh huh," she nodded. "She's been real busy."

"She has?" he said, smiling at her and leaning in close. "What's she been doing?" he whispered.

"I can't tell you," she smiled. "It's a secret. You're not 'pose to know."

"Ah," he smiled. "C'mon." He scooped her into his arms. "Let's go find her."

He walked into the kitchen and immediately spotted Kelly. She was completely engrossed in her work. Plates and dishes covered the kitchen and a film of what appeared to be flour coated every square inch of work space. He stifled a small laugh with his hand. Holding up his finger to his lips, he softly sat Lindsay down and quietly crept up behind her.

"What'cha doin?" he said, jabbing her lightly in the side.

"Joey!" she screamed turning around and squirting half a bag of icing down the front of his shirt. "You scared me!"

He leaned in for a quick kiss. "Sorry. Just having a little fun. But um…what exactly are you doing here?"

"It's your birthday," she sighed. "I was making a cake, but you ruined it…"

He smiled. "Yeah, this is definitely where it all fell apart."

She playfully swatted his shoulder. "That's mean." She looked over to her daughter. "Isn't it Linds? We've been working hard to make Daddy this cake all day, haven't we?"

Lindsay nodded, her big blue eyes shining up at him.

Joey picked up his daughter and drew Kelly close. "And I love it…not because it's a cake or because it's perfect, but because the two most beautiful girls in the world made it for me."

Lindsay smiled and looked over at Kelly. "Can I go change now Mommy?" Her eyes gleamed with excitement.

"Don't tell me you bought a new party dress," Joey said, feigning exasperation.

"Sure, go ahead," Kelly said smiling.

Lindsay rushed out of the room at record speed.

"She certainly seems excited about something," Joey remarked as he rubbed the icing off his shirt with a damp washcloth. "You know, you didn't have to do all this. Any night I get to come home to you and our little girl is special enough."

Leaning in for a quick kiss she whispered, "I did have to…tonight is special. It's your birthday and besides…I have a surprise for you." Kelly turned around so he couldn't see her face. She'd been waiting for just the right moment, and when she'd seen the shirt, she knew it was perfect.

"Are you ready, Mommy? Can I come out now?" Lindsay yelled from the hallway.

"Sure, come on out sweetie." Lindsay walked into the room.

"That doesn't look like a party dress," Joey smiled as he saw the t-shirt and jeans the six year old wore. "Since when do you go casual for a.." His words stopped when he saw the words on the shirt… I'm Gonna Be A Big Sister.

He turned, looking at Kelly, "You're…"

Tears filled her eyes, as she struggled to maintain her composure. She nodded.

His arms were around her in seconds. "I love you," he whispered. He turned back to Lindsay, who stood in the middle of the kitchen beaming over a job well done. "And you," he swung her around in his arms, "are the best surprise giver in all the world."

"I'm the luckiest guy in the world."

A crash in the back brought him back to reality. He watched as Kelly sat down across the table from a well dressed man. She smiled and waved as she caught his eye. He waved back, forcing a smile in return. It was, after all, just a dream.

The End