LIV'S POV

"You sure you're okay?" Fitz asked as we got into the car back in California

"I'm fine" i rolled my eyes "glad to be back"

"You excited for your birthday?"

"Kinda, what'd you get me?"

"Excuse me" he laughed "you just assume i'm giving you something"

"You better get me something" i laughed "just kidding, presents aren't important to me"

"Good to know" he smiled

"No for real what did you get me?"

"I can't hear you" he turned up his music.

(Break)

"Hi Darlin" Big Gerry came into the doorway of my room as i started unpacking my bag.

"Hello" i smiled, out of all the Grants Big Gerry and i had the least amount of one on one time.

"You feeling better?"

"Much better, thank you"

He nodded "do you have any plans for tonight?"

"I don't think so"

"Would you like to join me for a ride? I've heard you might be the only one who can keep up with me other than Fitzgerald"

"You ride?!" I smiled "and of course"

"I taught my kids" he said fake offended

"When would you like to go?"

"As soon as you want, i'll wait downstairs"

"Sounds good" i smiled and went over to my closet to change into the riding boots Emily had gotten me as a welcoming present.

The sun was still up when we got to the stables.

"Do you want to have a race?" He asked as i moved Jax out of the stable.

"Of course" i smiled and watched him do the same. "Around the lake and back to the stables?"

"Excellent" he smiled "you know darlin' all of my children and my wife are quite fond over you i can see why. I hope you know we're always here for you"

"Thank you" i whispered still shocked. He nodded and climbed onto his horse. I followed and did the same. He counted down and we both took off quickly. He was amazing, cutting through trees smoothly and making his horse jump quickly but i knew his horse would eventually tire out and Jax was calm through the whole race until we came back around the lake and i made him take off a few yards as we approached the stables again. We came down the large hill and Jax jumped over a log and took off past Big Gerry and galloped until we hit the stables and i slowed him down.

"Good boy" i smoothed his mane. A few seconds later Big Gerry pulled his horse to a stop.

"Wow" he huffed "i can't-"

"LIBBY YOU BEAT DAD!" i looked up to see Teddy howling on Fitz's shoulder.

"Good job Liv" Fitz smiled

"Thank you" i smiled

Fitz nodded and i looked back at Big Gerry "i really didn't know you were that good, amazing job Liv"

"Thank you"

"Did your parents teach you?"

"My dad yes" i smiled and went off to put Jax in his stable as Teddy took Big Gerry's horse.

"I'm sorry i haven't been around lately" Teddy offered

"You've been busy with Lex i get it" i shrugged.

"No, we made a promise. No one comes before each other"

I smiled "she's different, i get it"

"Libby, you're still my number one girl" he winked at me.

"You're an idiot" we both started laughing

"She just doesn't get we were like meant to be siblings"

I nodded, a lot of people often wondered how we got along so well. We hardly fought, died of laughter whenever we were together and felt nothing for each other in a sexual way.

"It's fine Teddy"

"If she doesn't understand we're best friends then i can't be with her"

"Teddy-"

"No, i'm your family. I'm not going to ditch you for some chick"

"She's not a chick, she's your girlfriend" i reminded him

"LIBBY! You're not supposed to defend her" he pulled me into a hug "At least you and Fitz can be loners together"

"We aren't loners!" I punched him "we're friends"

"Friends, friends" he rose his wiggled his eyebrows

"No, god. Just friends, like you and me"

"I'd be cool with it, we'd officially be siblings"

"I'm going to go have a bubble bath now, goodbye"

I shook my head and left the stables.

(Break)

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIBBY!" Teddy carried on his tradition of barging in my room as i finished brushing my teeth. He kissed the top of my head.

"Your gifts are downstairs, hurry we are all excited to show you them"

"Gifts?! I didn't need-"

"Nope no complaining, downstairs in five"

I nodded and set my toothbrush back in the holder. I decided to wear a blue skater dress today. It was simple yet dressy enough for my birthday. Kate had braided my bangs out of my face and curled the ends.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" All Five Grants stood in the kitchen fully dressed for their day even though it was only 8 in the morning. The kitchen was decorated with banners and balloons along with a happy birthday sign.

"Wow" i whispered as Emily stepped forward and hugged me.

"Happy birthday sweetheart" she hugged me "You okay?"

"I haven't had a birthday like this in a long time that's all" i whispered

She smiled softly and hugged me holding my head and smoothing my hair down.

"Emily and Kate made you chocolate chip pancakes, Teddy said they were your favourite" Big Gerry said as Emily pulled me forward and showing me the large breakfast spread.

"I have to go to work with my dad so Fitz will be taking you out today" Teddy smirked and held me as i grumbled at him.

"Okay" i smiled towards Fitz.

"Okay presents before we all have to leave!" Kate piped up "Me first!"

She handed me a large wrapped box

"Happy birthday Liv" she hugged me and i opened the box to reveal a whole set of bath, beauty and hair products with a whole collection of nail polishes.

"Wow-"

"This is a sister gift" she smiled "i'll have the party gift later" she winked and i listened to the grumbles of Big Gerry.

"Thank you so much Kate!" I hugged her and watched as Teddy stepped forward next.

"Here you brat" he smiled and handed me a pair of tickets

"No!"

"Yep" he grinned "We are going to see coldplay"

I screeched and hugged him "you're the best!"

"I try, I try"

"Thanks Teddy!"

"Okay Fitz is next!" Teddy offered and Fitz stepped forward giving me a wrapped present. I unwrapped it quickly revealing a first issue of wuthering heights"

"You damaged the one in the library so i figured you could use a new one" he teased. I smiled and opened the next gift revealing a leather bound journal with old, bristle paper which had a message inside the first page but i decided to read it later.

"Thank you Fitz! I love them both" i smiled and hugged him.

"Alright, our present is in the office but here's one of them" Emily stepped forward handing me a box. I opened to a pair of black jimmy choo heels that were probably more expensive than my car.

"I can't-"

"They are yours!" Emily grinned " So is this key, it's a key to our house in Alexandria. We've made a room for you. You can stay there on weekends and we hope you join us for holiday's since we spend our christmas on the east coast"

"What?" I whispered

"You're an honorary member Libby" Teddy winked

"Okay, we're stealing Liv for 15 minuets" Emily grinned helping me stand and bringing me into Big Gerry's office.

"Please sit darlin'"

"Did i do something wrong?" I asked scared

"What? No sweetheart" Emily smiled

"Well, we wanted to know how you would feel if we helped out with your home situation"

"I'm fine really, i can make it work. You two have done more than enough for me and i can't depend on you all the time"

"Darlin'" Big Gerry smiled "You are 19 years old, you can't do this on your own. I know you've had to and we are sorry for that but you do not have to have the weight of the world on your shoulders anymore"

I stared at him and watched Emily move forward.

"We paid off your tuition for this year and each year we will do the same just like we do for Teddy's"

"Teddy's yours"

"We all love you as if you are ours Liv" she smiled "As for your father, his nursing home will get a monthly cheque"

"What?"

"All you have to do is go to school and worry about your books and things you need around the apartment because we knew you wouldn't accept us paying for that too"

I sighed "i don't know what to say" i sniffled "Your family means everything to me and in less than three months you've changed everything"

Big Gerry smiled "happy birthday darlin"