Twenty minutes later, Nina stepped out of the elevator and fund Lou by himself. She couldn't see Toadie anywhere.

"Ready to go?" asked Lou.

"Uh, where's Toadie?" Nina asked her stepfather. She spun around, trying to find him. "Isn't he coming with us? We should wait for him." She looked back at Lou.

"He has work this morning. It's just us. Is that okay?"

"Of course it is." She smiled, glad she was going to be alone with Lou for a while.

"Then let's go. Harold has prepared a special birthday breakfast for you. He even made you a strawberry cake."

"He didn't have to."

"He wanted to. As his gift to you. You only turn twenty-one once. It's a special day."

Nina looked away. "It would be better if I was still in LA with Jack. I miss him."

"You'll talk to him soon sweetheart."

"Yeah." She opened the door to the coffee shop and walked in.

"Go find us a table. I'll get our breakfast," said Lou and he disappeared into the crowd.

Nina headed to her favourite booth in the back of the shop. She was amazed to see that Harold had managed to decorate the area in so little time. Pink and purple balloons were tied to the seats, and a happy birthday banner was stretched across the wall. There was an envelope on the table with her name on it. She picked it up and opened it.

"Dear Nina," she read. "I want to wish you a happy birthday. You're twenty-one now! I can't believe it. I remember when I first met you. You were so shy and quiet. Sixteen years old and aspiring to be a singer. I remember the first time I heard you sing too. Amazing Grace sounds perfect coming from you. I'm glad that I was able to help you with your confidence, and I'm glad you followed your dreams. Lou is a lucky man to have you as his stepdaughter. I feel lucky that I'm your friend. Anyway, I just want to say happy birthday. Have a great day.

Love, Harold.

P.S. Stop calling me Mr Bishop. My name is Harold."

Nina laughed at the last past. She had only recently started using first names for those older than her, and it was still difficult. It was like Harold could read her mind. She sat down as Lou joined her.

"Harold is just finishing up. He'll bring out the food himself."

"Okay." She put the letter in her bag.

"What was that? Something from Jack?"

"No. It's from Harold actually. It's a little note saying happy birthday. And reminding me not to call him Mr Bishop."

Lou laughed. "Of course it is. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just tired."

"Sorry, but you have a busy day ahead. I've organised a lunch party for you. You'll love it," he added when she was about to argue. "I promise you will."

"I'm going to kill you," she told him before softening her tone. "Thank you for all of this Lou."

"Anytime sweetheart."

They sat in a comfortable silence for the next few minutes while they waited for their breakfast. Nina looked around, thinking of all the people she missed in Erinsborough. She had a chance to see all of them, but she had no idea where to start.

"Lou?"

"Yes sweetie?"

Nina opened her mouth, but stopped when she spotted Harold heading over to them.

"Thought I'd find you here. That's why Lou helped me decorate the booth. Do you like it?" asked Harold after he had set down the food.

"It's lovely Harold, thank you."

"Did you get the letter?"

"I did. It's lovely. I love the last bit," laughed Nina.

"Good, I'm glad you liked it. How's your morning been?"

"Slow. I would have loved to be asleep still." She pretended to glare at Lou, but her smile showed how she really felt.

"Well, you're a big girl," said Lou, "you can handle this."

Nina ignored the teasing. "Harold, would you like to join us?" She loved him just as much as Lou.

"Sorry, but I have to get back to work. But, I'll see you later."

"You promise?"

"I promise."

After Harold left, the two ate in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Then Lou broke the silence.

"What did you want to ask me before?"

"Oh, nothing. I think I figured it out." She as going to wait for lunch to see everyone at once.

"Okay. How's America treating you?"

"It's mostly good. Having Jack there is fun. I miss home though."

"How's work?"

"Fine," she said in a hurry.

"Fine?"

"I don't want to talk about it." The firmness in her voice was final.

"Alright. I'm here if you change your mind."

Nina was about to tell him that she wasn't going to change her mind when someone caught her attention. She looked towards the counter and gasped. Her heart fluttered as Harold pointed towards her and Lou. Nina stood and ran to the newcomer. "Jack?" She reached him and threw her arms around him. "I missed you."

"It hasn't been that long, Nina," laughed Jack.

"Two and a half days IS a long time!"

Still laughing, Jack lifted Nina into the air as he hugged her. "Happy birthday."

"It is now." She kissed him once he had set her down again. "Come and have breakfast with us."

"Alright."

They held hands as they walked back to the booth where Lou was grinning.

"You knew he was coming?" asked Nina, though the answer was obvious.

"How do you think I wasn't surprised to see you?" was Lou's response.

"This is the best birthday ever!"

"It's only just started. Don't get too excited yet," said Jack.

Nina was way past excited. She finished eating and then leaned into Jack. She felt comfortable as his hand wrapped itself around her shoulders. She completely lost track of the conversation as she lost herself in Jack's warmth. She wasn't sure how much time had passed when Jack gently kissed her to get her attention.

"Time to go. I want to take you somewhere for a bit before lunch," he said to her. "It's going to be relaxing." He waited for her to get up and then took her hand. He led her out of the coffee shop and to the quiet lake. He had set up a picnic of sorts for them. "What do you think?"