Sammy and Ilna, you make every day brighter. Our baby girl is 6 already :)
REALMcRollers and readers, Your feedback means the world to us, and we love you all.
This one's dedicated to my Uncle Jidge - for all the years of adventures. Love and miss you, forever.
Birthday Buddies Forever
Angie waited eagerly for Danny to arrive. Today was a special day because it was the day he had planned their birthday buddy outing. After an early swim with Steve, she'd showered and dressed quickly in her New Jersey Rocks t-shirt and denim shorts and was sitting remarkably still while Catherine tamed her damp hair into pigtails.
"Where do you think we're going?" She asked, not for the first time.
"It's a surprise, baby girl, and you'll know in just about ten minutes." Catherine fastened the second pigtail and kissed her daughter's cheek.
"I can't wait!" She hopped in place and headed down the stairs where Steve was opening the door to his partner.
"Uncle Dannnnno!" She flung herself at him for a hug. "You're finally here! I'm so excited. Where are we going? It's somewhere very very fun, I know it is." She kept her arms around his waist and looked up gleefully.
"It's super fun," he said and lifted her into a hug. "Ooof, pretty soon you'll be tall enough to lift me." He glanced around. "Where's DJ this morning?"
"He's going to the gokarts with Jacob and Cody. He slept at Aunt Jenna's," Angie explained as Catherine handed Danny her backpack. "Snack, change of clothes and she's already wearing sunblock, but there's a bottle in there," her mother said.
"Here you go," Steve passed her sunglasses and a hat that sported a SEAL trident. "Be a good listener for Uncle Danno and have fun." He took her from Danny's arms for a hug and kiss.
"I'll be extra good," she confirmed as he placed her on her feet so she could hugs her mother and Cammie. "I'll tell you all about everything and we'll take pictures," She promised as she left Catherine's arms and reached for Cammie. When goodbyes were complete, she reached for her uncle's hand.
"Are you ready for a spectacular birthday buddy adventure? Because I can't wait."
"I'm very very ready!"
"Then what are we waiting for, let's go." With a wave for Steve and Catherine, Danny and Angie headed out to the car hand in hand. "Let the festivities begin." He looked down at the little girl who was beaming with excitement and smiled.
As they drove along several winding roads, Angie pointed out the mountains in the distance, and asked about the "b'tanical" gardens when the scent of plumeria filled the air. Danny couldn't help but grin at the exuberance radiating from his niece. Her laughter filled the car, mingling with the sound of the crashing waves as they approached their destination.
They arrived at a colorful beachside restaurant, adorned with tiki torches and swaying palm trees. The scent of freshly grilled fish wafted through the air and Danny ushered Angie inside, her infectious energy causing several other diners to smile.
"Hi Detective, happy birthday and happy birthday to you, cutie pie!" The friendly hostess greeted them, presenting Angie with a lei before they took their seats. "Enjoy your special day!"
Angie's eyes widened in delight. "Thank you!" she beamed. "She knew it was our birthday buddy lunch!" Her voice was filled with pure joy. "And they have cheeseburgers!" She pointed to the menu. "Can I get one?"
"You can get anything you want," Danny bent to kiss her cheek. "That sounds good, I think I'll get one, too."
"We'll be lunch buddies like we're birthday buddies." She beamed as the server arrived. "We're gonna have the same lunch," she told him as she ordered. "And can I have extra pickles on my cheeseburger, please?"
When the food arrived and they began to eat, Angie looked at him with the eyes that were her mother's shape and his best friend's in color and asked, "Tell me again how when I was born you made them check to be sure it was on our same birthday?"
Chuckling at her love for the story she'd heard many times, he booped her nose and began, "So the nurse came out to tell everyone you had arrived and that you and your mommy were doing great. It was very late and I was hoping you'd be my birthday buddy so I asked the nurse what time you came into the world. It was one of the happiest times of your Uncle Danno's life when she said 12:02, because you waited to arrive on my birthday…"
As they finished their cheeseburgers and fries, Danny regaled Angie with tales of all their past birthday adventures together. He used funny voices and exaggerated facial expressions, causing Angie to burst into giggles. It was a sweet conversation of famiglia, brought about by years of shared memories and unconditional love.
When the server placed two cupcakes with sprinkles in front of them, her joy was complete. The other patrons joined in singing Happy Birthday and she clapped after blowing out her candle. "I made a good wish, did you?" she asked her uncle.
"I did, sweetheart." He thought how it seemed like yesterday he was meeting the bright, outgoing little girl that was the best part of Steve and Catherine combined, in the maternity ward and smiled.
Once the cupcakes were eaten and the bill paid, Danny announced their next destination. "So if you're ready, we're going on a glass-bottomed boat tour." They left the restaurant hand in hand. "What do you think?"
Angie's eyes widened, her excitement palpable. "A boat with a glass bottom? So we can see all the fishes underneath us? Are we going right now?"
"Right now," he said and buckled her into the car. "Fish, here we come."
They arrived at the harbor, where a brightly colored vessel waited. A sign proclaimed that its glass bottom promised 'a glimpse into the underwater world below', and Danny couldn't wait to see Angie's reaction. They boarded the boat, finding a spot beside the glass panel.
As they glided across the sparkling water, an instrumental version of Under the Sea from The Little Mermaid played around them. "It's Ariel's song!" She announced and every other child on board began to sing along as they got underway. The lapping waves mingled with the distant call of seabirds, creating a soothing accompaniment to the Disney song and Danny watched Angie's gaze dart between the colorful tropical fish swimming beneath them.
"Look, Uncle Danno!" she exclaimed, pointing a tiny finger at a school of vibrant angelfish. "They're so pretty! Oh, and there's some of Nemo's family…" she indicated clownfish darting through the water.
Danny was thrilled. He couldn't have asked for a better afternoon for Angie to enjoy. The weather was clear, the ocean was calm and it wasn't insanely hot. He might never fully understand his partner's love of the ocean, but Angie had definitely inherited it, and seeing her enraptured expression made an outing on the water absolutely worthwhile.
Later, as the boat began its journey back to shore, a playful dolphin leapt out of the water, twirling in the air as if to tell them goodbye. Angie gasped, her eyes wide with wonder. "Wow!" She turned to face him. "Did you see that?"
Danny nodded. "I did. And I wouldn't trade today's adventure for anything."
When the boat docked, he took her hand and they walked down the path to the shore.
"That was our best birthday buddy adventure yet!" Angie exclaimed, skipping along the beach beside Danny. Her face flushed with enthusiasm, her eyes still twinkling from their adventure on the glass-bottomed boat. "I can't wait to tell Daddy all about it!"
Danny chuckled, his heart warmed by the happiness radiating from his niece. "I'm sure your daddy will be excited to hear all the details. But right now, I have one more stop planned."
Angie tilted her head, her pigtails bouncing. "What is it? Another surprise?"
Danny grinned mischievously. "Yep, one more surprise. We're stopping to pick up ice cream for everyone and all kinds of toppings." He checked the time. "Your brother will be home by now and Grace and Aunt Gabby are meeting us at your house for dinner and a make your own Sundae bar with all the sprinkles you want."
"Ohhhhh that's gonna be so yummy!" She stopped walking and wrapped him in a hug. "Thank you, Uncle Danno. I loved our lunch and the cupcakes and the glass boat and seeing all the fish," Angie exclaimed, her words brimming with excitement. "But you know what I love the very very best?"
"What, sweetheart?"
"Having fun with you."
He hugged her back, his voice filled with emotion. "I love you, kiddo. You being my birthday buddy is the best present I could ever ask for." He placed her down and squeezed her hand as they continued towards the car.
Angie returned the squeeze and smiled up at him. "I love you, Uncle Danno. I'm happy I waited to get borned on your birthday 'cause now we're birthday buddies forever."
"Me, too, sweetheart." He grinned, thinking back to that day when the nurse told him his niece had arrived on July 6th at 12:02 a.m. "Forever."
# End thanks for reading
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