Johnny's POV

"Why does Lulu hate her birthday so much?" Maria asked him that afternoon as she mixed the batter for Lulu's cake.

"I'm not sure, it seems like it's a touchy subject so I don't push it." Johnny shrugged, Lulu had just gone to work. Johnny knew that she hated closing the store she much preferred morning shifts, he was on his way to pick up some dinner and surprise her.

"Are you sure you're okay to watch the kids while I'm gone?" Johnny asked, grabbing his keys off the counter.

"Johnny, you say that every time you leave! Of course I am." Maria knew that Johnny worried about her but, he really didn't have to.

"I'm never going to stop worrying about you, you're my mom. I love you." Johnny kisses her cheek.

"I love you, too." Maria warmly smiled and Johnny walked into the living room, seeing his three children piled onto the couch watching some kids movie Johnny couldn't think of the name of.

"Where's mommy?" Ariana asked, her light hazel eyes glanced up at her father.

"Mommy's working tonight sweetheart, I'm sorry." Johnny frowned, Ariana was attached to Lulu's hip...she was most definitely a Mama's girl. When Ariana was born she had separation anxiety from Lulu, it was still very much evident. Johnny didn't know what they were going to do when she started school in a few years. Cameron would be starting first grade, Issac would start kindergarten in less than a month but both of the boys had been put through daycare before that to get them ready for school. Johnny didn't think they'd be able to do that with Ariana.

"Why does she always have to work?" Her lower lip poked out, giving Johnny her best puppy dog eyes. Ariana had the exact shade of Hazel eyes as her mother along with Johnny's jet black hair, which fell in ringlets. All of their three children had curly hair which Johnny wagered was from him, Lulu's hair was more wavy than curly. Cameron had curly blonde hair and honey brown eyes and Issac had curly chestnut hair with blue eyes, he figured one of their kids had to have the recessive gene.

"Mommy will be back, Ari. Don't worry, if you get too scared of the movie you can hold my hand." Issac offered out his hand to his little sister, Ariana hesitantly squeezed it.

"Okay, I guess if I can't have mommy you'll have to do." Ariana definitely had Lulu's sass.

"Not the response I was hoping for but, okay." Issac mutters.

"Join the club." Cameron called out from the other side of the couch.

"I gotta go but, grandma Maria is in the kitchen. I love you guys." Johnny kisses the top of each of their heads. Johnny drove over to Dominic's to get both of them some dinner, than over to Simply Vanilla Bakery and Sweets where Lulu worked.

"I'll be with you in a minute!" He heard Lulu call out, she obviously hadn't seen it was him.

"Don't keep me waiting!" Johnny smirked.

"What are you doing here?" Lulu gasped in surprise, finally seeing him as she walked to the front.

"I figured you might be hungry, I know you're working late tonight." Johnny pecked her on the lips.

"Thank you baby." She sighed, I could see the exhaustion on her face through her smile.

"Do you want anything? Everything's fresh." Lulu offers.

"Give me a glazed doughnut." I shrugged, as she put one doughnut into a pastry bag.

"Mom was baking your cake when I left. I wish I had thought about it, I would have taken the kids to get your gifts yesterday afternoon. Ugh. I'm so scattered." Johnny groaned, rubbing his temples.

"Baby, it's okay. It's like I said, I don't want for anything. Having a happy family is all I've ever wanted, you are all I've ever wanted. I don't want a big fuss, I just want a quiet night with my family." Lulu presses a quick kiss to his forehead.

"I'm taking you out to eat even if it kills you." Johnny chuckled.

"I guess...back home birthdays were never a big thing. I always felt like my family was trying to make up for something, my birthday never really felt special. I guess I'm coming around to the idea." Lulu slowly smiled.

"You're special and you deserve to be celebrated, I wish I could stay longer but I have to get to work. Ugh, I feel like we never get you and me time. We're always...on the go." Johnny smiled at his wife.

"Thank you, love of my life. Aww I wish you didn't have to go but, I understand. Maybe I do wish for one thing on my birthday." Lulu bit her lower lip.

"Name it and I'll make it happen." Johnny immediately agreed.

"I want a night alone with you." Lulu smirked, Johnny knew exactly what she had in mind.

"I would absolutely love that just as much as you would. I'll do my best to make that happen." Johnny kisses her hand.

"I know you will, I love you Mr. Zacchara." Lulu leaned over the counter to kiss him.

"I love you too, Mrs. Zacchara." Johnny returns her kiss, leaving the bakery to go to his work.

Maria's POV

"What are you three working on?" I wandered into Isaac's room to see my grandchildren scattered over the room, crayons askew along with white printer paper.

"We haven't gotten to get mom a present for her birthday, yet." Cameron answers.

"How about I take you three to get her presents?" I asked, knowing how much this meant to them.

"Alright Grandma, let me get my shoes!" They all shout, scrambling off of the bed. As soon as they were ready, Maria grabbed her purse and drove them to the mall. Cameron picked out a picture frame and printed out a family picture. Issac picked out a #1 mom coffee mug. Ariana picked out a T-shirt that said "my mom is cooler than yours."

Lulu's POV

By the time I shut down the bakery I was exhausted, when I locked the store I noticed Johnny waiting for me outside.

"You got off early?* I smiled, rushing into his arms.

"Just for you, baby. Mom called me, she took the kids to buy you presents. The kids are bursting with excitement, I'm sure." Johnny pulled back to look at her.

"That was so sweet of her." Lulu kisses him.

"I got you something...I guess you haven't noticed that I took your ring." He chuckled, opening a box he extracted from his pocket. It was in fact her wedding ring, polished and it has a new diamond in the center along with a garnet.

"That's my birthstone...oh my gosh. I love you!" Lulu threw her arms around him.

"So, I take it you'll renew our vows?" Johnny's lips curved into a smirk as he held the box.

"Yes! Ugh, you're totally spoiling me Johnny Zacchara." Lulu playfully rolls her eyes.

"Oh, you deserve it. Let me drive you home, you're exhausted." Johnny opened the door for her.

"We both are." Lulu pointed out as they started up the car.