I turn on the white rope lights I set up around the ledge of the building and smile to myself when I notice Phoenix grinning at Jen, Zoe and Luna. Seeing her happy makes me happy. Now she has a little light to chow down on that chicken leg. I love her more than she loves that damn chicken. Damn, that’s a lot.

“Hey, bro.” Tyler comes to stand next to me. “Let me know when to grab the gift and I’ll bring it up.”

I pat him on the back and give him a hug. I owe so much to this person for helping me out. Tyler is one of the best people I know. I will never forget that. “Thanks, man. You can bring it up in about ten minutes. I’m about to check with Zoe.”

I pull Zoe away from the girls and over to a quiet area out of Phoenix’s earshot. “Are you ready, tail?”

She laughs and places a hand on my shoulder. “Of course I am. Don’t be nervous, big guy. You will do great.” She smiles; a real genuine smile and not her usual smart-ass one. She must really know how much this means to me. I love this little girl as if she were my little sister. She has a good heart under all that sass.

Jen notices me and Zoe walk over to the blanket, so she turns off the stereo and guides Phoenix over to sit in front of me as I reach for the guitar. Zoe takes a seat next to me, bouncing with excitement. She takes a second to scowl at Kade from across the roof though. I'm not sure what that’s about. They seem to have this love hate relationship that is more hate than love.

Phoenix laughs nervously and looks around as everyone joins us on the blanket. “What is all this?” She looks back at Jen and Luna who are staring at her with huge grins. “Stop looking at me!” She laughs. “I hate all the attention on me.”

I swing the strap of the guitar over my neck and set my eyes on hers. “You’re the only place my attention has been since I laid eyes on you four months ago. You’re my life now; the very air that I breathe,” I say seriously, stunning her silent.

Her eyes start watering and she takes on an admiring look as I start strumming away at the guitar, playing one of her all-time favorite songs. Linger by The Cranberries.

She watches me with a smile before everyone starts laughing. She used to play this song so much, she wore out the damn disc, driving me and Adric crazy. The other surprise is . . .

“If you, if you could return . . .” Zoe sings the lyrics to the song, silencing everyone’s laughter.

The girl’s voice is stunning and beautiful. We practiced this song for days straight along with another one of her favorites. The last song though, will be the toughest. My surprise for the one thing she dreams of. The one thing that will melt her heart forever; the ultimate unexpected.

Phoenix transitions to her knees as she reaches for Zoe’s hand and squeezes it. She looks back and forth between me and Zoe with tears in her eyes and I know that in this moment, we made her proud. That makes me the happiest man on the planet.

I even see a little something in Kade’s eyes as he sits down in the back and stares out into the sky. There’s just something peaceful about this night and everyone being together.

Tyler comes creeping up behind Phoenix and sits next to Jen with Phoenix’s gift behind his back. She’s so into the music that she doesn’t even notice. She just keeps her eyes straight ahead, watching us.

I give my guy a head nod as I notice him pull Jen into his lap. Those two aren’t fooling anyone. They’ll both cave in soon. He whispers something in her ear and they both laugh, forgetting the moment for a second. Good for you bro. You deserve a good woman.

Everyone whistles at the end of the first song and Zoe stands up giving a playful bow. I nudge her in the side and she sits back down next to me with a huge smile as I instantly start on the next song we practiced. Don’t Speak by No Doubt.

Again, Zoe sings the lyrics causing Phoenix to get all teary eyed and zoned in on our performance. Seeing her reaction to this has me so nervous, my fingers are starting to shake. I have no idea if I can pull this next song off. It’s way out of my league. I plan to give her gift to her first. Then we’ll see if I make a fool of myself.

Phoenix

___________

I can hardly keep the tears from flowing as I watch my baby sister and the love of my life playing my favorite songs from my childhood. Zoe probably has never even heard these songs in her entire life, yet here she is singing them for everyone. The gesture simply amazes me. I had no idea she was this talented.

Her passion reminds me so much of Adric, it’s hard to keep my emotions in check. I could just close my eyes and stay like this forever; here with them, and my closest friends. I’m in complete awe of them both. This is a birthday I’ll never forget.

As soon as the song starts dying out, Kellan stands and nods his head at someone behind me. He kisses me on the cheek as he plays the last of the melody. “I have something for you,” he whispers. “Close your eyes.”

Trying to keep from freaking out with excitement, I close my eyes and wait patiently. My heart is pounding so fast, it almost hurts. He always does this to me. He works me up like no one else in this world has the ability to do.

I feel both of Kellan’s hands cup my face before his lips press against mine. He pulls away and a few seconds later he says, “Open your eyes.”

I throw a hand over my mouth to hold back the small sob as I look down in front of me to see a guitar almost exactly like his and Adric’s; except this one is finished with silver and blue, Adric’s favorite colors. Kellan has been teaching me to play guitar lately, but I would have never expected this. It’s amazing.

Tears blur my vision as I throw my arms around his neck and pull his face to mine. Our eyes meet and my heart melts all over again for this man. Every day feels like the first, even though I have known him for years. “It’s the best gift anyone has ever given me. This is so beautiful. Now I really need to step my game up and keep up with you and Zoe.”

He kisses me softly and rubs his thumb over my bottom lip. Then he pulls the silver chain with a guitar pick on it from his neck and slides it over my head. It must be the necklace I saw him wearing that day at the park. It’s almost exactly like River’s.

“This is a necklace Adric gave me about ten years ago when I started practicing guitar with him. I kept losing my picks so he gave it to me as a joke. I want you to have it.” He holds the pick between his fingers and rubs it. “You are the best gift anyone has ever given me. I love you with everything in me and I promise on my life and my very last breath, that I will protect you and love you every day for the rest of my life. Not a second has gone by that I haven’t pictured you in my arms. To be honest,” he starts backing away and messing with his guitar as if he’s about to play again, “I can’t live without you.”