We both sank to the mattress, panting as we tried to catch our breaths.

Well, thats a happy birthday if I ever had one, I said breathy. I lay my head on his chest, trying to sync my breathing with his.

I think that should go on record as being your most memorable birthday, ever. I could tell he was grinning.

And he was right.

It was definitely a birthday to remember.

Epilogue.

Five Years Later * * *

Michael Being in my new house, I could actually enjoy the freedom it gave me. I walked around with just a towel wrapped around me, letting the feeling surround me.

Molly was my roommate for nine years before I finally decided it was time. I had been in Stellas life every single day since she was a baby and now"she was ten years old.

River and Miracle woke up to me almost every day since they came home from the hospital. Even when Molly was home, I would rush in there every morning to see them. They had the best giggles and smiles, making it a great start to each day. They were now four.

Liam was now nine, just a year younger than Stella, but they were still inseparable"always getting into trouble together.

Id miss them all. Id miss waking up to the chaos that once echoed the walls every morning. Stella was never a morning person, and once the twins began walking, there just wasnt enough hands to grab everyone. But it was perfect. Life with Molly and Drake was perfect.

The sound of my buzzer grabbed my attention back. I quickly looked in the peephole before opening it.

Hey, babe. Treys eyes lit up as he roamed his eyes up and down, noticing I was just about naked.

Hi, baby, I greeted, excited to finally see him. He froze as he continued staring me down. Wellcome in. I backed up just enough to let him slide through the door.

Trey and I had been apart for two months while I made the move. I was offered a high paying job in San Francisco a few months ago. It was for a fashion magazine, and it was everything I had ever dreamed. I was really torn on the decision"I had to leave my whole life behind just to venture out into a new one, but in the end, Molly and Trey both supported me. Molly cried the last week before I left, and Trey dropped everything to follow me. He wasnt able to move until he found a job and rented out his old place, but now he was here. We were here together.

Oh my G.o.dI love this! he squealed as he walked in. It wasnt a huge place, but it was filled with history and detailed wood architecture.

I know. Isnt it incredible? I gushed with him. I was pretty proud of my new house. I wrapped my arms around him and kissed his neck. Im so happy youre here.

Me, too, he whispered. Im really happy.

He turned around and grabbed my face with both hands as he forced his mouth over mine. Just as I was reaching to release my towel, he stopped me.

Hold on, he panted, grabbing the towel to keep it in place. I have something for you first.

Okay?

He leaned back, grabbed something from his pants pocket and knelt down in front of me.

Oh my G.o.d. Oh my G.o.d! What are you doing?

Michael, my love. I want to spend the rest of our lives together. Both hands covered my mouth as I watched over his perfect body in front of me. Will you please marry me?

Really? I squealed.

He giggled lightly. Yes, really. You know I dont kneel down in my favorite pair of pants. I laughed as I remembered how much wrinkled pants bothered him. Answer me.

Yes! Of course! Oh my G.o.d, yes!

I leaned down before he could rise and kissed him hard on the lips. I was never expecting him to want to marry me, nevertheless, propose to me. I was in complete shock.

Wait, theres more, he said, breaking the kiss. He grabbed my hand and led me back to the door. He opened it with six sets of eyeb.a.l.l.s looking back at us.

No way! No freaking way! I gushed. Stella ran up to me, wrapping her little arms around my waist. What are you guys doing here?

You think wed miss your special day? Molly smiled as she pushed through to hug me. Congrats, bestie. Im so happy for you guys.

Um, Id hug you. ButI dont hug dudes in towels, Drake snipped, looking extremely uncomfortable.

Sorry man. Wasnt expecting company. I grinned. Ill go change. You guys go and take a look around.

Trey escorted them in. I went and changed quickly, too excited to get back to them all. Stella and Liam were going through all my cabinets in the kitchen as the twins both ran around freely around the dining table.

I still cant believe you guys are here! I squealed as I walked down the stairs to where they were. Sohow long has this been planned? I turned my head to Trey.

About a month or so. We all flew out here together. Molly, Drake, and the kids just stayed behind while I came in. And I knew they would be impatient, so I had to be quick before they barged in. He grinned.

Yeah, patience doesnt really run in their family.

Neither does being ignored, Molly fired back.

I wasnt ignoring you. I was working.

Hey, I run a full-time charity, take care of three, sometimes four kids full time, and manage Stellas cla.s.sroom. And I make time for you, she sa.s.sed. The day Stella came home and told me Molly was her cla.s.srooms Room Mom, I about died. Molly was always good at overbooking herself.

Okay fine. I held my hand up in surrender. Point taken.

Good. She smiled in victory.

So, now that you two are engaged, I want all the details. Date, wedding colors, groomsmen, location, flowers she rambled on.

Whoa, Trey muttered.

Yeah, and she said I was bad. I rolled my eyes.

Hey, you started it. I was just returning the favor, she teased.

Uncle Michael, guess what? Stella interrupted. Liam was standing next to her, flashing the same wide smile.

What, baby girl?

Mommy has a baby in her belly. She smiled. I turned to Molly who was practically choking as Stella revealed her secret.

Do I get to be in your wedding, Uncle Michael? she asked, completely oblivious to the huge bomb she just announced.

Drake had a deer in headlights look, Stella was smiling proud, Liam was jumping with excitement, and the twins were jumping from one sofa to the next I busted out laughing.

Please tell me shes joking. I continued laughing as Molly froze on the sofa. All I can say iscongrats and good luck!

Trey noticed the awkward silence and finally stood up. Can I offer anyone something to drink? Juice? Water? He paused, waiting for someone to respond. Vodka?

Whiskey, Drake finally answered. Anything with whiskey, please.

Trey winked as he walked through the maze of people and into the kitchen.

I take it this was a surprise? I crossed my legs, giving her my full support.

Yeahyou could say that, she muttered.

Have you guys heard of birth control? I mean, I hear its pretty cheap, I said sarcastically.

She sucker punched me in the shoulder. Yes, thank you. And I was, for your information.

Sowhat happened? One of his swimmers barged through the brick wall? I laughed.

I was on some antibiotics for strep throat I had a month ago. Apparently, it knocked out my birth control. And apparently, being sick turns him on, she snorted, nodding her head in Drakes direction.

Drinks! I brought a mixture of everything"juice, iced tea, spritzer, Trey announced, shimmying his body back to the sofa. So what did I miss?

Were having another baby! I called out. Well, they are. Isnt that great? I coaxed, hoping hed show some enthusiasm as Molly and Drake looked shocked and worn out.

Thats terrific. He smiled.

So back to wedding talk, Molly interrupted. Lets get planning.

-Seven months later- Did I make it in time? Is the baby here? I asked, running down the hall.

Its a girl! Shes a girl! I heard Drake announce.

A round of congratulations sounded off in the waiting area as friends and family gathered around.

Michael! Drake called out. You just made it, man. She just asked about you.

Oh, thank G.o.d. I wiped off my tux jacket and folded in over my arm as Drake walked me to her room.

Shes doing great. They both are, he rea.s.sured me.

I walked in to an exhausted looking Molly and one tiny baby girl. I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her sweaty forehead. I looked down and was amazed at a brand new baby girl.

Isnt she perfect?

Shes beautiful. I kissed Mollys cheek as we stared at her. She sure knows how to make a grand entrance.

She sure does. She laughed. Apparently, we didnt plan your wedding around the possibility of her being early.

So whats the little misses name? I asked, rubbing a finger over her soft cheeks.

Lilia Gwyneth. She paused, taking another good look at her. After Drakes grandmother.

Its beautiful. Matches her perfectly.

I know youre already the G.o.dfather to all the kids, but I want to know if you and Trey want to be her G.o.dparents? If anything happens to us, we want you to have the kids.

Really? You want me to take your kids?

Well, not take them. She laughed. Just that if anything happens to Drake and me, I want to die knowing they are in good hands.

Of course. You know I will.

-10 Hours Earlier- Getting married in Chicago felt right, natural. I had lived here a long time, meeting new friends and having Molly and Drake as my family. Fortunately, Illinois legalized gay marriage, and we were going to do it loud and proud.

We planned it two months before Molly was due, hoping to have just enough time. But as per Mollys usual, she went early.

Everything was set for the wedding. It was a gorgeous day out. Trey and I were getting married outside underneath white tents. Everything was going perfectly.

Until Molly started having contractions. First, I insisted she go in and get checked out, but she insisted they were just Braxton hicks and would eventually stop. She continued getting herself and the kids ready, as they were all walking down before me. The twins were little flower girl and ring bear duo, Drake was my best man, Liam was little best man, Stella was the miniature bride, and of course, Molly, was my maid of honor.

I went to check out the venue, making sure everything was set up right and the flowers were delivered on time. Trey caught me and pushed me out, making me relax before the ceremony began.

Im fine. Im not nervous. Are you nervous? I rambled off quickly.

NoIm not nervous at all. But I will be if you arent relaxed and ready to go in a half hour.

I obeyed and went back. I checked up on Molly who seemed to be feeling better. She and the kids were all ready, giving me just enough time to panic.

Uncle Michael? Miracle asked.

Yes, baby girl?