Photograph [Maya Hart]

29 ~ birthday

Christmas came and went and New Years was around the corner.

December 31st also meant that it was Harley's birthday.

He was turning fifteen.

All of his friends and family were asking him what he wanted for his birthday, but if he was being completely honest, he didn't know. He got most of the things he wanted on Christmas.

He got new clothes and shoes, some new accessories for his camera, baseball and Star Wars figurines, and books that his mother, James and Lexi thought he'd enjoy. He also got some baseball merchandise.

The camera accessories confused him. It didn't go with his camera.

On his birthday, he found out why. James was the one who gotten him the accessories.

Harley hesitated to invite his friends over, but he gave in and told them to come over.

He told James, Elizabeth and Lexi he didn't want to do anything big special. He just wanted his friends to come over and just hang out. 

While they were hanging out on the living room, the adults were up on the roof while, Harley and his friends were in the apartment, hanging out. 

They were playing some music on Harley's speaker and talked until Elizabeth and Gabriel's father, Grant, came down to get the kids to come up to the roof for dinner.

James and Grant have been cooking on a grill, making burgers and hot dogs for everyone to eat. The rest of the adults helped James and Grant when they needed it.

Elizabeth smiled seeing Harley and Peter laughing and smiling with their friends. 

Peter invited a few friends over. Harley didn't mind at all. Whenever Peter had friends over, Harley would usually join them if he was home. 

James put his arm around Elizabeth and smiled down at her.

"You know," Elizabeth said to James, "I haven't seen the boys smile like that since their father..." her voice faltered. 

She paused for a moment.

"Thank you," she said, looking up at him. "Harley and Peter love you."

"They do?" James said.

Elizabeth nodded. 

"I haven't seen them like that since their dad," Elizabeth told him. "I... I had gone a few dates with two other guys before I met you, and the boys... it's like the boys didn't trust them. But they trust you."

James looked at the boys and smiled.

"They may not admit it, but I know my boys and I know they see you as a dad," Elizabeth said.

"Really?"

"Oh, I don't mean to eavesdrop," Mr. Matthews said, "but I can confirm that's true. Whenever Harley talks about you, James, or both of you," he said to Elizabeth, "he went from referring to James, as the boyfriend, to parent."

"He does?" James said with what looked like a hopeful look on his face.

"He always says parents whenever he talks about you and Elizabeth," he said.

Harley and his friends were by the bench on the roof, talking about random topics.

"Hey, Harls, why don't you open your gifts?" Elizabeth called.

"Oh, yeah, do it," Justin, Gabe's older brother said, "open them."

Harley met Gabe's older brother and sister, Emma and Justin, a good amount of times. They were both really nice and welcoming whenever Harley came over. Emma was really helpful to Harley and Cassie on their first day at Abigail Adams High School. She showed them around a bit whenever they were lost. Justin had already graduated, but whenever he was around, Harley always ended up talking to him about sports.