My Perfect Addiction

Chapter Fifty

I gasped. I wasn't prepared for what I walked into. I watched Joe walk up and I couldn't help to bite my lip at the sight of him. He always looked sexy dressed up.

"Joey, what's all this?"

"Your birthday party baby. Did you really think I would work through your birthday?"

The room filed with everyone who means something to me. I don't even know how he pulled this off, but I couldn't love him more than I do right now.

"I can't believe you did all this!"

"Well, you know you only turn 21 once and This is the first year I can do something special for you."

"Joeyyyyy you didn't have too."

I feel his arms snake around my waist pulling me into him tightly. His mouth next to my ear, His hot breath on my neck made a shiver shoot through my body, he whispered,

"You look gorgeous, I got us a room upstairs after the party. But I don't know if I want to wait that long, maybe we should sneak upstairs for our own party."

I felt my cheeks blush as he pulled back, kissing my cheek softly and I felt him squeeze my hand. I looked up and I recognized the look in his eyes. In the back of my mind, I was hoping that tonight is the night that Joey finally makes a move.

"What do you say baby girl, maybe you should make your rounds everyone is here for you."

Over the next hour Ryder made her way to each and every person in that room to hug them and thank them for coming to make her day more special. Finally, she reached her father, and I watched the tear trickle down her cheek,

"Daddy, you said you had to work overnight on base tonight...."

"Punkin, I would never ever miss today, Joe did an amazing job must have cost him a fortune."

"He always been so sweet with me I don't know why I would have expected otherwise."

"You know you look beautiful right; I just can't believe my little girl is this woman standing in front of me."

"Daddy I will always be your little girl."

Just as she was talking to her father the party planner walked over and told me it was time for dinner. After dinner its show time for me and the guys just for her.

"Baby Girl they said dinner is ready why don't we head over."

I grabbed her hand and walked her over to the table. The staff did amazing getting the tables done. Everything was done in cream and gold. Flowers and candles set the mood on the table. It didn't take long for everyone to be seated and plates brought out. This was it; I've been working on this toast for Ryder for over a week. Normally speaking in front of a crowd doesn't bother me but, in this moment, I am a nervous wreck that I am going to screw this up. I stood up and raised my glass and tapped my fork against it, here I go.

"Hey everyone, can I have your attention for a minute. I like to thank everyone for coming out tonight to help me celebrate my Ryder's birthday. I just want to say that Ryder...baby Happy Birthday. I spent the last week trying to put into words everything I want to tell you. You have been my person since I was six years old. We have spent the last fifteen birthday's together, and I never been able to give you the birthday you deserve till now. I watched as you went from this little bubbly girl to this teenage girl that even if I never admit it walked into a room and made my heart skip a beat. No girl was ever you. I never understood the feeling's you brought out in me. You made me feel invincible, like I could fly. I never expected after our last tour date that you would tell me that you were pregnant with our son. That instant, that moment it hit me. I was in love with you, all of you. From that fire you have in your soul, to the in the closet romantic that you don't want anyone to know about. You are the best mother I could ever ask for from Stryker. I can imagine ever having a child with anyone but you. You're so understanding and patient when it comes to all the traveling and stressors that going with being with me and you do it with grace."