In Another Life

Her Birthday

At first, they were the best day of her life. Her family was all smiling, her chocolate cake was in the form of a puppy. Stiles was playing games with her and Scotty gave her a colouring book with animals in it.

Then her life was taken away. Being kidnapped by drug dealers put a damper on things.

It was all about survival. Eating scraps and sleeping cramped together on a lumpy mattress was the reward at the end of the day.

Birthdays weren't a big deal back then.

Of course they all tried. They saved food, as much as they could, gave the birthday kid more in honour of their day. The others diverted the Dealers so they might have some peace.

It was simple, small favours. That was all they could do. It was always appreciated.

She couldn't help but stare in wonder at the scene in front of her. She smiled. It was beautiful.

There were streamers and balloons and there were a dozen gifts stacked on the table. Her pack was filling the space, smiling and happy eyed. Her brother was holding Mandy who was smiling the widest. Even sixteen year old Eli was there, his eyes still had bags but there was a little quirk in his lips.

She leaned against the door, her hand catching the doorframe. It felt like her mind was ahead of her body. Her mind was in shock and joy. Her body just seemed to shut down a little.

"Vic?" Zach asked behind her. He rubbed her shoulders, having seen her get enough nightmares to know she needed something to ground her. "It's okay."

Stiles noticed. Of course he did. He put Mandy down. Her little girl ran forward. She wrapped her arms around Vic's waist.

"It's okay Mommy," Mandy told her.

Vic smiled and picked her up. Her little girl was eleven now but she barely weighed anything to the grizzly. "I know, baby."

"Vic," Stiles began. "You know-"

"I know," she interrupted. "I just... I wasn't expecting this."

"Why not?" Her dad asked.

She shook her head and smiled. "I just wasn't expecting it."

"Hey, out of everyone you deserve it," her brother reminded. "Plus, this way I get to talk to your little boyfriend."

Vic rolled her eyes. Zach's hands stilled on her shoulders. "Mischief, Dad already gave him the shovel talk."

"Zach is nice," Mandy spoke up. "He's good."

"I'm with Vic on this one Stiles," Scott put in. "If he passes her test then he's good."

Stiles gaped at his best friend in shock. "So you mean you're not gonna help me kill him."

"I will," Scott reassured.

"So will I," Liam offered.

"I'm in," Mason volunteered.

"Me too," Malia agreed from the couch.

"I think we all would," Allison observed. Vic gave her a small smile in thanks. Ever since she had gotten resurrected little over a year ago, the two hadn't spent much time together. But she appreciated the sentiment.

"Should I be worried?" Zach whispered to her.

"I think it means welcome to the family," Vic told her boyfriend. She adjusted her grip on Mandy. The little girl kissed her cheek.

This was so much more than she could have imagined or dreamed of. Even when she was home she still wasn't free. The supernatural followed her. And all that time travelling the world... her birthday wasn't a big deal.

But here, with her pack and her girl and her boyfriend... they made her feel loved. Made her feel like she deserved everything she had been deprived of. She needed that in her life. A bear was a solitary animal but she was still a human. And she needed her family.

"Should we start the party now?" Corey asked.

"Let's do it," I said. "I only turn twenty seven once."