Love is key to living.

Happy birthday to you

The kids have been doing well. Bianca constantly asks for a phone which Nico always denies. She's also been begging to sit in the front seat. Finally for her 11th birthday last year, you finally let her move up to the passenger seat. For her 12th birthday a few months ago, you and Nico bought her a phone and she has been very responsible with it. She helps out around the house more and offers to babysit the twins. Now that they're older, they like to say she's just hanging out with them. Not babysitting. 

Today is Luke and Charlie's 10th birthday. You Nico and Bianca have been planning the party for the past few weeks. Even Hades and Persephone are going to be there. Since Hades usually does his own thing, the rule Zeus created about gods not having contact with their demigod children doesn't apply to him. He and Persephone always visit and love babysitting the kids when Bianca can't. 

The boys are at football practice and you and Nico have been decorating the house. You invited the Graces, the Jacksons, the two Stoll families, and even the Zhangs are flying in from California to be there for the party. The party starts at noon and currently, it's ten so you have two hours to finish setting up. Nico and Bianca go to the bakery to pick up the cakes while you finish cooking. You're making barbecued pork chops with mashed potatoes and homemade bread. You also made lemonade earlier that's mixed with Sprite because that's the twin's favorite drink. Thank the gods that Nico and Bianca finished decorating the house before they left because you have been so busy with your cooking. 

At eleven you get ready and go pick up the twins from practice. When you get home you tell them to shower and change before the guest arrives. When they come down, Luke smells suspiciously of cologne. Maybe it's because Cecily will be there. At twelve the doorbell rings. Luke and Charlie race to open it and in come the Graces. "Cece." Luke cries using his nickname for Cecily. Ever since the Graces moved across town they rarely see each other anymore. She throws her arms around him and gives him a peck on the cheek. He turns red. "Okay, that's enough." Nico walks into the room and exclaims. "Gee Nico. It's his birthday, let him spend time with his girlfriend." Cecily and Luke's faces turn very red. "Okay, okay." "Happy birthday Charlie and Luke." "Thanks, Aunt Piper." You all part as more guests arrive, and when it's time for cake you gather all the kids. Luke and Cecily are nowhere to be found. Nico wants to look for them, but you and Piper know it's a bad idea. 

The two of you slip off to go to Luke's room. He's in there with Cecily and they are kissing. She's sitting in his lap. You smile and leave the room. "Where are they," Nico asks. "Oh, they're fine." The others seem to understand what you're saying. "We can wait for a little bit." A few minutes later the two of them come back with swollen lips and disheveled hair. "What were you two doing." Nico shrieks. You quickly interrupt, "They're just talking." "Then why are their lips swollen and their hair is messed up." "Let's have cake," Annabeth says to change the subject. "Happy birthday to you.

 Happy birthday to you.

 Happy birthday dear Luke and Charlie.

Happy birthday to you

 Cha Cha cha."

"Let's open gifts." You announce while eating cake. Luke starts. He opens his present from Cecily first. "Oh my gods." "What is it." He doesn't answer and instead throws his arms around Cecily. "Thank you so much." "What is it, Luke." He lifts up a necklace out of the box. It says Together Forever on it. Nico looks like he's about to have an outburst. "Isn't that sweet, you ask him?" "Yes." He responds through gritted teeth. The boys open the rest of their presents and you have a notepad to keep track of everything to write thank-you notes later. At the end of the day, everyone has left except the Zhangs who are sleeping over. After cleaning the house, you and Nico tuck the kids in and then sit on the couch watching movies with Frank and Hazel.