Chapter 34

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Holden

Today was Ivy's birthday. I had gotten out of bed early and made her some breakfast. She got up right as the meal was finished cooking. Natalia and Niall came out and we all sang happy birthday to her.

"Aww thanks guys." She thanked as we finished singing.

"Presents!" Niall yelled running through the house. He came back with a few small things wrapped.

Ivy tried to open her mouth but Niall stopped her. "Ivy, I know the tradition is after breakfast so don't even try to say anything."

"Niall you guys didn't need to get me anything. Holden said he wouldn't." She defended.

"Well actually I did." I walked back to the guest bathroom and pulled her small present out of the cabinet. I got it on my run the other day and hid it before I showered.

"Holden!" She shouted. She was smiling so I knew she wasn't mad. "I completely forgot about your birthday. This is not fair."

"Wait you forgot his birthday?" Nat asked.

"Yes, but in my defense he didn't tell me and I was in New York." She held up her hands.

"Ivy, I know you've always wanted to go, but you forgot?" Niall spoke up.

"Oh my god. I'm sorry. Holden go take it back. I don't want a present." She put her hands down in her face. I shot Natalia and Niall a look saying 'stop it's not her fault'.

"It's okay Ivy. Niall almost forgot mine. I didn't tell him until we were going to bed." Nat tried to comfort her.

"I forgot yours too?" Ivy asked with wide eyes.

"No, you didn't forget. You just didn't know. I asked Holden not to tell you because I don't like birthdays." She shrugged at Ivy.

"Anyways. Presents. Who is first?" I spoke up to get the conversation switched.

"Me!" Niall yelled grabbing his present. He handed it to Ivy and we all watched as she unwrapped the present. It was a small velvet box. She opened it and saw 'Horan' written in script.

"Niall it's beautiful. Thank you." She smiled looking at the necklace in more detail. It was a sliver necklace with gems. It was really pretty.

"It's for when you lose the Horan name." He smiled. I smiled at the thought of Ivy becoming a Jaffe.

"Well thank you." She got up and gave him a hug.

"Alright enough! My turn!" Nat grabbed her present from Niall's little pile of stuff. She handed Ivy the present. We all watched as Ivy opened the present.

"Natalia!" She threw the present in her lap and hid her face. She looked embarrassed. Natalia broke out laughing.

"What is it?" Niall asked trying to see it.

"A fucking box of condoms." Ivy held up the box of extra small. Oh my god.

"Natalia!" I laughed. It was more of a hit to me than it was her, but it was funny. Everyone was sitting around laughing.

"No seriously, here." Nat handed a different present to her.

"Is it a box of condoms?" Ivy asked.

"No. Just open it." We were all still giggling like teenagers. Ivy opened it and pulled up a sweater.

"Nat this is cute." Ivy thanked Nat.

"It's the one that I had, but you said you really liked it so I got you one." She winked. I didn't know what that wink meant, but I was nervous.

"Well thank you." Ivy was so polite.

"My turn." I stood up and grabbed my present. I handed it to her. "I hope you like it."

"I'm sure I will." She smiled taking the present from me. I sat back down and watched her rip open the horrible attempt at wrapping. I watched as she opened the box. She gasped as she looked at it.

"Holden it's gorgeous. Where did you get it?" She held up the bracelet I got her. It had her name engraved into the front of it. On the hack, there was a little H.

"Just a local jewelry store." I put in the order back when we were still on tour. I had just picked it up.

"I love it. Look at the little H on it." She showed everyone. Niall walked up to me as the girls fussed over the bracelet.

"Girls love jewelry." He patted my shoulder.

"Yeah I guess so."

"I love seeing how you've come out of your shell. We couldn't even get you to really talk at the start of meetings and rehearsals."

"Thank you. I'm glad I've met you guys." I really appreciated everything Niall was doing for me. My music is blowing up right now. I'm getting more streams now than ever. He patted my shoulder and walked back to Ivy. He asked to see the bracelet. I saw her eyes light up.

"Holden." I heard from beside me. I looked to see Nat.

"Your gift was funny."

"Yeah it was. Man, you are whipped. You love her don't you?" She questioned.

"Yeah. I do." I sighed. It was a happy sigh.

"You should tell her. Based off her reaction, I bet she feels the same way." She patted my shoulder and walked to the back of the apartment. She didn't say anything else or let me speak.

"Hey come here!" I looked up and saw Ivy patting to the spot beside her. I walked and sat where she was patting.

"I loved my present." She smiled looking at the bracelet.

"I'm glad you like it. What do you want to do with the rest of your day?" I asked.

"Nothing. I just want to sit here and be around you and those two dingle heads." She pointed to where Nat and Niall were arguing over who had the best present. "I think yours was the best." She smiled.

"Well thank you." My attention was brought to the Horan necklace around her neck. "Niall went all out huh?"

"He did. I love it. I'll probably end up changing my last name so it's nice to still have it with me." She grabbed the necklace.

"You'd change it if we got married?" I asked.

"Of course. Your family is a whole lot nicer than mine. Niall will get over it." She loved my family and I loved her. I smiled and wrapped my arms around her. I gave her a quick kiss on her head.

"Ivy! What present did you like the best? Niall's big head thinks it was him when it was obviously mine. You all laughed at mine." Nat put her hands on her hips. We laughed.

"I loved them all. I can't pick a favorite." She was being nice. She had already told me it was my present that she loved the most.

"That's code for you guys both were good but mine was better." I shrugged and sat back on the couch. Ivy laughed while Niall and Nat continued bickering over the present. Ivy cuddled up with me as we watched the bickering. It was like a reality TV show.

Later that day, we had cake and watched movies. And yes, 'happy birthday Holden!' was written on the cake. I didn't mind it. Ivy was happy and so was I. Niall and Nat were so confused but sang happy birthday to the both of us.

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Early update!! Thank you for 1k reads!! It means the world to me.

As I'm writing this, the last US show is tonight. I've only cried a few times.

I love reading your comments. Thank you for reading and voting.

I love you all.

-Cami <3

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