I'm Not Yours

19. No One Knows

"Oh, what you do to me no one knows"

After having a stupid smile on my face during my entire shower I text Steve to ask him how much time I have to get ready. He gives me an hour which would normally seem kind of short, but since Steve said it's just a small brunch I don't feel pressured to go all out. I pick a simple purple dress, trying to match the new necklace and earrings that Steve and Bucky gave me. I dry my hair and do a very quick loose curl blowout on it and put on some simple makeup with some lip gloss.

Once I'm satisfied I put on some heels that go with the outfit but won't tire me out and I head downstairs. I get a little nervous and uncomfortable knowing all the attention will be on me when I walk into the room. I've never celebrated my birthday with anyone other than my family, which was at most 4 other people when my parents were still with us. And despite the fact that these are all my friends, I can feel a tightening in my stomach as the entrance to the living room gets closer.

"Happy birthday!" Everyone shouts as soon as I walk in. And before I can even process it all, everyone swarms me into one giant group hug. The nervousness starts to dissipate as I'm crushed by everyone, and in its place love and gratitude fills me.

"Thank you guys." I say as they start to separate and let me breathe again. "This is so sweet. I really appreciate all of you."

"You're welcome." I hear someone say, but it's not a voice that's immediately next to me. With a confused look on my face I peek around the others towards the sound.

Near the door, having just entered the room and placing their bags down are two familiar faces, and I nearly fall from the shock of seeing them here.

My brothers...both of them...not in California...but instead standing on the other side of the room with huge smiles on their faces as they realize they successfully pulled off the surprise.

"Oh my god!" I gasp out as my legs start moving before my brain can even process it. Everyone steps out of the way, giving me a clear path to run and throw my arms around my older brother. Cisco catches me, giving me a huge bear hug, his height forcing him to slightly lift me off the ground.

"Happy birthday Bug." he says, using the stupid nickname he gave me as a kid and refuses to let go of. I latch onto him so hard, not wanting to cry right now, but I can feel the tears pooling in my eyes.

I feel a hand on my back and it prompts me to let go of Cisco and hug Diego. "Hey loser." he says, and despite the sarcastic greeting his tight hug lets me know just how much he's missed me.

When I step away from him I can't help but put an arm back around Cisco, feeling like if I don't double check to make sure they're really here I'll wake up to find out it was a dream. "What are you guys...you texted me this morning...I never thought you'd be here." I say, still too shocked to form an actual sentence.

"Yeah, well see, the whole point of a surprise is to make sure the other person doesn't know about it." Diego says clearly trying to be funny.

I reach over and smack his chest, but I can't deny that I missed hearing his sarcastic responses. I missed both of them so much.

Cisco gives me another squeeze before actually answering my question. "Clint set the whole thing up." he says, and then turns us both behind them, where Clint is leaning against the door frame, watching us with a huge smile on his face.

Clint...of course.

I head over to him feeling so grateful that it's making me emotional. He opens his arms, inviting me in for a big hug. "Happy birthday kid." he says, hugging me tight.