Me Vs Zombies [Book 1 & 2]

[Book 2] Chapter 31

[Payton's POV]

Daryl groaned and stared into his lap as Eugene and Charlotte danced over, holding the large cake in their hands, when they reached us they set it down on the floor just as the song ended.

'Happy Birthday, Buddy.' Eugene winked. 'Hope you're not too embarrassed.'

'You didn't think we'd let you get away from the occasion this easy did you?' Charlotte winked. 'It may be an apocalypse but you're still aging, old man.'

Daryl looked up, tears in his eyes. 'Thanks, guys, this means a lot to me, I didn't even know you guys knew.'

'Of course, we knew!' Ben cackled. 'We're not heartless bastards, Eugene's known your birthday this whole time and told us all the other day it was coming up, why do you think we instantly agreed when you planned this?'

'Sure it was a good idea but a few of us had to pull very hard and fragile strings to be here. But it's worth it for your birthday.' Demi laughed.

Daryl looked to Luke and me, Luke flashed him two thumbs up and I just smiled sweetly as I tried to pretend like I'd known this whole time too.

But I didn't.

I didn't know my own partners birthday... If the guys hadn't have done this I would never have known either and the occasion would've passed.

'Thank you, guys.' Daryl smiled as he looked to the candles. 'I didn't know you were going to do this... So you've kind of rained on my parade a bit because I had a little announcement to make.'

Charlotte and Eugene sat down beside each other on Daryl left side.

'Go ahead.' Ben smiled. 'I'd love to hear it! It's your birthday, all the attention's on you for the next 24 hours.'

'I'll do it later.' He smiled. 'I'm just glad we're all here. I think this might just be the best day ever.'

'You're easily impressed.' Charlotte smiled.

'Oh no. I'm really not.' Daryl smiled as he turned to the candles. 'I'm supposed to make a wish right? I've kind of forgotten how this works.'

'Yep.' Luke squealed. 'You have to blow out all the candles in one breath then you make a wish, and you can't tell anyone the wish or it doesn't come true!'

Daryl grinned at Luke before once more looking at the candles, the light reflected on his beautiful tanned face as he took a deep breath in and then released it just as quick, all three candles went out in the first blow and Daryl closed his eyes as he made his wish.

After he opened them, Luke squirmed around beside me. 'So... What did you wish for?'

Daryl laughed. 'I thought I couldn't tell you!'

'Well you can tell me 'cause I told you the rules, that's how it works!'

'Oh is it?' Daryl smiled as he looked around the group once more, everyone shot him award winning smiles and laughed at his generally surprised face.

'Thank you, guys. This is the best day ever.'

*** Later ***

I held Luke in my arms as I walked across the bedroom, Daryl parked the wheelchair in the corner of the room as I placed Luke down in his bed, he snored gently, already exhausted from the day out, poor kid knackered himself out.

I tucked him under the covers, careful of his casts just as Eugene and Charlotte strolled in, arms around each other's waists.

Demi and Ben were quick to follow and within minutes they were all preparing for bed and jumping under their covers.