Love hurts?

Father and son

Michael's POV

"happy birthday to you... Happy birthday to you... Happy birthday dear Neveah... Happy birthday to you"

Ocean and I sing softly in unison waking Nevaeh and she looks up and smiles. "happy birthday sweetie" Ocean smiles picking her up. "your a big girl today" I smile at her.

Ocean and I have been so excited about today, not just because it's Nevaeh's first birthday but because this is the first birthday we've got to wake up with one of our children on their birthday. We're having a party for her and Abby's going to be bringing DJ over for the whole day. She has to stay with us because of the circumstances with Ocean's family and the trail and everything, but we're trying our best not to think about any of that today. Today is all about Nevaeh and DJ and that's how we intend to keep it.

*

We get downstairs and everyone is sitting in the kitchen and smile the second they see us with Nevaeh. Well everyone but LaToya who looks miserable "there you are sleepy head" Joesph coos taking her from Ocean. "it's a special day for a very special girl today!" He coos kissing her forehead. "what times everybody coming?" Randy asks. "not until about 11" Ocean tells him "11!? We have to start preparing" Mother says getting up from her seat. "relax. It's only 8" I chuckle. "yes, but there's so much to do! We have to put up the balloons and the decorations up. I need to get the food prepared and we haven't even picked up the cake from the store yet. We only have 3 hours and..."

"relax woman! We have plenty of time. Michael and Ocean are gonna pick up the cake and everybody else can help set everything up while you do the food" Joesph reasures her. "your really gonna go against your religion and have this party?" LaToya mumbles. "we already told you we're not Jehovah's witnesses anymore" I roll my eyes. We've had this conversation with her more times than I can remember and it's really starting to old now. "but we are. And your having the party here" she shrugs. "well their not canceling now! Not after all the preparations I've done" mother says checking her to do list. "you weren't this eager about a party when Michael threw a birthday party for Ocean"

"that was different" mother shrugs "yeah. Plus, after everything that's happened and what's going on with the trail and everything. It's good we have something to celebrate" Randy cuts and looks at Ocean and I and smiles slightly and we smile back at him the same way. "enough of all that" Joesph cuts in "Todays a happy day. and LaToya stop being a bitch to your brother. Your ruining the atmos" he tells her sternly then turns to Randy "you kids say atmos now right?" He asks him unsure and he nods and smiles through pursed lips at him.

I don't know why LaToya's acting this way I understand why she did when we first came back and I even get why she was scared of me. But I've been trying really hard to be close to her again like we used to be, but everytime I try to talk to her she always mumbles bitchy little comments and walks away.

****

Ocean's POV

Michael and I leave the cake shop and we hear a familiar voice and turn around. "hey, I thought it was you guys!" Mollie smiles coming towards us. "hey, what are you doing around here?" Michael smiles. "oh, I'm just here visiting a relative. So how are you both? You wanna come get some coffee?"

"we'd love to but really should be heading back. It's Nevaeh's birthday today" I smile. "aww, kiss her happy birthday from me! C'mon let me buy you guys a coffee"

"we would but.." Michael says and she cuts him off. "c'mon. I'm only gonna be in town a few hours. I'm sure your family will ok for a little longer" she insists and Michael and I look at each other. "ok, but we can only stay for one" Michael nods and we all walk down the road to the coffee shop.