Five is a crowd

12-Happy birthday?

A/N I hope you enjoy this one! :D 

"Happy birthday!"

Brooks pulled Javier's covers aside so that his face was revealed.

"Broooks, it's not even six!" He complained.

"But it's your birthday! Come on, Agustin made you breakfast and a cake for later!"

Javier smiled with his eyes still shut. "Shhhh Brooks, Aman finally got Valeria to sleep again after four A.M."

Brooks glanced over at Aman who was asleep with Valeria on his bare chest. "Come on then, we even got you a little something!"

Javier sighed then sat up. "I hope you guys don't mind if I bring a friend over after school and work."

"Ohhh, is it a she?" Asked Brooks.

"No, it's not! His names Luis, so you guys better not have any surprise party plans like last year." Javier climbed out of bed and gave Brooks a playful nudge. "It's just my birthday, nothing big."

"But it's your 18th birthday! You're a legal adult, you can sign your own papers at a Doctor's office!" Said Brooks with excitement.

Javier grabbed his denim shirt that lay in a ball on the dresser. "Oh, I'm so thrilled. You know I hoped you guys would have forgotten my birthday."

"Guys be quiet and get your butts out of here," Aman whispered startling both boys, they didn't know they awoke him.

"It's his birthday!" Corrected Brooks.

"So? He doesn't get any privileges." Snapped Aman.

"And it's your turn to take me to my appointment." Told Brooks, he came over to Aman's bed and stroked Valeria's hair.

"Kid, I have to look for a job today." Told Aman.

"Agustin and Dylan can't do it, neither can I." Said Javier pulling the shirt over his head.

Aman sighed, he still looked pale and weak. "Brooks, this really isn't good but we will have to work something out. I think little Javi is glad I can't look for a job, he likes to see me suffer."

"Come on Javi, ignore him." Said Brooks, he led Javier down into the kitchen where Agustin and Dylan waited.

There was a sign the three boys made out of two pieces of paper. They taped them together and hung it from the lamp above the table. It read in large lettering,

Happy birthday Javier!

"Happy birthday little brother!" Agustin came over to him holding a whole made chocolate cake. Javier blushed.

"Don't blush Jav, it's not like we are taking out your old baby pictures." Laughed Dylan. "One thing I don't miss about home is when my mama would take out the most embarrassing pictures on my birthday."

"What were they?" Teased Agustin, he placed the cake in the refrigerator.

"You don't want to know," Dylan replied looking embarrassed.

"Were you naked? Showing off your little baby buns?" Teased Brooks. Dylan blushed.

"Awe, he was in diapers." Added Agustin. "Well, don't worry Javier, your mama didn't lend us any of your baby pictures or else we would haunt you. Now sit down and eat."

Brooks noticed that Javier seemed quiet as if this whole birthday thing sickened him. He didn't say much, except for a brief thank you.

***

Corey lay in bed as the early morning grew into the sunlight. His head felt all foggy and he couldn't see anything clearly. He wasn't sure what was going on or how to explain himself. He heard his bedroom door open then came the deep voice of Orson Luz.