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31

A few weeks had passed and finally, it was December 1st. Today was Tyler's birthday, and tomorrow would be mine.

Jenna and I surprised Tyler with a nice breakfast in bed and Josh bought him a box of Taco Bell for lunch. I wrote Tyler a card and got him a new strap for his bass guitar and his ukulele since the ones he had were fraying. He seemed to like them.

"Twenty eight," I began, sitting next to Tyler. "So old."

Tyler chuckled. "If i'm old, what's Josh?"

"Josh is a grandpa, we've been over this."

Josh faked offence and placed his hand on his heart. "If that's what you really think of me."

We shared a laugh before Josh spoke up.

"What's the plan for dinner?"

Tyler seemed to think about it. "Taco Bell?"

"Tyler," Jenna groaned. "We can get Taco Bell any day."

"Are we getting what I want for dinner or are we getting what Jenna wants for dinner?" Tyler said sassily.

Josh and I laughed while Jenna rolled her eyes.

I fell back into Josh's hold, who wrapped his arms around me.

"What do you guys want?" Tyler looked at Josh and I.

I shrugged. "It's your choice."

"Taco Bell." Tyler said finally.

Jenna threw her hands up in the air. "Fine! We'll get Taco Bell!"

I chuckled lightly, until I felt a phone vibrating from beside me. I picked it up and looked at who's phone it was — it was Josh's. I handed Josh his phone and he answered it, leaving the room to have a conversation with whoever was on the line.

When I went to sleep that night, I didn't expect to be woken up by something licking my face, jumping around on my chest, and I certainly didn't expect to open my eyes to see a dog wagging its tail at me.

I looked to the doorway only to see Josh standing there, a smile on his face. "You like? Happy Birthday!"

I sat there in surprise for a few seconds, staring at the dog that was nuzzling into my hand.

"Girl or boy?" I asked, looking up.

"Girl." Josh replied.

I ran my hand down the back of the dog, her fur feeling soft and comforting.

"Guess what," Josh came over and sat on the end of my bed. "She can go everywhere with you if you want her to. She's a therapy dog."

I grinned. "Really? Everywhere?"

"Mmhmm." Josh smiled at my happiness. "She can come with us when we travel, she can go anywhere. She's a therapy dog and is trained to help with your anxiety."

"How old is she?"

"A year and half. She's a golden retriever, but there's something that makes her not grow as big as she normally will. She's not going to grow bigger than what she is now."

I couldn't believe it. This dog was only the size of a puppy.

"Have you thought of a name?"

I looked at the dog for another moment before opening my mouth.

"Coco."

"Coco. That's a cute name."

I smiled as Coco ran around my bed, trying to find a spot to sit.

Josh came over and sat next to me on my bed, hugging me tightly. "I really hope you enjoy today Ari. I want it to be special."

"It's already topped any other birthday i've had, Josh. It's the first birthday that i've ever actually gotten a present."

"I'm determined to make today a day you'll remember."

I heard a knock on the door around 1pm, and I wondered who it was.

"Are we expecting anyone?" I asked Tyler, who was sitting beside me.

He simply shrugged. "Come answer the door with me."

"I know you well enough to know you know something I don't Tyler."

"Just come with me Aria, the door is only a few metres away."

"And my hand is barely centimetres from slapping your arm out of frustration."

"I'm stronger than you and i'll pick you up to stop you hitting me."

"Everyone's stronger than me, it's not an achievement."

"Could you two stop bickering and go answer the door?" Josh called from one of the bedrooms.

As Tyler and I approached the door, I turned the doorknob and opened the door to see a group of people.

I recognised most of the people there to be Tyler and Josh's family, but some of the people I didn't recognise.

"Happy Birthday, Tyler and Aria!" They all changed, grins on their faces.

It was at this moment that I realised Coco was behind me and she had tripped me over in excitement over all the people.

"Your itty bitty dog just tripped you over yet you were threatening to slap me before."

"Coco. Attack." I pointed at Tyler and Coco ran over to Tyler and jumped up on Tyler, making me laugh.

Jordan came through the door and helped me up, giving me a hug.

"Happy Birthday Ari."

"Thanks," I grinned, hugging Jordan back.

"Everyone, come inside from the cold, make yourselves at home, then just come to the living room." Tyler announced.

I turned to Tyler. "You knew about this?"

"Of course I did."

"Rude."

"It was my idea. I thought if we had a combined birthday party, you wouldn't feel as guilty for having the attention on you."

"I appreciate that."

"So — do you regret the 'rude' I just received?"

"A wise man once told me never to have any regrets."

Tyler slapped his head lightly. "I am never doing anything nice for you again. Mark my words."

Tyler opened all his presents first and was happy with all his presents. Most of them were musically based, but some of them were gag presents like the ones from Jay and Zack. After he had thanked everyone, their attention turned to me.

First, Jordan handed me his present. After opening and thanking him for his gift, I went through everyone's gifts until I got to Tyler's present.

I opened up the box in front of me to find one of the most incredible looking Ukuleles i'd ever seen. It was a brown wood colour, a built in tuner, and it was beautiful. I smiled, my face lighting up as i tackled Tyler into a hug.

"Thank you!"

Tyler chuckled and hugged me back. "It's okay."