Haunted

I See Fire - UNEDITED

Disclaimer: This chapter has not been edited from the original as posted on JBFF. There will be mistakes, typos, continuity problems and other issues.

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"Daddy happy?" Hannah asked. "Happy?"

"Yeah, Daddy's happy," Maddox laughed.

"Say Happy Birthday, Hannah," Brent said.

"Happy," Hannah repeated. "Happy Daddy."

"She got the important part," Maddox smiled. He turned to kiss Brent. "I'm so glad I'm here with you two instead of sitting on my tour bus."

"We would have come to you," Brent said. "Hannah likes flying."

"Hairpane!" Hannah nodded. "Up up up."

"That's right," Maddox agreed. He heard the front door opening. "I guess it's party time."

"Yes it is," Brent smiled and pointed to his arm. Hannah was holding onto him with both hands, looking very worried as she waited to see who was coming in. Her face lit up when Aiden came running, Scarlett right behind him.

"She's so shy, it's hilarious," Maddox laughed.

"Happy Birthday!" Aiden shouted. "We brought you presents. Lots of them."

"Thank you," Maddox shook his head. Clara and Justin came in with two big shopping bags each. "What did you even buy me?"

"Your father went a little overboard," Clara smiled. "I'll put them away until later."

"Mama got me this dress just for your party," Scarlett announced, twirling. "Do you like it?"

"It's beautiful," Maddox told her.

"Oh, where are you putting presents?" Eli asked. He had a small box in his hand and Maddox noticed the look on his face when he saw the piles of presents Clara was carrying.

"Wherever you want," Maddox said.

"Unka Eli," Hannah said, her voice almost drowned out by everyone else in the room. "Come see?"

"Hi muffin," Eli knelt down. "What do you want me to see?"

"Yook," she took his hand and started walking over to the window. Aiden and Scarlett were outside playing.

"Do you want me to take you out there?" Eli asked

"No," Hannah shook her head. "Yook here."

"She doesn't like going outside," Brent sighed. "The sunscreen, the bugs, the dirt. We can only get her in the pool at night."

"Aw, Hannah you're so sweet," Eli laughed and kissed the top of her head.

Brent had wanted to throw Maddox a huge party like they'd had for Hannah's birthday but Maddox said no. He was happier just celebrating with his family and a few friends. Even so, the house was full. It wasn't long before Justin was outside with all the kids and it looked like he was having more fun than they were.

"Are you having a good time?" Brent asked.

"Yes, you know I love having a house full of people," Maddox smiled as Brent wrapped his arms around his waist and kissed his cheek.

"Look over there, now that's a real birthday present for you," Brent laughed.

Maddox looked over to see Eli and Adam sitting with each other in the family room. They were laughing and talking like they'd always been friends.