Challenge Accepted (Editing)

A Long Night

~~A Year Later~~

Jamie's POV

"You're gonna love this!" Katy exclaimed happily as I kept my eyes closed and she lead me by my glove-covered hands.

It's a cold January afternoon, my birthday is today and apparently Katy and Eric set something up, with a little help from the kids as well.

We drove far out to a remote place surrounded by the forest, and even though everything was covered in snow, it still looked beautiful.

"Charlie, is everything good to go?!" Katy yelled.

"It's all good!" Charlie replied, "Dad, you're gonna love this!" They called out to me.

It made me smile to hear them refer to me as their dad, knowing what they've been through.

We suddenly stopped and I could hear shuffling around. Katy let go of my hands and I could feel my heart pump against my chest, I'm excited yet nervous as hell.

"Okay, open 'em." Katy says and I was hesitant to look but when I did...I'll never forget this.

When I opened my eyes I saw everyone, my second family, my parents, Eric and the kids and Katy, gathered in front of a large open gazebo decorated with rainbow streamers, white table coverings on the bench tables inside of it, and a whole lot of food.

"Surprise! Happy birthday, Jamie!" Everyone roared in unison.

I gawked a smile, giggles leaving my mouth in joy, "Thank you, guys! Thank you so much!" I say as I walk towards them.

"You only turn 21 once, right!" Brandon's dad commented and I smile brightly as if I haven't been drinking like a stereotypical 21 year old college frat boy since the 11th grade.

Even though I saw everyone, I looked around. And I kept looking around. My smile was replaced with a light frown and they noticed as some of them looked at me with understanding,

"We couldn't reach him in time." One of the cousins admitted, "We texted him where we'd be but still no answer."

"It's fine. I get it, he's busy." I respond, Eric comes over and comforts me by rubbing my back soothingly.

"It'll be alright, baby. We'll still have fun, right?" Eric says trying to cheer me up.

"Yeah," I look up at Eric and see him smiling at me, I love his smile, it's so contagious, "Of course," I look at everyone else and smile happily, "Let's have some fun."

I will admit I was a bit bummed that B couldn't make it but I shouldn't focus on that, it's my 21st birthday after all.
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I can't believe I just had to fake liking a shot of vodka. I haven't had an actual drink in forever and I'm so craving a cup of pineapple juice and vodka right now. I will not- and probably never will- confess to my parents that I've been drinking underage since the 11th grade.
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Finn asked me what the alcohol tasted like and why he couldn't have any, I answered, "Because it's really gross for little kids and only adults drink it because it tastes good to them because they're older." He took my answer and then ran over to Charlie to tell them what I said. They started laughing, nodded at him, looked at me and gave me a thumbs up.

I would've also told him that it's not exactly good for people, but I would've ended up answering so many questions that wouldn't even be alcohol related. Had to learn that the hard way.
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It was late and my families were starting to leave after they helped clean up, including Katy, I always knew she was a lightweight and that's why my parents are taking her home. Eric and the kids stayed with me, I wasn't really ready to leave, it didn't feel complete.