i need u

•6•

"Happy birthday, Callie!" Nick yells as he swings her around in his arms. Today is obviously Callie's fourth birthday and we are all so excited about it.

Callie has never had a proper birthday party, so I'm so excited to actually give her one. There won't be anyone at the party except for me and the boys, but I know she is super excited for it all.

"Are you ready for your party?" I ask her.

We all set everything up last night, so we can party all day today. I wanted to make today as special as I could make it.

"Yes!"

"Let's go downstairs," I say. She grabs onto me and Nick's hands and we walk down the stairs together. The boys follow behind us until we are downstairs.

Right as she sees everything she gets extremely excited. She smiles super big and looks around at everything.

In the living room there is streamers, balloons, happy birthday signs and confetti everywhere. In the corner there is food and cake. The other corner has all of her gifts. It really seems like she likes it which makes me super happy.

"Do you like it?" Nick asks.

"I love it!"

I smile, "I'm glad. Why don't you go start to open your gifts?"

"Okay!" She runs over to the table and the boys follow her to help. Nick and I stay back together and we watch everyone.

"Thank you for doing this," he says. "It really means a lot."

"Of course. I'm glad I got to help. It was really fun and not to mention, but she deserves it."

"She really does deserve it."

"Nick! Look! I got a Barbie!"

He looks over at her and smiles, "That's awesome. Now we have more barbies to play with. Who got you that?"

"Uncle Austin did!"

Nick and I start laughing and I look back up at him, "You should be proud."

"Of what?"

"For the way you have raised her. You are such a great role model to her and you should be proud of everything you have done so far."

"I guess so."

I shake my head and I kiss his cheek, "I know so." I walk away from him and I sit down on the couch to watch Callie open more of her gifts.

(Nick's pov)

As Alise walks away I instantly frown. What she just said should be true, but it isn't. I'm not proud of anything. I have felt like a disappointment my whole life and I still feel like that.

What is there to be proud of?

I haven't done anything special for anyone. I let my baby sister get beat and I let my mom die because of my own father.

There is nothing to be proud about.

***

It's been about twelve hours since Callie woke up to see her first ever birthday party. We have been doing stuff all day with her and she absolutely loves it all.

We have played games, barbies, and lots of fun. It's been a really good day and I'm glad that Callie has enjoyed it all.

"Time for bed," I say to Callie.

"One more episode," she complains.

"No," I say. "It's ten o'clock and it's time for you to get to bed. I know your are tired."