No matter what happens I'll always stand by you

Ava's 17th

Today was Ava's 17th and I had her back in my life. I couldn't believe that 17 years ago she was born then had to give her up.

I sent her a text

Happy birthday sweetie. Have an incredible day and we'll see you later. Janette, Aljaz and your little monkey

Thank you! Tell monkey I can't wait for birthday cuddles

Aljaz and I didn't have much planned until her party later and I couldn't wait to see her reaction. I also couldn't wait to be back with Noah. Amy, Ben and Karen were going to be there as well so I couldn't wait to introduce them.

Neither of us mentioned what happened yesterday which I was grateful for.

When we got to the venue, we all stayed quiet to surprise Ava.

Ava got out of the car and headed towards the door where everyone yelled a mixture of happy birthday and surprise. She saw me and came over to say hi and have cuddles with Noah.

Janette: "happy birthday again"
Ava: "thank you. How are you my little monkey?"
Janette: "isn't Chloe here?"
Ava: "she wasn't feeling well so she's at home in bed. I said I'd message her later and video call her when we're cutting the cake"
Janette: "I bet she's devastated. Hope she feels better soon"
Ava: "she is but she wasn't in a fit state to be out. Can I spend tonight partying with you all as I really don't want to be with Ashley?"
Janette: "we'd like that a lot. Let's go find Aljaz"

Ava, Noah and I went to find Aljaz who was talking to Amy, Ben and Karen who Ava didn't know. I saw her recognising one that must be Karen from when she was walking back from Ashley and Chloe's proposal but didn't know who the others were.

Ava: "hi Aljaz"
Aljaz: "hiya, I see you two have been reunited. Happy birthday"
Ava: "important things to be done first. Thank you"
Janette: "Ava this is Karen my best friend who you saw me with and this is Amy and her fiancé Ben."
Ava: "hi"
Amy: "happy birthday"
Ava: "thank you! You're on strictly with Janette and Karen aren't you?"
Amy: "I am. Janette you'll have to bring Ava down one weekend to meet everyone else"
Janette: "would you want to?"
Ava: "I'd love to. Chloe and I love watching it on the weekends"
Janette: "we'll definitely arrange for you to come and meet the pros"
Aljaz: "where's Chloe? I've seen Ashley but not Chloe"
Ava: "she's not feeling that well so she's at home in bed"
Aljaz: "is that why you're avoiding Ashley?"
Ava: "maybe, plus I haven't seen you, Janette or this monkey since they got back from honeymoon so I thought it'd be nice to catch up"
Karen: "and a bonus you get to meet some of Janette's friends"
Ava: "exactly"

Ava stayed talking to us for a bit then it was time to cut the cake. Noah decided that he was now going to wake up. She gave him to me so she could video call Chloe.

A while later Noah was asleep again and I could tell that he needed his bed. I gave him to Aljaz so I could find Ava to say goodbye. I saw her talking to people who must be her friends, I went over just as she turned around.

Me: "Noah's asleep again so we're going to have to go to get him to bed"
Ava: "before you go come and meet my best friend. Janette this is Lacey, Lacey this is Janette"
Me: "hi"
Lacey: "hi"
Ava: "I'm just going to say goodbye to Aljaz. Lacey do you wanna come and say hi?"
Lacey: "ok"

We all walked over to where Aljaz was with Amy, Ben and Karen. Ava introduced Lacey to them and said bye.