Until you call again. (Complete)

Someone else.

"Who else is coming?"

"Maybe a few other people. I don't remember."

"Grandma!"

"Mia, my memory isn't what it used to be."

I absolutely hate birthday parties. I hate it even more when it's mine. I always preferred spending the day with Tristan just watching movies and doing absolutely nothing special. Mom and dad knew that and they'd respected it, Aunty Maggie did too.

But my stubborn grandma just won't let up.

She claims it's because she's never celebrated the day with me. My one birthday wish when I was growing up was always to not see my grandparents. Of course it was granted. It was the one day I wouldn't be forced to see them.

After a very long fight with her, we finally agreed that it was going to be something extremely, EXTREMELY small. So,

"But Grandma you promised." I nag.

"Mia, what makes you think I broke that promise?"

"Well you're being vague. And you have that face that says you're plotting something." I say and she just laughs my comment away as she continues on setting up for the birthday 'party' taking place in a few hours time.

I know Tristan and Meg are coming. Who knows if Jake is going to grace us with his presence? He probably thinks birthdays are below him. I asked grandma to invite grandpa and I guess I'm secretly hoping he's coming and that's why she's acting vague.

Whatever issues grandma and grandpa have, they're their issues, not mine. I haven't seen grandpa in forever and I honestly miss him. I don't have too many great memories with him but he's my only grandpa in existence, or rather the only one I know. And I want to be able to cherish relationships with people while they're still here. Grandpa is certainly not getting any younger and I won't feel great if anything ever happened to him without my making peace with him.

I need to apologize for walking out on them and treating them like I did years ago. And I need to recreate my relationship with him so we're close again.

Who I don't at all expect to show up at my birthday lunch is,

"Luke?"

I'm going to kill grandma! He looks so good though.

"In the flesh."

We're all sitting on a table relishing in the amazing food grandma didn't cook, but rather hired a catering company to. Of course.

Meg and Tristan have made it. I hadn't at all expected to see Mr and Mrs Brady but they're also here. I'm sad because grandpa isn't here but I'm still hoping he shows up. That would be the greatest birthday gift.

I stand up to go give Luke a hug then take his hand to lead him back to the table where everyone is seated. I see him eyeing Tristan and I'm reminded of their little encounter a few months ago.

"You look good." He says to me making me blush.

Years later. Ok not really, but only when it starts getting dark, Jake decides to grace us with his presence. He's not even apologetic about the fact that he's late but what's new?

"Is grandpa coming?" I finally decide to ask grandma after I'd finally caught her alone. It's like she's been avoiding me, likely because she thought I'd yell at her for inviting Luke. But I'm actually not mad at all.

"Mia, your grandpa wants nothing to do with me." I can see the hurt in her eyes when she says this even though she tries to hide it.

"It's ok grandma. I know you tried your best." It breaks my heart that he doesn't want to drop whatever it is he's got with grandma, just so I could see him on my birthday but it's ok. I've done my part, I've reached out.

I hug her really tight before going to join everyone out by the minimally but nicely decorated backyard.

Grandma invited a few of her friends and I'm ok with it. But I'm not sure if I'm ok with the fact that on the couches by the pool area, sits Meg, Tristan, Luke and Jake. I try not to freak out at the image of all of them together as I make my way to them.

"Hey y'all."

It's so weird seeing them all together like this.

"Hey." They say kind of in unison.

It's even more weird that they're all laughing and looking like they're having the greatest time. I let Luke take my hand to let me sit next to him as I join them in conversation.

I never thought I'd ever say this but I'm enjoying my birthday party. It's filled with people I care about and people I know care about me too. I couldn't have asked for a better birthday.

"How far along are you?" I ask Meghan making her giggle, I'd taken her away from everyone before asking of course. She thought she could hide it. The glow she's got can only mean one thing.

"Mia you're not allowed to tell anyone. Tristan doesn't even know, I'm planning on making the news my anniversary gift to him."

Aww. I can only imaging how incredibly happy he'll be at the news.

"My lips are sealed." I assure her.

It's been six months since, well - everything. I'm happy to say that Meghan and I are friends. But like real friends. We do lunches and go shopping together. Who would've ever thought?

I let Luke take me away from everyone a while later. A lot of people have gone home at this point.

"I feel like it's been forever."
He starts. We're standing on the other side of the house. The opposite part from where everyone is still sitting and conversing.

"Yea it's been ages. You clean up nice." I say to him. He's somehow gotten even better looking from the last time I saw him.

"I miss you."
Now that surprises me. I would've guessed he's married with kids now the way he was always so ready.

I don't respond. I just blush, making him blush too.

"Can I give you a birthday kiss?"

I'd be lying if I said I hadn't missed Luke. I'd also be lying if I said I never pictured us together again. But that was months ago. Before the things that have happened, happened.

So I look at the boy that once held my heart to say,

"I'm sorry Luke. I think I'm in love with someone else."