𝚍𝚊𝚢𝚍𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚖 • 𝚐𝚕𝚎𝚎

𝙸𝚅

There was only one day that I didn't really like out of the whole year. My birthday. I mean, don't get me wrong, a birthday is amazing. I mean, you get free stuff, but I mean, it was one big celebration out of the whole year. I would rather have a Valentines day party, and that's not even a real holiday. 

I was sitting on the couch downstairs, when the topic of my birthday came up. "So...what's Tomorrow?" Artie asked as he rolled into the living room. I glanced over at him and rolled my eyes. "My birthday." He nodded. "Oh...right. Listen, did you wanna maybe hang out tomorrow? Go see a movie or something?" I sighed. "It's a surprise party, isn't it?" 

"Yeah.." 

I sighed as I grabbed the coffee cup from the side table and walked into the kitchen. "How many times do I have to tell you? I don't want a birthday party." He sighed. "Talk to your brother about that one then. There isn't much I can tell you about that. He's the one who thinks you need a birthday party, with it being your eighteenth birthday and all." 

"What I need is to be left alone about my stupid birthday. It's not that important to me. He doesn't need to throw me one. He needs to save his money for those babies that'll be here in a few months." 

Sam came down the steps, looking around. "What are you guys doing tomorrow?" I smirked and turned around. "I'll tell you what we aren't doing. Having a birthday party. I don't want one. Besides, I promised Lexie I would go crib shopping with her tomorrow. That's how I want to spend my birthday. I'm gonna be an aunt soon, the least of my troubles is my eighteenth birthday." 

Artie and Sam both looked at each other. "A.J, you can't just not have a birthday party. It's your eighteenth. It's one of the most important birthday parties of your life." I shook my head. "There are three most important parties in your life. You're first birthday, your sixteenth birthday, and your twenty-first birthday. Eighteen isn't in there." Sam followed me around the counter like a puppy dog. "A.J, come on. It's a birthday party. It's only gonna be us." 

I turned around. "Sam, honey, I love you. But I'm not having a birthday party. End of story. Now, I have to go. I need to go over to Finn and Lexie's and help her get ready to go shopping." I kissed him goodbye and ran out the door. 

When I went over and knocked on the door. Finn answered it, but was whispering when he was speaking to me. "Why are we whispering?" I asked him, as I walked into the living room. "Lexie isn't feeling well. She said it has something to do with the babies." I nodded. "Ahh, morning sickness. That was how I knew." 

I stood up. "Well, I will leave you alone. Enjoy your morning sickness, big brother." 

And I walked out of the apartment. 

**

The next day, they weren't even secretive about a surprise party. Sam had the entire apartment decorated by ten. Lexie was making a cake in the kitchen. Finn was wrapping the presents in the living room. Nobody was secretive. 

"Wow. I wonder what's going on here today. Cake being made, streamers getting put up, presents getting wrapped. I wonder what it is." They all rolled their eyes at me as I walked around. "You're ruining it, A.J. Birthday's are supposed to be fun. You are making it not fun." 

I sighed. "What's not fun is getting forced to have a birthday party against your will. You know how much I want this? Not that much." 

"So, what're you doing today?" 

"Um...a couple of kids from my theatre class are going to the mall today. I told 'em I would go with them. Give you guys a couple of hours to finish decorating and setting up." 

Finn looked at me. "Why don't you and Lexie go out today? You know, go shopping for the babies. There's still some essential things we need. Right, Lex?" She turned and looked at him. He gave her some sort of signal because she passed the rest of the baking off to Scarlett and Santana before running over to me. "Yeah. You can help me pick out a crib and stuff. You have more experience with babies than I do." 

I shook my head. "Nuh uh. I have never had an experience with a baby since like sophomore year, when I had to live at Sam's. Even then, his siblings were like six. But, fine. I will go with you to pick out things for the baby. Typically, people wouldn't start stressing about this stuff until one or two months before the baby comes, but whatever you wanna do is up to you. I will be in the car." 

I grabbed my keys from the coffee table and headed out. "You didn't even say bye to Sam!" 

Finn called as I went to walk out. "I live with him, I think he can go one day without me saying bye!" 

I walked out the door and headed to the car. Lexie walked out behind me. "Don't people in New York walk everywhere?" I sighed. "The baby store is like an hour away. I'm not walking to the baby store for an hour. We are driving. Besides, it's my birthday. I don't feel like walking." 

She chuckled a little before getting into the car. She sighed and set her head back onto the headrest and just stared at the window. "You're not sure you're ready for this yet, are you?" She looked over at me. "No. No, I am. I'm just not sure Finn is ready for this. I mean, he's freaking out more than I am and...it's amazing, it is. He's gonna be amazing, but he is so scared. Like, unusually scared." 

I sighed. "He's going to be fine, Lex. I mean, think about it, he practically raised me and look at me. I turned out just fine." She laughed a little. "What? I did." I smiled a little. "Anyway, Lexie, you have nothing to worry about.  Everything is going to be fine. Your babies are going to be fine. Finn is going to be fine. You are going to be fine. Everything is going to be fine." 

You ever heard of foreshadowing? Yeah, I think I did a little when I said that.

**

After an hour or so, we got back. The entire apartment was decorated. Sam stood in the kitchen, holding the cake. Santana and Scarlett sat on the couch, their glasses of wine in their hands. Finn was in the living room as well, holding the presents in his lap. "Happy birthday!" They all yelled as I walked in. 

I rolled my eyes. I sat down on the couch and let the party began. As they were all partying and celebrating my birthday, Finn walked over, sat down next to me and said two words that meant a lot on my birthday coming from him. 

"Happy birthday."