Mari & Ilna: What can I say? I'm enjoying this adventure every bit as much as I was on day one. Maybe more.

REAL Worlders-thanks for all the enthusiastic support. You guys are the best.

This story picks up the same day as Ilna's awesome Best Birthday which was posted Wednesday.

The More the Better (1/1)

"I think I wanna do this on my birthday too," DJ said as Steve's birthday fun continued with a family hike. They'd chosen a gently sloping trail that passed through some gorgeous scenery and was populated by countless species of birds and small animals but would also be easy for the children to navigate. Angie had walked for the first half hour but was now happily ensconced in her carrier on her daddy's back, periodically singing the happy birthday song, while DJ walked between his parents holding hands with both. Cammie trotted along happily beside, always on the lookout for a new gecko playmate.

"We can do that," Catherine said. "But Daddy and I thought you might want to have a party at the house with all your friends."

A small gasp escaped the young boy's lips and he stopped in his tracks. He looked first at Steve then Catherine with wonder on his face. "Really?"

"Really." Catherine knelt beside him. "Would you like that?"

"I've never had a real birthday party before," he said. He played with the ends of Catherine's hair hanging over her shoulders. Before he found his new family he had barely even celebrated. When he was in kindergarten all the other kids with birthdays during the school year brought in cupcakes or treats to celebrate but his grandmother told him she didn't like to bake so he didn't. He went to bed that night without anyone even having told him Happy Birthday. "What would we do?"

"We could play on the beach, and have cake," Catherine said. "Or if you'd rather we could take everyone out for pizza and go somewhere fun like the zoo." She squeezed his hand. "Whatever you want to do."

DJ took a few minutes to mull over the possibilities. "I'm having fun today with just our family though." He bit his lip, clearly torn.

"Happy Birf-day!" Angie squealed causing a number of birds to startle and take flight.

"We can do both," Steve suggested. "We'll plan a family day like this one, but we'll also have a party for your friends from school."

DJ's face lit up like a Christmas tree. "Really? Can we?"

Steve and Catherine both nodded.

"Yay! I can't wait to tell Michael."

They walked on for a while discussing everything from party ideas to why birds are different colors and if geckos have families. They were halfway back down the trail to their car when DJ started to drag his feel a little.

"Want a lift, buddy?" Steve asked.

"But you're already carrying Angie," DJ replied.

"That's ok," Steve lifted DJ into his arms causing Angie to giggle hysterically.

"DJ!" she reached over her father's shoulders in an attempt to hug her brother.

Catherine chuckled. "Do you want me to take one of them?"

"Nah." Steve smiled. "I'm good."

As they continued down the trail Angie hid her face in Steve's neck. "Whe'we Angie?" she said, unable to suppress her laughter.

DJ giggled.

"I think someone wants to play peek-a-boo," Steve whispered.

"Where's Angie?" DJ said as he pretended to look over Steve's shoulders. "Did you drop her, Daddy?"

Angie's entire body shook with laughter.

"Where did she go?" Catherine joined in. "Angiiiiieee where are you?"

Cammie woofed softly and looked towards Steve's back.

"Where is she Cammie?" DJ said. "Should we turn around and go look for her?"

Angie threw her arms in the air. "He'we I am!"

"There you are," the rest of the family chorused in laughter.

"Twicked you!" the happy toddler squealed.

"You fooled me," DJ smiled in return.

A few hundred yards down the trail Steve felt Angie shift again and could barely control his laughter when a few seconds later he heard, "Whe'we Angie?"

He looked at Catherine who read the look on his face immediately.

Best. Birthday. Ever.

Danny and Gabby arrived at the beach house early to help Steve and Catherine set up for his birthday dinner. When they arrived they found preparations already underway.

Grandma Ang was arranging cookies and brownies on colorful serving trays while Elizabeth and Catherine cut fruit for kabobs. On the beach, Angie and DJ were chattering away to each other while building a sandcastle under Cammie's watchful eye. Joseph and Steve returned from the garage carrying ice-filled drink coolers.

"Looks like you guys have your hands full," Danny said. "How about if I just start getting the grill area ready?"

Steve scoffed. "Nice try."

"I am a perfectly competent griller." Danny planted his hands on his hips. "I grill at home and no one has any complaints." He looked at Gabby and waited for her to nod in agreement before continuing. "I have even grilled at various charitable events. To rave reviews, I might add. And still you never let me touch the grill at your house."

Steve shrugged. "You'd think you'd be used to it by now." He opened the lid of the cooler and began loading in lemonade and soda for the kids. "Where's Gracie? I thought she was riding over with you."

"She was planning to," Danny answered, "But she got a call from Boris. He asked her to stop by the resort after cheerleading practice."

"Is this about her party presentation?" Joseph asked.

"He didn't say but that's my guess." Danny rubbed his forehead. "I hope it's good news. She worked really hard on that presentation."

At that moment Angie looked up and spotted her beloved uncle. "Dannnnnnoooo!" She scrambled to her feet and ran across the sand, up onto the deck and into his arms with DJ not too far behind.

"Annnngggiiiieee!" He laughed as he picked her up and kissed her cheek. "You smell like chocolate."

"She was helping with the brownies," Elizabeth reported.

Catherine snorted. "Helping as in taste testing."

"Guess what Uncle Danny?" DJ said excitedly as Angie squirmed to get down and made her across the deck in search of another snack. "I'm gonna have a real birthday party. "We're gonna invite my friends from school."

Danny ruffled DJ's hair. "That sounds awesome."

"I'm not sure exactly what we're gonna do yet but mommy and daddy are gonna help me decide."

Danny smiled. "That sounds like an excellent plan. And maybe Grace can help with ideas. She's a very good party planner."

As if on cue Grace appeared around the back of the house. Any fears that the meeting with Boris may not have turned out like she planned were immediately dispelled by her wide smile and the fact that she was practically bouncing with every step.

"I'm gonna guess by your remarkable imitation of Tigger that your meeting went well?" Danny asked.

"The Yacht Club accepted my proposal," Grace squealed. "I'm gonna help design an honest to goodness official party."

The group exploded in cheers and congratulations.

Angie threw her arms in the air. "YAY Gwace!" She wasn't sure exactly what was happening, but she knew happy people when she saw them.

"Great job!" Danny said as he hugged her tight. "I'm very proud of you."

"Congratulations." Gabby beamed. "You deserve this."

"That's excellent news, sweetheart," Elizabeth said.

"They'd have been fools not to hire you," Joseph added.

"They made the right choice." Catherine crossed the deck and hugged her niece. "I'm so proud of you."

"Great work, Gracie." Steve hugged her and lifted her off her feet in celebration. "It's gonna be the best party ever. I'm so proud of you and you should be proud of yourself."

Grace beamed. "Thanks. I kind of am. I know my proposal was good, but I just can't believe this is actually happening. They really approved it. This is crazy."

"I'm having a party too," DJ told her.

Grace knelt in front of him. "You are?"

He nodded enthusiastically. "For my birthday. Uncle Danny said maybe you could help plan it but if you're too busy that's ok. I'm glad they picked your party idea. It was really good."

"Thank you." Grace smiled softly. "And just so you know, I will never be too busy to help plan your party. I'm honored you would ask."

DJ beamed and spontaneously wrapped her in a hug.

"I think we better get moving." Danny clapped his hands together. "Looks like we have more than one thing to celebrate tonight."

"No no. I don't want to step on Uncle Steve's birthday celebration," Grace said.

"I insist." Steve's tone left no room for negotiation. "The more things we have to celebrate the better. Let's do this."

THE END

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