Author's note : Some more fluff following A love that will never be and set four years after Happily Ever After approx. 2024

Michael had woken first he reached his arms out sliding his body closer to hers, he squeezed her tight. "Morning Michael" She smiled feeling the warmth of his embrace, his kiss on the back of her neck.

"happy birthday love!"

"thank you, this is definitely the best way to wake up" she turned to face him his arms moving down her body to her waist "even if it means I am officially an old woman!" she frowned.

"hey, you were all positive when I turned 60!" he smirked.

"well that was different" he shot her a puzzled look "that was you!" she smiled, leaning in kissing him.

"is that right ? well if you are not feeling too old, we could ….." he slid his hand down to her hips, mischief in his eyes.

"oh I'm sure I could find some energy from somewhere!" she teased pushing him onto his back and kissing him deeply.

"see 60 is not so bad!" he smirked.

After the morning activities Jackie had a spring in her step, maybe 60 wouldn't be so bad, she pondered to herself. She was making breakfast, glad that she had taken the day off. "Happy Birthday Mum!" Lily beamed as she came into the kitchen.

"thank you sweetie!" She smiled kissing her forehead. Noticing she was already for school, She could not believe she was already 17.

"you got a lot on today ?" she handed her a cup of tea as she sat at the breakfast bar.

"yeah, we are all heading the library after school to study for the prelims!" Lily looked anxious.

"you will do fine in your exams! Just keep up the hard work and you will be able to do anything you want!" Lily drank her tea and grabbed a banana from the counter. "Oh don't stay too late though, I think your father has something planned tonight!" she smiled. "is Charlie up yet?" Lily shook her head.

"well I'm sure Michael can sort him out!" she smiled to her. "do you want to do something just the two of us on Saturday?" Lily nodded. They hadn't had much time alone together, Lily had become more engrossed with her friends as she was getting older and Charlie took a lot of any spare time they had.

"Morning Mum!" Charlie finally appeared.

"good Morning Charlie, wow, you managed to get up and ready!" she leant down kissed his head, handing him a cup of juice. "coco pops, toast or porridge ?" she smiled at this face contemplating the toughest decision of the day.

"coco pops!" he exclaimed.

"ok go and sit up at the table and I will bring them in for you!"

"mum I'm going shoot off, going to go for a walk in the park before school!" Jackie nodded.

"ok, have a good day sweetie!" she smiled pouring out the coco pops and make toast for Michael.

She couldn't believe how happy she was in her life, how loved she felt. Michael stopped at the kitchen door, watching her. It wasn't long before she sensed his eyes on her "what ?"

"can't a man just admire his gorgeous wife?" he smirked.

"usually that just means he's after something!" she smiled handing him his toast and coffee motioning out of the kitchen. She followed him with Charlie's coco pops.

"Charlie, did you say happy birthday to your mother?" Charlie looked sheepish.

"I forgot!" he admitted. Michael nodded to him "Happy Birthday Mummy!" she scooped him up onto her lap.

"thank you Charlie" she kissed his cheek. "no go finish your coco pops, and your father here will drop you off to school!" she smiled at how ferrous he ate his coco pops, he had brought so much energy to their lives it, and she couldn't help but beam watching Michael be the father she always knew he could be. He looked at her puzzled as if knowing she was thinking about him.

"I don't want any fuss today Micheal!" He smirked.

"fuss, who would make a fuss of you!" he laughed.

"I mean it!" she warned. Although she knew she was wasting her breath.