*sighs* I know, I know, I'm like a whole year and a half late again. I can no longer make any promises on update times, just that I'll finish it. And I'll finish Already There too even though it's been like a two and a half years.

So here it is! Ella's eighteenth birthday! Oh, my baby is all grown up *wipes tear* Although technically, if we're going by when she was born, this would be Ella's ninth birthday. She was born in 2009.

Also note that I am a Hufflepuff and anything I say to criticize it is not my views. I love my house. (Harry Potter reference, for those of you who didn't know. And if you didn't, go read and watch them.)

Side note: I recently got a review for Sunshine (yeah, that takes me way back) that said "good but too short" and I'm laughing right now because like… yeah, I realize it's way too short. I wrote it when I was twelve and had no concept of basic grammar rules lol. But hey if I still have readers at this point that means you guys watched my writing mature as I did and saw something in the plot that intrigued you enough to stick around. So thank you guys from the bottom of my heart for that. You started my writing career.

I don't own Austin & Ally

August 24, 2025

Ella's birthday would never be a surprise. One, it was a week after Toby's, and two, her family planned things for way too long to ever let there be a surprise.

She woke up that morning to hesitant knocking on her door. Almost assuredly it was Eli; everyone else in her family rarely knocked. Eli, however, was still enough of a newcomer to believe it was his place to knock on the rare occasions he had to go in someone else's room

"Come in!" Ella sat up quickly and rubbed her eyes to look more awake.

"You got mail," Eli announced, entering. "Two from the Women's Correctional Facility," at this he raised his eyebrows, "and one is from the Caribbean."

"Okay, thanks Eli." She grabbed them and tore one open. The one from the Caribbean was from her parents' costars and the crew, because apparently Austin and Ally had been boasting loudly about their oldest daughter turning eighteen.

Eli sat at the end of her bed. He was holding an art portfolio. This was not unusual; Eli carried art supplies around like a child carried a blanket or a favorite toy. Ella guessed it was something to keep him grounded.

"Who do you know in prison?" Eli asked.

Ella's fingers trembled slightly as she opened the next one. "Too many people," she admitted. The first of these was from her biological grandmother. She tried not to grimace at that. Tina Freeman was trying to be better, and Ella should respect that.

Then she opened the last card. This one said:

Ella,

Happy Birthday my darling daughter. You're an adult now, and I can hope you'll make better decisions than I did at your age because you were raised better than me, and from what I've heard, you are already a wonderful young woman.

I am writing you this not just to wish you a happy birthday, but also to tell you some news. I am being released from prison a week from your birthday. I wish I could be there for you on your actual birthday, but I know you may not have wanted that. So I am telling you this in case you decide to seek me out at some point. I have been given special permission to live with Elliot, and I assume you know where he is staying. I will understand if you do not wish to see me. Have a wonderful birthday, my child.

Sam

Ella blinked back tears. "What is it?" Eli asked.

"Nothing." Ella put the cards in her side drawer (which conveniently had a lock on it) and smiled at her little brother. "What's up?"

"Happy Birthday," he told her, pulling open his portfolio. Ella beamed, crawling forward on her bed. It was a long sheet of paper, almost poster sized, that had been hardened somehow, and Ella's eyes widened when she saw what it was a picture of.

"Oh my gosh, is that me and Toby?!" Ella demanded, shocked. It was them, but Ella didn't recall that picture ever being taken of them. She was wearing a long yellow dress, and the front strands of her hair had been pulled back into a braid. Toby was wearing a black suit and tie, and his brown hair fell almost over his eyes, and they were dancing. The last time Toby had danced with her was at Kelsey and Hunter's wedding, and she'd been wearing purple then, and that was long before she'd known Eli existed. Ella was fairly certain she and Toby had never worn these outfits, and hadn't danced together like this.

"Where…" Ella was flabbergasted. "How in the world did you do this, Eli? This is us, but I don't remember…"

"Artistic interpretations of the classics." Eli's face reddened slightly as he looked down. "Your dress is like the one Emma Watson wore in those Beauty and the Beast posters. I know your favorite color is yellow. And I saw a picture of Toby in a suit somewhere. And you love dancing so much… It really wasn't that hard to get your body types in those clothes and make it look like you're dancing."

Ella set the painting aside gently, and, much to Eli's apparent shock, pulled him into a tight hug. "Thank you so very much Eli. I love it!"

"There's a decoy present for everyone else to see you open," he mumbled. "It's a necklace Emma picked out. I think she figured I didn't get you anything, and besides, I wanted you to see this away from everyone else…"

Eli didn't like to showcase his artistic abilities to anyone, even though everyone knew he liked to draw. This was the first thing Eli had allowed Ella to look at that he'd made, and she was so touched, and so very mesmerized by how amazing an artist he was. It was like looking at a photograph of a fantasy. Her fantasy.

"Well, I will treasure it always," Ella said, touching her hand to his cheek.

Eli looked uncomfortable. He cleared his throat and stood up, making Ella drop her hand. "Ally said to tell you that breakfast is ready when you wake up. She made your favorite."

Ella had been expecting as much from her loving mother, but hearing it confirmed still made her jump up, squeal "PANCAKES!" and run out of the room like a child on Christmas morning.

Upon hearing her shout, Austin and Emma weren't but a few steps behind Ella when she arrived in the kitchen. And even though pancakes were not his favorite breakfast item, Evan, of course, was already seated in the kitchen chowing down. That boy sure loved to eat.

Eli was a little surprised to see that Toby wasn't there yet. His big sister's boyfriend was almost always there when they got up, and this was Ella's birthday.

However, as surprised as Eli was to not see Toby, he was that much more surprised to see Merilee Ingram sitting at their kitchen table beside Evan.

"These pancakes are fantastic Mrs. Moon," Merilee said through a mouthful.

"Ally, please," Ally laughed, handing her a napkin, which she took, blushing.

Eli couldn't help but speak up now, he was just too confused. "Where did you come from?"

Merilee raised an eyebrow at him. "Well you see, when a mommy and a daddy think they love each other—"

"Not what I meant."

"Well I'm obviously here to wish Ella a happy birthday and give her a present. Duh."

Ella looked delighted. "Awe, Merilee, you didn't have to get me a present."

"It's from the whole family. The kids made the card," Merilee informed her.

Eli cautiously took a seat nearby and glanced at the card, where there were a bunch of crayon scribbles and kiddie writing.

"You sure you didn't write that?" Austin asked, grinning, as he patted Merilee's shoulder.

"Ha ha." Merilee grinned.

Emma was looking at her kind of funny. "Hey, cool tie. Hufflepuff right?"

Eli's head snapped up, and he looked at what Merilee was wearing. The jeans and the white shirt were nothing abnormal, but that God-awful ugly tie certainly was, to him anyway. And he still didn't have a clue why he'd bought it for her in the first place.

Merilee blushed and nodded, keeping her eyes away from Eli's, which was fine by him.

Emma nodded appreciatively. "That's cool. I'm a Ravenclaw. Ella's a Gryffindor."

"Seriously?" Merilee turned to Ella with an eyebrow raised.

Ella looked mock-offended. "Hey, there's nothing wrong with being a Gryffindor."

Emma said, "They're so overrated," and Merilee agreed.

Eli groaned and walked out of the room with just a banana. He was so not in the mood to listen to talks about Harry Potter. Especially after Merliee had compared him to the boy wizard.

He was planning on just going back up to his room, when he heard footsteps behind him. Already knowing who it'd be, he stopped and, without turning, asked, "What is it Merilee?"

"I come bearing gifts."

He turned now, eyebrow raised, and saw she was holding a plate of really delicious looking breakfast food. His mouth watered just looking at it. Ally may've been a superstar in the famous world for her singing and acting, but here she was a superstar to Eli for her cooking.

"Why did you bring me that?" Eli had to force himself not to immediately grab the food and make a run for it.

Merilee rolled her eyes impatiently. "Because your family is in the kitchen enjoying your sister's birthday, and they'd like you to be a part of that. They're not going to force it, but I know Ella wants you there eating breakfast with her on her special day."

"So suddenly you're an Ella expert?"

Merilee frowned in confusion. "Did I do something to upset you?"

No, she hadn't. And that was the problem. She was worming her way into his life, and Eli did not want that. He wanted to stay secluded. He didn't want friends, or whatever Merilee was. He didn't want to grow closer to her. He didn't even want to see her more than he had to. He'd only bought her that stupid tie because she'd looked so sad. Apparently, that had been a mistake, because now she thought there was a chance she could still get him to be her friend.

"No, nothing," Eli mumbled, taking the food from her hands with a grudging "thanks" and went back into the kitchen.

Merilee sighed as she watched Eli's retreating figure. So it was back to square one with them huh? He acted like they hadn't walked around the mall together for an entire afternoon, and like he hadn't bought her the very thing she'd wanted most from her favorite store.

Boys were so confusing.

She went back into the kitchen and decided it was time to say her goodbyes to the Moon family.

"You're leaving?" Ella asked, seeming genuinely like she wanted her to stick around.

Merilee didn't know how to take Ella Dawson Moon. She'd hated her for years just simply because Ella and Toby seemed destined for each other. Now, however, Merilee was starting to grow out of her crush, just a bit. And she realized Ella was a really nice person, a person Merilee had ignored and been rude to for far too long. After all, she was an adopted kid just like Merilee's brothers and sister, and Eli. Merilee could kind of relate to her.

"Yeah," Merilee said casually, "I've got lots to do at home. I'll see you guys later."

Eli kept his head down as she left.

Okay, confession time. Merilee was not going home. She was going to Jazzy's new apartment and then probably the hospital. Her mom had told her it was getting close to flu season, but that didn't stop her. Merilee would see her mother as often if she could, and hey, if she got sick, Jenna would have to take off work to take care of her. It was a win-win.

Merilee knew most people, her family definitely included, considered these antics ridiculous and immature, but she didn't care. At home, Merilee was the oldest, the one expected to be responsible for the little ones. Even though her aunts, uncles and grandparents were often over to babysit, the kids preferred her nine times out of ten, just because she was there with them all the time. Also, she understood them. They wanted Jenna home just as much as Merilee did. Unfortunately for all of them, Jenna was the only person that provided for them, and therefore had to work constantly.

It wasn't fair. Jenna was only home at the dinner table about once a week and was so rushed at breakfast they had no time for any real conversation. Merilee missed her mom.

Jazzy answered the door about three minutes after Merilee had started knocking. After the second knock she'd yelled, "Just a minute!" and Merilee had had to wait out in the hallway of Jazzy's apartment building.

"Hey kid, what are you doing here?" Jazzy had baby April on her hip and the baby's face looked hastily scrubbed.

Merilee frowned at her. "What were you doing?"

"Nothing." Way too innocent.

"Jazzy, were you at a party?" That was the most innocent question Merilee felt like asking her.

Jazzy's eyes widened. "Oh no, nothing like that, I swear." She sighed. "Well you might as well come in."

Merilee did, and her eyes widened with shock at the disaster that was Jazzy's living room.

"Seriously Jazz, what did you do?"

It certainly looked like she'd thrown a party. The kind ten year old girls threw, with makeup and nail polish strewn all over the floor. Cosmetics were everywhere from her furniture to her walls, and even on the TV screen.

Jazzy winced. "I decided to teach April to play with girly things because she likes grabbing at my makeup. But my phone rang at the same time the microwave went off. I left her for maybe two minutes? And she was in her little bouncy seat, but I guess in my rush...I forgot to strap her in."

"Oh boy." Merilee looked around with wide eyes.

"You wanna help?" Jazzy asked hopefully.

Merilee smirked. "Oh Jazzy, I'd love to watch your baby and give her a proper bath while you clean up all of this. What a wonderful idea."

Jazzy groaned. She'd definitely been hoping Merilee would clean the house while she played with her baby.

"Be the Mama," Merilee said gently. "Mama's clean. Other people have fun with your baby." But then she realized how awful that sounded, especially with as much as she missed her own mother when she had to stay with other people. Jenna missed all the fun with her kids too. "Actually, you know what, scratch that. How about we take turns."

"Really?" Jazzy looked surprised.

"Really. There's no specific right way to raise your kid. She's yours. As long as you take care of her like a mother should, you should always decide what's best for her."

"I'm lost. That has nothing to do with the mascara coating my TV."

Merilee sighed. "What I mean is, you should spend time with April yourself. Not just as her financial support, but as her mom. She'll appreciate that. So we'll take turns on who cleans and who plays with the baby. But you take first shift. I did not make that mess, or enable the process."

Jazzy smiled at her. "You know, you're okay kid."

"So I've been told," Merilee mumbled, and they got to work.

"I can't believe my little Sunshine is all grown up."

Ella smiled and sat by her father, who immediately drug her into his lap like she was a young child again. "Daddyyyyy," she giggled.

"Hey, you're never too old to sit in my lap. If you are, that means I'm old too. And I will not accept being old, Sunshine. I just won't."

"Oh hush." Ally sat beside them, rolling her eyes good-naturally. "You were old long before she was grown honey."

Austin raised an eyebrow. "You're less than a year younger than me Dawson."

"Don't you Dawson me, Moon."

Ella groaned, but she was smiling. "Get a room you two. Gosh."

"We have a room," Austin countered. "It's just so much more fun torturing you kiddos."

Emma came and sat on Austin's other side. "When is Jazzy coming over? I can't believe I'm saying this but I miss her and the baby a little bit. Not the waking up at all hours, but they're family you know?"

Ella smiled at her precious little sister. "I know what you mean. I miss them too. Hopefully they'll be here soon."

She didn't miss the look her parents shared. It was so obvious they were planning something, She'd bet anything they'd be headed over to the mansion soon to celebrate with the whole family. That would likely be when the remaining family members they hadn't seen last week for Toby's birthday would give him his present.

Ella never minded sharing birthday things with Toby, even before they were dating. She felt it only made things more special. She just hoped he didn't spend as much on her as she had on him. She knew that wasn't really a fair expectation, but her parents were filthy rich. She could afford to spoil her boyfriend. All she wanted from him was for him to be there.

Eli and Evan interrupted her reverie by coming in from the kitchen (silently of course) and sitting on either side of Ally.

Evan groaned and laid across Ally's lap. "What are we waiting for?" He demanded. "I'm bored and I want to eat cake."

Ella snickered. "You just ate."

"And?" He raised an eyebrow. "I'm still hungry. I'm always hungry for cake."

Ella laughed. She had to give the kid that one. She, too, was always hungry for cake. Especially of the birthday variety.

"Anyway," Ally said, talking over her children, as she often had to do in this house, "we're waiting for everyone to get here."

At that very moment, the door opened, and three figures emerged. Three of Ella's favorite non-related people, to be exact.

It was totally unsurprising when Thalia and Derek came in bickering at each other. They were always bickering when they weren't shamelessly flirting with one another. Ella didn't mind. They were her best friends, and they often amused her with their silly antics. It was the person behind them she was most excited to see, however.

"Toby!"

Ella jumped up and threw herself in her boyfriend's arms.

Toby laughed. "Hey there Star. How's my grown girl?"

"Great." Ella leaned back and smiled up at him. "Where's my birthday kiss?"

He smirked and obliged willingly, kissing her softly. He'd probably have gone all out if her family hadn't been sitting there watching them, but Ella liked these feather light kisses just as much as she liked the passionate make-out sessions they sometimes got the chance to share.

He pulled back, looking at her with such a loving expression, it almost made her eyes water. "Happy birthday Ells."

"Thanks baby."

Ally was smiling widely at her oldest daughter, and turned to Toby. "Ready to take her?"

Ella was confused. "Take me? Take me where? I thought we were waiting on everyone to arrive."

Austin answered for them. "You still have about an hour or two, and Toby asked if he could take you on a picnic. Just be home by party time, okay?"

Ella smiled. "Thanks Daddy."

"Anytime Sunshine."

Ella wasn't sure her eyes could get any bigger. "This is SO not a picnic."

They were standing outside a tattoo parlor - the absolute last place Ella would expect Toby to take her to.

He grabbed her hand. "I know all your secrets, remember? I know you always wanted one. Happy Birthday."

"You're getting me a TATTOO?"

"Surprise?"

Ella was shocked. She never thought Toby would have the gaul to do something so crazy and impulsive. And if her parents ever found out…..

"You know my dad will kill you right?"

"I'm aware."

"And my mom won't be happy."

"Noted."

"And this is questionably legal."

Toby shook his head. "Eighteenth birthday, remember? We can do what we want… Within reason, of course. It's totally up to you, but I figured this would be a great present for your big one eight. What do you say?"

She had to think about it for a long minute. Her parents would FREAK if they found out. But he was right, she was technically an adult now. She could do this without their permission if she desired. And it was true, it had always been a secret desire she held close to her heart, only ever telling Toby. It was then she decided, and she knew exactly what she was going to get.

"Let's do this thing."

"Tella," Toby said approvingly, when Ella came out and pulled the waistband of her pants down enough for him to see her new body ink. "That's a mix of our names right?"

"Mhm." Ella pulled her pants back up and winced slightly. The black lettering hadn't hurt too much, but the pinkish-red rose she got beside it did. She'd forgotten to consider that red was the most painful color to get tattooed on the body for some reason.

Toby pulled her face to his and kissed her passionately. "I love you so so much."

"I love you too baby. Ready to go?"

"Not yet. We're gonna go pick up Jazzy and April. Logan's fixing her truck, and I know she'll like to see the one time you went a little wild." He elbowed her a little.

Ella grinned as they got in the car and drove towards Jazzy's apartment. He held her hand lightly on the gear shift while they drove, and Ella felt so peaceful, despite the slight stinging in her side.

When they arrived, Jazzy and the baby were already waiting outside the apartment complex.

Jazzy got up with a relieved sigh. "I locked my keys inside and the landlord isn't in. We've been out here for like an hour."

"Are you kidding me?" Ella demanded, snatching the baby up and putting her in the car immediately. "Toby, get her warm."

He wrapped his large body around her tiny one, and Ella shrugged out of her jacket, handing it to Jazzy. "You're lucky it's not that cold out yet."

"Yeah yeah I'm sorry," Jazzy put the jacket on and pulled Ella into a side hug. "Happy birthday girly."

Ella winced as her side came in contact with Jazzy's hip bone. "Thanks Jazz."

"What's wrong?"

"Uh…."

Toby grinned. "Show her Ells. Don't be bashful."

Ella looked around to make sure no one was looking, and showed Jazzy her brand new tattoo. Jazzy gasped dramatically, and bent down for a closer look. "Oh my gosh girl. I cannot believe you had it in you. A tattoo! Oh my gosh, Austin and Ally are going to kill you dead."

Ella rolled her eyes. "As opposed to killing me alive?" She pushed Jazzy toward the car. "You can't tell anyone. No one knows we weren't having a nice birthday picnic."

Jazzy shook her head. "This is the best news ever. I love having a big juicy secret. Prepare for me to use this against you if I ever have to. Not for babysitting, don't worry. I'm not that big a bi- Uh, jerk."

Jazzy was getting better about not cussing anymore, but she sometimes still forgot. It was mostly out of habit now.

Ella simply rolled her eyes. "Well, it's not like they can do anything about it now. It's legal, I'm an adult, and it can't be undone. Now get in the car before we're late."

Ella's party was in full swing. Her whole family was there, including, to Eli's disdain, Elliot Dawson.

"Why does he have to be here?" Eli practically whined to his Aunt Ally. "He gave us up."

Ally wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "E, your sister wants him here. He's her birth father, and her uncle. She loves him in a way. He's not here to torture you. I'm sure you can tough out his presence for a few hours right? For Ella?"

Eli sighed. He hated when these people caught him caring about them. "Fine. Can I stay in my room?"

"Nope. Now go have fun. Merilee's here."

"I see that." Eli tried not to huff. He wandered off, in the opposite direction of where Merilee was sitting by Jazzy and baby April, and found Emma hanging upside down from the couch.

"Hey kid."

"I am not a kid," Emma said, her face getting ever redder from the blood rushing to her head. "I'm almost twelve years old. You're only thirteen."

"I'm still a kid too, you know."

"Doesn't give you the authority to call me a kid, as if you're over me."

"I am over you. Literally. You're almost touching the ground, shorty."

"Shut up." Emma grinned and finally sat up, patting the seat beside her. "Pop a squat brother-cousin. Let's have a chat."

Eli raised an eyebrow. "Uh, about what?"

"About everything you're avoiding, duh."

His guard immediately went up several notches. "I'm not avoiding anything."

Emma rolled her eyes. "You're avoiding Uncle Elliot, Merilee, and talking to Evan."

"Evan doesn't exactly talk to me either."

"I know. I'll talk to him about that too. But right now we're on Elliot and Merilee. One, Elliot is your dad. Talk to him. Two, Merilee clearly has a crush on you, so stop leading her on."

"I'm not—"

"And third, talk to me. I'm good at keeping secrets."

He smiled a little. "I do talk to you, kid. More than probably anyone else in the house."

"See?" Emma grinned. "It's not so hard. You just gotta get out of your head a little."

"Whatever. I'm not accomplishing anything of that variety at Ella's birthday party. This is her special day. We need her happy—"

"IS THAT A TATTOO!?"

Emma hopped up to her feet. "Now that sounds interesting!"

Eli couldn't deny being a little curious too. They rushed to the living room where people had begun congregating around Ella and Terra, who was staring at Ella's hip.

Well, Eli thought, so much for Ella's happy birthday. She was going to be in so much trouble.

Ella sat dejectedly on her parents' bed as they shut the door behind them. Things were never good when they wanted to talk to her alone, and they shut the door to do it.

"I'm sorry?" Ella said immediately, although it came out like a question.

"Just tell me one thing," Ally said sternly. "Who's idea was this? Yours? Jazzy's?"

"Not Jazzy's," Ella replied hastily. "I promise. She couldn't convince me of something like this. Besides," she added quietly, "I'm an adult now. It's legal."

That argument was not nearly as strong as she had hoped. She could practically hear their next words: You live under our roof, you live by our rules.

Shockingly, that was not what they said.

Austin sat on one side of his daughter and pulled her close. "We know Sunshine. We just don't like it."

Ally sat on the other side of her, pushing her hair back. "Is this something you really want, baby? Are you sure you thought it through?"

Ella nodded emphatically. "I've always wanted one. Not to go crazy and get them all over my body, but get one or two meaningful ones in places employers wouldn't notice. That's not too crazy, is it?" She bit her lip. Ella hated disappointing her parents.

"No, baby," Ally smiled.

Ella looked at her father. "Are you mad Daddy?"

Austin kissed her temple. "I can't stay mad at you Sunshine. You're my girl."

Ally nodded. "It's your body, honey. As long as you're taking care of yourself, I think this isn't too unreasonable. Can we see it?"

Ella agreed hesitantly, and showed them. Both her parents looked confused.

Austin said, "Sunshine, I think they misspelled your name."

Ella shook her head. "No Daddy, I asked for it to say Tella. It's a ship name for—"

"Toby and Ella," Ally finished for her with an understanding smile. "That's adorable."

Austin stood up. "I take it all back. Where is that kid? He has some explaining to do."

"Daddy!" Ella exclaimed, at the same time Ally admonished, "Austin."

"What?" Austin cracked a smile. "I was just kidding. I'm not exactly thrilled our daughter got a boy's name partially inked on her body forever, but I guess it could've been worse."

Ally rolled her eyes at her child-like husband and turned to face her daughter. "So you didn't go to a picnic, then?"

"Um, no," Ella said apologetically. "This was my birthday present from him. I thought it was kind of perfect."

Ally stroked her hair. "Then we're happy for you. Just make sure you're taking care of that. Don't let it get infected. Use the ointment—"

"Mom," Ella whined, "please don't say 'ointment'."

"What?" Ally feigned innocence. "That's what it's called."

Ella merely smiled and hugged her. She loved her parents.

"Sunshine," Austin said, his voice oddly thickened. Ella turned to him curiously. "You'll always be our baby girl, no matter how old you get, alright?"

"Of course I will Daddy." Ella got up and hugged him tight.

Ally smiled. "I remember just like it was yesterday, finding you on my doorstep, and then waking up the next morning with Elliot gone. You were in this world three months before you were mine. And you've been mine ever since."

Ella's eyes watered. How had she gotten so lucky to have such wonderful parents? She could've ended up with a criminal for a mother, who would have taught her to beat children. Or a deadbeat dad. She loved her Uncle Elliot, but there was no doubt about him not being a very good person. He'd spent ten years in jail, and had abandoned two babies in his lifetime. He may be trying to make amends now, but Ella knew her life was so much better having not been raised by him, or Samantha.

She thought of Sam's letter suddenly, and had an odd desire to see the woman who'd given birth to her. She didn't know why. Maybe it had to do with the fact she legally could do so alone now. But she couldn't tell Austin and Ally that. They'd given up so much to keep her with them, and never let her end up in Samantha Freeman's greedy hands. They'd feel so hurt, knowing she wanted to get to know Sam.

It's not as if Ella wanted to know her in a motherly way. She wanted to understand. As a child, she'd been blind to the details of her conception and abandonment. Now, she knew most everything her parents knew. She wanted to know Sam's side. She wanted to know why a woman who had kept her baby for three months would suddenly leave her on the doorstep of a flighty man who could barely keep a roof over himself and his little sister. Why she hadn't loved her enough to keep her.

Ella's resolve hardened. She'd ignore Sam's request….for now. She did not want to hurt her parents, and it was not worth getting into right now.

"You're the best parents ever," Ella said finally, hugging and kissing both of their cheeks. "Thank you for loving me."

Austin's smile lit up the room. "Who couldn't love you Sunshine?"

Ella could think of a few people….

"...Happy Birthday, dear Ella…..Happy Birthday to you!"

Ella blew out her candles. Eli smiled a little. She'd already opened her presents, so now all Eli had to do was grab a piece of cake and escape to the luxury of his and Evan's shared bedroom.

Unfortunately, Eli could not slip away before Elliot stopped him. "Eli."

Eli huffed. "What do you want?"

"I want you to talk to me. I'm your dad—"

"I don't have a dad. I only have—had—a mom. And now she's gone too. So leave me alone. You know, like you did thirteen years ago."

"Eli—"

"And like you did to Ella eighteen years ago."

"Now hold on—"

"What?" Eli snapped. "You gonna deny it?"

Eli felt a soft hand on his shoulder, and looked up to see Ella standing there. "It's okay Eli. He knows what he did."

Elliot hung his head.

Oh, so you feel bad when she mentions it, Eli thought bitterly. He wasn't bitter towards Ella. He couldn't be. She was too nice.

Eli made an obscene gesture at his bio dad, and Ella quickly covered his hand before any of the younger kids in the house could see. Or maybe she just didn't want him getting in trouble with Austin and Ally. Maybe she thought they'd send him away too.

"Go to Hell," Eli seethed. "No one wants you here."

Ella wrapped a stiff arm around him. "I want him here, Eli."

"Why?" He demanded, wrenching from her grasp. "He gave you up too."

"I know," Ella said, closing her eyes for a minute. Eli was immediately sorry for saying that when he noticed faint traces of pain in her eyes when she opened them again. "But he's my family. I've forgiven him. Maybe one day you can too."

"I won't."

"Well then I'm sorry. Why don't you go on upstairs like you've wanted to all day and calm down a bit?"

Eli couldn't believe it. She was making him leave? This was absurd.

"Fine," he spat. "Happy birthday."

He trudged upstairs, and noted the sound of footsteps behind him. "Go away Merilee."

When he turned, he got a big surprise. There was no one there. "What the…?"

He glanced at the wall across from him. There was a picture of him and his mom the day he was born. Ally had insisted they add it to the family picture wall when he came to live with her. Eli bit his lip, looking at it. His mom was so beautiful and full of life in that picture. This was after Elliot had abandoned them, but she'd never appeared happier as she gazed down at her baby boy with nothing but love in her eyes.

"Mom," he whispered miserably. "I'm sorry. I'm trying. But it hurts so much…."

Obviously, she didn't reply, but Eli could feel her presence surrounding him, the blanket of love he always felt when she looked at him the way she was looking at the baby in the picture.

"I love you too Mom," he mumbled, wiping his eyes.

At the end of the day, Ella and Toby lay on the couch together while everyone else was in bed. He was lightly stroking her hair, and Ella could barely keep her eyes open.

"This has been… best birthday ever…" she mumbled, eyes drifting shut. Her mouth fell open seconds later, and Toby smiled, pulling the covers up over them both.

"Good night my love," he told her quietly, kissing her forehead.

Ok so there you have it. Chapter seven. I promise it'll pick up from here guys. I didn't realize how much of a filler chapter this would be until it took me A WHOLE FREAKIN YEAR (and a half…) to write this one. I'm so, so sorry. If you are still with me…. Wow, that's incredible. I had so many reviews saying guests check for updates on this story regularly because they're not like the subscribers who get email updates when a story they follow has been updated. So again, thank you from the bottom of my heart if you are still reading this. I will continue to see this story through to its end, but I make no promises on frequent updates. The little 12 year old who started writing Austin & Ally fanfiction for fun is now a grown up college girl with finals next week. But I still love you guys, and I feel like I can never complete a real book for publication until I first see through these works from my past.

These characters are my babies. They were my life for a long, long time. I have new babies now, and these are all grown up, but will always hold a special place in my heart. I hope you come to visit them from time to time as I plan to. :)

*I don't own anything you might recognize

God Bless you all

- Daddysgirl11