The days passed and the twins already settled being in a new enviroment, her as well, though she is a little reluctant to admit it. Her and Ethan also established a routine in terms of work, taking care of the kids and even doing the chores. If Ethan will go somewhere due to work - like right now - for several days, he will inform her and will let her know. It feels as if they are one big happy family - as what the twins always say every night before going to sleep. Yes, she feels that way too, but she doesn't want to get too much involve with their father, though she doesn't want to feel hopeful, her traitor heart feels otherwise.

Her work wasn't interrupted as well since they lived with him. He even shared his home office to her, she has her own desk where she can draw her latest collection of dresses and cabinet to keep her files, for those things, she was thankful at him.

The twins even spend their time with them while they are working, so the office litters not just her sketches and Ethan's drawings but the kids' as well. Ethan would hang them in his corkboard by the wall after Nate and Ally show him their work where he will indulge them when they explain to him what their drawing is all about. Eventhough it eats up more of his time - him allowing them to do it, she can say that he likes it based on the smile which is permanently etched on his face nowadays.

Her musing ended when Ally caled her name.

"Mama..."

"Yes sweetie, what is it?" She asked while turning towards her daughter who was currently on the floor with her brother, both are sketching something.

"Do you know when is papa's birthday?"

Her eyebrows creased with her daughter's question, even Nate looked up from his sketch pad and stared at her, eyes questioning as well. Now that she thinks about it, she doesn't know, or if she does, she already forgotten it.

Did it even came up during those times they were together? She mentally screamed when the answer is a big NO. Yes, they have been together and even connected physically - the evidence of that are both staring at her with hope in their cerulean blue eyes, but it is only for a short time, too short for it to come up. She may have thought it is not that important at that time, or was it? She mentally groaned at her thoughts and looked at her children. She is debating what to tell them without them knowing that she didn't know their father's birthday. She is still thinking of a subtle way to tell them the truth when Nate suddenly spoke.

"You don't know papa's birthday mama?" Though it was spoken as a question it came up as a statement, a fact - at least that how she felt on her end - that she cringed. Taking a deep breath she answered their question(s).

"Ahmm...I don't know your father's birthday."

"You don't?" Ally asked for confirmation that she answered with a hesitant nod.

"Why?" Ally followed up.

"Why what?" She asked a bit defensively.

"Why you didn't know?" Her daughter asked her again with Nate staring at her intently.

"Well, because we didn't get on that part when we were together. We didn't get to celebrate it, so I don't know, I have no idea." She defended.

At her answer Ally puckered her lips and turned to her brother who also turned to his sister. They stared at each other, communicating with their eyes. Her eyes narrowed at the sight and prepared herself for the onslaught of ideas coming from them. Half a minute later, they broke the eye contact and both turned to her making her raise her brow.

"Alright, spill! Tell me what thoughts you have about it."

At her statement, the twins both look at her intently that she again groan inwardly. Taking a deep breath, she looked at them seriously, it was Nate who spoke.

"First mama, we need to know when is papa's birthday."

"And a way to know it is to call grandma or grandpa or Uncle Sean and Zach, or even Aunt Claire." Ally followed.

"And what are your plans after knowing when it is?" She asked them, contemplating whether to disturb Ethan's family just to ask them his birthday, when they did not answer she asked another question

"And what had transpired for the two of you to want to know that detail?" At her question, Nate quickly answered.

"Because we heard Mrs. Goodman while she is listing her things to do for the week, that papa's birthday is coming up, so she needs to take out the nice curtains to wash it. So me and Ally, we decided to make something for papa as a gift, but we don't know when it is."

She sighed and took her cellphone, she is mentally scolding herself while searching for Alessa's number in her contact list, because her children are correct. When the other end started to ring, she stood up and sat on the floor as well, she put the phone on speaker and waited. The ringing tone is almost up when somebody picked up on the other end, it was male.

"Hello!" It looks like he is angry about something. The twins looked at her hesitating, so she step up.

"Hello, good morning. May I please speak to Alessa?" Her voice is somewhat quivering.

"She is not here." The man said and quickly ended the call. She was astounded and she froze for several second, before she can think of anything else, Ally snatched her phone and redialed the number. The ringer is almost up again when the other line answered, it was the same man.

"Hell-" Even before the man finish his perfunctory greeting, Ally cut him off and went on to her tirade.

"You are rude! Our mama only wants to talk to grandma Alessa but you ended the call right away! Where is she? Why is her phone with you?"

There was silence on the other end before a booming laugh echoed. It took a moment for him to finish laughing and with a hint of a smile, he asked in a mild manner.

"May I know who is on the line?"

"It's Ally. May I know your name?" Her daughter answered now in a calm tone.

The man chuckled first before answering with a question.

"You are Ethan's child isn't it?"

"Yes." Ally answered, wide-eyed.

"And your mom is the one who answered a while ago."

"Uh-huh."

"Who else is with you cupcake?"

"My brother Nate. Can you answer my question now?" Ally answered calmly though a pink tinge can be seen in her cheek from the endearment.

Another chuckle was heard before he finally answered.

"I'm Ollie, one of your uncles. I am your papa's brother."

The answer made the twins gasp and Nate scrambled from the floor to inch closer on the phone then shouted.

"You are the fighter!"

He may have been too loud because the other end stuttered.

"Uh-yeah." They heard him cleared his throat before speaking.

"Is this Nate?"

"Yeah."

"How are you buddy?"

"I am fine."

"From where did you hear that I am into fighting?" Though he asked in a mild tone, something seeped through, making her think that the topic might have been an off limits.

"Uhm, I think I heard it from Aunt Claire?"

"Is that so?"

"Yeah."

"Anyways, I am sorry for what I did when you first called. Your grandma Alessa isn't here and she accidentally left her phone. Do you have any message for her?"

"It's okay Uncle Ollie, you're forgiven." Ally said nonchalantly.

"Actually we called because we want to know our papa's birthday." - Nate

"We just know that it is coming soon, but we don't know when it is specifically." - Ally

"Can you tell us when it will be Uncle Ollie?" - Nate

An audible gasps was heard at Ollie's answer, and she knew her's was the loudest.

"Sure. It is actually tomorrow."

---

Stupid, stupid! She keeps on berating herself while helping Mrs. Goodman setting up the whole house for Ethan's birthday. He is coming home today, after lunch according to him and they have been preparing everything needed since yesterday after Ollie announced to them that Ethan's birthday is actually today. She also invited the family to come over, even Claire and Lucas, so they have been busy, and the twins finished their gift to their papa, as to what it is, she have no idea.

Alessa and Nathan arrived first, claiming that they will lend a hand if still needed. Then the brothers, with Ollie whooping when he met the kids. Finally, Lucas and Claire arrived with their son Luke and Drake in tow scowling - a first, for he is always goofing around and smiling, a contrast to his serious self whenever he is in his lawyer mode. Then Mel came seconds after Drake came in, still in her usual bubbly self.

The sound of a car engine pulling up in the driveway and the telltale sound of the garage door opening alerted them of Ethan's arrival. They all scrambled to hide to take him by surprise.

---

Ethan stepped out from his car and closed the garage door, entering the house through the breezeway, his brows furrowed, the house is eerily quiet. Usually the twins will already be out of the house to meet him, he searched his memory if Ellie said something about them going out, but he came out empty.

'So much for my birthday' he sighed at his depressing thoughts and was about to turn around when a shout and a loud pop startled him.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Came the greeting and confettis, followed by a birthday song and he saw his family, his parents and siblings even his frenemy Lucas and Drake. His eyes went to his children who are both holding the banner saying Happy Birthday, then it finally settled on Ellie who is smiling at him holding a birthday cake.

"Make a wish." He heard Ellie said, inching the cake towards him. He close his eyes first then blew the candle on his cake.

His eyes watered and didn't realize he is crying not until Ally said it while wiping a lone tear from his cheek.

"You're crying papa."

"Papa is just happy sweetheart." He said lovingly then he kissed and hugged them - his children while his family are all around him, smiling happily at him. He didn't have any wish, having them here is enough - for now. Making them stay with him for a lifetime is something not to be wished on a birthday cake, that is a work that he must do.