"Where's the birthday girl?" I asked Alec as I put my gift on the pile of gifts on the long rectangular table.

Looking around the vast and well lit living room filled with people, but failing to find the one person I wanted to see after being away for two weeks.

Alec smiled. "She's on her way with Emil." He said before walking ahead of me. I followed after him, getting a flute of champagne from the waiting server.

"Didn't she asked to have less security tonight?" I said, chuckling a bit at the image of her pouting now just at the thought of Emil having to drive her here.

"I did set up less security." He said with a shrug of his shoulders.

"By less, what exactly do you mean?" I asked him as he stopped at the near

"I gave her other four bodyguards, including Nica, the day off." He said, sounding so proud of his decisions. "Besides, I only have five guards guarding the whole place. Emil won't even be working tonight. He's just dropping Mara off."

I nodded my head, acknowledging the fact that he had lessen the security around Mara this much is a phenomenon for him. I have always pointed out that Alec is overprotective and sometimes acts more of a parent of Mara's than Jack ever had.

"Alec, where's Mara?" Artemis asked as she stood in front of us dressed in a purple knee length dress paired with black stilettoes. Beside her is her brother, Apollo, who is dressed in a black suit, looking much older than he actually is.

"She's on her way." Alec said, rolling his eyes. I wonder how many times he had to answer that question tonight that he had started getting annoyed by it.

Artemis smiled, nodding her head. "I'm excited." She said.

"Why?" I asked her.

"We've been away since the start of the summer break. Mara doesn't even know we're here." Artemis said with a mischievous smile.

Apollo shook his head. "she wanted to see her cry in surprise, that's all there is to it." He said, putting his hand on top of his sister's head.

"I think it'll be fun." Alec said with a smile of his own.

"I didn't think fun is on your vocabulary." Eros' sarcastic words made me want to roll my eyes. Of course he's here.

"Eros." Alec greeted him.

I'm more surprised that Alec is all smiles tonight instead of worrying over every little thing about this celebration.

"I thought this was suppose to be a small celebration." Eros said looking at the number of people, who mostly are business associates.

Alec shrugged his shoulders. "I tried but it might be a little disrespectful to not invite a few close business associates."

"We'll just be by the bar then." Artemis said, puling her brother along with her.

"Don't get drunk yet." I called after them, making sure that they heard me.

"Mara's here." Alec said as he put his phone back on his pocket. He looked at me and said, "Would you escort her in, Dustyn?"

I nodded my head, finishing my champagne. "Gladly."

"You are way too excited man." Eros said as he gave me a pat on my shoulder. "Try to calm down a little okay?"

I glared at him before shrugging his hand off of my shoulder in annoyance. "I'm going to go get Mara before I loose my temper with you idiot." I said, earning a smile from Eros.

I walked away from the pair, the excitement in me making me walk faster than expected. It didn't take me long to get outside and to see Emil helping Mara out of the car.

"Thank you, Emil." I heard her say as I jog up to them.

"You're wearing a jumpsuit." I said with a smile.

She looked up at me in surprise. "Dy! Your already here. I didn't you would get here this early." She said suddenly looking confused.

I tilted my head and looked at her. "Early? What do you mean? Everyone's already here." I told her.

Her eyes widen at what I had just said. "Excuse me?"

I nodded my head. "Alec probably gave you the wrong time."

She looked up, annoyed, before drawing in a deep breathe. "I' m going to kill him." She said under her breathe, making me laugh.

"It's okay for the guest of honor to arrive late." I told her taking her hand in mine. "Besides, we could just call it fashionably late."

She slapped my arm in annoyance. "You are no better than him."

"Hey. I didn't plan this!" I said, chuckling. I looked down at her clothes again and couldn't help but shake my head. "So whose idea is it to wear a jumpsuit? Does Alec even know?"

She grinned, and I already know the answer even without her telling me. "Nope. It looked like a dress on the closet, so I think he didn't notice." She said with a victorious grin once again.

"Well, it's your birthday. You can get away with anything."

She shrugged her shoulders. "Ain't that right?"

"Come on. Let's get inside before Alec comes marching out." I tell her, pulling her gently along with me.

"That's a very possible outcome." She said with a smile, before gripping my hand a little tighter. "I'm also kind of nervous."

"Well don't be. This is your party. No need to be nervous." I told her as I pulled her along with me inside the mansion.

"I guess you are right." She said, letting out a shaky breath.

Smiling at her, I kissed her cheek. "Of course I am."

Not waiting for a reply, I pushed the door open just in time to hear Alec's voice on the speaker welcoming and introducing the birthday celebrant beside me. People turned in our direction, looking at Mara. Assessing her as they do.

I ignored them and slowly escorted Mara to the center of the room where Alec stood waiting, with a server not far from him. I stopped a few steps away and let Alec take Mara's hand. He hands her a glass of champagne as soon as she is standing beside him.

"Happy Birthday, Mara." He said, smiling at his sister lovingly. Followed by a chorus of greetings from the rest of the guests.

Mara smiles, the redness on her cheek very visible. "Thank you." She said softly, with a smile on her face. "Thank you for coming and celebrating this day with me."

"Please. Dinner will be served in fifteen minutes." Alec said with a smile as gets hold of Mara's hand ang pulls her along with him to go where I was standing.

"Well I got fooled by that dress looking jumper." He said with a fond smile as he shakes his head.

"You caught on pretty fast there." I said with a smile of my own.

"You said you already have a dress and rejected mine. This does not count as a dress." Alec said, pointing out the obvious.

"Hey. It's my birthday. And you lied about the time so we are even." Mara replied with confidence.

Alec smiled, kissing Mara's head fondly. "Well, I'm sorry."

"Mara!" Artemis' loud voice caught our attention and those people nearby. She runs to Mara with a smile and quickly envelops her in a hug.

"Art! Oh gosh. You made it!" Mara squealed in delight as she too hugs Artemis tightly.

"Well of course I'm here." Artemis said as she took a step back from Mara. "I brought Apollo too but some girl had him cornered by the bar already." Artemis said, rolling her eyes.

"You didn't tell me you were coming." Mara said accusingly.

"Surprise!" Artemis said, chuckling to herself.

"I'm surprised alright." Mara said with a smile. "Let's go get Apollo."

"Okay. Scare the ladies away." Artemis said, pulling Mara along with her and expertly maneuvering around the people who are talking among themselves.

"Alec." Our attention turned to an elderly couple who made their way to us.

"Mr. and Mrs. Galvez, I'm glad you made it." Alec said as the woman kissed his cheeks fondly. "I didn't expect you to come all the way here."

Mr. Galvez smiled. "Emelda here, is pretty curious about the young Ramirez. She wanted to see her for herself."

"I'm sorry I wasn't able to introduce you." Alec said with a guilty smile. "Her friend stole her,"

"It's alright, child. You really have grown up quite nicely." Mrs. Galvez said giving Alec a fond smile. "And who might this fine man be?"

"Oh." Alec said as if he was just remembering I was standing there. "This is Dustyn Franco, Mara's fiancé. Dustyn, Mr. Galvez was the Director at the orphanage where Mom adopted me."

"Oh. It's very nice to meet you." I said in respect with the two in front of me. I looked at Alec, but he just nodded his head at me. I didn't expect him to invite them here without telling Mara about the truth yet. This kind of surprise is not a good surprise.

"She looked exactly like May, didn't she?" She said, looking at her husband fondly. "I hope she turns out to be exactly like May. Such a beautiful woman with the kindest heart."

"Now, now, honey. Let's not burden the birthday celebrant with such words." Mr. Galvez said. "I'm glad to see you have such a good life."

Alec nodded. "Thank you. If it wasn't for May, I wouldn't have any of this or even anyone."

"Child, no matter what, you would have been adopted. My wife and myself have though of adopting you before you turned a year old. But May took the greatest interest on you and begged her father to help adopt you. I can say in confidence that we're glad that May did. She raised you right." Mr. Galvez said looking at Alec with a soft smile on his lips. "Well, we won't hog you for much longer. I know there's a lot of guests that you have to talk to."

"Thank you again for coming. I'll come find you when Mara gets back." Alec said to them.

"of course. We'll be around. Dustyn." Mr. Galvin said. The couple moved away from us but is soon followed by a number of business people hoping to strengthen their relationship with the both of us.

This is going to be a long night.