--------------------------------------------- A Week Later--------------------------------------------------------

“So then I just did everything he taught me and I rode the wave out!” Kate said to Val. They were lounging on the beach behind Brian’s and Kate was telling her about the first wave she caught.

“Why don’t you show me?” Val said with a bit of laughter. Kate shook her head.

“No thanks. I only wanted to know I could do it. Now I don’t have to again.” She said with a smile. Val laughed.

“You got pounded by the water didn’t you.” Kate nodded and they laughed.

Brian watched them from the porch with a smile. He and Matt were working on some stuff for the new album and they decided to take a break.

“Man that riff you came up with is pretty awesome.” Matt said. Brian nodded but kept his gaze upon Kate.

“So what have you got planned for her birthday?” Matt asked. Brian turned around and smiled.

“Come into the house, I’ll tell you.”

-------------------------------------------The Next Day----------------------------------------------------------

Today was Kate’s 21st birthday. Brian woke up early to set his plan into motion. He called Val to make sure she was ready to do her part, then he started with breakfast.

Kate woke up soon after to the smell of bacon and eggs. She smiled and stretched, then hopped out of bed. Brian saw her walk into the kitchen and he smiled.

“Happy birthday Kate.” He said. She smiled.

“Thank you. What is this, a breakfast omelet?” She asked. He chuckled and nodded.

He set a plate in front of her. It had a giant omelet cut in half on it. Inside of it was cheese and bacon, two of Kate’s favorites. Then he set a glass of orange juice on the table and a side of toast. She smiled.

“Brian this looks delicious.” She said. Brian smiled and sat down beside her.

Brian ate his breakfast quickly, then watched Kate eat hers. She hated to admit it, but Brian was an amazing cook. She slowly finished her omelet, then leaned back in the chair.

“That was amazing. Thank you.” She said with a smile. He nodded then looked up at the clock.

“Don’t you think you should get dressed now?” He asked her. She looked down at her pajama’s then rolled her eyes.

“Oh fine.” She huffed, then went to change.

Brian cleared the table, then nervously paced around the kitchen. Kate came out a few minutes later in shorts and a Pantera t-shirt. Brian smiled at her and she raised her eyebrow.

“What is your deal today?” She said. He chuckled, then on cue the doorbell rang. Brian walked over and answered it. It was Val.

“Happy Birthday Kate!” She shouted from the doorway. Kate smiled and hugged her.

“Thank you!” Val giggled then put her arm around her.

“Now, I’m going to take you shopping and to get your hair and nails done!” She said. Kate smiled and looked back to Brian.

“Have a good time. I’ll see you later.” He said. She smiled and Val dragged her out of the house.

Four hours, a new outfit, hair cut and color, and a full nail set later, Val and Kate finally pulled into Brian’s driveway. Before they got out, Val locked the doors and took a bandana out of her purse.

“What’s that for?” She asked. Val smiled evilly, then tied it over her eyes.

“Val what are you doing?” Val giggled.

“Don’t worry. Just go with it.” She said. Kate sighed and smiled.

Her door opened and two hands reached out and touched her arms.

“Come on.” It was Brian.

She smiled and let him lead her into the house. She could smell food and smoke coming from outside. When they got to the French doors, Brian stopped. Another pair of hands touched hers and Brian stepped behind her.

“Happy Birthday Kate.” He said as he untied the bandana.

Standing in front of Kate was her father. Kate gasped and brought her hands to her face.

“Daddy.” She said softly. Officer Moore smiled and nodded.

“Happy Birthday Kate.” He said. Kate smiled and threw her arms around his neck.

As she was hugging him, she saw her old friend Torri from New York.

“Torri!” She shouted. Torri laughed and ran over to hug her.

“Happy Birthday honey.” She said.

When they all pulled away, Kate shook her head.

“How did you get here?” She asked. Torri smiled.

“Brian called us. He asked us if we could come out for your birthday. He paid for everything.” Torri said quietly.

Kate smiled and looked at Brian. He was drinking a beer with Matt. He caught her gaze and smiled. A tear fell from her eye and she whispered ‘thank you’ to him. He just nodded and went back to his conversation. Torri went off to talk to Val and Kate took her dad on a walk on the beach.

“Kate you look so good compared to the last time I saw you.” He said. Kate chuckled.

“That’s because the last time you saw me I was beat up.” She said. He nodded.

“I know. It’s good to see that you’re taken care of here.” She smiled.

“I like it here. I love my job, I love my friends.” She said. Officer Moore nodded.

“I know you do. I see you got a new tattoo.” He said. Kate blushed and touched it nervously.

“Yeah about this, it’s kinda like their way of welcoming me into the family.” She said. He chuckled and put his arm around her.

“I’m so glad you’re here daddy.” She said. He kissed her temple.

“So am I Kate. I can’t believe you’re 21 now.” He said. Kate smiled and looked at him.

“Dad, do you think..do you think momma’s proud of me?” She asked him. He looked at her and smiled.

“I know she is sweetheart.” She smiled and kissed his cheek.

“Come on, let’s go rejoin the party.” He said. She nodded and they went back up.

Brian handed Kate a beer when they got back and she laughed.

“Have your first legal drink.” He said. She smiled and took a sip. Everyone cheered and took a drink of their beer.

“Brian, can I have a word with you?” Kate’s father asked. Brian nodded and they went into the kitchen.

“Brian, there’s something very important I need to talk to you about.” Brian slid the French door closed and nodded.

“Sure what is it?” Officer Moore sighed and closed his eyes.

“You remember how Scott was released right?” He said. Brian closed his eyes and clenched his fists.

“Yes.” He said. Officer Moore looked out at Kate, then back to Brian.

“Brian, we’ve lost track of him.” He said. Brian’s heart stopped.

“W-what?” He said panicked. Officer Moore put his hands on his face then closed his eyes.

“We had men following him for a while and then he just disappeared.”

“So where do you think he is?” Brian said slowly. Officer Moore just looked at him and Brian shook his head.

“No. No way, you don’t think he’s here do you?” He said loudly. Officer Moore quieted him and pulled him out of view.

“It would make sense. He knew she was with you and if he were smart he could’ve followed your tour schedule and he might know you’re here.” Brian started to shake. He was angry and scared all at the same time. He gripped the counter and shook his head.

“What do you want me to do?” He asked. Officer Moore sighed and put his hand on Brian’s back.

“Protect her. Please.” He said. Brian looked him in the eye.

“I will never let anything happen to her. I swear.” Officer Moore nodded and started to say something else, but Kate walked in.

“There you are. What are you doing?” She said. Brian faced the refrigerator and her father just smiled softly at her.

“I was helping Brian with the cake.” He said. Brian pulled the cake out and set it on the counter. Kate smiled and went back outside.

“Brian. Don’t tell her.” He nodded and carried the cake outside.

“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Kate, happy birthday to you.” They sang to Kate. She smiled as Brian lit the candles. There were exactly 21.

“I did it myself.” Brian said. Kate laughed.

“Make a wish!” Val shouted. Kate smiled, closed her eyes for a moment then blew out the candles.

Everyone cheered and clapped. Kate grinned and helped Brian cut the cake.

After they ate cake and ice cream and drank a little bit more, every decided it was time to call it a night. Kate’s father and Torri took a cab to the hotel they were staying at so it just her and Brian.

He had already cleaned everything up and just was smoking outside. Kate went up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. Brian jumped a little then relaxed.

“Thank you for everything Brian.” She said barely above a whisper. Brian turned so that he was facing her and hugged her back.

“You’re welcome Kate.” He said. She sighed and smiled.

“How’d you do it?” She asked. He shrugged.

“About a week ago I called and made all the arrangements, and today I set it up with Val so that you’d be gone all day so I could pick them up from the airport and bring them back here.” She smiled and shook her head.

“Well it was the best birthday present ever.” She said. Brian bent down and kissed her forehead.

“You’re welcome.” He said. Kate blushed, then Brian put his cigarette out and went inside.