My birthday. I can't believe it's in three days. Time has flown by so slowly but also, somehow, incredibly fast. After my meltdown about a week ago, I've been a little distant. At least, I was at first. I know, I know, it wasn't their fault I was insecure about their love for me. I mean, that's all they've ever tried to prove to me--how deeply they care for me. But I couldn't help it; Mother's words just really got to me.

When I'd asked if they loved me, they were outraged and completely appalled. They insisted very flamboyantly that they loved me--something I'd already known, but I just had to ask.

They were so scared for me after I had my panic attack, and they didn't hesitate to reassure me how much they care for me.

And now I'm here, lying on Cole's chest between Ashton and Xavier, soaking in their warmth and contemplating my next course of action for the next three days while they sleep soundlessly.

I'll be eighteen, the legal age of freedom and passage, but I don't necessarily want to be free. Not if it means leaving my boys. Not if it means giving up the only things I've ever loved.

I'll be an official adult, but I'll still be grounded like a child, I'll love like a child--my heart completely taken by their's--and I'll cherish every second of it.

Children have it easy... most of the time.

And I want to live my newly-found, easy, carefree life for as long as possible.

"What are you thinking about?" Comes a raspy voice from behind me, husky from just waking up. Xavier. He snakes his hand around my waist, pulling himself closer to me. I sigh when my back meets his chest and I feel his warmth pressed against me.

Yup, I definitely never want to grow up.

"Nothing important," I answer, biting my lip and suppressing a shiver when I feel his breath agaisnt my neck. "Just my birthday."

"I happen to think your birthday is very important," he chuckles. "A lot can happen in one day." I blush at his innuendo.

"Yeah, I guess it can," I giggle quietly, trying not to wake the others up. "I can't wait to officially be your mate."

His grip tightens around me, and I find myself choking on my breath. "Me too. Honestly, that's all I've been thinking about since the moment I saw you drive up to the school in that sexy car of yours." I smile at his admission, wiggling out of his grip to turn around and face him.

God, he's so fucking beautiful. And I can't help but wonder how I ever got so lucky with finding them. His auburn hair is a mess atop his head, and I have to resist the urge to run my hands through it. Instead, I cup his cheek in one of my hands and smile softly at him.

"I love you, Xavier."

"I love you more, Avelyn," he says with a massive grin.

"Awe, what about me?" Cole's voice is suddenly heard, coming out in a whine as he shifts below me to sit up. This causes Ashton to wake up, too.

I turn to the blond haired devil. "Don't worry, Coco. I love you too," I giggle, pecking him on the lips. He smiles against the brief kiss, nibbling on my bottom lip for a moment before letting me go. "And you too, of course, Ash," I say, pecking Ashton on the cheek, making him pout.

"Why does he get a kiss on the lips and I don't?" I laugh at his question and his face that's pulled into a frown, leaning in to kiss him on the lips which makes his frown turn into a beaming grin.

"Love you, babygir-," Ash's voice is cut off by the rumbling of a stomach, and by the blush on Cole's cheeks, I'd say it belonged to him.

"Come on, ya big goof. Let's get you some food." He rolls his eyes at my teasing but follows behind me happily as I hop off the bed and make my way down the stairs, anxious to get some breakfast.

"What do you all want?" I ask, pulling out eggs from the fridge.

"You," I hear Cole mutter. I can tell I'm not the only one that heard, as Xavier hits him on the back of the head. I blush, but continue to pull the ingredients out to make pancakes.

"Pancakes it is, then," I declare, already mixing up the batter.

"Make sure they have chocolate chips!" Cole chirps, making me giggle as I pour some in the bowl.

"Already on it!"

"Not too many, princess. Don't want Cole over here to get a fucking sugar high. Sometimes he doesn't know when to fucking quit when it comes to anything sweet." Cole just shrugs at Xavier's words, clearly not surprised by that little bit of information.

Humming a random tune quietly to myself, I pour some of the pancake batter onto the pan atop the stove, and I watch it as little bubbles begin to form, letting me know it's ready to be flipped.

Soon, the pancakes are done and served on individual plates for everyone, all of us digging into the chocolatey goodness. Even Xavier, the man himself was muttering about how amazing they were.

"So, kitten, anything in particular you want for your birthday?" Cole asks, and I direct my gaze to him, swallowing the bite that was in my mouth before answering.

"Y'know, I should ask you the same thing. Don't think I forgot your birthday is tomorrow, Coco." I smirk at his shocked expression. "Don't act so surprised, Cole. I'd never forget your birthday. In fact, I have something special planned."

"No, Ava, that really isn't necessary," he insists, but I shake my head, denying his words.

"You're gonna be eighteen, too. Do you really expect me not to do anything special? I wanna do something for you like I know you're all going to do for me," I say with a pout and a slight whine, making him roll his eyes and sigh in defeat.

"Fine," he grumbles, his shoulders slumping. I giggle at his pouty demeanor.

"Oh don't look so sad, Coco. You'll love it. At least, I hope you will." His face is no longer defeated as he looks up at me with a smile, grabbing my hand across the table.

"Kitten, even if you were to burn all the chocolate in the world, I'm sure I'd still love it," he declares, but soon his face pales as he realizes what he's just said. "You know what? I take that back. Please don't burn any chocolate. That would just be cruel."

I snort at his face, looking completely appalled, no doubt visualizing the scene in his head right now. Poor guy, he'd probably have nightmares about that tonight.

"Don't worry," I reassure. "I promise no chocolate will be harmed."

He sighs, seeming relieved at the reassurance. "Thank God," he mutters.

"Princess, you never answered the question." I turn to Xavier at his statement, quick to deny anything they'd want to give me.

"I don't want anything. I already have everything I want." They all beam at my words, making me smile back just as grandly.

"Well, whether you want anything or not, you're getting something, babygirl. And I won't allow you to deny it."

I groan and roll my eyes, but I know there's no use in arguing. I wouldn't be able to sway them in their decision, anyway. "Fine, but just know I'll accept it very reluctantly," I grin playfully.

"Oh, after what you did to my hair, you're gonna have to accept anything I get you. And with a fucking smile, too," Xavier says, making me snicker at the memory.

"Cole Christopher fucking Sanders! You get in here before I come to you and beat your fucking ass!" Xavier's voice is heard shouting throughout the house, and I'm quick to rush up the stairs, worried something is wrong.

When I reach Xavier's bedroom where the shouts are coming from, I suddenly realize what all the yelling is about. I laugh aloud at his apprehension, my laughter never faltering as Cole and Ashton rush up the stairs to see the problem, too. Xavier's bathroom door is abruptly opened, creating a bang when the door meets the wall. I have to force my eyes away from his toned chest with water droplets running down his washboard abs and up to his face. He's wearing nothing but a towel, clearly having just got out of the shower.

He's glaring so hard right now at Cole, and I can tell that in this moment, if it were possible, lazers would be shooting out of his eyes and straight at Cole.

His normal auburn hair is dyed a lime green, bringing out the color in his emerald green eyes.

"I'm gonna kill you, you little shit," Xavier growls, eyes still focused intently on Cole. I have to bring my hand to cover my mouth in an attempt to stifle my laughter.

"What did I do? Why do you just assume I'm the one who did it?" Cole asks, feigning innocence. Xavier is not impressed.

"How the fuck do I get it out?" He rumbles, looking like he's trying very hard not to strangle Cole in this moment.

I look over at Cole, and he does the same. When we make eye contact, we can't hold back our cackling anymore and we begin to die of laughter.

"Oh my God! You look ridiculous!" I chortle, Cole and Ashton joining in on my laughter.

When the giggles finally begin to subside and I've wiped all the tears out from under my eyes, I glance back over at Xavier. He's sporting an intense blush right now, and my face softens.

"Alright, I give in. I have a confession to make." Cole looks at me with wide, frantic eyes, subtly shaking his head no at me. I roll my eyes at his silent pleading.

Xavier looks at me curiously, the crimson not leaving his cheeks. "I may or may not have helped Cole put hair dye in your shampoo."

Instead of looking mad, he looks more exasperated. "Not you, too," he groans, running a hand down his face with a defeated sigh. "That asshole has the pranking plague, and I think he's infected you."

I shrug. "I wouldn't mind having the virus if it meant seeing you like this every day. Besides, I happen to think it's hilarious. Have fun trying to wash that out for the next few weeks. I wouldn't really say green is your color, but it goes with your eyes, I guess. Makes them pop." I decide not to tell him that Cole has the hair dye remover for a little longer, wanting to drawl this out for as long as possible. He blanches at my words.

"W-weeks?" He stutters, making Coco and I giggle quietly, sharing conspiratorial glances at one another.

"Yup. I think we'll call you carrot top from now on. How does that sound, carrot top?" He teases and Xavier glares at him.

"Fuck you."

"Oh, but isn't that Ava's job? I don't really swing that way, carrot top. Sorry though, maybe next time. Guys with green hair just aren't really my thing," Cole continues to antagonize, turning my quiet giggling into full-on hysterical laughter.

I don't think I've ever seen a man flush so much.

Eventually, we let him off the hook, and Cole informed him he had the hair dye remover. I watched as Cole stripped the dye from Xavier's hair, and his glare seemed to be permanently etched onto his face as Cole washed his hair. It was definitely one of the best nights of my life, and I know I'll never forget it.

______________________________________

Sorry this chapter was short. It was a little bit of a filler. I've been overwhelmingly busy lately. Which, I'll admit, is probably the lamest and most overused excuse of all time, but I have a life too, y'know? Besides, I've been working on something top secret.

I was never anticipating doing it, but it just happened. So... yeah. Very vague, I know. I'm the best damn secret agent out there. You can call me Bond, James Bond. 😉

*insert sign off here*

As always, until next time...

Sincerely,

The Annoying Author Lady