My phone goes off as I pull up in front of Felix's house, pulling the gear shift into park after coming to a complete stop. I reach for the device in the cup holder at the same time as I pull the visor down, popping the cover for the mirror up. Sliding the arrow across the screen, I bring it up to my ear and hold it between my ear and shoulder as I look over my hair and make-up.

"Hello?" I ask, not bother to check the caller I.D.

"Are you there?" Robyn asks on the other end and I have to keep myself from rolling my eyes, knowing full well she's checking in on my clothes.

"I'm sitting outside his house," I tell her as I move the phone away from my face, switching it to speaker to sit on the dashboard before fixing my high ponytail of beach waves. "Just pulled up."

"And you're wearing?" She hums out the question.

A small groan falls from my lips as I shut the visor, pressing tighter into my leather seats. "Robby, does it really matter?"

"Yes! You're about to meet his family," she argues and I know she'll only continue to pester me if I don't talk. "Tell me down to the last detail."

"You're incredible annoying," I laugh as I open the door, curling my keys in the palm of my hand and jump out. "Do you remember that black dress I bought a few months ago? With the knotted front, and the monotone pink flowers with the tiny green leaves?"

"Oh my gosh, yes," she squeals. "That's super cute. Shoes?"

"Strappy powder pink heels I borrowed from my mom," I tell her. "My make-up is light and my hair's in a high ponytail. Do you need anything else, m'lady?"

"Ha-ha," she teases. "Have fun. Call me later."

"I will," I hum happily. "I love you."

"Love you," she says before ending the call.

I lock my phone as I step up to the front door, raising my hand to knock on the wood before stopping myself and reaching for the doorbell. It only takes a few seconds for the door to swing open, and when it does, I don't find Felix in his usually button down and jeans but in a pair of basketball shorts and old tee shirt that looks like it's been living on his bedroom floor for weeks.

"Hi baby! Happy birthday..." I trail off, raising an eyebrow. "I'm not early, am I?"

He shakes his head, "I'm sorry, Nicks. I should have called. Dinner's off."

"Why?" I frown as he ushers me to come inside.

"Doesn't matter," he shakes his head, and rests his hand on my waist to pull me forward. "This is much better. You look amazing."

"I was trying to make a good impression," I pout, resting my hands on his shoulders. "Felix, what happened? Where's your family?"

"Ah, you know, the usual," he chuckles coldly. "One mom's stuck in New York, the other is buried in work and apparently my sisters couldn't be bothered."

"They aren't coming at all?" I ask.

He shakes his head and guides me into the living room. "I like this dress."

"Good," I smile softly. "Consider it your birthday present."

"Best birthday present ever," he grins and presses his lips to mine. "You know, I much rather just spend tonight with you. Being my favourite person and all."

"Favorite person, huh?"

He bobs his head as he plops down on the couch, pulling me down into his lap. "Absolute favourite. You are everything, Nicks."

"You're my favourite person too," I rub my thumb over his jaw. "We need to do something insanely fun! It's your eighteenth birthday, Felix. We're not just going to spend it sitting in for the night."

"I honestly don't want to do anything," he shakes his head. "And I'm not saying that because my family bailed on me or because I want to sulk. You are seriously the only thing I need, Stevie and a night in with you is better than anything I could think of."

I tilt my head to the side, "Okay."

"Okay," he smiles and leans over, kissing my cheek. "I'll be right back."

I nod and shuffle over on the couch to let him up and as he runs off, I wonder how he can be acting so calmly about this. Maybe it's because our families are different, or because this is how he's had to play it in the past. I doubt this is the first time he's been let down, and somehow, despite how it aches, I know it probably won't be the last. The thought killing me.

"We're about to have the best movie marathon night of our lives," Felix comes running down from upstairs, one of his shirts in his hand for me.

"Nope," I shake my head. "I mean, we will but first we're going to go back to my house and we're going to go swimming. And I'm going to cook you dinner, and then we can have a movie marathon."

"What makes you think I want to go swimming?" He asks as I get up.

"Because I'm not giving you a choice," I grin. "It'll be fun. I promise."

"Okay," he gives in and kisses my forehead. "I guess we can do more than just watching movies, but wouldn't it be easier to just stay here?"

"Absolutely not," I shake my head. "Go get a change of clothes."

"Yes, ma'am," he chuckles and runs back up the stairs, returning seconds later with a pair of swim trucks tossed over his shoulder and his keys. "Shall we?"

I nod and step out onto the porch, waiting for him to lock up before directing him to my car with the intentions of driving him home later. He doesn't hesitate to climb into the passenger seat and waits as I get into the driver's side. As I settle back into my seat, I put the key in the ignition and start the engine. Felix doesn't talk much on our drive, the music drowning out any force for words and I can't help but see how upset he is about his family. They made such an effort to get him excited, only to destroy it.

And even though he says he's fine. That he'd prefer a night just the two of us, I know he's disappointed because who wouldn't be?

"Can I ask you a question?" I ask after we climb out of the car outside my house.

He nods as he follows me up to the doors, "Shoot."

"How fond are you of surprises?" I question but before he can question me, we're interrupted by the shouts of my family as they jump out at us.

"Surprise!" They all yell at the same time and I turn to see Felix's react, finding his lips parted in shock. Riker is the first to speak as he steps up, patting his shoulder.

"Happy birthday, man!"

"Thanks," Felix says, his state of surprise fading as he looks over at me. "What is this?"

"A surprise!" I smile softly. "I didn't want you to have to celebrate all by yourself, Felix and as much as I'd love to have a movie marathon. Which, we will do, we celebrate birthday's big in this house."

"And you're a part of this family now, Felix," my mom tells him. "So, you can expect us to be just as crazy every year that you're with us."

Felix cracks a smile as he moves his arm around my shoulder. "You really didn't have to do all of this for me, but thank you. It...means a lot."

I smile softly and lean up on my toes, kissing his cheek. "You're welcome."

Felix heads for the downstairs washroom to change his clothes while I run upstairs to change out of my dress and into a bathing suit. Ditching my heels at my parent's room, I head for the end of the hall and change out of my clothes after picking out the white marble bikini. Stepping into the bathroom, I stop in front of the mirror and adjust the straps on the top before adjusting my ponytail.

"You in here, boo?" Robyn's voice echoes as she steps into my room, second later popping in the doorway of the bathroom. "Cute!"

"Hey," I laugh. "Did you get the cake?"

She bobs her head, "Black forest, just like you asked."

"Thank you, Robby."

"No worries," she smiles. "Miles and Isla are downstairs. Can I borrow a swimsuit?"

"Knock yourself out," I nod and point to the drawer, despite her knowing exactly where everything in my room is. She grins before sorting through the few bikinis I have, picking the red one piece before stepping into the bathroom and closing the door. "I'll be downstairs, okay?" I tell her as I walk over to my nightstand, brushing my fingers over the top of the small metal rectangular container.

"I'll be down in a minute," she calls back and I nod to myself, grabbing the container before making my way down the stairs.

With the box clutched tightly in my hand, I make my way to the backyard where I find everyone either in the pool or lounging in the chairs near it. My lips curl up when I spot Felix sitting on the edge of the pool, his feet tangling in the water and I quickly skip over to him. Plopping down on cool tiles next to him, I criss cross my legs and turn to him.

"Happy birthday," I tell him, holding out the box.

"What's this?" He asks, taking the silver tin from my hand.

"Your birthday present, of course."

"You didn't have to get me anything, Nicks," he chuckles lightly as he examines the box. "You've already done so much for me."

"It's your birthday," I argue. "I absolutely had to get you a present."

He hums in response as he scoots back, unlocking the latch to pop the lid open. His eyebrows furrow together as he looks at the hundred flashcards inside, leaning it back to read the card taped into the lid with my handwriting on it.

"In case you forget here are all the reasons I love you," he reads out loud, his sight moving over to me in curiosity. "What is this?"

"Just a little reminder," I tell him as he picks the first card out.

"Reason one," he says, "Because you push me."

"One of the many," I nod.

His lips curl up into a smile as he looks at the next card. "This is corny."

"Oh, I know," I grin in his direction. "But just in case you forget, or doubt my love for you. I just want you to remember that there are a hundred and one reasons why you mean everything to me."

"This is really sweet, Nicks," he tells me. "Thank you, but I bet I can think of more."

"I don't know about that," I smirk. "I have one more reason."

"My incredible good looks?" He asks, not looking up.

"Oh no," I shake my head, "But that one's in there. Something about how good you look in a football uniform."

"What could probably be better than how good I look in a football uniform?" He questions and when he turns his head, I hold up the last flashcard in front of my lips to hid my grin. "Because you see me."

"I love you," I tell him, setting the card in with the rest before leaning over and kissing him. "Thank you for being you."

"So cheesy," he grins, when he pulls away and before I can respond I'm under water. A squeal leaving my lips as I break the surface and turn to look at him, finding a grin on his face. "I love you too."

"You're dead."

He chuckles, closing the tin and setting it to the side before sliding into the water too. He swims closer to me, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me toward him. The look in his eyes making me swoon.

"Now we're even."

I hum thoughtfully before grinning, and putting pressure on his shoulders to force him under the water. A laugh falling from my lips when he squeezes my hips, causing me to swim backwards to get away from his touch.

"Now we're even," I grin at him.

"You're evil," he smirks and pushes away from the wall, a squeal falling from my lips as I fight to get away from him. Suddenly, this day is back on track to being a day spent with family and in the presence of people ready to celebrate Felix and in case he ever forgets, he now has all the reasons why I love him.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter, lovelies!

I just posted the first chapter of my next story "Bittersweet" if you're interested in checking that out. It'd mean a lot and, I hope you enjoy.

:)