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Damn, Lorcan is here, too. I really don’t want a headache today.

Grabbing the door handle, I can’t help but grin when they all fall silent. I swing the door open, and balloons fall in front of me. Confetti pops and sprays me in the face.

And all at once, they all yell, “Surprise!”

I stand there in shock, confetti stuck to my lip, and stare at everyone in the kitchen.

“Happy Birthday!” they shout, then Oklahoma puts something in his mouth and blows until it creates a horrible, loud squawk.

And that’s why I felt Oklahoma here.

I’m confused, and it must show on my face because my sweet mate makes his way through the small crowd, dipping past Kentucky, who wraps his arm around Dru, his fated.

“What is this?” I ask, looking around the room to see everyone we love here.

Kentucky and Oklahoma’s kids squeal and run around the kitchen island, laughing and giggling.

“We’re celebrating your birthday, Sunshine.”

I lean in and whisper. “I don’t know my birthday, remember? I was a lost and found.”

Leo frowns and slaps my shoulder. “Don’t do that, don’t call yourself that.” He grips my shirt and tilts his head back to peer up at me.

Damn, that cute little gap between his teeth makes me crazy.

“I decided October 23rd will be your birthday.”

“Decided?” I chuckle. “Why?”

He becomes serious, rubbing a hand over my heart, and I decide to stop playing around and listen to him. I take his hand in mine, kicking the door shut behind me, and meet his gaze so he knows he has my attention.

“Because you deserve to be celebrated, Alaska Athanatos. And I’m going to celebrate you every chance I get.”

Eleni cries from the other room, and Leo sighs.

“Let me get her,” I say, taking a step forward.

He stops me by applying more pressure to my chest with his hand. “No. This is your day. She’s hungry. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He stands on his tiptoes to kiss my cheek.

Lorcan replaces Leo’s spot, and I lean back, not liking how close he is. He’s in his human form, wearing cowboy gear. Chaps, a cowboy hat, and Kentucky’s spine lasso tied to his hip.

“You let him play with that?” I blink at Kentucky, dumbfounded.

“He doesn’t stop asking for it until I say yes,” my friend says, exhausted, while Lorcan practically bounces on his feet with excitement.

“He’s pretty good with it, too,” Oklahoma chimes in, wrapping an arm around Lorcan’s shoulders. “He ain’t so bad.” He holds out a hand to me. “Happy Birthday, Alaska.”

I meet his handshake, and the connection through a maker and his child buzzes against my palm.

“Thank you for being here. You guys didn’t have to travel all this way.”

“And miss your first birthday party? I don’t think so,” Oklahoma says. “Nariko made her zosui soup. I know how much you enjoyed it when you came to visit last year. It’s on the stove.”

“No way!” I groan in excitement, searching for Nari to thank her.

She’s in heavy conversation with Lyra. I’ll be sure to thank her later.

“Can I ride Mustache Man?” Lorcan reminds me of a child with all of his pent-up energy. It must be the human form having to contain all of his power.