This chapter takes place in January

John's POV
Today was January 11th, Alex's birthday. He didn't tell anyone but he has it saved in our shared calendar on our phones.

The Squad and I decided to take Alex out for the day. Ice skating, then shopping, then dinner. He never said he wanted anything for birthday as he never told us when it was.

Stretching from my bed, I looked at my clock and then at Alex peacefully sleeping in his bed. 8:30. Perfect.

I tip-toed out of bed and walked over to Alex's side. I sat on the edge of his bed and rubbed his back while softly kissing him. He finally stirred, opened his eyes, and kissed me back.

"Happy birthday Peaches." He sat up right and leaned on me while I played with his hair that had fallen out of his bun.

"How'd you know it was today?"

"Our calendar. Let me make you breakfast and then I'm taking you out with the Squad and your parents." I kissed his forehead before leaving the room as I heard his little pitter-patters following me to the kitchen. He sat at the table while I made him coffee and pancakes.

When I was finally done cooking, I made two plates and two cups of coffee. He thanked me with a kiss before he ate the pancakes.

"They taste just like your father's."

"Well I learned from the best."

We continued to eat and once we were finished, Alex jumped in the shower while I cleaned up.

A few minutes later he walked into the living room dressed and ready to leave. I quickly changed and we set out to my car. He had gotten his license about a week ago and wanted to drive everywhere but it was his birthday and I was driving.

"John?"

"Yes?" He fidgeted with his hands and looked down.

"I-I can't skate."

"It's okay. I'll teach you. It's really easy once you get the hang of it." He smiled genuinely and nodded.

We eventually arrived at the outdoor rink where the Squad was supposed to meet. We pulled up into a spit next to Laf and Herc and saw them furiously making out in the front seat. I looked at Alex and laughed.

Climbing out of the car, I pounded on Herc's window. He and Laf quickly separated while Laf desperately tried to put his curls back into his signature bun. Herc was the first to get out of the car.

"Man, why you gotta disrupt?"

"Sorry but it's Alex's birthday. Now where are the sisters and Maria?"

"Already in the rink. We were waiting for you, mon ami's." Laf stepped out of the car and wrapped his arms around Herc.

"Well then, let's go join them." We then walked into the rink and payed for our entry. The sisters and Maria were sitting on a bench putting on their skates.

"Pegs!" I ran to Peggy and hugged her while she was sitting down.

If a normal persom saw our relationship, they'd think we were dating. To me that's the funniest joke ever because Peggy and I are as straight as my hair. Anyways, she hugged me but went to hug Alex shortly after.

"Happy Birthday Alex!"

"Thanks Peggy."

We finally put our skates on and stepped onto the rink after greeting the sisters. Alex had some trouble getting on the ice.

Alex's POV
Shaking I stepped onto the hard, compact ice. John had an arm wrapped around my waist with our hands interlocking. He helped me, well tried to help me skate.

After about an hour a trying to skate and falling many times, I fell once again but did not get up. John beautifully skated his was towards me, halted to a stop, and kneeled down beside me.

"Lex. Are you done skating?" I nodded while he helped me up. He told the sisters, Maria, Laf and Herc that we were done. They finished and we drove to the mall.

Once we got to the mall, Herc, Maria, the sisters, and I went to one story while John and Laf went to another. My group ended up getting a coffee. We were walking through American Eagle when my phone rang. Herc looked at the caller ID and laughed.

"You call Washington 'Daddy'?" I looked him dead in the eye and we made eye contact while I answered the phone.

"Hey John." Herc's eyes widened and he spit out his coffee. "Yes. Yes. Okay. Love you too." I ended the call and went to find the girls. Herc followed and once I found them, we walked to the food court to meet John and Laf.

"Laffy!" Herc ran to my brother and hugged him. They were such a cute couple. John came over to me, kissed me, and handed me a bag.

"Happy Birthday Peaches." I thanked him and sat at the table with my friends. They all waited for me to open the bag.

"John. It's lovely." He had put together a photo album filled with memories. I smiled while flipping through the pages. The rest of the group wanted to see it so I let them.

I looked into the bag and noticed a canvas. I pulled it out and starting tearing up. A beautiful painted picture of me and John stood perfectly on the canvas. The picture was us in the night on a blanket, holding each other while looking and pointing towards the stars.

"John, I love it. You did this?" He nodded and I hugged him. Peggy saw the canvas and began fangirling over us. Herc and Laf stood off towards the side holding each other and smiling. Maria, Eliza, and Angelica all smiled and took pictures of the scene.

"Happy birthday Peaches. Now I'm hungry so let's go get dinner!"

We all drove to an Applebees and were seated. I noticed Peggy and Maria were on different sides of the table. It's funny because I thought they were dating. As if on cue, Peggy spoke up.

"Hey guys. Maria and I have some news. We are no longer together however, my new ship has sailed! Marliza!" I saw Eliza blush and Maria held their intertwined hands up for us to see. Peggy cleared her throat as to turn attention back to her. "As for me, as of today, I am dating Sally Hemmings." We all congratulated them on their new relationships and ordered our food. Let's just say I've never had a better birthday.
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Haha! Another chapter. So I have plans that involve Marliza so sorry Meggy shippers but, Marliza is here to stay. I've got to go write another chapter. Farewell my beautiful turtles. 🐢❤