Anytime you feel alone put on your headphones; a lotta love coming though your headphones.
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"Ann, breakfast is ready!" Caleb called from the kitchen.

   Mandy smiled as she squeezed Amilee's hand. "We better head downstairs."

   Amilee gave her a sad smile in return as she grabbed her play clothes. "I'll get changed quick." She promised.

   "Put your pajamas in the hamper please, I'll do laundry today." Mandy told her as she walked over to Ethan's crib.

   Amilee nodded, then ran into the bathroom.

   "Hey bud." Mandy said, picking up her sleeping son.

   Ethan blinked, then slowly opened his eyes.

   She grinned. "Happy birthday."

   Ethan groaned and ignored her.

   Mandy laughed as she set him down on the bed she shared with Amilee. "Let's get you into your new jumper that Samantha gave you." She said as she grabbed it.

   Five minutes later, Mandy and the kids met Caleb in the kitchen.

"Happy birthday Ethan!" Caleb said, picking up the little boy and setting him on a bar stool, in front of a stack of pancakes with a candle in the middle.

"Pancakes!" Ethan cheered as he spotted them.

"You have to blow out the candle." Mandy told him as she set a plate in front of Amilee.

Ethan took a deep breath, then promptly blew the candle out.

"Ann, how many do you want?" Caleb asked her.

Mandy shook her head as she sat down. "I'm just going to have some yogurt and coffee. But thanks."

Caleb frowned as he served himself a stack, then sat down beside Mandy. "Are you nervous about meeting our 'guest'?" He asked in a whisper.

Mandy blushed. "No, it isn't that." She replied, grabbing a mug and filling it with coffee.

Caleb frowned, but didn't comment.

"Thanks for pancakes Daddy." Ethan said.

Caleb grinned. "You're welcome bud. Happy birthday!"

"I'm three now!" Ethan shrieked, although it sounded more like he said 'I'm free now'.

Amilee laughed as she slipped off her chair. "I'm five. You won't be able to catch up to me." She said.

The doorbell rang as Mandy grabbed the washcloth to wipe the syrup off Ethan's face. "You can go talk to them, I'll be in here with the kids." She said to Caleb.

Caleb nodded, then left the room.

Mandy glanced at the clock. "Ethan, why don't you play with your train on the counter while Ami and I do dishes." She suggested.

Ethan grinned as he reached into a small blue box and pulled out his train and three small cars. "My new car is blue!" He exclaimed.

Mandy smiled as she piled the dirty plates next to the counter. "I'm glad you like it."

"Mommy, when is my birthday?" Amilee asked as she grabbed the towel and started to dry the dishes.

"A couple months yet." Mandy replied patiently.

Amilee frowned. "I want my birthday soon." She pouted.

Her mom smiled. "Well, as of tomorrow, your birthday will be sooner than Ethan's."

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

"Mommy, my new train is cool." Ethan told her.

Mandy smiled as she let the water out of the sink. "I think that one was your Dada's favorite too." She commented as she sat down beside him.

Amilee hung up the towel and grabbed her coloring set; then sat on the other side of Ethan.