The pink balloon floats to the floor and joins the remainder of balloon's I've spent the morning blowing up. London's head pop's up from among the mass and smiles. She crouches to the ground, then pushes off with her legs to pounce on another balloon like a frog. The balloon is squished underneath her stomach and then it pops.

Laughter fills the room as she picks up the scraps of the balloon and tosses them into the air. The look of fascination crosses her face once more. This is the third balloon she's popped and somehow, it still amuses her? At least she's not afraid of the noise. Blake was worried that the balloon's popping might frighten her.

"Everyone should be here soon," says Blake.

"You do know I hate parties, right?" I ask.

"I thought you loved parties?"

"Yes, the alcoholic ones," I admit.

"Mum offered to take London for the night," explains Blake. "I could pack her bag?"

"Don't forget her stuffed toy this time." Blake nods his head, then races off to London's room.

Lucky enough, Blake and I manage to finish setting up the party decorations before anyone arrives. Jude is the first person to arrive alone, which isn't surprising. He struts through the house with a case of beer tucked under his arm. I hang to the side and watch Blake greet Jude.

"How are you?" he asks.

Jude places the beer on the table and frowns.

"Nothing a cold one can't fix."

"And Tori?" Blake asks.

"I won't make that mistake again," he dismisses.

Even though I'm team Blake for the custody, I can't help but feel for Tori. Somewhere between the darkness of our roller coaster, I'd found a friend in the last person I thought possible. Not only has she become a friend, but an untapped resource of my brother's past. If my brother could see the light shine through her, so could I.

"Let me put those in the fridge for you." Blake takes the case and Jude walks further into our home.

"Nice place." He shoots me a smile.

"Thanks." I reply.

"Juuudddie," London shouts. She wraps her little arms around his leg and looks up. Jude places his beer on the counter to pick up his niece.

"How's my princess?" he asks.

London gets shy and buries her head into Jude's neck. It's weird to see Jude and London together, but I assume they'd have bonded when London stays with Tori. Now that things are shaky, I imagine this house is going to get a lot of walk ins from Jude and Tori. It's a good thing we've got the spare room.

Jude sits on the couch with London and he pokes and tickles her side. She mumbles something about a princess while I wonder off to see Blake. He shoves the last of his beer into the fridge, then looks at me.

"You okay, Blake?" I ask.

"Yes." He nods.

The doorbell chimes before I have a chance to really poke Blake about his feelings. It's been a few days since the party and Blake hasn't shared many of his thoughts. I could think a million things, but the rational side of me has concluded that he's still confused. I've given him the space he needs because I know it's the right thing to do, even though it's eating me up inside.

I open the front door and smile when Kyle, Axel, and Charlotte walk inside. Kyle instantly wraps his arms around my waist and spins me around. I kiss his cheek and then squeal with laughter as he places me down. I hug Charlotte and then leap into Axel's strong arms.

"How are you, Ava baby," he teases.

"Good." I rest my head against Axel's shoulder as we walk back into the main living area. Axel walks into the kitchen and sets me on the bench.

"What are you doing with my woman?" shouts Blake.

"Blakie boo!" Axel yells in reply.

The pair charge towards each other and wrestle for a moment before hugging. It's that weird manly one where they pat each other's back. Is it weird that we're always friends with our ex's? Maybe it's a complement to our taste in people? Kyle and Axel and great people, so great, they're worth the friendship.

"How have you been?" asks Blake.

"Better." He sighs. "You two ruined me the other night. I woke up passed outside of my apartment block. I must have given up trying to get inside the complex. The little grannie from next door woke me up when she was collecting my mail."

"That rough, hey?" Blake laughs.

"I hear Ben's night was worse than mine."

Blake winces, then his vibrant green eyes meet mine. I send him a confused look which earns me a smile. Blake opens the fridge and passes Axel and beer and then walks towards me.

"Was this your super top secret boys night that you can't tell me about?" I ask.

"Yes." He nods.

"Promise me nothing bad happened." I'm already freaking about the night you spent at your parents place.

"I can't tell you that either." He winks.

"Is there a hidden tattoo? Did you do something bad, like hide a dead body in the yard?"

"Baby, I promise nothing that terrible." He tugs me in for a kiss.

"But something terrible happened?"

"If you consider me puking all over the bar terrible, yes, sure." He shrugs.

"Blake!" I glare. "What about your parents? I promised I wouldn't ask, but now I'm stressed."

"Nothing." He shrugs. "I talked to Tori and then I spent the morning talking to my mother about the situation. I don't know where my head is at. Tori said she'd give me her final answer tomorrow when she comes for London."

"It's okay, Blake, remember we're all headless anyways."

"Yes, headless and bonkers!"

"Okay." I smile. "Headless and bonkers forever."

"Yes." Blake's lips reach mine, and this time, I hook my arms around his neck to keep him close. My ands trail down his chest before I grab the loop in his jeans.

"Get a room," shouts Kyle.

"I'm in a room," Blake retorts.

I slide off the kitchen counter and walk towards the backyard, my cheeks slightly pink from embarrassment. London races outside with Jude following. Eventually, they trickle outside and we get the party started. Blake puts on the tunes, I get the drinks on ice and we enjoy ourselves.

As the day progress, Ben and our parents show up for the party. The barbeque is fired up with Thomas and Blake cooking a week's worth of snags.

I sit back in my chair and smile as I sip on a sweet wine. Damn, I feel so old right now.

"Who wants to place chasey? Last one on the deck is it." I leap onto the grass and run away from the cluster of people scrambling off the deck. I look over my shoulder to see that Kyle is the last one because he'd had Charlotte on his lap.

"One, two, three, I'm going to catch you all!" Kyle chases after Ben, then turns to grab Angela.

London runs onto the deck and hides behind Thomas's legs. He picks her up and starts talking about food, which makes me laugh. I bet that's how Blake got into cooking in the first place. I can imagine a young dark headed child attached to the side of a younger Thomas.

"You're it, Ava," yells Axel.

"Shoot." I chase after Charlotte. She runs around the grass screaming her head off which makes me laugh. I trip over a sprinkler and face plant the ground. Rolling to my side, I see Ben coming over to check on me.

"Ava, you okay?"

"Uh." I hold my hand to my head.

As he hesitantly steps forward, I reach out and grab his ankle.

"You are it." I giggle.

"No fair!"

I walk the stairs on the decking and wrap my arms around Blake's waist. He looks over his shoulder and smiles down at me.

"How's the food coming along? I'm starving!"

"Almost done, do you want to steal something?" Blake points to the foil covered container on the side of the barbecue.

"Thank you." I smile. "It's excusing eating for three."

"Three? Is there something you're not telling me?" Blake happily smiles.

"Eating for me, myself, and I should really be considered a full-time job."

"You are a tease!" He shouts.

"You're welcome," I call over my shoulder.

Charlotte starts running after me which catches me off guard. I shove the remainder of the food in my mouth and start running. As I weave between clumps of people gathered on the grass, I smile at how things have played out. No matter how far you move, what's going on in your life, when we gather, it's like no time has passed since the last moment we saw each other. 

What do you think Tori's answer will be?