Halloween has always been one of Soul's favorite holidays.
The Decorations.
Scary Movie.
Tons of candy.
And...

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday, dear Soul
Happy birthday to you

Soul walked toward the group with a big grin on her face as she came face to face with her mom, Sully, Jet and Maddox holding a heart shaped cake.

"Thank you, guys." Soul said, grinning from ear to ear.

"Make a wish." Maddox urged the girl with a smile, causing Soul to close her eyes for a few seconds before blowing out all the candles.

"I can't believe you're officially 18." Mom said, pulling the girl into a hug. "Happy birthday, bug."

"Thanks mom." Soul spoke, pulling away from her mom with a smile before quickly pulling the other three into big hugs.  "You guys didn't have to do this."

"Of course we did, it's your special day." Sully reassured the girl with a smile.

"So, what do you want to do today?" Jet asked, drumming his fingers on the counter.

"I don't know. I mean. I hadn't really thought about doing anything." Soul shrugged. "Well, other than going to Gina's later."

The sound of the doorbell ringing, caused the to look over her shoulder towards the sound.

"Do you mind seeing who that is, bug?" Mom asked, as she stood in front of the stove with a spatula, causing the girl to nod.

"Sure."

Soul stood up from her chair, making her way to the front door.

As she opened the front door she let out a gasp.

"Delivery for Soul Walker." The person spoke behind the bouquet of flowers.

"That's me." Soul answered, causing the person to slowly bring the flowers down.

"Happy Birthday, babe." EJ grinned.

"Oh my god, you're here!" Soul exclaimed, jumping into the boy's arm, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck as he wrapped his free arm around her waist, causing the girl to melt into his arms as he spun the girl around.

Soul cupped the boy's neck before leaning in for a longing passionate kiss.

"I missed you so much." Soul said once they pulled away, placing her forehead against his.

"I missed you too." EJ grinned at the girl.

"What are you doing here?" Soul asked once the boy sat her back on her feet. "I mean, I'm so excited that you're here but I thought break wasn't for a few more weeks."

"I couldn't not see my beautiful girlfriend on her birthday." EJ  explained, twirling the girl, causing the girl to grin as he held the flowers towards her. "Happy Birthday."

"Thank you." Soul said, wrapping her arm around the boy body, inhaling the familiar scent she missed so much, causing him to place a sweet kiss upon her forehead.

"You ready?" EJ asked, slowly pulling away from the girl.

"Ready for what exactly?" Soul raised her eyebrow.

"Well I have to get back to school tonight for classes tomorrow and you I have Gina's party. But until then I thought maybe you and I could spend the day together." EJ explained, smiling at the girl.

"That sounds amazing." Soul grinned. "Give me one second."

"Take all the time you need."    

Soul made her way back into her house towards the kitchen.

"Mom." Soul called, making her way around the corner.

"Here I'll put those in some water. Go have fun." Mom spoke, smiling at the girl as she carefully took the flowers. "We'll have cake when you get home."

"Thank you." Soul said, pulling the woman into a tight hug, giving her a grin before quickly making her way back out the door. "Okay."

"Ready to go?" EJ questioned, causing the girl to quickly nod.

"Let's do it." Soul said, grabbing the boy's hand as he led her to his car. "Oh, how I missed you, Rubes."

"I still can't believe you named my car." EJ chuckled, opening the passenger door for the girl. "My lady."

"Why thank you." Soul said, sliding into the car before the Caswell boy pushed it closed before leaning down towards the open window. "Cars need TLC too, Eej. A name is only part of it, isn't that right Ruby."

EJ couldn't help but let out a chuckle, pushing himself off the car as he made his way to the driver seat.

"Where too?"

"You'll see."

The couple's first stop.

McCall's Pumpkin Farm & Festival.

"You remembered." Soul pouted, looking up at the boy as they entered the hay covered grounds.

"Of course. You said it was one of your favorite places in all of Salt Lake." EJ recalled, grinning at the girl. "Two please."

"Enjoy your time." The woman at the booth smiled at the couple.

"Thank you." EJ and Soul grinned together making their way into the Festival.

"So, where to first?" EJ asked, looking down at the girl.

"Come on." Soul laughed, pulling the boy with her.

...

The couple found themselves walking near the few game booths.

"Step right up! Knock all 6 cans off the table, win a prize!" The worker called to the people walking pass. "What about you kid. Think you got what it takes?"

"Sure, why not." EJ said, slipping his jacket off, handing it to Soul as he made his way towards the booth.  

"Alright. You get 3 chances to knock all 6 cans off the table." The worker explained, handing the boy 3 baseballs, causing him to nod.

The worker stepped back, giving the Caswell boy space to throw the balls as Soul stood off to the side watching the boy as hugged his jacket.

EJ focused on the cans, winding his arm back before letting the ball fly, knocking off the top 3 cans.

"We got a real athlete on our hands." The worker spoke.

The Caswell boy threw the second ball, knocking off another and tapping another.

"One more try, kid." The worker said.

EJ let out a deep breath before throwing a fastball, knocking both cans to the ground.

"Whoo!" Soul cheered, making her towards the boy with a giant grin.

"We got a winner!" The worker exclaimed, turning to the boy. "What would you like?"

"Uh, can I get that white bear right there?"  EJ asked, causing the worker to grab it, handing it to the Caswell boy. "Thanks man."

"You two have a great day." The worker smiled before turning his attention to the next customer.

"For you." EJ said, holding the bear up to the girl as they made their way away from the booth.

"I love him." Soul cooed, grabbing the bear as EJ took his jacket. "I think I'm gonna name him Cuddles."

"Cuddles Caswell?" EJ jokingly asked.

"Of course. It's only right." Soul teased, hugging the bear, causing the boy to chuckle.

"Come on. I want to take you somewhere else." EJ spoke, intertwining his fingers with the Walker girl as he led her back to the car.

...

"EJ, where are we going?" Soul asked, gripping onto the boy's arm as he led her to their next destination as she was currently blindfolded.

"We're almost there." EJ chuckled, smiling as the spot came into his view. "Okay, we're here."

Soul slowly reached up, pulling the blindfold off as a gasp left her mouth.

"This is so cute!" Soul beamed, looking down at the picnic set up near the lake.

"Shall we?" EJ gestured to the blanket, causing the couple to sit down on the giant fuzzy red blanket. "We have some strawberries, grapes, cookies hand baked with love from your mom, and..."

EJ pulled out two identical bowls from a local restaurant.

"Is that what I think it is?" Soul grinned, causing the boy to nod.

"For our main we have, a creamy parmesan risotto from our beloved Napoli's." EJ answered. "No onions of course."

"You're so sweet." Soul spoke in a voice soft with affection as she grabbed the bowl from the boy's hand.

The couple sat in a comfortable silence as they watched the water crash.

"Can you believe it's been over a year now since we became friends." Soul broke the silence, glazing over at the boy. "It feels like It's been so long ago."

"How had we never talked until then?" EJ questioned. "I mean I used to be at your house all the time but we never crossed paths."

"That's because everytime you came over I was out with Ricky and Nini or at a rehearsals." Soul explained. "Or I was avoiding the house because I knew Sam had a friend over. But don't take it personally, I did it with all of his friends."

"Because that makes me feel so much better." He teased. "So what did you think, when you finally met me?"

"Well, you definitely weren't what I was expecting." She admits, glancing over at the boy. "I thought you were going to be one of those athletes who were self centered and only talked about themselves. But I admit I was completely wrong. You ended up being one of the most loving and selfless people I have ever met but you definitely did have your moments when we first met."

"Yeah those weren't my proudest moments." EJ chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. 

"What about you, what was your first impression of me? Let me guess 'who's this loner girl who's trying out for the school's musical.'" Soul jokingly guessed.

"Close. I was like, who is this gorgeous girl and why haven't I ever met her before." EJ chuckled, causing the girl to smile. "No, honestly Sam talked so highly about you guys so I expected nothing different. I admit I did think you were beautiful when I first saw you the first day in the cafeteria and I wanted to get to know you. That's why I asked you to be my partner at the auditions. I admit that was very EJ 1.0 of me especially since I was in a relationship but if you ask me I'm glad I did it and I would definitely do it again if given to opportunity."

Soul smiled at the boy, placing her head on his shoulder as she intertwined their fingers as she held onto his arm.

"I actually have something for you." EJ spoke up, causing the girl to pick her head up as he pulled a small box out of his jacket pocket before placing it in the girl's hand.

"What is it?" Soul questioned, eyeing the boy.

"Open it." EJ softly spoke as he smiled at the girl, causing her to chuckle.

The girl gave the boy one last glance before turning her attention to the small box in her hands.

Carefully she opened the lid to reveal a small diamond ring, causing the girl to lightly gasp.

"EJ it's beautiful." Soul breathed. "You didn't have to, the roses were enough."

"I did. It's actually a promise ring." EJ admitted, causing the girl to quickly look up at him as he turned to face her, grabbing her hand as he held the ring in his other hand. "Souline Walker, you have been the best thing that has ever happened to me and I love you so much. You made me realize so much about myself in just a year that I didn't realize for 17 years. You've taught me so much; you showed me what I deserved, how to love, but the biggest thing I learned while being away is I can't live without you in my life. May this ring be a symbol of my love for you and be a promise that my heart is your and only yours. That no matter the distance you are my one and only."

"EJ." Soul choked out, holding back her tears.

EJ held the girl's hand up before carefully sliding the ring onto her finger and it fit perfectly.

He locked eyes with her as he placed a sweet kiss on the girl's hand. "I Love You, Souline Walker."

"I Love You, Elton John Caswell." Soul sniffled, cupping the boy's face before pulling him into a gentle kiss.

"I have one last thing for you." EJ spoke after they pulled apart, grabbing the guitar from beside him with a small smile. "I wrote a song for you."

"You really want to make me cry, huh." Soul stated, fanning her face with her hands as she let out a chuckle.

"Just listen." EJ smiled as he started strumming his guitar.

Sometimes love's a scary place
It's like standing in the dark
Flying through the universe
Trying to fix your broken heart

It's okay to let it go
You don't have to be so brave
Take a chance if someone else
Is gonna swoop in and save the day

You don't have to face your fears alone
'Cause whenever you're in trouble
I'll know

Let me be your superhero
There isn't a place I won't go
Whenever you need me by your side
I'll be there, be there

Never be afraid if you fall
I'll carry you away from it all
Let me be your superhero
Let me be your superhero

Take off your mask, put down your guard
Don't need a symbol on your chest
It's all right for once to play
The damsel in distress

You're gonna use up all your strength
Trying to be so strong
Don't have to shoulder all the weight
Together we can take it on

You don't have to face your fears alone (You're not alone, baby)
'Cause whenever you're in trouble
I'll know, oh

Let me be your superhero
There isn't a place I won't go
Whenever you need me by your side
I'll be there, be there

Never be afraid if you fall
I'll carry you away from it all
Let me be your superhero
Let me be your superhero

Sometimes love's a scary place
It's like standing in the dark
Flying through the universe
Trying to fix your broken heart

"You are one of a kind, EJ Caswell." Soul chuckled, shaking her head as she smiled at the boy. "This has officially been the best birthday ever."

...
Cuddles Caswell