Disclaimer: I own only the plot.

Max POV

"Max," Someone nudged me. I snuggled deeper into my pillow and groaned.

"Max," they nudged me again. With a loud moan I sat up and rubbed my sleepy eyes. All I wanted to do was rest.

"SURPRISE!" My eyes snapped open to see the Flock and Mom and Jeb surrounding my bed. Mom held a cake that read "Happy 21st Max!" I smiled up at them and then turned to see that where Fang should have been was empty. My brow furrowed.

"He's cooking breakfast." Ella said and smiled even more. I rolled my eyes at her and then shooed them out of my room. After they were gone I got out of bed and took a shower. I found a nice pair of dark skinny jeans and a black top with shredded sleeves. I ran a brush through my hair and then walked into the living room. Everyone was seated on the couch with a stack of presents off to the right.

"You look awesome in that outfit, Max. The top is girly and edgy at the same time. I love it on you. Working those curves. Have you ever worn that in front of Fang? I bet he would really like it if you did. You look totally hot. I've finally rubbed off on you although, a little eyeliner and mascara wouldn't hurt anyone. It would make your eyes really pop. I'm so excited fo-"

"Nudge!" I interrupted her ramble. She blushed and smiled at me. I walked over and gave her a hug. "Thank you," I said.

In the kitchen, Fang was working away at the stove. He wore a black t-shirt that was tight enough to show his muscles but not too tight, black jeans, and black sneakers. I walked up behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist. He stopped stirring whatever it was and turned around in my arms.

"Happy birthday, love." He said and smiled down at me. A true smile. I loved that I was the only one who could get Fang to do that. I smiled back up at him and went on my tip-toes to peck his lips.

"Thank you," I said and let go of him. I turned to leave but he grabbed at my hand and pulled me back to him, capturing my lips with his. When we broke apart he smiled and leaned his forehead against mine. "I love you."

"I love you, too." I whispered and left the kitchen.

We had chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast and my mom brought along her famous cookies as a special treat for me. I dug in and everyone talked and ate and laughed. When we were all finished they brought their presents into the dining room for me to open.

"You guys didn't have to get me anything," I said as they gathered around me.

"We already spent our money, Max. Open them." Ella said and shoved her present in my hand. I rolled my eyes but my smile told her that I was happy. I tore the bright blue paper off of her gift and sucked in a breath. She had made a collage of pictures from my scrapbook and from the pictures we took at the park. The frame she had picked was simple and black. Every once in a while a 3D sticker caught my eye on the collage. One said "friendship" next the picture of all of us lined up in a row. Another said "love" and it was next to the picture of Fang and I kissing. Tears started to well in my eyes and I studied all of the pictures.

"Thank you, Ella. I love it." I set it aside and got up to hug her. She was teary eyed too as we held onto each other. I sat back down in my chair and Iggy handed me his present. A grin was on his face and I narrowed my eyes at him then at the present. The purple paper tore away to reveal a box. Once the lid was off I held up a shirt that said, "World's Greatest Best Friend." with a picture of Iggy smiling widely. He had two thumbs up next to his face. As I put the shirt down, shaking my head, I saw Iggy in the exact pose and threw the box at him. He chuckled and dodged it. Angel was next with her gift. This one was wrapped in black paper with white polka dots all over it. I pulled the lid off and smiled instantly. Inside was a silver necklace. It was a heart with wings. I pulled it out and saw that it was a locket. The heart opened up to reveal one picture of Fang and I curled around each other while sleeping and another of our backs as we stared at the sunset on the beach. His arm wrapped around me. I looked up and Angel smiled shyly.

"It's lovely, Ange." I put it on and she smiled bigger.

Gazzy handed me his gift next and I nervously fingered all around the box.

"Nothing's going to explode! Just open it!" Gazzy said and I laughed. I ripped the paper off and looked at the contents of the box. Inside was a paperweight. It was in the shape of a bomb with a big "F" on the front of it. I cracked up.

"It's for your desk at work." He explained and I clutched my sides. Everyone else was laughing their heads off and even Fang chuckled. I wiped the tears from my eyes and set the box and its contents aside. Nudge walked over to me with her gift and set it in my lap. The lime green paper was extremely bright and almost blinded me. I pulled the top off and saw a record player. On the record was a piece of paper that read, "I didn't know what records to get you so just give me this paper when you're ready and we'll head down to Peach's Music so you can pick out 5." in Nudge's handwriting. I grinned and put the record player down on the ground to hug her.

"That's awesome. I love it." I told her. My mom and Jeb handed me a small box next. I ripped the paper off and saw a necklace in the shape of a heart with a small jewel near the peak on the right side. The jewel was my birthstone and engraved along the bottom left side was my name. I smiled and put it on with Angel's necklace. It lay just above hers. I hugged both Jeb and my mom before smiling at everyone.

"Thank you all so much."

"Hold on, Max. We're not done. Fang still hasn't given you his present yet." Angel said and I turned towards Fang. He stared straight into my eyes as he walked toward me.

"I puzzled over what to get you for a week and then it hit me. I'm not sure if you'll like it but I really hope that you do. I love you, Max." He said and pulled a small black box from behind his back. He opened the lid and there in the velvet lining sat a ring. It was silver and a bow stood out in the center. The middle of each "rabbit ear" had Swarovski crystals lined up and going around them. I felt my eyes widen and my heart pound. To the right of the bow the words "I love you" were engraved in small letters. Tears rose to my eyes and I blinked them away as Fang kneeled in front of me.

"Maximum Martinez I know it's early for this but I have never loved anyone this way before. You're the only one who can make me smile. Make me cry. Make me laugh. Make me blush. The only one that I get excited to see every day. If I've been having a crappy day, when I see you the world looks brighter again. If you're sad then I want to kill whoever made you that way. If you're angry, I'm angry at that person also. I've never been more sure of a relationship in my life. I promise that when we're both ready to take that step, I'll be there and waiting." The tears had spilled from my eyes and I lunged at Fang. I wrapped my arms around his neck and squeezed him. He hugged me back as I cried into his shoulder.

"I love you too, Fang." I said and kissed him. I heard sniffles in the background and pulled away from Fang to see the girls and my mom crying silently and smiling at me. The boys and Jeb stood next to them with their arms crossed, smiling approvingly. I turned back to see Fang smiling at me. I sniffled and smiled back. He slipped the ring on my finger and I held it up. It fit perfectly.

"I have one more thing for you." Fang said and got up to run to his room. He came back out with his guitar. He sat me in a chair that was facing the hall and began to strum. After a few seconds he began to sing and I smiled.

"Stay, for tonight.

If you want to, I can show you

What my dreams are made of,

As I'm dreamin' of your face.

I've been away for a long time, such a long time

And I miss you there.

I can't imagine bein' anywhere else,

I can't imagine bein' anywhere else but here.

How the hell did you ever pick me?

Honestly,' cause I could sing you a song,

But I don't think words can express your beauty.

It's singing to me.

How the hell did we end up like this?

You bring out the beast in me.

I fell in love from the moment we kissed,

Since then we've been history.

They say that love is forever,

Your forever is all that I need.

Please, stay, as long as you need.

Can't promise that things won't be broken,

But I swear that I will never leave.

Please, stay, forever with me.

(If you want to I can show you)

(If you want to I can show you)

It goes to show

I hope that you know that you are

What my dreams are made of.

And I can't fall asleep

I lay in my bed awake at night.

And I'll fall in love,

You'll fall in love,

It could mean everything,

Everything to me. (OoOo)

This could mean everything to me.

They say that love is forever,

Your forever is all that I need.

Please, stay, as long as you need.

Can't promise that things won't be broken,

But I swear that I will never leave.

Please, stay, forever

The way that we are,

Is the reason I stay.

As long as you're here with me

I know I'll be okay.

Dida La duda la la la dada

Dida la duda la la la dada

Dida la duda la la la dada, Oh Oh Oh Ooooooooooooo

Dida la duda la la la dada

Dida la duda la la la dada

Dida la duda la la la dada, Oh Oh Oh Ooooooooooooo

They say that love is forever,

Your forever is all that I need.

Please, stay, please, stay, as long as you need.

Can't promise that things won't be broken,

But I swear that I will never leave.

Please, stay, forever with me.

(It goes to show

That I hope that you know that you are

What my dreams are made of)

(It goes to show

That I hope that you know that you are

What my dreams are made of)

Please, stay, please, stay as long as you need.

(It goes to show

That I hope that you know that you are

What my dreams are made of)

(They say that love is forever, your forever is all that I need)

(It goes to show

That I hope that you know that you are

What my dreams are made of)

Please, stay, forever with me." He finished his song and I jumped out of my seat. He picked me up in his arms and twirled me around.

"Yes," I whispered in his ear. He looked at me.

"Yes, what?" He asked.

"Yes, I'll forever stay with you." I said and kissed him.

After everyone had had cake and cleaned up they left. I gave each one a hug and thank you as they exited. When I closed the door I turned to see Fang standing right behind me. I jumped up so that my arms were around his neck and my legs were around his waist. He walked us to the couch and sat so that I was in his lap.

I kissed him hungrily on the mouth and smiled against his lips. This had definitely been the best birthday ever.

A/N Yay! New chapter. It's quite long and it has Sleeping With Sirens in it! :D I hope you all enjoyed it. Next chapter will most likely be the last one before the epilogue. I love you guys and have really enjoyed writing this story for you. It has been great fun.