I wake up, and I'm still on the bus, and I'm still using Caleb as a pillow. "Hey kiddo," he says, smiling. "Hey," I say. I get up off of him, and walk to the kitchen.

I get a cup of water, then sit next to Alan, who's holding his guitar. "Hey smiley girl," he says, putting his stringed friend down.

"Hey Big Al," I say, taking another sip of my water. "Were you writing a song?" I ask. He shakes his head, "Nah. I was just thinking." I raise an eyebrow, "About what?" He wraps his arms around me, "About how much I missed you, and about how much I regret ever letting you go."

"I regret ever leaving you," I whisper. "God can heal all your wounds, princess, just trust Him," Alan replies. I nod, "Don't worry. I already am."

~*~

"It's your seventeenth births day in a few days, love," Joey reminds me. I nod, "Yeah, I know. You guys don't really have to get me anything," I sigh. "Whaaaaaat are you kidding me, Mia?" Chad asks. I shake my head, "No I just got back and it's all really unexpected. I'm being serious."

"Too late, my dear," Alan says smirking. "You already got me a present?" I raise an eyebrow. Caleb nods, "Yep! And you're never ever going to guess what it is!"

"I'll find out in two days, on my birthday," I remind him. He nods, "'Tis true."

I turn to Alan and bat my eyelashes, "Please tell me what you got me and I'll love you forever," I hug him. He shakes his head and laughs, "If I can resist Pres and AJ, I can resist you. I'm cute proof."

I turn to Joey. "Jowy, my bestie, the mean men won't tell me what they're getting me," I whine. "Sorry love, I'm sworn to secrecy," he chuckles.

I cross my arms, "You're all big fat meanies!" Chad looks shocked, "Alan, buddy, did you just hear what Mia called us?" Alan nods, "I did Chadwick. What ever shall we do about this?"

"I have an idea!" Caleb pipes up. They all huddle up, whispering to each other. And before you know it, I'm being tickled to the ground.

"Please. Stop," I gasp. "Apologize first!" Chad exclaims. I sigh, and sit up, "I'm sorry." Caleb raises an eyebrow, "For what?" I nod, "I'm sorry that you're all big meanies!"

I jump up and begin running as fast as I can. There's four of them, and only one of me, there's no way I can win. I feel an arm around my waist, as I'm hoisted into the air.

"Hiya!" Chad says, right in my face. I kick, and flail my arms, "Put me down, you big meanie!" Chad shakes his head, "Again with the name calling, young lady, what're we gonna do with you."

"How about put me down, and get me a juice box?" I flash a grin. "Close but no," Chad says. "So you're gonna put me down?" I ask. Chad nods, "Sure am Mia!"

He plops me down, right on top of Alan. "Uh oh!" I exclaim, scampering to my feet. "Please! I give up! Fine! I'm sorry you guys. I love you!" I exclaim, just as Alan latches an arm to my waist.

"Good. That's all we needed to hear," he says, dropping his arm. I grab an iPad from the counter, and watch Netflix on it. I've watched about three episodes of Girl Meets World, when Caleb calls my name.

"Mia! Somebody stole my iPad! Have you seen it?" He asks. I shake my head, "Nope, what iPad?"

"It was on the counter by the microwave," he replies. I laugh, "I have it, you grammar freak!" He shakes his head, "You don't hang out with us for a year, and now you want to call us names?" I grin, "Yep pretty much."

He takes his iPad, and kisses my head, "I missed you though, kid." I nod, "I missed you too, grammar freak. In my head, I could see you cringing every time I used improper grammar." He grins, "I have taught you well, young grasshopper."

~2 Days Later~

We picked Josh and Jaxon up on the bus yesterday, and now we're continuing back to Nashville. Caleb and Chad woke me up super early this morning and let me have cake for breakfast. They still won't let my have the presents, because not everybody is awake.

"Chadwickkkkkk just let me take one peek. Please," I beg, "It's all I'll ever ask for again in my life. Please." Chad shakes his head, "No way! You have to wait for the Sleeping Beauties to get up."

"But it's my birthday!" I remind him. "You're just going to have to wait," Chad says in his British accent. "Sorry Mia," Caleb says.

"Sorry about what?" Alan asks, rubbing his eyes. "Mia wants to open presents, but nobody else is awake, so we told her to wait," Caleb informs him.

"Sorry beautiful, but I'm afraid these two dorks are right," Alan says, chuckling. I go to our kitchen and get two juice boxes. I hand one to Alan, and open the other one for myself. Alan sits down next to me.

He puts his arm around my shoulders. I lay my head on his shoulder. "I wanna open my presents," I sigh. Alan nods, "I know you do, my dear. Josh and Jaxon should be up soon, and then you can wake Joey." I giggle, "Really!?"

"I'm helping you with that, girlie," Chad whispers in my ear. I nod. Alan, Caleb, and Chad begin discussing tour details.

Josh and Jaxon stumble into the main room. I greet them both, then tug Chad back to the bunks.

"On the count of three, you jump on him, girlie," Chad instructs. I nod, "Aye aye, cap'n!"

"One two," Chad counts, "Three!" I fling myself on top of Joey, who jumps. "Mia, it's too early. Go away," he mumbles. "JoJo, it's my births day! I need you so I can open presents!" I exclaim excitedly.

"Don't make me drag you out there," Chad laughs. Joey reluctantly gets up, and follows us to the main room.

"Okay, where are my presents?" I ask excitedly. Alan hands me a large box. I shake it, but it seems like there's nothing in there. I pull off the bow, and put it on Caleb's head. Then I open the box. There's an envelope laying at the bottom. I open the envelope and see tickets and backstage passes to Colton Dixon!

I scream in excitement! "Yayyyy thank you guys soooo much!!" I squeal. Alan chuckles, "Those are from Brycie, the girls, and I. I remembered how you talked about rather hanging out with Mr. Dixon than us, so now you can."

They remembered that? I said that on the last tour I was with them for.

"Okay, here's one from me!" Caleb says excitedly. I open the package to find a dictionary, Guardians Of The Galaxy DVD, a thick journal, and a pretty purple dress. I hug Caleb, "Thanks bro. These are great gifts, except for the dictionary." He laughs, "You've gotta learn good grammar somehow! And Kels picked out the dress, I hope it fits."

Joey hands me a box wrapped in green paper. I open it to find another box. It's a camera box. "Oh gosh Joey. This thing must've costed a fortune," I gasp. "It's worth it love," he replies, hugging me tightly.

Chad hands me a smaller package. Inside, is a pair of in-ear phones, an iTunes card, a stuffed panda, and a "giftcard" to buy merch at my Colton concert. I bury my face in his shoulder, "Thanks Chaddy. You're the bomb."

Next I get the final package, from my step-dad and brother. There's a framed photo of my mom, Meghan and I. And there's a necklace, a locker more so. I open the heart shaped pendant, and there's a picture of me with Josh and Jaxon. I attack both of them in a hug. "Thanks guys, I love you so much!" I exclaim.

"There's one more, and it's from the band as a whole," Alan says, handing me another box. I tear it open to see a plastic tiara. "To remind you that you're always a princess to us, no matter what," Chad says. I place it on my head with delight.

This is quite possibly the sweetest thing anybody has done for me in my entire life.

"Chin up, princess, your crown is falling," Caleb says, tilting my head upwards and adjusting my falling crown.

"This is officially the best birthday ever!" I exclaim. Josh chuckles, "Glad you like it, sweetie." I nod, "I love it. And I also love the guys who got me all these presents."

"Let's watch Guardians!" I shout. "Why don't you try on the dress so I can give Kels the report," Caleb suggests. "Okay, I'll do that. Then I'm watching Guardians!" I exclaim.

I take the dress into the bathroom, and slip into it. It fits nicely, and it's modest which is hottest. I exit the bathroom, and strike a model pose.

"You look gorgeous, girl!" Caleb exclaims, snapping a few shots of me on his phone. "Okay, we're good Miss Model. You can change now," Chad says, laughing.

I put my pajamas back on, and put the dress on the hanger. "Tell Kels I love it!" I inform Caleb.

I grab the Guardians DVD and rip the plastic off. "Let's get this started!" I exclaim. "Don't ya want breakfast, smiley?" Alan asks. "I had cake," I shrug. "Who let you have cake?!" Alan asks another stupid question. "Chadwick did," I reply.

"It is her birthday!" Chad defends himself. "It's all good, Big Al, now lets watch this movie!" I exclaim. "I don't like it that much," Alan admits, "but I'll watch it with my favorite girlie."

We watch it, and by the time it's over, we're in Nashville. "Woohoo! Home sweet home!" I exclaim. "Everybody's gonna meet us at my house," Alan says.

"Oh my gosh, Al, your girls! I bet they've gotten so big. Oh my gosh I can't wait to see them!" I exclaim, realizing its been a year since I saw them.

"AJ's five now. Pres is three. And Rowe recently turned a year old," Chad says. "Wow. Now I feel old. Thanks," I sigh. "No problem!" He exclaims, lightly punching my arm.

We get to Alan's and I grab my bags from the bus. "Leave 'em. I'll get them later," Joey says. I nod, and chase them inside.

We're greeted at the door by three little sets of arms. "Mia! We missed you!" They chant. I smile, and crouch down to their level.

"Hey girlies!" I exclaim. AJ and Presley both kiss my cheeks. Rowe toddles along, imitating her sisters.

"Hey baby Rowe," I say, sliding her into my lap. She giggles as I make a funny face.

Brycie comes and greets Alan. I stand up and hug her. "I've missed you so much, hon," she said. "I've missed you guys too," I reply, as she rubs my back.

"I just can't believe how big the girls are now, especially Rowe," I gush. "I know. You're all AJ and Presley have been talking about all morning. They missed you," Brycie says. "I missed them too. I'm sorry I left Brycie. I know how hard it was on you," I say. "It's okay Mia. I'm just glad you're back."