Ike had taken to teasing Skyler about her birthday. Mentioning a surprise party then saying "oops", dropping hints about her gift that she couldn't possibly guess what it was, you get the idea.

It was driving her insane. She'd explained to him that her birthday was a sad event for two reasons. One was that she was leaving the teens behind and that was now a bad thing. The other was that her mom's birthday was a week before hers, and her dad didn't do anything for her that first year they died and the following one. He was too upset. But the association had stuck with her. Isaac said her mom probably would've wanted her to have a nice birthday, and she agreed. He said that if she wanted, he'd go to the cemetery with her. No one had ever offered before. She was moved that he volunteered, yet didn't want to depress him by going. But he said it was something very important to her and therefore very important to him. As it turned out, her dad was once again traveling on business the day of her mom's birthday. They sat and talked about it, and he admitted that he'd put off going. He was afraid to. He'd called that counselor and they were now working through a lot of things. A trip to the cemetery was the ultimate goal. He was planning on it when he returned from his trip. Part of her was pleased at his efforts, part of her thought; Funny, I never needed a counselor's help to go put flowers on my mother's grave...nobody held my hand, Dad, especially not you. But now didn't seem like the time to judge. Everyone handled things in their own way.

Ryan had gone with her before, especially on the anniversary of their death. It seemed to comfort him for the first few years. But mostly she went alone. The day of her mom's birthday, she walked over to Ike's to get him, carrying flowers she'd gotten at the florist early that morning and a bag containing clippers and a hand broom. It was a nice day, finally breezy and not so hot. It was starting to cool down after such a hot summer. She wore a long sundress, black with small flowers on it. She had her hair pulled up with a lot of loose strands. The Hansons were having breakfast in various stages.

"Hi Skyler." Mrs. Hanson greeted her. She knew where they were going, and she offered Sky a muffin and juice, patting her on the back. She drank the juice, but couldn't eat the muffin. "Ready to go?" Isaac asked, getting up from the table. She nodded and said goodbye to whoever remained in the kitchen. They took his car and drove out to the cemetery, talking about helping Ryan paint the tree house later. She directed him to the area. No one was around. They got out and Ike carried the bag while she carried the flowers. Sometimes Skyler's Aunt Gerri came up here and by the looks of the dead flowers in the vase, she'd been here awhile ago. Sky replaced the dead ones with the fresh ones, but before she cleaned up the area, she waited for Ike and pointed to the headstones. "That's my Mom, Joyce Marie...they called her Joy. And that's my brother Jimmy, and my sister Sunny. There's room for Dad right by Mom. They had to buy my brother's and sister's at the last minute, of course..." He nodded, obviously disturbed at finally seeing the names and dates of the family Sky had lost. He read each one carefully. "What's that poem?" he asked, leaning down to see the framed poem by Sunset's headstone. "Oh..I wrote that for her on the first anniversary of her death. I came up alone. It's stayed in pretty good shape, don't you think? No one's disturbed it." But he didn't seem to be listening. He was reading. And then his eyes had teared up. And then he was pulling her gently to him and holding her tightly. "Did you like the poem, then?" she asked, stroking his hair. "I can't imagine, Sky....I feel so bad for you..." he was talking with his face squashed into her hair, so his voice was all muffled. "Thanks, Ike...It means a lot to me that you're here, you didn't have to come."

It was more like she was comforting him, really. She was used to coming here, but for him it was a whole new concept. He'd seen pictures of them, heard her tell stories, but this must've made it real for him. After a few minutes, she gently eased herself out of his arms and began pulling up the weeds around the graves. He helped her, sweeping the dirt away and clipping the bushes behind the headstones and in no time at all they were done. Then they said a prayer together and she said goodbye, blowing a kiss to her mother as they turned to go back to the car.

He was quiet for the ride home, until they pulled into his driveway. "Whatsa matter, Ikey, are you sad?" she asked, tilting her head and giving a little smile. He looked at her seriously, then took her hand. "Sky, I want to ask you something." "Sure." "Is your dad home?" "No. He went to Georgia. Remember?" "Oh yeah...let's go to your house. Now." They got out of the car and walked quickly through the yards. As soon as they got into her house, he went upstairs, so she followed. He glanced at the sun catcher hanging by her window in her room and looked pleased. But he didn't falter from his bee-line for the porch. He sat down and she appeared seconds later. "Boy, I guess you really like this porch." she commented, sitting beside him. "I wanna ask you something." "Okay..." she eyed him suspiciously. He took her hand. "I almost said something at the cemetery, but I didn't because of something else." "Excuse me?" she raised her eyebrows. He was very serious. "I know I said I wasn't going to do this, but sometimes things happen that you don't plan..I can re-think everything....." "Did I mess something up for you?" "No, actually, you just changed my plans a little...Skyler, I just want to ask you if you'll officially be my girlfriend. I didn't ask you before, because I wasn't planning on having a girlfriend, since we're always traveling and everything. But the thing is...I love you, Skyler, I know I do...I've wanted to say it for a long time, but I didn't think it was right if you weren't my girlfriend. So I just want it to be official, if you want it, too." He sighed, then waited for her response. She wanted to cry. Or scream. But she gave a slight smile and responded, "I would love to be your girlfriend, Isaac." then threw her arms around him. "I really love you, Sky..." he said softly. "I love you too, Ike." she replied, kissing his earlobe. Then she pulled away. "I want to give you something...if you want it," she said. Before he could respond, she took off for the other room. She came back a minute later. "I want you to have this ring...it was my uncle's and he gave it to me. He was my mom's brother. He died awhile back. Complications from diabetes. Anyhow, it's sterling silver. It's called a Celtic Knot. It means continuous, an eternity...forever, you get the idea...do you like it?" She handed it to him. He examined it carefully. "It's really cool, Sky..." he tried it on his middle finger. "And look! It fits!" he smiled. "Oh good, I was hoping it would. Uncle Scott was about your size." "But what am I going to give you?" he frowned. "I don't want anything..." she shrugged, waving her hand. "I know...How about this necklace? It's my favorite one..." he struggled to take off his silver cross on the black cord. "No, Ike, I won't take it...it's yours..." "I want you to have it...really, Sky, I wanna see you wearing it...please..." he was leaning toward her, so she let him put it on her. "It goes with my dress! Are you sure, Ike? I don't want to take your things that you like.." "I really like it on you, Sky. I have other necklaces. I love this ring, Skyler. I'll never take it off." "You don't have to wear it if you don't want to. I know you don't like a lot of jewelry. It won't hurt my feelings.." "Sky..I love it and it stays." They hugged again, then he kissed her a few times. For once, her mom's birthday wasn't so bad.

Being Ike's "official girlfriend" didn't really change anything. Naturally, no one in the public eye knew, and it wasn't like she put a big label on her forehead advertising it. It just made her feel more important and him feel more secure. They were now scheduled to leave for California at the end of September. She had two and a half glorious weeks before that awful goodbye routine she hated so much. She decided to concentrate on her birthday, which was tomorrow. Her dad actually suggested taking her out to dinner. He told her to invite anyone she wanted, so she started with Ryan. He asked if Zac could go, so of course she said "yes". Isaac would definitely be going. However, when she asked him, Tay was in the room and looked a little hurt, so she asked him to go. He said "yes". Megan was her best bud, so she had have her there. And Peggy never got to go to anywhere, so Sky asked if her surrogate mom might consider a babysitter for a few hours. Taylor suggested his mom and dad could watch them, but Peggy felt funny about it. So Taylor took it upon himself to ask them and it turned out they were very willing. Cole and Amber were both very well behaved little kids, they weren't hyper like some. So it was set. Skyler's dad probably would've had a heart attack if she told him he was taking all these kids alone, but when he realized that Peggy was coming, he was fine with it. She'd often wished he socialized with Peggy a little more, but apparently she must've made him think of her mom too much. They went to a nice restaurant, not snooty, but nice. Peggy only had to yell at Ryan twice, and that was pretty good for Ryan. Sky was so happy to be with her dad and all the kids, that she was okay with it being her birthday, if that‘s what made it happen. Peggy sat by Sky's father, and they actually talked to each other for most of dinner. Sky sat between Ike and Tay; Zac sat between Ryan and Megan. When they were sitting down, Zac told Meggie that her hair looked nice. She had a hairband on and Sky had made some spiral curls in it. She said thanks with her sweet smile and turned two shades pinker. Sky gave her a wink from across the table, just to watch her cute face blush again. She'd make a great girlfriend for somebody someday, Sky noted. They fooled around a lot at the table. When Ryan and Zac got together, they were trouble with a capital "T". Nothing bad, just playing around as boys do. Zac had taken to teasing Meg a lot, not in a mean way, but making her blush frequently. She and Zac shared a birthday in October, when she'd be ten and he'd be thirteen.

Skyler had stressed to her dad that she did NOT want a cake or the kitchen staff singing some dumb birthday song while clapping ninety miles per hour. But she agreed to have cake back at Peggy's. So when dinner was through, they piled into Peg's van and headed home.

It was a marble cake with pudding and whipped cream frosting. Very light and not as sugary tasting. She loved Peggy's cakes. Her father hadn't been to the house in several years, but he seemed fairly at ease. Zac had decided to play tag with Megan and was chasing her all over the house. She was probably hoping he would catch her. Ryan did instead, tackling her and wrestling her on the floor until she screamed and Peg yelled for them to calm down. Sky's dad told her to sit down in the dining room and wait for her cake, so she did. He kept smirking, as did Ike and Tay and Peggy, too. She was suspicious, but did as she was told and waited patiently. The doorbell rang. She started to get up and Zac, who was standing a few feet away, ran over to her and shoved her back down, telling her to stay. Then her dad came in.

"Sky, honey, there's someone here who would like to say ‘Happy Birthday' to you." "Who, Dad?" she looked at him quizzically. "You'll see..." he held the door open and everyone, including Ike's parents and the all the little ones, came in. Ike had the camcorder out. Oh, no. Let's see, thought Sky, it's probably not a stripper. Must be a singing chicken. Close. Suddenly, the door opened and Elvis walked into the room, carrying a boom box, which he set on the table. Sky turned bright pink and burst into laughter.

"Oh no! You didn't! Oh My God! Daddy, no..." she put her hand over her face, as "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" kicked in and Elvis began to sing into his microphone. Everyone was laughing and looking at Sky, who wanted to crawl under the table. Ike was documenting this with the camera. She was trying to look away, but Elvis was on one knee and had taken her hand. He was a very good singer, actually, and the real Elvis did make her swoon. Soon she was gazing into his eyes. "I thought I could live without romance until you came to me, but now I know that I will go on, lovin' you eternally.... Won't you please be my own...never leave me alone ‘cause I die everytime we're apart...I want you, I need you, I love you... With all my heart....."

When he was finished, everyone applauded. He kissed her hand and said, in Elvis voice of course, "Happy Birthday, Baby..." She beamed, covering her face and giggling like a little girl. They all told him how good he was, then he recognized Zac and it turned out his daughter was a big fan of theirs. So they agreed to sign a piece of paper for his daughter, Angela, if he sang one more song. He had "Don't Be Cruel" on tape, so he sang that one and everyone clapped and whooped it up. It was funny. Then, the guys gave their signatures and off he went, after wishing Skyler a very Happy Birthday. Peggy brought the lit cake out. They started singing "Happy Birthday" like normal, until Ike started singing in an Elvis voice so Ryan, Tay, Zac and her dad started doing it. She was laughing so hard her cheeks hurt. The cake was really good and after that she told her father it was the best birthday she'd had since she was little. "But you haven't opened your gifts yet," he smiled, rubbing her shoulder. "I don't want any gifts.." "Of course you do, Sky....who doesn't want gifts on their birthday?"

Peggy came in with an armful. Skyler wanted to cry. First there was a big sheet of paper that all the little kids had "signed" along with some artwork. Then Ryan and Zac gave her a gift from both of them. It was a skateboard (when she went with Ryan she always used one of his). "You guys! Thanks! Now you'll have to get me flipping on Justin's ramp!" she laughed. Peggy got her a gift certificate for her favorite clothing store at the mall. Megan made her a necklace and bracelet set. Taylor gave her a glass candle holder (she collected them) that he'd painted on with special paints. A bunch of his charming pictures. Very personal, he got a big hug for that one. Ike's parents even got her something. A bunch of gift certificates to various restaurants and a coffee shop. This way, they explained, she can pick and choose and take her friends out while Ike's away. She said thank you over and over again. Dad gave her a lumpy envelope. It contained cash, and wrapped in tissue, her mom's wedding band.

"I've wanted to give it to you for a long time, but I think now is the best time." he tried to smile, but looked a little glum. She got up and hugged him. "Thank you, Dad...I'll take good care of it." "I know you will...you take good care of everything else..like me." he patted her back. Ike said he'd give her his present later. She said okay and winked with exaggeration. He winked back the same way. It was the coolest birthday a girl could ask for. After hanging out for awhile, the party broke up, and her dad said he was going to help Peg clean up, which was really weird for her father, but she was glad because Ike was going to walk her home and give her his present.

"You have to close your eyes for this.." he said, holding her hands as they approached the gate to her yard. "It's an elephant, isn't it...you finally got me an elephant," she said, closing her eyes. "Great, Sky, you just ruined it...go on home, Dumbo!" he yelled out. "Hey, don't call me Dumbo!" she kidded, "I didn't mean to ruin it!" "Okay now, up the stairs," she knew they were headed for the tree house, so she had to peek at her feet in order not to fall. "Wait one second.." she heard some movement and a flickering sound. "Okay, Sky." She opened her eyes. He had candles lit on the little fold out table and there was a rose next to a wrapped box. "Why'd you take me up here? What's with the candles? You're not trying to score with me, are you, Ike?" she smiled, making him laugh. "Yeah, baby, I aim to get what's comin' to me...I give you a rose, you take off your clothes..." he said in a funny voice. Then he yelled for her to open it at once. She did. It was a small velvet box, inside of a larger one. "Hey! You tricked me....it's a little box." She opened it. It was a ring, very much like the one she'd given him, only obviously brand new. "Hey!"she repeated, "It's a Celtic Knot! Where'd you find one of these?!" "It wasn't easy, let me tell you! I hope it fits. Then we'll both have one." She tried it on. It fit her middle finger. "Look! It fits!" she laughed, giving him the finger. "Hey!" It was his turn, "None of that!" he grabbed her hand and pulled her close. They sat on the bed. She held her hand up to his. "Wow...it's like wedding bands....we match." she said. "That's what it's like alright...I love you, Sky," he said, wrapping his arms around her. "I love you, too. Thanks for the ring." She leaned forward to kiss him but he was already up and looking around. "Wait!" he said, "There's one more present." "Oh Ike, I don't want anything more!" But he was sitting by her on the bed with his acoustic guitar in hand.

"It's no big deal, really. You told me you liked this song once. So I want to sing it for you, ‘cause now it means so much more to me. If I wrote it all over it would be for you." Before she could say anything, he began an acoustic version of "As Surely As the Sun". As he sang about sharing every moment of the day with her, her mind led her back to the first day they met in Ryan's yard and the way he looked over at her house. Then she was seeing him asking her out, and making her laugh at dinner, and comforting her in the car. She actually got goosebumps when she remembered that first kiss on her couch. At this point he was singing about what she saw in him since he was just a man with many flaws. Maybe that did it. Or it could have been the excitement of her birthday, or just everything that had happened to her over the summer months. Like being apart from him, the phone call after Bryan took her out, and the visit to her the cemetery on her mother's birthday. Anyway, she started to cry about three-fourths of the way through the song. By the time he finished, she was sobbing, really hard. He nearly threw the guitar aside and moved right up to her. "Sky, I'm sorry...I didn't mean to make you cry...Are you okay? Sky..."

She looked at him through her tears and nodded. He was looking into her eyes, a slightly worried look. He reached out and pushed her hair back, then began wiping her eyes with the palms of his hands. She took a few deep breaths and muttered an apology.

"Don't you apologize," he whispered, leaning forward. He kissed her face softly, first her eyes, then her cheek, her chin, then her lips. He kissed her with passion, over and over again, and it seemed to Skyler to be a dream because no one could be this happy in real life. Then again, maybe she deserved to be happy for once. She put her arms around him and they fell over sideways, his intense kisses making her feel as though she were floating up high on a cloud instead of in a tree house.