Chapter Thirty-One

I'm not going to bore you with the aftermath of the last chapter, so I'm going to skip to one of the best days of my life: Scottie's sixteenth birthday.

So, you walk into the room, there's a banner like everyone of his birthdays:

HAPPY 16th BIRTHDAY SCOTTIE

Then, his present corner wasn't for presents at all.  He asked for small notes to hand in his bulletin board.  You just set down your paper, and socialize with him.

There's family and teenager friends.  There's cookies and meatballs, all of Scottie's favourite foods.  Finally, it's cake time.  It's an ice cream cake, the kind with half vanilla and half chocolate and cookie crumbles in the middle.

Next thing you know, Scottie's going to start reading his letters.  He pushs his flop of dark blondish hairs away from his face, and he smiles at every message.  His dimples show bright, and he laughs.   Then, he reads your's. 

He looks around and finds you and winks.  And you just think: my little boy is sixteen.

You want to cry or something, but that's stupid to do at his party.  You wait until everyone leaves.

You hug him and he's like Jesus, Dad.

You walk into his room, and there's all of these handwritten notes on his wall.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCOTTIEI WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT IF YOU WANT A HEDGEHOG, YOU'LL BE GETTING A HEDGEHOG.  JUST WAIT UNTIL I GET INTO TOWN.LOVE, UNCLE SHERRINFORD

Scottie:I love you with all of my heart, and your father does, too.  I can't believe you are already sixteen years old.  I remember when you were just a little baby.Love, Sherlock

Happy Birthday!Scottie, we've been put together all of our lives, and I remember when I used to have a crush on you.  I'm so glad to be a part of your journey as a 16-year-old.XOXO Rachel

Hey Dude!Congrats on your 16th B-Day! I've got your back.Happy Birthday, ScottieKyle

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SONSCOTTIE:I'VE ENDURED SO MUCH, AND I LOVE HAVING YOU IN MY LIFE.  PARENTING IS TRICKY SOMETIMES, BUT KNOW THAT I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU.  HAPPY SIXTEENTH.DAD

You wonder if Sherrinford will actually get him a hedgehog.

You kiss Scottie goodnight, and for once, he doesn't complain that he's too old for that. 

Then, you leave, and kind of don't know what to do next.  Sherlock takes you by the hand, and snoggs you full on the lips, and you grab his head and do it back.

We have talked about getting married, and it might happen next year.

Now, I'm writing this all down, reliving the memories, and it feels so good.

And believe me: When I'm done writing this sentence, I'm going to show this book to Sherlock like he showed me his letters.