“Morning man, happy birthday!” Tyler cheered excitedly.

“Mhm, thanks,” Dylan grumbled back.

“Oh come on, it’s a good day!” Tyler said. “Look, I made you waffles for breakfast!” he added, presenting a plate with a stack of waffles on and a lone candle in the middle of the top one. There was a flicker of a smile on the birthday boy’s face. “Seeeeee, that’s better isn’t it?”

“You’ve never made me waffles. Thanks, Ty!” Dylan took his place in a stool at the breakfast bar.

“Well it’s a big day for you. What do you have planned?”

Dylan picked up his cutlery and blew out the candle. “I don’t. It didn’t seem right to celebrate.”

Tyler sighed sympathetically and sat down opposite him. “Look, I know Lucas’ death is hard on you but that doesn’t mean you put your life on hold. He’s not up there thinking ‘Dylan better not celebrate his birthday a month after my death,’ is he?”

“Pwobbuly nhut,” Dylan replied with a mouthful.

“So no plans?”

“Nope.”

“You not even going to see your mom?”

“No, but I will in a couple of days when it’s her time to see people.”

“Ok, great. I mean, not for your Mom who might have wanted to see you, but because you’ve got the whole day free!”

“I don’t want no fuss, Ty.”

“No, I get that. It’s going to be low key.”

Dylan eyed him up suspiciously. “What is?”

“Well, I’ve been speaking to Kimona... and she’s spoken to a couple of others... and we might be going to a batting cage.”

“Oh man, really? Like who?” Dylan asked, dropping his shoulders.

“Don’t be a Debbie Downer. Just Mindy and Blane. With Kimona, myself and you. Just a bunch of people hitting some balls.”

“Okay, sorry. I don’t mean to be a Debbie Downer.”

“You totally do,” Tyler joked. “They’re going to meet us later so I thought we could go for a swim before?”

“Sure, ok. Thanks man.”

***

“You’re allowed to enjoy tonight, ok!” Tyler said as he arrived to the table with drinks for himself and Dylan.

They were at the diner attached to the batting cage waiting for the others and they were taking time to soak in the ambience of the crowds and loud music.

“Yeah, I know. The swim cleared my head earlier, and I’m definitely more positive about celebrating.”

“Good, tell your face that then!”

Dylan laughed and took a gulp of the soda Tyler had bought him. “They’re here!”

They both turned to watch Mindy and Kimona, with Blane following behind, as if in slow motion to the time of the thumping base line of a remix of ‘Work It Out’ by Beyoncé, weave their way through the crowd, searching for the birthday boy and his roommate.

Even Dylan found himself unable to stop staring as he watched them both. Kimona, in a yellow and white floral knee length dress and a denim jacket over the top, walked through hand in hand with Mindy who was loving the attention she was getting. Instantly recognisable with her pink hair in a high pony tail, she was in the shortest pair of denim cut off shorts and a LA Dodgers tee shirt that she had done a custom alteration on, cutting it across the middle in line with the bottom of her ribs. Blane was wearing a pair of skinny black jeans with an oversized Miami Marlins hoody with a bomber jacket over the top of it.

A server bringing the boys the food they ordered snapped them from their dazes. “Hot dogs?” she asked.

“Yes... I am,” Tyler said distracted.

“’Scuse me?”

“No- I mean yes. They’re ours. Thanks,” he blushed.

“Oh you ordered without us!?” Blane dramatically cried out when they got to the table. “I knew you should have got ready quicker!” he complained to the girls.

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Mindy gave him a playful push and waited as Kimona gave Dylan a hug.

“Sorry, we were just really hungry and they took longer to come out.”

“It’s alright,” said Kimona. “Happy Birthday!” She gave him a warm smile which made Dylan blush.

“We brought presents with us!!” Mindy said excitedly, clapping enthusiastically and jumping on the spot.

Dylan caught sight of Tyler who had forgotten where Mindy’s eyes were and gave him a kick under the table. “Thank you. But you really shouldn’t have.”

“Are you kidding? It’s a birthday!” Blane said. “We don’t have birthdays on our Earth, and when Kimona was explaining how they work, well, we really wanted to be a part of the customs.”

“Is everyone here having a birthday party?” Mindy asked looking around.

“No,” Dylan chuckled. “Just me. I think. I don’t know everyone here.”

“Oh, but Kimona said we were going baseballing for your birthday, I just thought this place was for birthdays. I said 'happy birthday' to like, five people on the way in. Why didn't you stop me Kimmy?”

Kimona waited until she finished laughing. "I had no idea why you were doing that but it was just too funny to stop!"

“It’s ok. People can come here for birthdays. Or dates. Or hang outs with friends,” Tyler explained. “Get some food, have a dance and hit some balls.”

“Well we’re all ready,” said Blane. “We’re wearing baseballing uniforms!” He proudly pulled his jacket to the sides so everyone could see the logo better.

“You all look the part!” Dylan said, smiling. “Did you want to order some food first?”

Blane’s face lit up at the mention. “Yes!” he replied instantly, turning to go to the bar.

“I hope he doesn’t forget to get us something too,” Kimona said laughing.

“I’ll go,” Tyler offered, jumping down from his stool. “What do you want? Mindy?”

“Aren’t you kind? Let’s go together! But just keep your eyes north, ok? I see you staring…”

***

“I did warn you, you had to use less force when hitting the ball,” Kimona said to Mindy as the group walked out of the batting cage venue.

“The owner looked so mad!” Tyler laughed.

“Who knew all it took was five selfies with him for him to not to chuck us out!” she said laughing!

“Well this was lots of fun!” Blane said between mouthfuls of fries he had got to go. “What with our upcoming move and Holt being depressed, I really appreciate you being born Dylan.”

There was an awkward silence briefly before Dylan turned round to Blane. “You’re welcome. Thank you for being here. And if you want to thank someone for me being born, you can come see my Mom with me later this week.”

“Duh, we’re moving out of The Facility, finally! Vegas… Here I come! Maybe next time,” he said, giving Dylan a wink.

“You know, I didn’t know if I wanted to celebrate today, but Tyler did a good job of bringing me round.”

“Well I’m glad he did! Plus we still have presents in the car for you,” Kimona said playfully.

“I hope you like size nine trainers, because we got you some!” Mindy said.

Kimona shot her a look. “Presents are meant to be a surprise. That’s why we wrapped it up!”

“Even I knew that…” Blane muttered.

Dylan smiled and squeezed Mindy’s upper arm affectionately. “I do. I love size nine trainers the most, thank you.”

And as the group walked down the street laughing and making fun of each other, Dylan realised the lesson he had learnt today. He didn’t have to feel guilty about enjoying his life whilst missing someone he cared about, for they wouldn’t expect that of him. And in Lucas’ honor, it was important to make the most of his own life.