More than ever I wasn’t excited for my birthday. It was going to be my first birthday since I was sixteen that I couldn’t drink or rage. I was having a calm, grown up birthday. Sure all my family and friends would be there and that was great, but I still wanted to take shots and yell and dance the night away. “What do you want for your birthday?” Skyler asked. “To be able to drink.”“Okay, something that’s obtainable.”“I don’t know. I don’t really want or need for anything, you know? I have two billionaire boyfriends and I live in a mini mansion. I don’t want baby stuff since we still have the shower coming up. I just…I don’t know.” I sighed. “Are you usually this depressed on your birthday?”“Absolutely.”Skyler chuckled. “You’ll have a great day, I’m sure. Grayson and Lee will make it so special for you.“Yeah, that’s what I’m worried about,” I whispered. “They have been arguing about this party for days, I have no idea what it’ll be like.”“If it’s horrible I’ll kidnap you an

“What?” I whispered. “No there’s no way!”“I just confronted him Scarlett, he blew up at me and stormed off. Someone else will have to accept that award. I have to go find him.”“I should go too,”“No, you shouldn’t. You don’t need to be pregnant wandering the streets, just accept the award for him.” Joel insisted. “I got this.”I nodded and he hurried off.“What’s wrong?” Grayson whispered. “My dad is drinking,” I breathed. “Shit,” Lee sighed. “Should we go find him?”I shook my head. “Joel said he would handle it. I can’t believe this.”“Do we cancel the shower tomorrow?” “No, we can’t. People are already coming. Hopefully Joel will have found him by then.” Grayson stated. “And now we welcome to the stage the recipient of Professor of the Year! Scott Watson.”“Where’s your father?” Sophia asked. “I’ll explain later,” I hissed before walking up to the stage. “Hello! Obviously, I am not Scott Watson.”Everyone laughed. “I’m his daughter, Scarlett and I will be accepting this awa

Joel finally caught up to my dad.There was a brawl that ended with Dad getting arrested. Grayson and Lee bailed him out. He then had to come stay with us considering Sophia was done with him. She was filing for divorce. She said she couldn’t subject Gerald to this kind of behavior.She was doing what my mother should have.Dad sat across from me at the table. He was very much nursing a hangover. Joel sat next to him, nervously playing with his sponsor card. “Why did you do it?” I asked finally.“I just wanted to celebrate,” Dad whispered. “It was supposed to be one drink and then…it just got out of control.”“Scott…we all have shortcomings sometimes-”“I have a hangover, Joel, I am not in the mood for your daily affirmations bullshit.” Dad grumbled. “Hey, he doesn’t have to be here right now,” I snapped. “He could have left you in that bar, but instead he tried to help you!”Dad didn’t say anything.“As I was saying, this doesn’t mean that your sober journey is over, Scott. You jus

Somehow I had to make Lee’s birthday this year even better than the one last year.But last year I had the wonderful element of surprise. This year I feel like I’m expected to throw a party, since I’m having his baby. I wanted him to feel just as loved and important as he did last year. I sat in front of my computer at work hopelessly. There was nothing much to do and I wanted to start planning Lee’s party, but I had no clue where to start. “Scarlett, are you okay?” Rex asked. “Um, sorry, pregnancy brain, yeah I’m okay.”“You don’t have any work to be done, why don’t you head out early. You look completely out of it.”“Thank you, sir. I’m sorry.”“Don’t be. I cannot even imagine what’s going on with you right now. How are the babies? Growing well?”I nodded. “They are. My doctor said they’re really healthy and everything is going wonderfully. It’s amazing.”“I’m so glad, Scarlett,” He smiled genuinely. “Well, call your ride and get outta here.”“Thank you.”It was the middle of the

I always knew something was missing. My whole life I felt slightly out of place and odd. I wasn’t that similar to my family, especially my parents. We didn’t have the same eyes or nose and I didn’t have any of the traits I should have. However I always pushed it aside.I thought Scarlett was what was missing. She made me feel completely whole and secure. She saw me in a way no one else did. She fell in love with me when I thought she wouldn’t. But it’s more than that.I’m fucking adopted. I was shaking as I sat down across my parents with Scarlett. She grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “Tell me everything, “ I said quietly. “Grayson just before we do, you have to understand-”“Mom, just tell me!” I snapped. “If you don’t I’m going to walk out and I’ll never come back.”I didn’t exactly mean it, only because I wanted answers. Dad sighed. “We found out pretty early on that your mom probably couldn’t have children. No reason for it, she was just…we still tried so much. We did everyth