“Happy birthday, Lana!”

Everyone cheered as Lana stood beside her birthday cake. She was officially fourteen, and the Petersons had all come to celebrate.

Lina hugged her. “Happy birthday, bestie!”

“Thank you!”

Zoe immediately appeared holding a giant present.

“OPEN MINE FIRST!”

“Zoe,” Nellie said. “She hasn't even blown out her candles.”

“I've waited long enough.”

“You got here ten minutes ago.”

“EXACTLY.”

Everyone laughed.

After cake, Lana opened her presents. Lina gave her one first, followed by Nellie and Zoe.

Then John handed Lana a small box.

“Happy birthday.”

Lana opened it and smiled. “John, I love it!”

Lina immediately looked at John.

John pointed at her. “Don't.”

“I didn't say anything.”

“You were thinking it.”

Zoe looked between them.

“Wait. What's happening?”

“NOTHING,” everyone said.

Zoe narrowed her eyes.

“Suspicious.”

Lana laughed.

It was loud, chaotic, and definitely not a normal birthday party.

But with the Petersons there, Lana wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

The party was almost over when Sabrina brought out one last present.

“Wait,” Lana said. “There’s another one?”

Ryan smiled. “Just one.”

Lana opened it and gasped.

“No way!”

Lina leaned over. “WHAT IS IT?”

Zoe immediately climbed onto the couch to see.

“Zoe!” Nellie yelled.

“I CAN’T SEE!”

Lana started laughing.

John shook his head. “This family cannot do anything normally.”

Lina looked at him. “You’re literally part of the problem.”

“Am not.”

“Are too.”

Lana hugged her present and smiled.

“Best birthday ever.”

“Obviously,” Zoe said. “I was here.”

Later, everyone gathered for one last picture.

“Everybody smile!” Sabrina said.

Lana stood in the middle with Lina beside her. John stood nearby, while Nellie and Zoe squeezed in front.

“Three… two… one—”

“WAIT!” Zoe yelled.

Everyone groaned.

“What now?” Lana asked.

“Mr. Sparkles isn’t in the picture!”

“ZOE!”

Zoe ran off to get him.

Lana started laughing.

Yep.

Definitely a Peterson birthday.

As the party ended, Lina hugged Lana.

“Happy birthday again, bestie.”

“Thanks for coming.”

John walked past them.

“Bye, Lana. Happy birthday.”

Lina immediately smiled.

John stopped.

“Don't.”

“I STILL haven't said anything!”

Lana laughed. “Goodnight, John.”

“Night.”

Zoe suddenly appeared behind him.

“Ooooooooh.”