The birthday party

"Happy Birthday, Daniel." Alex leans in and kisses Daniel lightly on his lips. Today is his 29th birthday and they have already been dating for over half a year.

"Thank you, love." Daniel smiles down at him before suddenly, Peter jumps down the stairs. "Happy birthday, uncle Daniel!" Alex blushes when he realizes that Peter caught them kissing, but he no longer panics at this thought. Some little intimacies are okay even in front of family.

"Happy Birthday, Daniel." Dana comes out of the kitchen with a birthday cake. They all sit down around the heavily laden breakfast table. Alex especially came over for breakfast.

They eat happily, with Peter constantly chatting about his friends and the kindergarten. Both Daniel and Alex show glowing smiles. They really love this air of family that surrounds their kitchen table.

"Daniel, how are the preparations for tonight going?" Dana suddenly asks . Alex tenses. That's right. Tonight would not only be a big event for Daniel. Daniel would also officially introduce Alex as his boyfriend to the group members. Even though Alex already knows Carlo and Steven, he still hasn't met most of the nearly 30 members. He tries to calm down when he thinks about it rationally. After half a year of dating and with at least two members of the group knowing the others would also already know about him. Nobody would be surprised. But it would be his first time to stand in a large group of him unknown strangers who know about his orientation. He can't help but feel nervous.

"The preparations are nearly done. The others will arrive at 7 o'clock p.m. And you know that nobody will be late when there is a prospect of your cooking." Daniel praises Dana teasingly. He sometimes thinks that his men are only loyal towards him because of his sister's cookings.

"Well, they know what is good." She smirks. "Those rowdy guys better behave themselves or they won't get any."

"You know how to threaten them effectively." Daniel laughs.

___________________________

Daniel is already busy welcoming his guests when he notices the absence of Alex. After searching the room he realizes that his boyfriend is hiding in the kitchen with his sister.

"Daniel, where is that famous boyfriend of yours? I heard you wanted to introduce him?" A huge guy of muscular build with a tall but slender blonde guy next to him asks.

"John." Daniel smiles towards the big guy and kisses the slender blonde on his cheek "Jeremy. Nice to see you both together."

"Don't change the subject. I especially came here tonight to see who could take hold of you." Jeremy, the blonde guy looks at him with a nasty expression. On closer look his face is decorated by multiple piercings and a tattoo shows on the back of his neck.

"Jeremy, and here I was thinking you actually came to celebrate my birthday."

"Who would come for you? I am just here out of curiosity." But Jeremy's eyes can't meet Daniel's. John shows an apologetic but understanding smile. They both won't be fooled by his brave act. They know that Jeremy still cares deeply about his ex-boyfriends happiness, like Daniel cares for his. They didn't part on bad terms. They still stayed friends and watched out for each other. Because of this Daniel is happy to see Jeremy with his boyfriend John of nearly two years by his side, looking like they are doing well.

"Please, Jeremy spare him. I don't know if he is ready for ..." Daniel helplessly gestures towards his obvious aura of a delinquent and the nasty expression but settles with "... you."

"Then how can he bare being in a relationship with you?"

But before Daniel can answer the kitchen door is pushed open and Dana comes in with a cake full of candles. Daniel's eyes dart towards the kitchen entrance and sure enough Alex is peeking out. Decisively, Daniel strides over and grabs his arm. "Come, love. I want to introduce you." He ignores Alex' whimpers and drags him along. They stand in front of the cake. Dana quickly stands next to Alex so he is in the middle of the siblings. In the light of the candles his beautiful face is highly accentuated making him nearly a stunning beauty. While Alex doesn't realize this all the guests quickly quiet down, admiring the young man at their boss's side and expecting to hear their boss speak. And sure enough, Daniel quickly turns towards Alex, giving him a reassuring smile and then speaks loud and clearly:

"Everyone, thank you for coming today to celebrate my birthday with me. Even if I know that most of you just came for Dana's cooking." Slight chuckling can be heard. Daniel continues. "Today, I also want to formally introduce to you the newest member of our family. Please treat him well."

He places an arm around Alex' shoulder and pulls him close. "Everyone, meet my boyfriend Alex." Alex blushes and nearly panics while Daniel just adds jokingly. "Remember his face and name. For everyone who wants a pay raise down the road, you better treat him well."

The guests laugh at this. Daniel successfully diverted the attention off Alex and now quickly adds "Now, let's eat the cake!"