"Happy birthday to you!"

As the song died down, James and Charlie blew out the candles on their cake. So this is what a birthday party was like. A loud gathering where everyone stuffs cake into their mouths just because the birthday boys made it to age eleven. A few months ago, Stella would have feared being in a situation like this, she would have freaked out from being surrounded by giants in such a chaotic environment. But that was a different person, Stella changed like how the season changed days before. These weren't people she feared anymore, they were a family she grew close to. In fact, she was so close that she didn't mind wearing a shorter sleeved shirt around them. Everyone knew of her scars, so what was the point of hiding them anymore?

Glenda began passing out cake slices to everyone as Stella sat on the small coffee table. While Jason's new apartment was small, it was at least bigger than his old apartment. It was nice to see him and Clair build a life together.

Once cake was handed to Stella, she immediately began scarfing it down. The cake was nothing special but it had a marshmallow fluff filling in the center of it, nothing was more delicious than marshmallows. But she noticed James scraping off the marshmallow fluff inside the cake, his nose scrunched up in disgust.

Clair chuckled as she took her seat on the couch beside Stella. "You know, James hates marshmallows."

"But he's the one who insisted on the filling?!"

Clair shrugged. "Maybe he wanted you to have something special on this day."

As touched as Stella was, she couldn't help but feel guilty. It's his birthday, not hers, James didn't need to alter his cake for her. Besides, he and his brother weren't even allowed to invite any friends over because of her. They already sacrificed so much for her.

"Enjoying the food?" Jason asked as he sat down next to Clair. A cheery look plastered on his face.

Stella nodded. "The cake is delicious!"

"Thanks kiddo."

"You have to get this cake for my birthday."

"Sure thing, is it coming up soon?"

"No, it's in September."

The smile from his face dropped. "That won't be for a while."

Stella chuckled. "Well yeah, but it's not like I'm going anywhere soon."

Just then the doorbell rang. Everyone is here, who else would be here? Stella looked over at Jason and Clair for an answer but they only silently stared at each other, the fun was replaced with a serious look on their faces.

"Dad, could you get that?"

"Sure thing sweetie." Richard casually walked over to the door and opened it. "Ah, good to see you again."

A tall and well built man dressed in a blue striped polo shirt walked into the room bearing boxes wrapped in red gift wrap. The first thing Stella noticed about him was his face. He had a very defined jaw, like it was sculpted by an artist. Obviously he took care of his skin because he there was not a blemish or wrinkle on it. However he had to be older because his thick black hair was starting to gray, giving it a salt and pepper look. One odd thing Stella noticed was that there seemed to be something white in his hair, but Stella couldn't make out what it was, no matter how much she squinted.

"DAD!" James and Charlie jumped up out of their seats and ran over to the man. They tackle hugged him as soon as he set the gifts down.

"Whoa! Careful boys." He wrapped his arms around the twins. "Don't knock us over."

"What did you bring us?" Charlie asked gleefully.

"You'll find out soon."

Glenda smiled as greeted the new guest. "Max, it's been too long."

All the pieces clicked together in Stella's brain. So this was the man who left Clair for a human. And after all those years he finally showed up to see his kids. Honestly, James and Charlie didn't look very much like him, except for those big brown eyes.

Max shuffled his way over to the couch with his sons following behind. "Nice place you got here."

"Thank you." Clair stood up and gave Max an awkward hug. "Glad you could make it."

"I'm glad I finally don't have too much work to prevent me from seeing my boys." Max stated. His eyes scanned over to Jason and he extended his arm out for a handshake. "You must Jason."

Jason smiled and took his hand. "Nice to meet you."

"Heard you were the best cook at Del Gatto."

"I guess so." He chuckled.

"Man, I sure do miss that place. I wish we had one back in Europe."

The small talk between the three felt so awkward, like none of them really wanted to talk to each other. Stella could understand that they needed to put aside their differences for the sake of the children, but why bother with awkward conversations when it's so obvious that they would rather be on opposite ends of the room?

"Anyways…" Clair gestured her hand to Stella. "Max, this is Stella."

The man knelt down to Stella's level, their eyes locked. Stella felt her chest tightened as all the attention fell onto her. An intense aura surrounded Max, but it wasn't threatening like other more sinister giants she had the misfortune of meeting.

Max smiled warmly at her, showing off perfect white teeth. "Hello, Stella."

She felt her body stiffen. "H...hi."

"You're not used to giants."

"I'm… getting there."

"Well, I think there's someone you should meet." Max lifted his hand up to the top of his head. A woman with blonde hair tied in a bun popped out of the thick locks and climbed onto the hand. Once she was secure, Max lowered the woman onto the table. "This is my girlfriend, Kelly."

A human?! It had been so long since Stella had seen a human who was like her. She couldn't help but stare for a moment. She was taller than her by a few inches, and she was definitely older, probably around the same age as Clair. Her floral printed blouse looked like it was more expensive than half the clothes Stella owned. Without warning, Kelly popped up right in front of Stella and smiled excitedly. "I have heard so much about you!"

Stella took a few steps back from the bubbly human. "You have?"

"Yes." Kelly clasped onto Stella's hand, giving it a friendly squeeze as she accidentally pulled Stella's exposed arm out in the open, revealing the scars to her and Max. "And I think we have so much in common."

Stella instinctively pulled her hand away. It was one thing if Clair or Glenda or anyone else in the family saw her scars, but she still wasn't comfortable showing off her scars to new people. Had she had known about the new arrivals, Stella would have picked out something less revealing than a stupid green top.

A look of concern flickered in Kelly's light brown eyes. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to invade your personal space like that, I was just so excited to meet you."

"It's fine." Stella snapped, silencing the woman's blabbering. She never met a human with this much energy before, it was already becoming exhausting. Yet, Stella was intrigued by Kelly's bubbly personality. She wanted to know more about this human and her life. "I'm still trying to get over some things."

"I understand." Kelly smiled. "I've been where you were before."

"So, what's it like in Europe?"

"Oh it's lovely, I can't wait to show you around!"

"What?" Stella shook her head in disbelief. Did she hear that right? When she looked around the room, she realized that everyone else was watching her conversation with Kelly. No one seemed shocked. Then Jason glanced over to Clair, who nodded, both of them knelt down to her level.

"You've made so much progress over these past few months, kiddo. And we're all so proud of how far you've come, and you deserve to live the life you should have had. You're going to Europe."

Stella's eyes widened. "Really? How is this possible?"

"I called Max a few months ago, and told him about you." Clair explained. "He could easily make you a citizen."

"And you can stay with us as long as you like."

"We can even try to track down other members of your family."

Joy overwhelmed Stella. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes. All the stories her parents told her about, they all seemed like bedtime stories! But now, she could actually experience the life her parents so desperately wanted to give to her. None of this would have happened if it weren't for the people in her life. Glenda, Richard, James, Charlie, Clair and Jason were the reason she was standing here today. Stella was about to give gratitude for all they did for her. But when she looked at every smiling face around the room, she realized something.

"What about you guys?" She asked. "Will I be able to see you all again?"

Smiles were wiped off of everyone's face, their eyes darted around the room searching for answers. A cold reality set in; visiting would be difficult to do.

"You're always invited to any celebration we have." Glenda said. "Or you can visit whenever you can."

"But how can she visit if dad gets too busy?" James asked before his mother promptly shushed him.

But he was right. If Max was busy then she couldn't get on a plane and hop over to the states to see them whenever she wanted it. She would need a giant escort.

"I don't suppose you can afford a family vacation to Europe?"

Jason shook his head. "I'm sorry, kiddo."

Stella's heart sank as the weight of everything crashed on top of her. This shouldn't feel like a difficult choice, if her parents were here they would jump on this opportunity in a heartbeat. Too bad they're not here to join her. She'd have to navigate through a new and unfamiliar place, while also dealing with her issues alone. Sure Max and Kelly would help her, but she just met them. And Stella's not even sure if she has any family still living in Europe, even if she did, she never met them. They probably don't even know she exists. There's only one group of people who she can trust.

"What if I don't want to go?"

Everyone stared at the human in shock, they probably thought Stella went crazy, maybe she did.

"Why wouldn't you want to go?" Kelly asked.

"I don't want to leave everyone else behind." Stella stared back at the giants she had grown to love. "I want them to experience this journey with me."

"We may never be able to afford to move there." Richard warned.

"I realized that."

Concern was written all over Clair's face as she leaned in closer to Stella. "Are you sure you want to do this? The states will never see you as a person."

"But don't you guys see me as one?"

"Of course we do, Stella." Jason gasped.

"Then it's settled." Stella looked back at Max and Kelly. "Sorry to waste your time but I think I'm fine where I am."

"But-!" Kelly wanted to protest but Max scooped her up in his hands.

"You don't have to go if you don't want to." He reassured. "And they will always be a room open if you change your mind."

"Thank you."

"I still don't think she should be living in the states." Kelly protested.

"Maybe not, but do you think she should be separated from them."

"I guess not."

Max chuckled and leaned down, planting a kiss on the tiny girl. Kelly giggled in her lovers hands.

Stella strolled over to the edge of the table where Jason and Clair were. She watched as Jason cupped his hands around her and he gently lifted her up. Stella stared at them trying to read their emotions but everyone was too stunned to have a solid expression. "You guys don't mind if I stay here, right?"

"Of course we don't." Clair smiled. Her eyes grew wet with tears. "We love you."

"YAY! Stella's staying!" James and Charlie shouted as they jumped onto the couch and stared down at Stella with glee. One can only imagine the adventures they had in store for her.

"Boys settle down." Glenda warned but she too was walking over to the couch along with her husband. Jason couldn't help but laugh.

"What's so funny?" Stella asked.

"I promised I'd let you leave when spring came, but now you want to stay."

Just knowing Jason was willing to keep his promise warmed Stella's heart and it also reassured her that she made the right choice, there was no doubt in her mind that she was in the hands of good people. "Why would I want to leave you? You're my best friend."

Jason's lip curled into a heartwarming smile. He pulled her closer to his chest, Stella was soon engulfed in the warmth of his hand and the soft fabric of his shirt. Clair leaned in and wrapped her arms around her boyfriend, the boys and the older couple joined in on the group hug. Stella spread her arms as wide as she could across Jason's chest. One downside to being human was that she could never a giant a real hug much less a group of giants at once, but she was sure everyone felt the amount of appreciation and love she had for everyone in this room. It didn't matter what life would throw at her next, Stella knew she could face it with her family.