Happy Birthday Baby
By Mary Ann Cowley (MAC)

It was January 20, Paul's 50th birthday. There had been a 
party for him in Hollywood the night before for all of his 
friends and associates to express their well wishes. It had 
been a nice party, but Paul, being the private man he is, 
was glad it was over. Now he could spend his actual 
birthday with his family. 

Paul laid in his bed staring out the window while he 
reflected on his life. The past year had returned much 
happiness to him and added more. He had reunited with his 
one true love and gained a beautiful daughter too. He 
smiled as he thought of his two favorite ladies, Mary and 
Shandi. He also thought of Evan's excitement when he found 
out he had a sister. Yes, life was good. 

Paul could hear Mary, Shandi, and Evan all fussing in the 
kitchen. Paul had a feeling they were fixing breakfast in 
bed for him and didn't want to spoil it. So, when he heard 
footsteps coming, Paul quickly feigned sleep. He heard the 
door quietly open and voices start to sing:

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy 
birthday dear Daddy/Paul, happy birthday to you." Paul 
opened his eyes to see Mary standing at the bedside holding 
a tray of fruit. Shandi was holding a bud vase with a 
single red rose in it, and Evan was holding a large flat 
package wrapped in birthday paper. 

He smiled at his family and reached out to his kids, "Come 
here you two and give your old man a big hug."

Both kids sat their gifts down and jumped on their father 
knocking him down with hugs and kisses. Life could not be 
better. 

"Daddy, open your present first," Evan begged. "Yeah, 
Daddy," Shandi chimed in. 

"Well if you insist," Paul smiled. 

Evan and Shandi carefully handed Paul the flat package. 
Both children were so excited, they helped Paul unwrap it. 
Under the paper was a large portrait of Shandi and Evan. It 
was the first portrait of brother and sister. There was no 
doubt they had the same father. Both children had curly 
hair and dark brown eyes just like their father. 

Paul looked at it and grinned, "Okay. Whose idea was it to 
wear KISS shirts?"

Shandi spoke up right away, "Mine!" Her smile melted her 
father's heart. 

"I love it, a portrait of my two biggest fans. Thank you." 
He hugged them again. 

Evan replied, "Happy birthday, Dad."

Mary spoke up, "Okay kids, my turn! Why don't you two go 
downstairs and get started on your breakfast? I'll be down 
shortly." 

Evan and Shandi clamored back downstairs to the kitchen to 
enjoy their breakfast and catch some cartoons. 

Mary sat down on the bed with the breakfast tray. "Good 
morning, baby," she smiled as she placed a strawberry in 
her mouth and leaned over to Paul. He leaned in and bit the 
strawberry joining Mary in a good morning kiss. 

"Yum," he noted. 

"There's plenty more of that later," she teased. 

"I can't wait," he pouted.

Paul looked down at the breakfast tray and noticed another 
gift that was shaped like a small, long box. 

"Another present?" he asked.

"Open it," Mary urged, as she popped a grape into his 
mouth. 

Paul tore the wrapping off the box. It was clearly a 
jewelry box. Paul opened it to reveal a gold ID bracelet. 
He read it, gave Mary a long kiss, and hugged her. "Thank 
you, baby. I love you so much," he said as he put the 
bracelet on his wrist. "I don't ever want to take it off," 
he stated.

On the bracelet was inscribed: "Mary loves Paul forever. 
Happy birthday, 01/20/02."

THE END

Happy birthday PAUL!!!! ;)