It was a beautiful May tenth morning.  The temperature outside, a mere 71 degrees with a slight breeze.  It was a very chaotic morning at the Hurst mansion.  For today was a special day, Cassie’s Birthday.   For Summer, everything down to the littlest of details had to be perfect.  Spare no expense for her little girl. 

The driveway was full, barely a parking space available.  The entire family had made their way in for this special event.  Grampa Maxwell, Summer’s Father, flew in from Albuquerque, New Mexico off a business trip.  Uncles Elijah and Stefan, Summer’s brothers, Uncle Gyon and even Shooter came down with a beautiful red head strapped to his arm. It was going to be the best day ever!

Hunter, Gyon and Colton were all master planning the cookout for the party, and how to keep Shooter from being involved.  “Ok, Mom will kill us, if Shooter goes anywhere near that grill today.  Can we trust him to go on a beer run, Pops?”  Colton glares over as he notices Shooter gazing over to them.  “Yes, we will send his lady friend with him, just to make sure he does it right.”  Hunter and Gyon laugh.

“Man, How the hell did he manage to get a chick like that anyway.”  Gyon looks on. “The closest I ever got to something that cute was when I kissed your wife.”  Gyon nudges Hunter in the arm with a smirk.  Colton turned his head to Gyon “That better be a lie Unc!  Right Pops?”  Hunter lets out a grunt and just shakes his head.

The three men start loading up Hunter’s truck.  Shooter takes one step closer and Gyon yells. “Who is going to make the beer run!  It’s not a Hurst party without beer.”  Gyon looks over to Shooter.  “Dimwit, how about you go on that run for us.  I will keep your girl company for you.”  Gyon smiles.  Shooter grabs his girl by the arm, “Oh no you don’t, she is coming with me.”  The two begin to make their way to his van.  “Are we taking this to the ranch?”  Shooter asks.  “Yes, if we are not there by the time you get there, just wait for us.”  Colton laughed.  Gyon nods his head.  “Problem solved.”  The guys continue loading up the truck.

Inside the house is where you find the Hurst women.  Summer, Cassie, and Lily are all in the kitchen packing up the essentials.  Summer seemed more excited for the day than the Birthday Girl.  Lily kept an eye on Sammy, who was in the den playing on a Nintendo switch his dad had bought for him.  His relatively new black eye was starting to turn shades of yellow with a hint of purple remaining.  Grandpa Maxwell walked over to Sammy and sat down beside him.  “What do you have there, boy?” He looked at the game in his hand.  “It’s a switch, G.  do you want to play?”  Grandpa Maxwell just shakes his head, “No son, I am not too smart when it comes to those things.”  He laughed.  The two sit and talk while Sammy continues to play.  Both Stefan and Elijah are outside talking among Hunter, Gyon and Colton. 

Lily is helping Cassie fold blankets that Summer insisted on to cover up the hay bales for the party.  Lily nudges Cassie in the side and whispers.  “Hey, do you think Damon will show up?”  The two looked up cautiously to see if anyone was listening.  “I hope so.” She replied.  “Do you think your dad will get mad?”  Lily asks.  “I don’t think so.  I think he understands what Damon means to me, but just to be safe, I will ask him to play nice.”  Both girls begin to laugh. 

“Alright People, is everything ready to be locked and loaded?  We are wasting daylight!! We need to get this party started.  Everyone to the ranch!!”  Summer begins to rally up her troops as everyone begins to head to their cars.

Hunter is standing there waiting while listening to the group laugh and talk. His phone vibrates, and he reaches into his pocket pulling it out.  He opens the phone and notices there is someone at the front door, from the doorbell camera he sees it is a delivery person.  He walks off, around the side and up to the front porch. Hunter gives a sharp whistle. " Hey, what do you have this time?" The delivery guy holds up a letter and clip board. "Just a letter or something, just need you to sign for it." Hunter walks up to the porch and goes to sign for the letter.  He nods at the guy and starts to walk back around the side of the house.

He looks at the letter and sees the name on it. "Shit! This is trouble waiting to happen."  Hunter walks up to the group of people who are now beginning to get into their cars. He sees Cassie and walks up to her. He gets close to her and gives her a poke in the ribs. She snaps her head at him looking down to her side.  He stares at her and gives her a quick tilt of his head towards the garage. Understanding, she follows him there. They walk in and Hunter closes the door. He pulls out a stool at his work bench and nods for Cassie to sit down. Letting out a heavy sigh Hunter hands her the letter. "This just came for you. Do me a favor and never let your mother know about this. Trust me we don't want to deal with that shitstorm." He leans down and kisses her forehead. "Take your time little one." Hunter opens the door and almost walks back to the group.

“Daddy?  Did I do something wrong in this picture?”  She looks to Hunter.  Hunter stops before exiting the door.  He turns to see Cassie's face stare at the image.  "Of course not!!  You look good there.  I am so proud of you; your mother will be too.  Just trust me on this.  It's a can of worms that is best waited for another fishing day, ok.  Let's go and get you to your party!"  The two make their way out of the door together as Hunter leans down and grabs Cassie in a little headlock as he used to when she was just a kid.

Everyone was on their way.  Things were going as planned and the birthday girl was getting excited.  It was daddy and daughter time.  Cassie hopped into the truck and gave her old man a smile.  “I hope you don’t mind the company.”  Cassie says.  Hunter smiled as he closed his door.  “You know, I am going to have the best-looking date at this party.”  He winked at Cassie. “Don’t let mom hear you say that.”  The two just laughed.  “Dad, you know I invited Damon, right.”  Hunter sat quietly for a moment, concentrating on the road.  He slows down to a red light and looks over to her.  “I know, your mother already told me.  You don’t have to worry little one, I will play nice.”  He winked at Cassie and proceeded to drive. 

Just as they pull into the gates of Summer’s family ranch, Cassie’s phone rings.  It was a facetime call from an old college roommate in Japan.  “Konnichiuwa, Kami! “Cassie laughs.  “See, I can still remember some words!”  The two girls laugh as another head in the background pops in from behind Kami.  “Tanjoubi Omendetoy, Cassandra” Cassie smiles. “Doumo arigatou, Hara!”  They hold a conversation for a bit and a voice shouts out over the phone, “Hiya Mr. Hunter, how are ya, Cuz?” Hunter turns his head with an evil glare and the two hang up.  The truck stops in front of the ranch and Cassie’s eyes grow wide with a smile.

“This is such a beautiful place.”  Hunter tries to contain a smile as he opens the truck door and steps out.  Cassie stands by the truck for a bit, as Hunter walks to the back of the home.  He searches for Summer but is greeted by a running spear like hug from Sammy that nearly takes the wind right out of Hunter.  “Easy Killer, Ol Pops isn't as young as he used to be.”  Hunter scoops him up in his arms, puts him up on his shoulders and walks to the back trying to catch his breath.

“Look Pops, my shiner is almost gone.  I may need to get another one.  Don’t tell Cassie, but I had 2 girls hug me because of it.”  Hunter laughs as he puts Sammy down in front of his dad.  “That will be our little secret, Buddy.”  Sammy takes off running as Colton watches on.  “What was that about?”  Colton looks at Hunter.  “Oh, you know.  That boy is going to break some hearts one day, starting with your sister’s.”  The two just laugh.

“Where is your mother at?”  Hunter still looking around.  “She’s in the house somewhere with Uncle Stefan.  I think they are finalizing all the paperwork for the deed.  Where’s Cassie?  Hunter nods and motions his head towards his truck.  “I think she’s waiting on that Pissant to get here.  She was just talking to Kami and that brain dead friend of yours.”  Colton laughs. 

Everyone had arrived at the ranch and was waiting patiently for the Birthday Girl.  “Good, now that everything is in place, where is that man of mine?”  Summer walks out to the back deck in search of Hunter.  The two make their way together as Summer gives him a swift pat on the ass, and Hunter retaliates with a pinch to hers.  “Where is Cassie?”  Summer asks.  “Waiting on her boy toy I suppose.”  Hunter rolls his eyes.  “Behave Steven..today is not the day.”   She steps up, giving him a gentle kiss.  “Alright Punks, let’s get this grill lit and this BBQ started.”  Hunter whales out to both Gyon and Colton. 

Clouding up the dirt road from several miles back comes a bright red Porsche.  In its driver’s seat is Damon Mikaelson.  Cassie smiles illuminate her face as he draws near.  As the dust settles, Damon steps out from the car and greets Cassie with a hug and kiss on the cheek.  “Happy Birthday Doll.” He takes her by the hand and the two make their way to the backyard of the home.

The guests all cheer and begin to shout, “Happy Birthday!” as Cassie and Damon step further into the crowd.  Damon gets trampled as Sammy runs up to greet Cassie with a huge bouquet of flowers from the pasture and a hug.  “Happy Birthday, Aunt Cassie.”  She lifts him up and holds him against her chest, squeezing his tiny body with a tight hug.  Sammy glares over to Damon with a snide smile and sticks his tongue out at him. “Thank you, Sammy!” She gives him a kiss on the forehead and puts him down upon his feet.  “I picked these for you, they’re not as pretty as you are though.”  Cassie smiles as she takes the flowers from his tiny hands.  “I love them, Sammy.  They are my favorite present ever!” Sammy smiles as he once again, sticks his tongue out at Damon and takes off running in his mother’s direction.

Cassie and Damon begin to walk over to where Shooter and his new friend were standing.  “Hey Birthday Girl!”  Shooter gives Cassie a big hug. “This is Veronica, she is my girlfriend.”  Cassie smiles and extends her hand to her and shakes it.  “I’m so sorry Veronica.”  The two girls laugh, and she wishes Cassie a Happy Birthday.  Cassie makes her way around to greet all the guests.  She stops and looks around at all the happy people.  She can’t help but feel a bit sad today, however.  Not only was today her birthday, but it was also the due date of her and Damon’s son.  She let out a sigh and she lowered her head a bit.  She took Damon’s hand and they both walked over to the left of the ranch.  Hunter notices what she’s showing him, and a slight heart-broken look appears on his face.  He steps away from the grill, motioning for Gyon or Colton to take over.  Colton walks up to Hunter and pats him on the shoulder as they both look on at Cassie.  “I know Pops, I know.”  Hunter steps away and begins to make his way to the inside of the house.  You see him reach inside his back pocket and pull out his cell phone.  He dials a number and begins to speak.  “How far out are you?  This needs to arrive within the next hour!”  He pauses, “Good, put your ass in gear then.”  And he hangs up.  He begins to walk inside where Summer’s Father and brothers sit.  They are all talking about the house and how good Summer was at preserving it from its glory days of their childhood.  “You know how she gets, when she has her mind focused on something.”  Hunter says, while walking into the kitchen to get a beer.  “Drink up boys, no one walks away from a Hurst Party sober!”  He smiles as he tosses his Father-in-law, and both his brothers-in-law a beer.  He pops the top, lifts his can and the four men tip their can and cheer.  “The place looks great, Hunter.  I know Davina would have been proud.  I know my mother would be.  She sure loved that girl of yours.  Always said she reminded her of Summer when she was young.  Good thing she didn’t turn out to be.”  All four men laugh.  “No Shit!” Hunter agrees with the tip of his beer.

“I heard my name..who’s stupid enough to talk about me when I’m standing close by?”  Summer steps up, reaches for Hunter’s beer, takes it from his hand getting a drink.  The guys stand quietly looking at each other and shrug their shoulders.  “On that note, I’m going back to check on the food.”  He takes back his beer can, giving Summer a kiss as he walks away.

Colton is seen walking up to the porch, there is a huge metal triangle hanging from a rope attached to the roof of the porch.  He takes the metal stick, circling it on the inside and signals for everyone to gather at the tables out back.  Gyon, Hunter, and Shooter are carrying large aluminum pans covered with foil and place them on the buffet tables.  Everyone is gathered around, sitting, and ready to eat.  Hunter’s cell phone rings and he excuses himself from the table.  He looks to Summer, as she tries to see what’s going on.  He motions for her to go about her meal, and he walks to the front of the ranch.  He is greeted by a truck with a large crate in the back.  The truck has a small crane attached with a small pully.  He motions for the driver to follow as he walks down to the pasture to the Kensington Family cemetery.  There are several headstones dating back to the early 1900’s.  Both Summer’s Grandparents, who help raise her, lay in the plots as well as Summer’s mother, Davina.  Hunter motions for the crew where to set up and he heads back to the party.  “Do not fuck this up!”  He says to the crew as he continues to walk away.

As Hunter stands looking on at the festivities.  His heart is full.  He smiles, looking on at his baby girl who seems to be having the best time of her life surrounded by the people who love and care about her.  It had been a rough year and to see that smile again nearly brough a tear to his eyes.  While focused on the event, Summer walks up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist and leaning her head on to the back of his left shoulder.  “It’s been a while since we seen that smile, huh Idjit?”  She turns him around with a half-hearted smile and she can see the pain in his eyes.  It was not a hurtful pain, it was the pain of emptiness, of helplessness.  It was the burden of a father’s love that brought the pain to his heart.  It was the fact that his little girl was hurting inside, and nothing he could say or do could ease her pain.  It was the curse of family.  She reached out her hand, lifting it to his face as to wipe his tear.  He lifts his hand, cupping hers as he brought it to his lips and gently kissed her hand.  “I swear to you and to her, I will see that man dead one day!”  Hunter lowers their hand, still holding a firm grip.  “Babe, when that time comes, I will be right by your side.  That man has taken enough from us.  He doesn’t deserve to breathe.”  As the two stood still embraced by the wind and their desires within, they walked hand in hand back to the party.  Colton, now stood from his chair, tapping his fork upon a glass he held.  “Okay everyone, it is time for the Birthday Girl to open some presents.”  He pauses and motions for Cassie to join him where he stood.  “Cass, for the past 23 years you have been a pain in my right ass cheek, a thorn in my left, and a migraine to my skull.  But nothing could take your place in my heart.  You were and sadly,” he laughs, “always will be my best friend.  There were plenty of times growing up, that I just wanted to take you out behind that barn..” He points out behind them, “and toss you into the mud whole Grandma’s pigs made but yet, if I had, I knew Ol’ Pops right there would have tanned my ass.”  Everyone laughs.  “But all in all Sis, I hope you enjoy your day, and I want to be the first to give you your gift.”  Cassie’s eyes light up and a smile stretches across her face.  “I remember asking you to choose between 3 colors.  All in which were to be for this gift.  I know how you like to go fast…”  Cassie’s begins to take a deep breath and the excitement begins to arouse her smile. “And well since going fast is what this gift does, I’m going to give this to you.”  Colton tosses a key chain with a Mustang emblem on it and asks everyone to follow them to the back of the house. 

Cassie begins to take off running but does not see any car parked behind the house.  Instead, Colton motions for Cassie to walk into the stable, there inside a wooden stall shut with its own little pad lock was a gorgeous black mare with the shiniest mane you could ever see.  Cassie’s mouth drops open, her eyes now become a beacon of waterworks; She walks to Colton, hugging him like it was their last day on earth.  He smiles with a tear forming in his eye and he releases stepping backwards for just a moment.  “Cas, open the stall.”  She steps up, unlocks the gate, and pulls the stall open.  Inside you see a newly born foal, pitch black like its mother.  Cassie nearly stumbles as she tries taking a step.  Colton, standing close by secures her and walks with her to pet the foal.  “Sis, When I saw this mare, she was pregnant.  She is a champion racehorse; she was injured doing something she loved to do.  When I heard about her story, it reminded me so much of you.  And well, I know how much you loved coming up here and riding the horses when we were kids, I just had to get her for you.  Her name is “Rising Star”.  Quite fitting for you since you are a star above all others.  The foal has not been named so you can do that.  He belongs to you too.  Happy Birthday Knuckle Head.”  Colton backs away slowly, he glares over at Lily, who has streams of tears falling down her cheek and softly smiles. 

Sammy walks slowly up to Cassie and tries to pet the foal.  “What are you going to name him Aunt Cass” She looks at him smiling.  She could tell that his little heart was already excited, and she looked at Colton with a smile.  “I think I will name him… Sammy’s first Shiner!”  Colton and everyone around just laugh, Cassie rubs her fingers over the top of Sammy’s head, and he too begins to laugh.  Colton, picking up Sammy and motioning everyone to step aside, he once again begins to speak.  “With two horses now, you must be wondering how you are going to move them around.  Well, I think I have a solution.  He extends his left hand to Cassie, and he brings her to the back of the stable.  There are 2 rather large items, each covered with its own tarp.  Colton escorts his sister to the longest of the two and helps her uncover the surprise.  There, underneath was a long, double decked red and black horse trailer with the words “Cassie’s New Breed” painted upon the side.  Cassie’s face was red, her eyes puffy from the tears.  She shakes her head in disbelief, as she smiles at Colton. “I…I don’t know what to say.”  She cries.  “A thank you would be a good start.” Colton laughs, as he nudges her in the arm.  “You’re welcome, Sis, you deserve much more than I can give you, but this is just the start.”  Colton steps back and Hunter steps up.  He looks at Colton with a nod of approval.  “What?  Do you think I was going let the boy get everything?” Everyone laughed.  “Little one, you’ve been my partner in crime since the moment you were born.  Always riding my shirt tail wherever I seemed to go and always ready to get the old truck muddy after a heavy rain.  I figured now, we could do all of that in this.”  He tosses a set of keys he pulls from his pocket and slides off the tarp, revealing a 2024 black Ford Raptor 4x4 with the words “New Breed” painted in a crimson red on the tailgate.  She starts to run and jump into Hunter’s arms, squeezing him tightly and giving butterfly kisses all over the side of his face.  Hunter’s smile and laughter brought happy tears to Summer’s face. “Let’s hear that engine girly..” Gyon shouts and Cassie jumps into the driver’s seat starting the engine.

With the excitement calming down, and others around bring their gifts up to Cassie, Lily walks up with an envelope in hand.  “Cas, I could never out do your family, but I wanted to give you this.”  She hands her the envelope, opens the card to a picture of her and Lily back to when Sammy was first born.  “I will never understand the pain you went through when you lost your son, I look back on this day and I don’t see how you handled it all.  You are a tough cookie; Cassie and I admire the hell out of you.  You, your mom, and the rest of the family have taken me in and shown me what a true family should be like.  I am so honored that Sammy has such a loving family and a bat shit crazy aunt like you in his life.”  The two girls burst out laughing as Cassie nods her head. “Lily, you have been a sister to me from day one and that little evil spawn you have there,” she points to Sammy, “Well, he means more to me than you could ever imagine.”  She opens the card and sees the slip for a free mani/pedi and spa day.  She smiles, hugging Lily tight.  “After this day is over with, I’m so going to use this!  Thank you!”

Lily looks up to see Sammy standing on the back of Cassie’s new tailgate, about to do some high-flying maneuver onto Colton and Shooter.  She yells and turns to look at Cassie.  “Better go stop that before he hurts those two.”  Cassie says laughing.   Gyon slowly walks up, dragging a pallet box with a 4 ft rope.  He is breathing heavily as he stops to inhale deeply while handing the rope to Cassie.  “Here ya go, Kiddo.  The damn thing annoys me more than Shooter.  Go ahead, open it.”  Cassie unties the knots in the rope, loosening the boards and looking inside..”What the hell, Unc?”  She starts to laugh hysterically as the four sides collapse.  “Oh my God!!”  Cassie cannot contain her laughter as everyone comes running to check it out.  “HEY!!! That’s me!”   Shooter shouts as he points to the gift.  Everyone seems to be laughing, Even Veronica.  “I thought you would get a nice KICK out of this, like I did a couple times after buying it.”  Gyon looks to Shooter with an evil smile.

Hunter and Summer walk up and begin to laugh.  “That pink tutu brings out the color of your eyes Shooter.”  Hunter cackles uncontrollably.  Cassie follows in with laughter as Shooter stands there looking on.  “Ya, well it was much more fun then, than it is now.”  Shooter lowers his head and Veronia cradles him in her arms.  “It’s ok Babe, I think you were adorable.”  She tries not to laugh.

Moments begin to pass and Granpa Maxwell, Uncle Elijah, and Stefan walk up and over to Cassie.  Each gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.  They stand quietly for moments until Summer walks up with a small wooden box.  She looks over to Hunter and over to her dad and she motions them to come stand by her.  Her eyes are a little red as though she had been crying.  Both Cassie and Colton look at each other to see if the other knows what’s going on.  Summer takes a deep breath, and she begins to speak. “Cassie, my little shooting star, as you look into the mirror and see to your surprise, a wholly different person looking deep into your eyes. That carefree little girl I saw when you were four or five, has now become the woman, who somehow fights to survive.  I know it’s kind of scary. The time goes by so fast.  For what you call your present, has now become my past.  As I look at you now, the face smiling back at me, is that of a young lady where my little girl used to be.”  Summer begins to choke up as Cassie’s eye now turns to water.  Hunter wraps his arms around Summer as her father rubs her back.  “This box I hold, belonged to your Grandmother Davina.  The mother I never got to meet.  Inside this box is a picture of her with me inside her belly.  It’s the only memory, or should I say knowledge I have of her existence; And though she died just seconds before I was born, I felt the love she had for me.  When life gets unbearable at times and believe me it will.  I found comfort inside this box.  I can only hope that you will one day find the same comfort as I did, and still do, with your own little pictures. “Summer steps closer to Cassie wiping the tears that had fallen down her face.  Colton and Damon both come and stand beside Cassie.  Each holding her by a hand.  Lily stands close by, holding on tightly to Sammy’s little body.  “I give you this box Baby Girl, as it holds much more than just memories.  It not only holds the keys to my past, but it will also hold the keys to your future.”  Summer hands the box over to Cassie as she clings to it tightly. Summer now smiles, looking over to her dad and brothers.  “Open the box, Baby Girl”.

Cassie slowly opens and inside are her sonograms.  Each one is laminated to preserve the image.  She pulls them out giving them a gentle kiss.  Underneath those images is a key chain.  On that chain is a set of keys.  She looks to Summer as she pulls them from the box.  “Those are the keys to your future Cassie.”  Summer takes her by the hand as they step up on the front porch and in front of the door.  “Go on Baby, unlock your front door.”  Cassie turns quickly in disbelief, she looks to Hunter who nods his head, she looks on to Grampa Maxwell, and both her uncles as they too nod their heads.  Cassie turns to Summer who smiles, trying desperately to hold back the tears.  Cassie hands Summer the box she gave her, and she takes the key and proceeds to slide it in the lock.  She turns the knob to the right and the front door slowly opens.

Everyone now begins to clap and cheer for Cassie.  She enters the house, and everything inside had been renovated to her liking.  Cassie turns and hugs Summer tightly.  The two embrace, for what seemed like hours, rocking each other back and forth as they stood together.  Hunter and Colton now step inside and join in on the family hug.  Grandpa Maxwell, Elijah and Stefan now step inside.  Grampa hands Cassie the deed to the house, with her name on the paper as the sole heir and owner of the Kensington Ranch.  “I can’t believe this is happening!”  Cassie says with a wipe of her eye.  “It’s all yours Munchkin.”  Grandpa said with a smile.  “All you have to do is sign the papers Cassie and everything will be legal.”  Stefan walks over with a pen and opens to the page.  There, highlighted in bright yellow marker is the legal name of the Ranch.  Cassie looks up to her uncle and with a wink, he nods his head.  She takes the pen and signs the papers.  Everyone begins to congratulate her with cheers and claps.