The City of Angels.

"I still can't believe this is happening!" Dee said to the table as we were finishing up our main course. "This is surreal!" She finished looking towards me.
"You deserve it, my dear!" I replied to her, giving her leg a little squeeze. "I'll be right back!" I then said, excusing myself from the table.

I had already left not long after we arrived at the restaurant in order to run to my car for Dee's birthday cake. I had handed it over to our waitress in preparation for this very moment.

There was nothing my little sister loved more than red velvet so I had spent days before her arrival researching the perfect red velvet birthday cake. It had taken me a few hours that morning but I had perfected it. I covered the cake with buttercream icing and then piped the words "Happy 16th Birthday, Dee!" to the best of my ability. I then placed heart shaped strawberries around the edges of the top layer. I was delighted with the outcome.

After the waitress allowing me into the restaurant's kitchen so as to place the 16 birthday candles perfectly, I picked up my red velvet creation and walked back towards the table where my unsuspecting sister and friends were sat waiting.

As I rounded the corner I saw Austin and gave him the nod. I lit the candles carefully and Austin had the lights dimmed. We then all broke into a rendition of "Happy Birthday" and I saw my sister's hands fly to her mouth in surprise as I neared her. Again, surprise filled her eyes and dominated her body language.

Once the song was finished and I carefully placed the cake in front of her, I urged her to make a wish and blow out her candles. Dee turned to me as the candels were still alight. She stood up, lowered her mouth to my ear and said in an emotionally laced tone "I don't know what to wish for. This is all I've ever wanted." My eyes immediately filled with tears and I pulled her into a hug.
"Then wish for the next 2 years to fly by so we can be together again!" I suggested into her ear as our hug lengthened.

Dee broke apart from the hug, wiped away a small tear that had just escaped her eyes, her eyes that were the exact copy of my own blue ones, nodded in agreement and then blew out the burning birthday candles.

Everyone cheered for my little sister, took many photos and then Dee cut the cake to reveal that it was red velvet.

"AHHH RED VELVET!" She screamed and everyone laughed at her excitement. "Fiiiii!" She said towards me appreciatively and then pulled me in for yet another hug.
"I just hope it tastes good!" I said with a nervous laugh.
"Let's dig in and find out so!" Alan said, clearly become impatient due to all the sisterly affection that was being shared.

Much to my surprise (and relief) the cake was delicious. It was so delicious, in fact that the guys had given me orders already that they wanted their own version for their birthdays! We had all done our fair share of documenting the occasion through various social media platforms. Austin had captured the best one however. He had gotten a photograph of me holding Dee's cake in front of her, her hands covering her mouth and a smile dominating my face. He had also added one beside it of myself and Dee sharing a hug with the guys in the background, evidently in the middle of a "for she's a jolly good fellow" chant. Austin had sent the two photos side by side to Instagram with the touching caption of;

"@austincarlile: Sisterly love doesn't get much better than this. Family is life. Happy 16th birthday to the beautiful @DeeTweets. You've outdone yourself yet again @FionaIrishThreads. Most selfless person I know. #NowLetsEatCake!!"

The rest of the night went by in a blur of red velvet, wine for me and the boys, non-alcoholic wine for Dee and birthday gifts.

Alan had given Dee a shirt heavily dominated with cats. I had filled him in on their mutual love for the creatures when he came looking for gift advice for her. He has also thrown in a number of his used guitar plectrums. Aaron then handed her the "Once Upon A Time" box set as he said her twitter page revealed her obsessive love for the tv show. He also was kind enough to throw in an iTunes gift card. Tino handed Dee a large box that consisted of signed drum sticks, a copy of Steve Adlers' autobiography, (Guns 'N' Roses was one of Dee's other favourite bands) an Of Mice pull over hoodie and a bracelet making kit. Phil then gifted Dee with some costume jewellery he said his fiancé loves and hoped she would too, a set of earphones and again, some used plecs.

It was then Austin's turn to give Dee her gift. He handed her a lyric book which consisted of some Of Mice scribbling taking up the first few pages. The rest was empty. He had written "Now tell us your story!" where the Of Mice writings had ended and the rest of the book began. He also handed her an entire box full of Of Mice merch, signed posters by the entire band and wrote her a little note telling her she was on his VIP list for any show she wanted. He then handed her a long box. Once opened it reveal a thin silver bracelet. There was a very small buckle on the front that he had gotten engraved for her. It read "On your 16th birthday, Dee. Never give up. Love, Austin."

i was at a loss for words. How could I ever repay him for these wonderful gifts? How could I ever repay all of the guys? Not only did these guys give up an entire night to spend with my sister, who was just another fan to them, but they went to extremes to ensure she had a great birthday. The gifts were far beyond belief. Dee had gotten strongly emotional when trying to thank them all. They had all proven to me once more, just how giving and selfless they all were.

Although Dee's fare to LA was my birthday gift to her, I couldn't not have something for her tonight. I handed her a tattoo voucher. I had made her promise that whatever she decided on, it would be well thought about, small and hidden. I knew how much she wanted one. Although she was only 16 I figured together with the help of a good artist, we could create a good one that she wouldn't regret in years to come. I had also gotten her a number of records that I got at a discount from work and promised her that I would bring her shopping in the coming days.

As we were all leaving the restaurant that night I cornered Austin as Dee thanked the rest of the guys for their gifts yet again.

"Austin, what you did for my sister, I'll never be able to thank you." I said bashfully. "You'll never know how much this means to her!" I finished, playing with my hands.
"Sure I do. All I ever wanted at her age was a family, Fi and you're all my family now. This means as much to me as it does to her." He said, pulling me into his long body.
"She'll never forget this, you know." I mumbled into his chest.
"Nor will I, little doll. Nor will I!" Austin replied with a content sigh.

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"I'M READY FOR MY CLOSE UP!" Alan shouted as he got out of his car the following day at the park where I was holding my photo shoot.
"Such a diva, Ashby. Always late!" Austin joked as he walked over to him and pulled him into a bro hug.
"Am I really the last one here?" Alan asked as he walked over to pull me into a hug.
"Yeah but it's cool, we haven't started yet. Dee is up first anyway!" I replied with excitement.
"Alright Fiona, ready when you are!" Tal's photographer, Sam said to me.
"Whew! Okay. Let me just fetch my model!" I replied.

Dee was sat half in and half out of the driver seat of my car. I had put her in a light ombré dress with a denim pullover for her first look. Her hair was dead straight and her makeup was light and natural.

"You ready to dazzle, madam?" I asked her as I fixed her dress a little.
"Hell yeah! I love these clothes, Fi. You've made some really beautiful pieces here. I'm so proud of you!" She said all in one breath.
"Thanks kid! You look stunning. Now get over there and work some of that Irish charm!" I said as I playfully pushed her towards Sam.

For a 16 year old kid with zero modelling experience, Dee captivated us all. Sam showed us a number of shots he had taken which left us speechless. Her tall thin frame complimented the clothes beautifully. Her fresh and natural look brought so much youth to the clothes and the style. I was beyond proud.

Dee spent over 2 hours posing for Sam. Altogether she modelled 10 shirts, 3 dresses, 5 pull overs and 3 pairs of shorts. She rocked every singe look. My clothes had been brought to life by her. I was eternally great full.

Austin and the boys spent just over an hour modelling their looks. They alternated between 10 tees, including regular tshirts, tanks and muscle tees, 3 pull overs and 5 beanies. They were all pros and made the clothes look outstanding.

One of the shots included all the boys holding Dee across their arms. As I stood beside Sam I laughed at their actions. I couldn't believe I had made it this far. Shooting my own summer line with some of the greatest people on this planet. How did I ever become so lucky?

"That's a wrap!" Sam said with a laugh as he got the last shot of the boys holding Dee. "You can put her down now guys!" He finished.
"Thanks so much for this, Sam. You've outdone yourself!" I squealed, pulling him into a hug.
"No sweat, thanks for having me! I'll send you on those prints within a few days and you can pick your favourites!" He said as he began to pack up.

"Well well well, aren't you quite the Cara Delevigne?! Have you been practising?" I questioned my sister with an eyebrow raised as she came towards me.
"HAH! Good one. Are you happy with everything?" She asked me, seeming nervous.
"Are you kidding me? I couldn't have had a better face for the brand if I tried!" I said, perplexed by her nerves.
"Thanks so much for this, sis. Getting away from home and being treated like a rock star is literally the most surreal, amazing thing ever!" She said at the speed of light.
"You are a rock star! And you deserve every bit of it. I know how hard it can be with Mam. No matter how shitty or low she makes you feel, I want you to remember just how special and important you are. Look at what you just did. You just carried an entire brand and made it look fabulous. Don't ever let anyone tell you any different, do you hear me?!" I said to her with wide eyes.
"I love you so much, Fi." She said pulling me close.
"I love you more, Dee!" I replied.
"ENOUGH OF THIS SISTER STUFF!" Alan shouted as he broke us apart. "The line has been shot. LETS PARTY!!" He shouted to the residents of the park.

In just a few days my summer line would be released on my website with my sister as the face of the brand and the best guys I know as featured models. Alan was right. Let's fucking party.

Notes

Let me know what you think everyone! X