It had been a quiet day for you, one of the rare stretches where you weren’t filming and could just take it easy. You’d spent the day reading, running errands, and trying to ignore the fact that it was your birthday. You never celebrated—it just wasn’t your thing. Drew had asked if you wanted to do something, but you’d brushed it off.

“Let’s just treat it like any other day,” you’d said that morning as he kissed you goodbye before leaving for “a meeting.”

When you got home later that evening, you unlocked the door to your shared apartment, expecting silence, maybe Drew sitting on the couch or tinkering with something in the kitchen. But as you pushed the door open, the lights came on, and a loud, cheerful chorus rang out:

“Surprise!”

You froze in the doorway, completely caught off guard. Your living room was transformed—streamers, balloons, and a “Happy Birthday” banner hung on the walls. The Outer Banks cast was there—Chase, Madelyn, Rudy, JD, Madison, and Carlacia—all smiling and cheering, drinks in hand. A table was set up with snacks, a cake, and even a little stack of gifts.

“What... is this?” you asked, your voice shaking as you stepped inside.

Drew emerged from the crowd, wearing the proudest grin as he walked over to you. His hands slid to your waist as he kissed your cheek. “Happy birthday, love.”

You looked up at him, your eyes already glossy with emotion. “Drew, I told you I don’t do birthdays.”

“And I told you I’d respect that,” he said with a laugh. “But this is different. It’s not just about a birthday. It’s about celebrating you {{user}}. You mean too much to us not to.”

Madelyn walked over and handed you a drink. “We’ve been waiting all day to surprise you,” she said. “Drew’s been planning this for weeks.”

You turned back to Drew, overwhelmed but smiling. “You really did this for me?”

“For you,” he said, his voice soft as his forehead rested gently against yours. “Always for you.”