Part 5

Suzanne grumbled under her breath as she started up the walkway. Nothing had gone right that day. First she woke up late, then when she got to work, realized that she'd taken the day off and had rushed for nothing. Deciding to get a little done anyway, she stayed for three hours before leaving and going to her favorite place for lunch, only to find them to be closed for renovations for the rest of the week. On the way home she'd gotten a flat tire, then broke a heel when she'd walked in the house, and finally had to clean up a nasty mess her dogs had left out for her throughout the entire lower level of the house. She'd just finished cleaning up the kitchen when she glanced at the clock and realized she'd have to take a quick shower and bust her ass out the door in order to make it to Stephanie and Kevin's on time.

She counted her lucky stars that she arrived fifteen minutes early, pulling up behind a car that she KNEW had to be a rental. Ringing the doorbell, she looked down to make sure nothing else embarrassing was going to surprise her. She really didn't even want to go out tonight, had considered canceling, but Stephanie had made her promise.

Oh, and did she mention? No one remembered it was her birthday.

"Hey, you're early! Come on in," Stephanie said as she answered the door. Suzanne stepped inside and looked around the large foyer, amazed as she was everytime she walked in that house.

"I didn't mean to be early, but I've just had a really bad day and I was rushing to get out of the house on time and traffic was good on the way over, so..." Suzanne's sentence trailed off as Stephanie walked towards the kitchen and disappeared behind the swinging door. Suzanne sighed and slowly followed her friend's footsteps, wondering just how long she would have to stay before she could excuse herself to go home and curl up in her bed with a pint of Ben & Jerry's Phish Food.

"SURPRISE!"

Suzanne must've jumped four feet as she walked outside and was met with every single close friend she could think of. Stephanie and Kevin, of course, but also Brian, Jeanine, Nick, Becky, Lynne, Lisa, Howie, Dawn, AJ, Kel, and about a half-dozen of her other friends were all standing outside in a semi-circle around the door.

"Happy Birthday, Suzanne," the group chorused.

She didn't know why, but Suzanne immediately found tears streaming down her face. She was rushed from all sides, a big group hug from all her girl friends.

"Its just been such a bad day and I don't mean to cry but this is the best thing that's happened all day and I can't believe this, NO ONE remembered it was my birthday and..." Suzanne rambled on and on about her horrible day when they asked what was wrong and immediately started feeling better as they assured her it was over and only good things would happen that night.

Three hours later, the party had been moved inside, due to the slightly chilly March air. Sitting in the large recliner at the head of the family room, Suzanne smiled at all her friends.

"I can't thank you enough, really, this makes my day so much better," she said, giving Stephanie a grateful smile.

"It ain't over yet, the best part. Presents," Becky said as she started pulling over pile and pile and setting them in front of Suzanne.

Laughing, she reached for the first pile and got through it quickly, then through the second pile, and was finally left with a small pile from the remaining guests.

The first was from Stephanie and Kevin. "You two didn't have to get me anything, this party was more than enough."

"Nonsense, the party was to surprise you, the gift is just for you," Stephanie said, leaning back against Kevin's chest as she let out a small yawn.

Suzanne grinned as she unwrapped the box, then pulled off the lid. She blushed as she looked at the article of clothing inside. "I KNOW Kevin didn't pick this out."

"Nope, Kevin was otherwise preoccupied," Kevin said, rubbing his hands on Stephanie's stomach.

Suzanne unwrapped the next box and found a string of pearls from Lisa. "These are so nice!"

"Thought you might like them," Lisa said, giving her friend a smile and a hug. "And as much as I really want to stay, I have got to get home. Goodnight, happy birthday."

"Night," they all called after her. Suzanne reached for the next box, but Stephanie stopped her.

"Wait, wait, before you do those, you have to open this first. Sarah couldn't make it, she had classes, but she sent this the other day for you," Stephanie said, grabbing a box from behind the couch and handing it to Suzanne. Opening it, Suzanne couldn't help but laugh.

"Empty pints of Phish Food ice cream and candy bar wrappers, very nice," she said.

"She said she owes you next time, and the real stuff is in the cooler in the garage," Stephanie explained.

Suzanne sighed happily. "Chocolate friends are friend for life," she said, laughing. She reached for the last two boxes and gave the remaining people glances.

"I dunno about you guys, you're looking too innocent for my taste," Suzanne intoned, ripping the wrapping paper from the first. Inside was a large sweat shirt and a pair of sunglasses.

"For after that monster of a party this weekend," Kel said, giving her friend a smile.

"Yeah, you get my KJ for a weekend...that isn't fair," AJ complained.

"It was your idea!" Kel exclaimed.

"I promise AJ, I'll bring her back in one piece," Suzanne said as she peeled the ribbon from the next box. Flipping open the lid, she raised her eyebrows before shutting it quickly and glaring at Dawn and Howie.

"What?" They both said innocently.

"I'll get you for that later," Suzanne said. The last gift was an envelope, which she decided from deduction had to be from Nick and Becky. Sliding her finger beneath the flap, she flipped it up and pulled out the card, reading it silently. Chuckling at the humor, she opened the card and caught a slip of paper, not looking at it until she finished the card. She nearly fell out of her chair when she finally did.

"You're WHAT?!?" She screamed at Becky.

"For one whole night, he's yours," Becky said, showing Nick off a la Vanna White. Nick struck a pose, sticking his nose in the air.

"Shit, Bec, you're shittin' me," Suzanne let out.

"Nope, one whole night. He's all yours. Take him, please," Becky said dryly, giggling as she pushed Nick across the room. He tossed back to her a nasty look, then bent down next to Suzanne, his smile only making it harder for her to breathe.

"Its your birthday baby, we can do whatever you want," he whispered in her ear.

Suzanne gulped, barely noticing the conversation around her.

"So who's next this year?" Kevin asked.

"I think Dawn is," Stephanie replied.

"Really? I am? Hey Kel?"

"Yes Dawn."

"You know what I want for my birthday?"

"I'm sure I can think about it, what do you think, AJ?"

"NO!" *~*

The End

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