"You did this didn't you?" Mike said to his brother Tim who was the first guest to get to his side.
"With some help," Tim admitted, indicating Michelle's sister Bev, better known as the co-conspirator for such events.
Tim kissed his cheek. "Happy Birthday!"
Mike knew he'd been had. He'd might as well enjoy it. He surveyed the room of family and friends. "Joshua," he acknowledged as his cousin approached. "Jake, what on earth?" His other cousin came near with his wife Pam who was very much pregnant.
Jake dropped a kiss on Mike's cheek. "Don't worry, cousin, she's not due for a couple of weeks."
Joshua's wife Gretchen approached. "Mike, you remember my sister."
Mike turned. "Helen Weber! I haven't seen you since..."
"Joshua and Gretchen's wedding," she finished for him.
"It's good to see you again," Mike told her.
Mike worked his way through the room. "Hey, Doc," Mike said, shaking Dr. Kelly Brackett's hand.
"Many happy returns, Mike," Kel told him. Then he added, "Dix and Joe will be by later."
The entire crew from 51's A shift was also present.
"Congrats, Stoker," Hank Stanley said. Then he turned. "Janet?" He was joined by a woman Mike thought he recognized. "Your eyes aren't playing tricks, Mike. You remember my sister Janet?"
"Of course," Mike said. "Janet Stanley."
"Only it's Janet Carpenter now," she told him. "But I must confess I always had quite a crush on you."
Mike blushed slightly.
"Hey, Stoker, just ignore me." It was Chet.
"Hey, Chet."
"Hey, yourself. You're getting up there. I thought of getting you a cane for a present." Chet always had the urge to tease.
"Chet, the best present you could give me is if you didn't contribute anything edible to this party," he teased back.
"Even if he'd brought food that wouldn't qualify as EDIBLE." It was Marco's voice. He gave Mike a rare hug. "Happy Birthday."
"Thanks, Marco."
John and Roy greeted Mike next. They surprised Mike by following Marco's lead, each giving him a hug.
"Happy Birthday, Mike." That was JoAnne Desoto.
"Thank you, JoAnne. By the way, have you seen my wife. I swear I had her with me when I came in."
"She's with the entertainment," JoAnne confessed. As if on cue Michelle neared the group. And with her...
"Loooking Goood! Even at your age," Freddie Prinze told Mike. "What is it now? Eighty-three?" Freddie changed his stance. "No, really, amigo, feliz cumpleanos. Happy Birthday," he clarified.
Tim set up a small P.A. and Michelle gave a brief introduction for the Chico and the Man star. Freddie talked about growing up in New York. And about his friend Nat. Then he got to a more appropriate subject. "We had station unknown. Someone had stolen the number. Yeah, the Puerto Rican Fire Department. Didn't have a truck. They came to your house in a '64 chevy. No dalmatian. Just a little dog in the back with his head going up and down. You'd say to them, 'Aren't you going to put out the fire?' 'Eez not my job.'...
"Ooww!!!" Pam Katz was doubled over. "Ooww!!!" she cried again.
"It's the baby," Jake said. "It's not suppose to be for a couple of weeks yet."
"Did the baby know this?" Michelle asked him.
Dr. Brackett made his way to them. "Is there some place we can put her?" he asked Michelle. Then to Pam he said, "Don't worry. I'm a doctor."
Michelle directed them to the den. John and Roy helped, gathering clean linens. Mike called for an ambulance.
Freddie kept the party guests occupied doing every routine he could muster. He even broke into a song and dance. And finally ended up signing autographs.
At 11:27 P.M. Steven Katz entered the world, sharing a birthday with his cousin Mike. Everyone watched as mother and son were wheeled out to the ambulance. It somehow seemed to signal an end to the party.
Jake hugged his cousin, "Sorry about this. I didn't mean to spoil your party."
Mike kissed Jake's cheek. "Nothing to be sorry for. I think it's terrific." He was genuinely happy for his cousin.
Jeff and Bev were next. "I'll have to make her stop planning things," Jeff joked.
Mike shook Jeff's hand. "No, it keeps things interesting."
Bev gave Mike a hug. "Happy Birthday anyway."
Mike smiled. "It's okay. I would say this went off just as destined.
THE END