Nonrefundable

AN: Happy birthday Lorine!

Part Two: Birthday Party Bonanza!

Stanton tugged on his collar, trying desperately to hide his nervousness as his fingers clutched onto Serena's present like a mountain climber clutches…a mountain.

Across from him sat Serena's father.

And he did not look impressed.

Roughly an hour ago, Stanton had finished wrapping Serena's present (something that now resembled a box coated in duct tape and newspaper was on his lap), and arrived at the Killingsworth home. Things had been going somewhat smoothly, as he was introduced to Serena's father and brother, and forced small talk had been made. However, about ten minutes ago, Serena and Collin had both left for the kitchen to finish up…actually, she had never specifically stated what she was going to the kitchen for. And now that you mention it, it was a bit strange that Collin had to go with her, leaving him alone with her dad…

She had set him up!

"So, what was your name again, Sam?" Came Serena's father, an intense looking man with sharp eyes and a rather…muscular stature.

"Actually, it's Stanton."

"You have a job?"

Stanton blinked rapidly, "Excuse me?"

Mr. Killingsworth rolled his eyes, exasperated, "A job. You know, something that gives you money for honest work? Something used to support a family?"

His eyes widened, "Oh, yeah, um," He quickly tried to deduct a false employment, "I'm an assistant manager at a grocery store."

"What grocery store?"

"The local one."

The man's arms were crossed over his chest, "What are your grades?"

"I don't go to high school," He blurted without thinking.

Papa Killingsworth glared at him, and Stanton squirmed a bit, "Just how old are you, punk?"

"I'm eighteen," He lied smoothly, desperately wanting Serena to bail him out now. Her father was freaking him out, and it just didn't feel right to use his powers on his girlfriend's father in her own house.

"Are you going to college?"

"Maybe, I don't really know what I want to do in life." Oh, the falsehoods just kept on a-pouring.

"You're going to college." Big daddy Killingsworth said bluntly. There was a pause, followed by, "Do you enjoy firearms?"

Stanton balked, "Not particularly."

A wicked look crossed the man's face, "Well, if you're ever interested, I have a rather extensive collection in my study-"

"Cake's all done!" Came Serena, walking into the room from the kitchen and smiling sweetly.

"Oh thank God," Stanton whispered.

Serena stared at her dad, who was looking a little too innocent, "Dad, what were you talking to Stanton about?"

"Sports," He said effortlessly, sending a glare to Stanton which clearly stated 'You tell her I'm lying and you'll be located six feet deeper than you are now'.

"Baskettennis," Stanton agreed, amazed that this mere mortal could inject such fear into him.

Serena stared at her boyfriend, "Okay then," She said hesitantly, "Anyways, let's go have some cake and ice cream! Collin's setting it all up now." She said, turning.

Stanton bolted from his seat and gingerly grabbed her elbow. Don't ever leave me alone with that man again. He pleaded mentally.

The tinniest of smirks crossed her face, Didn't know a middle aged business man could send you running for the hills.

He makes the Incinti look like a sewing circle, Stanton defended.

Serena laughed out loud to that, and the pair of them walked into the kitchen. Collin, the blond older brother, stood humming absently as he scooped out plentiful servings of chocolate ice cream onto paper plates. There was a table set up with a dark red cloth over it, and places set complete with party hats for four people. Stanton carefully set down the present he had gotten Serena on a bare-looking spot of the counter, before leading her to the head seat and courteously pulling out her chair for her. A huge grin escalated on his face when he watched her sit down, blushing viciously.

"Hey, Sammy-" Came Serena's dad.

"Stanton," He corrected.

"-why don't you sit next to me?" He said, a predatory eye on his only daughter.

Serena seemed to pick up on this, or maybe it was the look of pure horror on Stanton's face, "Dad," She said warningly, "It's my birthday."

Stanton could see her father's face twist in indecision, and he knew the old man wouldn't hold out, Serena had used the same trick on him yesterday, after all.

"Fine," Papa Killingsworth muttered, looking very put out indeed.

"Cake's on!" Cheered Collin, as he swerved towards the table holding a homemade, strawberry cake in between his two ovenmitted hands. Sixteen candles were on top, all lit and bright.

Stanton took a seat to Serena's right, mindful of her father's tightening knuckles on the plastic butter knife across from him.

"Alright everyone, song starts in three, two, one-" Collin declared, and suddenly both he and his father burst into the Happy Birthday Song, Serena looking painfully embarrassed between the two of them.

Stanton watched her for a moment, having never learned the words to the Birthday Song, taking in the way the candles' reflection danced across her eyes, and the way her blush brought out her beauty. He stared at her father and Collin, and saw the love and protection each of the two men had for her as well. The moment felt peaceful, serene.

"Make a wish and blow 'em out!" Collin suggested happily when they had finished.

Serena's blush intensified as she looked up, and her gaze met Stanton's. The two stared at each other for a moment, and she smiled slightly as she closed her eyes and blew out all the candles in one go. Both her father and brother clapped enthusiastically, and Stanton couldn't help the genuine smile crawling up his face.

It was almost perfect.

Until, of course, Stanton mucked it up.

He readjusted his posture in his seat, ignoring the fact that at his elbow there was a paper cup full of fruit punch. His elbow brushed it, and it tipped over-

-straight into Mr. Killingsworth's lap.

"Shit!" Serena's dad cried, dabbing napkins frantically at the lap section of his khaki pants, now stained an intense red.

"Mr. Killingsworth, I'm sorry-"

"Dad, here's some napkins," Came Serena, her face contorting in barely suppressed laughter.

Her brother hadn't even managed that, outright hee-hawing as he slapped his ovenmit-clad hand on the table.

Stanton groaned as he slumped down into his chair.

It was going to be a long, long night.

OoO

A few minutes later, Mr. Killingsworth had muttered that he was going to bed and to hopefully, 'remove the fruit crotch' from his pants- a pointed glare given in Stanton's direction at this. He had growled out a warning of responsibility before storming up to his room, Serena and Collin both convulsing from spasms of laughter.

"He hates me," Stanton said flatly.

"Totally," Agreed Serena's older brother, a friendly enough smile on his face as he clapped a tan hand on Stanton's shoulder, "Come back any time!" He proclaimed.

"What time is it?" Serena asked innocently.

Collin looked down at his wristwatch, "Aw, crap, it's eight o'clock already, I'm going to be late meeting Jimena." He looked apologetically at his sister, "Is it okay if I cut out of this little bonanza early?"

She smiled, "Sure. If I've learned one thing, it's that you don't keep Jimena waiting."

"Don't piss her off," Stanton added, shuddering slightly.

"Okay, I'm gone, happy birthday sis," He said, ruffling her hair affectionately before bolting out of the doorway.

As soon as he was gone, Stanton turned towards Serena, "You planned that, didn't you?"

She shrugged, "I don't know what you're talking about," She said, looking far too similar to the cat that ate the canary. As if to emphasize, she added, "It's my birthday."

Her boyfriend grinned, "You seem to be milking that card a lot lately."

Serena smiled, heading towards the back door of the Killingsworth's home, "Want to step outside for a little bit? I'm sure my dad won't be happy if he finds us in the living room alone."

Stanton gulped when he thought of the man, fruity pants and all, "Sure, I'll meet you out there in a second." He said, Serena opening the door and sitting outside on the porch.

Quickly, Stanton made his way to the kitchen, where he grabbed his poorly wrapped present off of the counter. Hesitantly, he looked down at his gift, to his girlfriend, and back to the present. Inhaling deeply, he decided that it was now or never.

He carefully shut the glass sliding door behind him as he stepped out, sitting down close to Serena. He outstretched his arm, "Here." He muttered.

Serena stared at it, as if expecting it to blow up, "Is this a present?"

Stanton noticeable winced, "I had Karyl gift wrap it."

She chuckled, "I see. Thank you," She whispered, pulling off the card that was attached to the front.

Dear Serena,

I hope you like your present. REALLY hope, as I spent about six hours yesterday searching for the perfect gift while a salesclerk 'accidentally' groped my derriere multiple times. I have not and will not give you a gift receipt because much sweat and tears went into finding this, so I'm sad to say that you're just going to have to take the loss on this one, since it's nonrefundable.

Happy Birthday.

Love,

Stanton.

Serena eyed her boyfriend carefully, "This is quite possibly one of the least romantic cards I've ever received." She said, her tone betraying the humor she found in it.

Stanton awkwardly coughed into his hand, "I wrote 'Love Stanton', didn't I?"

She smirked and planted a kiss on his cheek, "That works I guess." She said, her fingers nimbly tearing away at the monstrosity that was his wrapping job and sliding under the lid of the box. She sent him one final look before lifting it off and peering inside.

"You got me…sticks?" She asked, confused slightly.

"They're chopsticks. For your hair, or eating, or cooking, or for your hair…again…" Stanton trailed off, even blushing slightly, "You hate them, don't you?"

Serena gaped at him, "Of course not! They're really pretty, actually." And they were. Although they were a simple present, it was obvious that a lot of effort went into them, as they held intricate designs, and she noticed that they were a deep red in color, her favorite shade. "Thanks, Stanton." She said, smiling as she twisted her hair around them and pinned it behind her head.

He hated the fact that he was now blushing even more intensely, "There's more," He mumbled, nudging the box.

Serena reevaluated the box, and she saw a tiny scrap of folded paper. Unfolding it, she smirked at the message, "'Good for One Free Hug'?" She reiterated.

"It was my fallback plan, in case you thought the stick things sucked," He explained brilliantly.

Serena laughed, something that Stanton thought made her look particularly pretty at that moment, "For being centuries older than me, you're still kind of a goofball." She said endearingly, pressing against his side.

Stanton grinned, and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, kissing the top of her head before resting his chin on it, "So you liked my crappy gifts?"

"Mmm…diamonds would have been better though," She mused.

Stanton's eyes widened, "Diamonds? You wanted diamonds? Hell, you should have just told me that! It would have been a hell of a lot easier than searching for something sentimental and meaningful-"

A sharp elbow to his side cut him off, "You idiot, I was joking," She said, peering up at him and smiling, "The chopsticks are awesome, but just the fact that you're here with me makes this my best birthday yet."

Stanton's eyebrows rose, "Even when I poured fruit punch in your dad's lap?"

Serena giggled, "Total Kodiak moment."

He stared down at his girlfriend and a feeling of elation swept over him, "You're a wonderful person, you know that?" He said simply, still completely bewildered that he had managed to get this girl who he so clearly didn't deserve.

She beamed, "Right back at you," She said lightly, pressing her lips against his for a gentle, chaste kiss.

After they broke apart, Stanton's grip slightly tightened around her, "Happy birthday, Serena."

Serena nuzzled against him, enjoying the body heat that radiated from his chest, "I'm glad you're here to share it with me."

The two of them sat there in silence for a few moments, simply enjoying each others' company. The stars peaked out in the night's sky, and half moon shone in the darkness, for once its radiance not irritating Stanton's gaze. Everything seemed perfect.

"Hey, Serena."

"Yes?"

"You realize that this is using up your coupon, right?"

"It's my birthday."

"Fine, half of your coupon."

Happiness.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Zey end!

...And yes, the gift was supposed to be lame : D

!nym!