Ch 21

Normal Angela

Italics Hodgins

I'm so excited!

Kill me, now.

The streamers are up! The cake is ready! The guests have arrived!

My fingers are bleeding. The kitchen looks like Willy Wonka got slaughtered. Someone is standing on my toe.

When is he going to be here?!

When is this going to be over?!

He is going to be SO happy!

Get off of my toe!

click

"SURPRISE!"

Here we go…

Angela's POV:

Zack looks around my apartment, eyes bugging, heart racing, hands shaking a little. Oops! Guess we surprised him a little too well.

I walk over and give him a peck on the cheek "Happy Birthday, Zacky!"

He blinks and for a minute I think we made a huge mistake but I'm relieved to see a bright, appreciative smile spread across the kid's face.

His smile somehow grows wider as he notices who is in the room.

Not only are Dr. Goodman, Temperance and Jack here but Jacquelyn came and brought along her brother Spencer. As Zack makes his way across the room Dr. Goodman and Brennan are greeted with warm yet anxious hand shakes, Jack - a smirk of gratitude cause hell knows it wouldn't be manly enough to hug, and his siblings with an excited embrace. God I am amazing.

Time to get this party rollin'!

"So, Who wants champagne?"

Hodgin's POV

This really isn't as bad as I thought it would be. Maybe it's the booze, or the decorations, or the booze, or the people, or the booze, but I am having a blast!

I'm sitting on the couch leaning against Goodman who for some reason keeps pushing me off his shoulder. Dude, it's Zack's birthday lighten up; take a load off! Oops I'm guessing from that glare my inside thoughts are becoming my outside thoughts. Wait, what?

Anyways, cake has been distributed and now Brennan is banned from baking… forever. Zack seems to be enjoying himself though so I guess 's all good.

"Present time!"

Angela, will you marry me?

"No," That women will break my heart one day, "Zack close your eyes."

He does so and each guest lays a gift on the table. I think the worlds moving faster than I can register. Maybe that drool spot on Goodman's shoulder means I fell asleep. It doesn't really matter cause there are four opened presents on the table and Zack is smiling like the cat that ate the canary. All that's left is an envelope.

From Angela and me.

He opens the envelope, a little timidly, if I do say so myself. He takes out the photograph inside.

"Scott?"

"Hey."

Everyone looks at the doorway in surprise.

TBC.