Sunday came and the kids went home. They managed to contain their audible reactions to Rave dragging Nat out of the car when they got to Rave's house. But their faces said it all: WHAT THE HELL?! When they got inside, Princess held the car because Nat's things were still inside. Then she got a text.
Superman: Just drop my things at my place. I'm gonna be here awhile. :)
The boys heard her scream from inside the house. It took a good 20 minutes before everyone's ears stopped ringing. Monday it was official. The peacock had landed the diva.
Kevin had one more surprise up his sleeve for Edd. When they got back, he gave the organizing maven time to unpack and get ready for school on Monday. As Edd was settling in for an afternoon with his chemistry extra credit, Kevin dropped his new helmet in his lap.
"You're already ahead of everyone taking the class. You're good, Edd. We're going for a ride. Sunday's my date day with you and I haven't finished your birthday surprise, yet," he said to the slightly annoyed genius.
But it was true. He was ahead of everyone in the class. And he liked Kevin's surprises. And they were going for a ride. He could show off his things again!
Trying his best to hold the annoyed look on his face, he relented, but Kevin could see the sparkle of delight in his eyes.
So they went for a ride. Two and a half hours later, they stopped when they reached Hollyville. Kevin pulled over into a diner parking lot right off the interstate and checked his phone.
"Gotta make sure things are still going according to plan," he said.
So they waited. Then Edd's dad's car pulled up with both his parents inside. Edd froze. He didn't know whether to be angry, terrified or excited. But he definitely looked sad to Kevin.
"Look, your dad asked me to do this. But I'm not leaving your side, so don't worry. You've got me," he told him, as he raised his chin so the ravenette could look him in the eye.
Edd tugged on his jacket to pull him in for a kiss.
"Let's get inside," he said as he hopped off the bike and grabbed Kevin's hand before following his parents inside.
After their drinks and food were ordered and delivered, Edd's mother intrrupted the boys storytelling of Edd's birthday weekend with their friends to discuss what had beeen on her mind since her husband came back with her birthday gift from their son on Friday.
"Eddward, I received your gift and while you and your father for that matter, may find it humorous, I do not. How could you do this to me!? What kind of child decides that this sort of lifestyle is the best way to live their life?!" Her voice was hushed as not to attract attention to their table, but she was shaking in fury at her son.
Kevin snickered.
Edd had gotten her double framed portraits of himself and Marie at the Freshman and Homecoming dances. In her birthday card he wrote: I hope your birthday is well and you get to spend it with people you actually love. I know I will. In her fury, she threw the frame across the room, when it broke, behind the picture of he and Marie at homecoming was a picture of he and Kevin at homecoming. Edd was beaming in the photo and Kevin's trademark smirk sent her into a rage. If it wasn't for the fact that Michael reminded her that their hotel room was being paid for by PCU and Peach Creek Memorial Hospital, she'd destroyed the hotel room. But they could have lost their jobs if she did that and they couldn't afford that. Plus, it would mean that Kevin had won. Michael didn't understand that part, but at least she calmed down.
He suggested a late Sunday lunch with the boys and already made the arrangements with Kevin on Friday before he left his surprise lunch with Edd. Edd had asked what they were discussing and the half truth of it being a birthday surprise statisfied him. As did that blueberry muffin. He was definitely going to ask for a stop at the coffee shop for another after dealing with this.
Lynn then focused her rage on Kevin.
"How dare you seduce my son after years of being his main tormentor. You led the charge against my boy and now you have the audacity to act like you love him?!" Her words dripped like venom laced with fire and ice.
"I do love him, ma'am," Kevin said, green eyes flaring fire. Yes, he still carried pangs of regret for how he had treated Edd for so long. But Edd had forgiven him. Edd loved him and he loved Edd. And that was that.
"You're children. What do you know about love?!"
"I know there was once a 15 year old girl, who loved greased up mechanic in high school," Michael said.
She turned shocked and hurt eyes at him. How dare he bring THAT up!?
Seeing Kevin and Edd's confusion he decided to explain what he felt was the reason why Lynn was hell bent on destroying her son's budding relationship with the red headed jock from across the street.
"In high school, the Ice Queen here was once in love with some kid named Thomas Cunningham. But because he didn't have the "ambition" she felt he should have, they broke up. I don't regret meeting and falling in love with you Lynn, but love isn't logical. Just because someone you love doesn't do what you feel they should with their life, doesn't mean they are any less worthy of your love and affections."
Kevin knew of a greased up mechanic from Strawberry Hill named Thomas Cunningham.
"I take my bike to TC's Body Shop," Kevin said. "He does the best work in town!"
Lynn put her face in her hands.
"I c-can't do this," she said, and then she left. No storming out. For once, she simply got up and walked out the door.
When she got back to the car, she made a phone call. Her son needed help. As far as she was concerned, years of bullying by the jock had broken him and he needed to be fixed. She was a doctor. She fixed people for a living. She would get him fixed if it was the last thing she did.
Lynn's exit and their empty plates signaled that lunch was over. Edd hugged and kissed his father goodbye and Kevin went to shake his hand, only to be brought in for a hug, too.
"Thank you for caring for my boy. I'm glad I can trust you," he told the red head before heading back to his car and his still furious wife.
"Can we go to the coffee shop on 5th," Edd asked.
"Blueberry muffin?"
"Blueberry muffin."
When they got back to Peach Creek, Edd was drained. Kevin decided that some cuddles and cartoons on the couch were in order. Edd quickly fell asleep in his arms. Deciding the bed would be more comfortable, he picked Edd and went to lay him down. But Edd stirred.
Grabbing hold of Kevin's shirt, he said, "P-please don't leave," as tears started to fall down his cheeks.
Kevin wanted to kill Lynn for making Edd so upset like this, but he knew the best thing he could do right then was be there for Edd. And so he laid there with him, as Edd softly cried himself to sleep, Kevin's Celtic lullabies doing little to soothe his torrtured soul.
