Okay, we're back with this. Finally happy with the birthday chapter!
"I feel so relaxed, so refreshed, so rejuvenated!" Kenna cries out as they step out of her car.
Mary giggles, looking at her nails. "Too bad these will get ruined at work..."
"Don't worry," Lola starts as they head up to Kenna's front door. "We'll just have to keep going to the spa."
They laugh and Kenna tuts, dropping her keys and bending down to pick them up again. She manages to grab them and stands back up, sticking the key into the hole and twisting it before opening it but it's quickly closed shut in the four women's faces.
"Uh, excuse me?" Kenna says, knocking on her own front door. "Bash?!"
"The house flooded!" Bash calls out. "I was giving Orion a bath and uh, kind of forgot to turn the taps off?"
"I swear to God if my white, Persian rug is ruined-"
"It didn't get as far as the living room and kitchen, don't worry!" He tells her. "Just, uh go to Mary's! Francis says they've got a date anyway."
"What am I supposed to do?!" Kenna cries out with a pout. "You're supposed to take me out, remember?"
"Got to sort this situation out-Do you hear that?" There are some squelching sounds. "It's pretty bad..."
Greer places a hand on a teary Kenna's shoulder. "Don't worry, Lola and I will take you out for lunch."
"What about my clothes? I can't wear trackies to a lunch date!" Kenna whines.
Then the door opens a little and Bash shoves a designer shopping bag into her hands, making her grin happily.
"Ooh, yay!"
"Was going to give it to you later," he says, peeking his head out meekly. "But, you know... Flood."
Kenna smiles a little. "It's fine," she mumbles. "Can I have a kiss?"
He nods and she leans forward for a quick peck before stepping back. "Text me later when you've put it on. I want to know if you like it or not. Hopefully, yes."
She chuckles and nods, turning to the girls. "We better get going then..."
...
Francis just barely manages to return home before Mary does and he jolts upstairs with her birthday outfit as she opens their front door and steps through. He heads down the stairs, hurrying to help her take the birthday gifts she acquired on the way.
"We saw some fans. They were really lovely and rushed to get me something that they didn't have to!" She cries out, blushing. "I took some photos, signed some stuff with them but it will never amount to this..." She digs into a carrier bag and pulls out a book. "Gift of a book I had on my wishlist for, like, ever. I think I tweeted about wanting to read it once but never had the time so they stopped by Waterstone's and bought it for me."
Francis beams. "Your fans are so sweet!"
Mary blushes even more. "They really are..."
"Well, I'll take these and see if I can find a spot for them because there's an outfit for you on our bed," Francis tells her.
Mary gushes. "Oh, my God. Francis!"
"I'm allowed to spoil you, now go," he says, grabbing everything from her hands and watched as she hurries upstairs with a sort of childish excitement that makes him grin.
Bursting through their door, she gasps at the stunning, strapless red dress on her bed with shiny little diamonds that shine under the sun's rays through her windows. She sinks onto her bed, breathless as she runs her fingers over the netted skirt. It's so her, Francis knows her so well and a teary smile plays on her lips, her tears falling when she's wearing it in its full glory.
Her hair is tied at the back with a red rose hairband, a gold comb tying the ponytail together. Her fingers and wrists adorned with gold jewellery and blood-red courts on her feet.
"Now, I feel underdressed," Francis says from behind her, making her turn to face him. "You look so beautiful."
She hurries towards him, latching her arms around his neck as she laughs happily. "Thank you!"
"If you're going to be reacting like this, I should buy things for you more often!" Francis replies. "You're welcome." He cups her cheeks, kissing her hard. "Now, let's go and enjoy lunch together."
...
Bash opens the door to Mary and Francis's house, hurrying everyone inside. The flooding was real, the party was meant to be at his and Kenna's because of their large space and the incredible entertainment rooms such as the bar and outdoor lounging area. But he was stupid and was relieved for Francis's text that told him he and Mary were out.
He has Claude rearrange the grand, fourteen-tier birthday cake, everyone either helping her or setting up the decorations as he places Orion into Aspen's dog cage, the two puppies running around each other in the confined space.
When someone asks about the presents' table, he looks at them in confusion. "There's a table for presents?"
"Yes," the event planner says. "You know, people come inside and place them on the table before moving on so the celebrants don't have to endure the hassle of collecting gift after gift."
Bash nods slowly. "The living room. Away from the fireplace," he says before heading into the kitchen. "How's the cake coming along, Claude?"
Claude shrugs a little, placing a tier on top of the fifth one. "You really love these women because this bloody cake is so topsy turvy for no reason!"
"It represents-"
"I know what it represents and if you dare to repeat it, so help me God!" Claude cries out.
Bash grins and moves on, checking the hors d'oeuvres. "Make sure the vegan ones are finished before everyone arrives."
"Yes, Bash," the chef mutters. "The main courses are prepared. Desserts are being put together. Everything is coming along nicely."
"Good, that's what I like to hear," Bash replies. "And has Francis told-"
"Allergens are clearly stated and substitutes are kept separately," the chef finishes. "Get out of the kitchen now before I hit you with a rolling pin."
Bash laughs and leaves, sighing when the dogs start whining. "One walk and that's it," he tells them, lifting them into his arms where they try to hit each other. "Behave..."
...
"How's your house?" Greer asks Kenna as Kenna gets back into the car.
"Bash sorted most of it," Kenna says with a soft sigh. "I saw the damage, everything is easily fixable."
Lola sighs in relief. "Good. I swear men want to give us heart failure all the time!"
"I'm not allowing him to give Orion baths anymore," Kenna states as they head to Mary's. "Put on Francis's album."
Greer chuckles and connects her phone to the car, heading to her Spotify to press the first song, Francis's voice soon filling the car and their ears.
When they get to Mary and Francis's, it's past six and the lights are off but they see the couple get out of their car.
"Oh, we thought we'd pick you guys up for dinner," Lola says, getting out first as Francis turns to them in surprise.
"Thank God, you're here then," he says. "Mary, there's one more gift I wanted you to have before dinner..." He then turns to Kenna. "I also got you a present, come."
Kenna shares a look with Mary and they both follow behind him. "A present, for me? You shouldn't have!"
"Well, we're practically family," he replies with a smile. "You look great by the way."
Kenna stares down at her gold dress. "Your brother has taste even when he's actively destroying our home with floods."
Francis lets out a laugh, opening the front door and shooing Mary and Kenna into the darkness first, before flicking the lights on.
"Surprise!"
Kenna screams as Mary jumps, her hand latching onto Kenna's forearm in shock.
"Thank God, I recorded the moment I made Kenna Beaton piss herself," Claude mutters cheekily.
Their friends and families are there, Lola and Greer cheekily hugging the girls from behind as it dawns on the birthday girls.
"You...!" Kenna cries out as Mary groans, letting out an embarrassed laugh.
"Work and the lunch and dinner dates were all a setup?!" Mary cries out.
"Yeah," Francis admits, going to stand beside Bash. "Happy birthday, ladies."
Mary hugs him tightly, pressing a quick kiss on his lips before moving onto her mother and brother, both pressing kisses onto her forehead and cheeks, hugging her tightly. Kenna's getting the same treatment from her family and soon they switch, Kenna's family congratulating her and Mary's congratulating Kenna.
Mary searches for Francis, giving him a wide grin before she mouths, "Thank you," to him.
"I love you," he mouths back, making her beam before her attention is taken away by more guests.
It's the best birthday she's ever had.
And it's not even the end, even after all the guests have gone because the party ends between her and Francis and she laughs when it ends on a high as her beloved boyfriend promised.