Disclaimer: I don't own Switched At Birth or any of the characters in it.
Review Replies:
Thanks for your wonderful reviews! Sorry for my writer's block! This chapter is kinda short. :/
NaxieFan1: Yes, you will in a later chapter. Tbh, I cried while writing her speech and Daphne's too. But there was more tears with Bay's speech.
courtneylovesTV: I can see how it could be confusing. P.S. I Love You is just a cute movie and I just had too. I already know writing letters from Emmett and memories of Emmett is going to be my favorite part. I just feel bad for killing off Emmett in Chapter 1.
WiseGirl1993: Lol. Weird that Emmett is dead and sending Bay letters? That isn't even the most interesting part.
Laurel: Thanks. And I know it is now but it won't be depressing through the whole thing.
Chapter 2: The Birthday Surprise
On Bay's 28th birthday, she woke up early to the smell of peanut butter chocolate chip pancakes. There was no way Emmett would know this recipe. Was there? She got up out of bed and went into the kitchen and saw breakfast made. She saw bacon, eggs, peanut butter chocolate chip pancakes, coffee, and orange juice. Usually, Bay and Emmett went to K.C. to visit Bay's family for her and Daphne's birthday but this year it seemed their plans were canceled. Bay didn't really mind it. She looked at her husband and signed. "My mom's pancake recipe? How'd you get it?" He signed. "Email." She nodded then walked over and kissed him softly for a short few seconds. He signed. "Happy birthday, Bay." Bay smiled at the pancakes and sat down at the table and began eating her breakfast. Emmett soon after also sat down and began eating. She smiled at how he made the pancakes just like her mom did and then signed. "Thank you." She smiled and Emmett signed. "You're welcome."
"Bay? Earth to Bay!" A voice called out and Bay was snapped out of her memories of the last birthday surprise she had from Emmett. She looked up at Kathryn. "Yeah?" She smiled. "Happy Birthday. We're glad you decided to stay in Kansas City until tomorrow. Also these balloons and this card were on the door step for you. Please come down for breakfast." She gave it to her. After Kathryn left Bay looked at the balloons. There were two, one was a heart shape that said 'I love you' and a circular one that said 'Happy birthday!' Bay smiled and immediately knew. She looked at the card, on the front it said 'For Bay', and opened it.
Happy birthday, Bay!
I know you've been waiting for this letter and I wrote it on your last birthday we spent together; while you were asleep. So put on that great outfit I know you bought for yourself because it's time for some public embarrassment! You are going to do late night karaoke. It's going to be at the terrible open mic night you've always complained about. You know where to go. I'll never be able hear you sing and I know you hate singing. But I want people to be able to hear you sing. I never could so I want others to be able to. You don't need to worry. I got you a proper birthday gift too. You'll get it if you get up on that stage.
Emmett
P.S. I love you!
Bay was happy to have another letter but she wasn't happy about karaoke. She went downstairs for breakfast. Kathryn couldn't help but ask. "Who was it from?" Bay looked at her and then at her breakfast. "You won't understand if I tell you. It's hard to explain." Kathryn stared at Bay as if to say well at least try to. Bay sighed. "Emmett...well sort of. Before he died Emmett had this plan for me. To send me letters after he died so that I could move on. Emmett planned for them to be sent at different times and places in random ways with tasks for me to complete. The first was to stop moping around and just hang out with our friends for awhile. Second letter task was for Regina and I to go shopping for my birthday. Then the newest letter, the one I got today I have to get out whatever great outfit I bought for the last letter and do karaoke." Kathryn frowned at her daughter. "What if someone's just making a fool out of you?" Bay glared at her mom for even suggesting such a thing. "They're from Emmett. One of the letters was a video. He was signing to me. It's a gift." Kathryn nodded. "Okay."
Bay started eating and John walked in. Kathryn asked him. "Can we talk? In private." John nodded. Bay knew they were talking about Emmett's letters so she was eavesdropping. She couldn't hear Kathryn but she heard John, who was being insensitive. "Those letters can't keep coming forever! What will Bay do when they stop coming? She's just going to be waiting around for letter after letter. She'll be so used to relying on the letters that she won't know what to do." Bay frowned and tuned her parents out. She let her mind sink into her thoughts. "How can he say that? He knows nothing about what happened in Los Angeles. He doesn't even know how Emmett died! He probably doesn't care how. I don't understand how he can say such things. Emmett was too young to die. They'll never understand. They don't know about my crappy job either. I've made it habit not to complain around them about L.A. I'm just a barmaid at a stupid pub. I hate being an artist on the side! Hopefully, Emmett has a letter for that." She sighed as she remembered the last time she saw Emmett.
"Hey, can we go out some place tonight?" Emmett signed and Bay frowned then signed. "I don't think so. I work the night shift today. Maybe tomorrow?" Emmett nodded and signed. "Okay. I love you. Maybe someday you can get a better job. Maybe something you'll exactly enjoy. You went USC and joined the art program because you came to L.A. to be with me. USC wasn't even your dream school. You were shooting for Pratt, remember? Most people would push harder to get the job they wanted. You settled for a lesser school and a lesser job. Why?" Bay shrugged and signed. "I don't know. But if you don't go now; you'll be late for your dream job because you actually have yours." He smiled and kissed her cheek before hurrying out the door. Bay stood there in awe of her husband. By her definition he was absolutely perfect.
Bay decided to leave the house without saying a word to her parents. She was twenty-nine now so she didn't have to tell them anyways. She went and put on her amazing outfit that she bought. She went out to that God forsaken pub that Emmett's letter referred to. She signed up for karaoke. When the guy announced she nearly choked on her own spit. "Next up is Bay Bledsoe. Rumor has it that she hates karaoke so treat her well." She got on stage and whispered. "I hope you're happy, Emmett. This is for you." She said into the microphone while signing. "Sorry if I do ASL while I sing. It's just I'm kinda doing this for someone who's deaf." She tuned out everyone in the crowd and pretended she was singing for Emmett. She started signing and singing A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton. When she was finished and everyone started clapping; she mumbled. "Sorry, I need to leave." She ran out with tears flowing down her face. She didn't know why she was so upset. Then someone unexpected found her. "Bay? What's wrong?" She looked up to see who caught her with make up pouring down her face. As soon as she looked up she up she wiped her face off as best as she could. "Hey, Ty. I didn't know you were back in K.C." She muttered and he shrugged. "I could say the same to you, Mrs. Bledsoe." The bartender came out and gave Bay a black leather jacket. She saw she letter sticking out of the pocket and realized this was the proper birthday gift. She put on and smiled at the bartender. "Thank you."
Ty stared at his ex-girlfriend for awhile. "So you and Emmett got hitched while I was away. You live in L.A. Why are you in K.C.?" She answered with a frown. "It's my birthday. I came here for Em...I came here a few months ago. I decided to stay until tomorrow." He looked surprised. "Well damn. Happy birthday. 29 now, right?" She nodded. "Yeah. But happy birthday, Bay! Let's all pretend your husband didn't die a few months ago. Let's just be one big happy family. Don't eavesdrop when were being insensitive about your husband's death." The tears started pouring down again. Ty just listened until she was finished. "I'm sorry. I didn't know he died." She looked at Ty. "Please just don't say sorry. It's not your fault. But I need to know something. It's much too late to ask you this but I need to. Why'd you lie to me? Why'd you let me believe you cheated on me?" Ty sighed. "Mary Beth told you?" Bay nodded. "Awhile ago actually. I had just started dating a new guy when she told me. She probably told me because she hated him." Ty hung his head. "Jeez...I...I just thought if I let you down then; it wouldn't be as hard on you if I died. Truth is my buddy didn't have single room so I let him and his girlfriend use my room. I can't remember why her house was out of the question. But that's who's underwear you found. It wasn't Aida's." Bay shook her head. "I can't believe you actually thought that." She ran off before he could respond and when she turned the corner; she pulled out the letter.
Bay, stop crying right now!
You can have my leather jacket. I've had it for years! I got years before I first laid eyes on the most beautiful girl in the world. You wore it once or twice. It looks great on you. So you can keep it. It's your birthday gift. I wrote this right after I wrote the last letter. Now your new task is to send my stuff to my mom or give it to the Salvation Army. Something that gets it out of that tiny apartment. You need to make space for yourself. It's time, baby. Just at least let go of material things.
Your Loving Husband,
Emmett
P.S. I Love You
She put the letter in the pocket and zipped up the jacket. She pulled it close to her skin and smiled. "You're still here, aren't you? I can feel you. It's not just the letters." Short while after discovering her husband's presence; Ty caught up with her. "What's going on with you? Why do you care after all this time? You had even got married while I was gone!" She wiped her eyes again. "Maybe it's because everything is falling apart around me." Ty blinked at her. "I shouldn't have lied...I'm sorry. You just deserved someone better than me." Bay smiled and snuggled into the jacket. "Hey, do you need a ride home?" She nodded.
