Disclaimer: don't own the characters except Luke, Tom, Carrie and Elizabeth Note; sorry it took me so long to write, had other things on my mind Summary; this is one party that Tess will never forget but for what reasons? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- From part two "Patience Tess, we are here," says Jonesy getting out of the car and coming around to get me out of the car. "Careful, come on here we are" says Jonesy untying the blind-fold and leaving me to my own devices. When I open my eyes I realise that I'm in the parlour at the imperial, the room is black, then out of the shadows comes some one who I have not seen for years, "Hayley!" I gasp ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- "What are you doing here?" I ask, completely in shock.

"Celebrating my favourite foster Mum's 30th birthday." Grins Hayley 'Well are you gonna come in or not?"

"Who organised this, Evan?" I ask following Hayley into the main part of the imperial.

"Ahh actually." says my sister coming out of the shadows "It was me and Jonesy, you see when Hayles was in year seven I was her peer support leader and we became friends and stayed in touch, and when she told me about how she lived with you I thought you might like to see her again."

"And I am." I say as lights turn on which brings to light everyone from my colleagues to my siblings, "WOW! This is amazing, thank you guys."

"Well are you just gonna stand there?" says Jonesy impatiently " Its your party, so party!"

I take in what's around me. Chris had made the pub quite unrecognisable over in the corner, no darts tables and an old long table holds food and drink, standing next to it are my two brothers Tom and Luke.

"Oh my god, Tommy, Luke I haven't seen you guys for ages." I say running over and throwing my arms around my brothers.

"Its good to see you too Tess."

"Ahem," says PJ up on the portable stage with a microphone in his hand. "Sorry to interrupt but we're not just here for Tess to see her Brothers. I know you guys probably want to dance and eat but we are here for Tess's birthday, what I don't get Tess is why?

"Why what PJ?" I ask, not knowing what I would get in reply.

"Why on earth did you want become a police sergeant by the age of 28?" Everyone laughed.

"Ok guys, now you can eat and oh yeah dance." says PJ, putting the mic back and getting into a conversation with Jo.

Someone turns on a stereo, which fills the room with dance music. Jonesy grabs my hand and pulls me on to the dance floor.

"Thank you," I shout in his ear, "this means the world to me."

"What? Being with me?" says Jonesy with a grin on his face.

"Yes that, and all of this, bringing Carrie here, seeing Hayley. it's just like a dream come true for me, so thank you, Carrie as well. I love you."

"I love you too Tess."

Over Jonesy's shoulder I look around. The Boss and Grace are dancing, as well as PJ and Jo. Ben and his new wife, Rusty's Ex, Felicity, are making out in one corner, Carrie is talking to Tommy. Luke is trying to chat up Chris's new barmaid, Elizabeth. Hayley's helping Chris. Everything is perfect.

Or so I thought. I hear a phone ringing. A moment later I see Hayley run out, mobile to her ear. A minute later she comes back in with a look on her face enough to make me untangle myself from Jonesy and go over to her.

"Hayley, what's the matter?" I ask.

"That was a hospital in Townsville," She replies a tear escaping from her eye. "Mum's dead."