Chapter 21

A/N: The character Maddie belongs to the extra-lovely Amal AKA Malfihead. Thanks girl! Much love..=)

Merrill turned on the lights in the classroom and shut off the VCR.

"Wow. I think that video was older than me."

The classroom erupted into laughter and one of the students raised her hand.

"And exactly how old are you, Coach Hess?"

"21."

"Yeah right!"

"I turn 29 tomorrow."

"Tomorrow's your birthday?"

"Unfortunately. Can we talk about something else besides my birthday?"

Another student raised his hand and Merrill said, "What's up, Bryant?"

"Do you really have the home run record for the Thunder?"

"As far as I know, it's still standing."

"Then why didn't you go pro?"

"Because my sister-in-law died and my fiancée had a miscarriage. Supporting my family is more important to me than anything in the world."

"You have a fiancée?" asked another student.

"Yeah."

"When are you getting married?"

"In October."

"Is she hot?"

Everyone burst into laughter and Merrill replied, "I'll bring in a picture on Monday. I-"

The end-of-school buzzer went off and everyone stood up to leave.

Merrill said, "Remember guys, the mile's gonna be timed on Monday, so rest up. Have a great weekend."

The last girl in the class took her time getting her things together and as she walked out of the door, she smiled at Merrill.

"Happy birthday, Coach."

"Thanks, Kelly. Have a great weekend."

"You too."

Merrill closed the door to the classroom and sat at the desk. It was a Friday afternoon, and it had been his first day of teaching summer school PE alone. He had thought that the kids would be a typical high school nightmare, but they ended up being very cooperative and friendly. He graded some papers, fixed up the classroom, and then left for the day. As he walked to his car, he saw that he had a voicemail on his cell phone from Alicia.

"Hey baby, it's me. I was just calling to see how your first day flying solo went. Good, I hope! Anyway, we're having this amazing wine and food sampling tonight at work. It's gonna be a really fancy and romantic party, and I figured you might want to come. It'll be a nice little evening out for us. Call me when you get this message and I'll tell you more. I love you! Bye."

Merrill immediately called Alicia back.

"Hello?"

"Ali, hey."

"Hey you! How was your day? Did the kids eat you alive?"

"No. Actually, they're great. They listened to everything I had to say and were really well behaved. In fact, it kind of scared me."

"Well, I'm so glad everything went OK. Did you get my message?"

"Yeah. Free food and wine, huh?"

"Yep. I knew you wouldn't turn it down."

"What time does it start?"

"9:00."

"Are you coming home before then?"

"Well, I'm off at 8 and it would make no sense for me to go home, only to come right back here. Just meet me here."

"Do you need me to bring anything for you? You know, like a change of clothes?"

"No, I'm good. All I need is you. So I'll see you at 9."

"I'll be there."

"Rock on. Are you on your way home?"

"Yeah. I'm just gonna run some errands and relax until later on."

"OK. Well, I'll let you go. I'll see you tonight."

"OK. I love you."

"I love you too, sweetie. Bye."

"Bye."

Alicia hung up her phone and walked over to the bar. A familiar face was sipping an apple martini and leafing through a magazine. It was Ellen, who had driven up from Manhattan for the day. She looked up from the magazine as Alicia approached her.

"Did he buy it?" she asked.

"Hook, line and sinker."

"He'll believe anything you say, Al."

Miranda walked up to them and said, "Ali, I'm leaving. Everything is smooth sailing. The customers are happy and so is the staff. Just keep an eye on that new host- Amelia is her name. She keeps sneaking out for smoke breaks. I'll have my cell phone on if you need me. But you can handle running things- it's not that busy."

"OK. And thanks you so, so, so much for letting me have the place tonight for Merrill's party. Are you coming?"

"I'm taking the kids to Sesame Place tomorrow, so I'll need all the sleep I can get tonight. But thanks for the invite. Just make sure everything is squeaky clean for tomorrow."

"Will do. Have a great night, Miranda."

"You too. Nice meeting you, Ellen."

"Same here."

As Miranda left, Alicia sat at the bar with Ellen.

Ellen looked at Alicia's nametag and said, "Look at that. Alicia Spencer, Assistant Manager. I still remember when we were clumsily waiting tables at Applebee's. We've come quite a long way."

"You can say that again. But at least you moved from restaurants to Nickelodeon Magazine. I still get a kick out of seeing your picture in the staff column every month in Bo's magazine."

"It's fun, but I would much rather have a rock on my finger like you."

Alicia glanced at her ring and replied, "It feels like October is taking forever to get here."

"Honey, it will be here before you know it. Tonight we're celebrating Merrill's birthday, and tomorrow you'll be putting on your wedding gown. Have you guys decided where you're getting married yet?"

"We haven't had time to do any planning whatsoever."

"Ali, you better! You won't be able to do anything if you wait until the last minute!"

"I know, I know. It'll come together, don't worry. I just have to find a maid of honor.."

"That's not even funny!"

"You know I'm kidding. So what's Tyler's excuse for not coming?"

"Her name is Haley. He's taking her to his friend's weekend beach home in the Hamptons. He meets a pretty girl and forgets that he has a loving sister- he never takes me to the Hamptons."

"Elle, you know he loves you. But you know how guys lose their minds when they're around attractive women."

"Very true."

"Hey, if I give you a list of things to get and money, will you run to Wal-Mart for me?"

"Yeah. I've got nothing better to do."

After LaStalla closed at 7, Graham came and helped Alicia and Ellen set up. Slowly, friends and family started to trickle in and around 8:45, the place was almost entirely packed. Alicia changed into a short, pink skirt and teeny-tiny black t-shirt that rested right above her navel, showing off her toned abdomen and her piercing. She approached Graham, who had just finished a conversation on the phone.

"And who were you calling?" she asked.

As he turned around, he said, "I was calling Maddie, the kids' babysitter. It's their-"

When he saw Alicia, everything he was going to say suddenly melted into a mass confusion of jumbled words.

"It's…um, their first time having a babysitter since….since Colleen died, you know? And I was just checking to see that they were OK."

"Are they?"

"Maddie says they're doing…they're doing fine."

"You OK there, Graham?"

"I'm OK. You look great. Pink really brings out your…it brings out everything good about you. But then again, anything you wear looks great on you. Colleen was the same way."

Alicia glared ominously at Graham and said, "Graham, don't."

"So now I'm not allowed to give you a compliment ever again?"

Alicia sighed with heavy frustration.

"The last thing I need is to have you flirting with me at my fiancé's party."

Graham pulled her into a private corner.

"I was not flirting with you, Alicia. You're blowing this up to be something that it's not."

"I'm not stupid, Graham! It's as if our conversation that night meant nothing to you. The one where you said the last thing you wanted to do was come between Merrill and I. I saw the way you were looking at me when we went to the beach. That was more than a 'compliment' look. And it's happened more than once. It needs to stop. If you're attracted to me again, just say so instead of beating around the bush."

Alicia walked away and Graham stayed in the corner.

He held his chin in his head and looked down, saying, "I'm attracted to you again."

Alicia, meanwhile, climbed onto a table and whistled for everyone's attention.

"OK, everyone- listen! Merrill should be coming in like, 10 minutes. When I turn out the lights, everyone should be silent. No one needs to hide, but if it's dark, Merrill won't see anyone as he approaches. As soon as I turn the lights back on, everyone yells surprise and the party begins? Got it? And thanks again for coming!"

Alicia hopped off of the table and went over to her mom, who was standing with Merrill's mom.

She sighed and said, "I sure hope this works."

Eliza replied, "He'll love it. He hasn't had a birthday party since he was in middle school."

"Good. I'm so nervous. What if it doesn't-"

"He'll love it, sweetie."

She smiled and looked at her watch.

"It's almost 9. I'm gonna call his cell phone.

Alicia went outside and dialed Merrill's cell phone. He picked it up after only one ring.

"I'm almost there, baby. I just turned onto Swamp Road."

"OK, cool. I was just curious. I'll meet you outside."

"OK. See ya."

"Bye."

Alicia hopped back onto one of the tables and whistled again.

"OK, everyone please stay where they are! He's gonna be here in less than 5 minutes!"

She jumped off and left through the front door. About two minutes later, Alicia spotted Merrill pull into the driveway. After an extensive search for a parking spot, he found one and then got out of the car.

"Hey stranger," she said as he approached her.

He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw her and whistled.

"Is that the skirt I got you for Christmas?"

"Yep. You like it?"

"It looks…to say you look beautiful would be an understatement."

"Why thank you."

"There's a lot of people here, huh? The parking lot's packed."

"Yeah, it's crowded."

Merrill leaned towards Alicia's face and gave her a deep, slow kiss. When he got a taste of her lip gloss, he positioned one hand on her neck and the other on her waist, kissing her harder. Then he glanced at the building, puzzled at what he saw.

"Why is it so dark in there?" he asked.

Alicia wiped the excess lip gloss from his lips and replied, "It's part of the atmosphere. Come on."

They walked up the stairs and as soon as Alicia opened the door, she turned on the lights.

"SURPRISE!!"

Merrill held his face in his hands and said, "You've got to be kidding me."

Alicia kissed his cheek and said, "Happy birthday, sweetie."

Ellen and Graham came out with a big cake and everyone started singing Happy Birthday. After the song was over, he contemplated about the perfect wish. Then he closed his eyes and blew out the candles, while everyone applauded. As they ate cake and drank cocktails, everyone mingled and made conversation.

Merrill stuffed a forkful of cake into Alicia's mouth as they sat with some friends and family.

"I can't believe you got all these people together. I mean, I haven't seen some of the guys from the team in a year."

She swallowed and said, "I have my ways."

"Well, I really appreciate it. You didn't have to do this."

"You're right. I wanted to because I love you."

He looked at Alicia and for that instant, it was as if no one existed in his universe but her.

"Do you even realize how amazing you are?"

She giggled and kissed him, saying, "You're giving me a big headed ego."

Later that evening, one of Merrill's former teammates approached him and said, "Man, I wish I had a girl who would do all of this for me."

"Yeah, Ali is incredible. I'm so lucky to have her in my life…beyond lucky."

"You know, maybe you weren't destined to stay in the minors. If I had a girlfriend like her, I'd stay home and never leave her."

Merrill watched as Alicia and Ellen laughed hysterically at something.

"You're right. I mean, this is the happiest I've ever been in my entire life."

"So are you excited about taking the big marriage plunge?"

Merrill sighed and said, "I wish it was tomorrow. The thought of calling Ali my wife and spending the rest of my life with her is overwhelming. And I can't wait until we have a baby. I'm so much more ready now than I was before. I'm not constantly on the road and we both have flexible careers."

Alicia came up to Merrill and Jack.

"What are you two gentlemen talking about?"

Merrill kissed the top of Alicia's head and put his arm around her waist.

"About you."

"Nothing bad, I hope."

"Not in the least bit."

Jack said, "Well, I'm gonna head on out. Give me a call, Merrill- we'll all go out for drinks or something."

"Absolutely, bro. Thanks for coming."

"No problem. Thanks for inviting me, Ali- it was good seeing you."

"You too. Tell Veronica I said hi."

"Will do. Take care."

After he left, Merrill pulled Alicia into his arms and looked into his eyes.

"This has been one amazing birthday, sweetheart."

"Well technically, your birthday isn't for another 45 minutes. And you still have yet to receive my special birthday present."

"Uh oh…can I have a hint?"

Alicia pulled Merrill into the same corner that she had been in with Graham earlier. They leaned into each other and began kissing. Alicia took Merrill's hand from where it was resting on her waist and slid it up her shirt, underneath her bra.

"There's your hint, Mr. Hess."

"Thanks, babe. Now I can't move."

Alicia laughed and said, "I love having that power over you."

"Mmm…I am so glad we both have weekends off."

"Amen. We can stay up 'celebrating' all night tonight and sleep in tomorrow."

She looked at Merrill and ran her fingers through his hair.

"Have I told you how handsome you look tonight?"

"Do I? I'm not the biggest fan of this shirt, but it was the only thing clean in my closet."

"I love it. Blue brings out those gorgeous eyes of yours."

Merrill pulled Alicia close to his body and planted tiny kisses all over her face.

"Seeing you so happy and laughing is better than any present I could ever get."

"You're the reason I'm happy. But you already know that."

He ran his hand along her face and she smiled at him timidly. Then he gave her a soft, delicate kiss that made her feel like she was going to melt.

"I could stay here all night with you," Alicia said, "but then I'd be keeping you away from your guests."

"If you say so."

They joined hands and went back to socializing. After another small celebration when the clock struck midnight, guests slowly started to leave. Within two hours, everyone had cleared out. The only ones left were Ellen, Graham, Merrill and Alicia. They cleaned everything, locked up the building and then went back to the house. When they got there, the kids' babysitter was asleep on the couch with the TV still on. Alicia turned off the TV and shook Maddie's shoulder.

"Maddie? Sweetie, wake up. We're home."

Maddie slowly opened her eyes and said, "Sorry. I didn't even know I feel asleep."

Graham said, "We're sorry we're so late. Are you sure everything's OK with your mother?"

"Yeah. I told Lilly that you guys would be running late. I'm gonna call her now."

"No, I'll bring you home."

"Are you sure, Father Hess?"

"Yes. Just let me know when you're ready."

"We can go now."

Maddie got her purse and said to Merrill, "Happy birthday. How was the party?"

"The greatest. Thanks so much for watching the kids."

"No problem."

Graham got his car keys and said, "Ready, Maddie?"

"Yeah. Have a good night, everyone."

Merrill, Alicia and Ellen wished her goodnight and after she left, they sat in the living room.

Ellen stretched out her arms and said, "I'm beyond exhausted. I think I'm gonna hit the sack in the guest room."

"OK," Alicia said, "And I'll go check on the kids."

"No, I'll do it. I know that you guys wanna have your own little 'celebration' and whatnot."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. Go."

Merrill tried to get up off of the sofa and Alicia pushed him back down.

"You're not going anywhere. I have to get your… present ready."

"Ali, come on."

She kissed him and said, "I'll call your cell when I'm ready."

Ellen giggled and said, "Dirty girl."

Alicia hugged her and said, "Sweet dreams, Elle Belle. I'll see you in the morning."

"Sweet dreams to you too."

Alicia left the main house and Merrill looked at Ellen.

"Isn't it the best feeling to see Ali like that? Not how she was after Colleen died."

"I know. There were times where I would literally worry myself sick because I thought she'd…I don't know. Sometimes she jumps into things without thinking- she's always been like that. I was scared that she was going to just give up and.."

No words were needed as they looked at each other.

"I don't think I got any sleep until the week before the invasion. I wanted her in my sight every waking moment because she was so unstable. Graham almost thought about putting her in a psychiatric hospital, but I knew she'd come around; I saw it in her eyes. I mean, within a matter of a day, her whole world shattered…who would be mentally competent after that?"

"But that's Ali for you. She's such a fighter."

"Auntie Ellen? Is that you?"

Bo stood at the top of the stairs, rubbing her eyes.

"Is that the most beautiful four-year-old on the planet?"

Bo giggled coyly and Ellen ran up the stairs. She picked Bo up and planted kisses all over her, as she squealed with laughter. Merrill watched closely as Ellen interacted with Bo. She looked like a kid herself, with shaggy dark brown, almost black hair and a small frame. Whenever Morgan watched A Knight's Tale, he'd point at the screen and say, "That's Aunt Ellen's twin sister!" when Shannyn Sossamon was in the scene. Ellen had been to Merrill and Alicia after the accident. She was the one who had called him when he was in Baltimore. She had given him a shoulder to cry on when he found out about Colleen and the baby.

Alicia is so lucky to have a best friend like her, he thought to himself.

About five minutes later, Merrill dozed off on the couch and Ellen's voice woke him from the top of the stairs.

"Merrill?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm going to bed! I'll see you in the morning!"

He got up and met her halfway on the stairs.

He embraced her and said, "Thanks so much for coming. Hopefully we can all start hanging out soon…like in the old days before the accident."

"Yeah, we will. And happy birthday again."

"Thanks. Goodnight."

"Night."

Merrill went back into the living room and as he sat down, his cell phone rang. His heart sped up when he saw that it was from Alicia's cell.

"Hey there," he said.

"Are you ready, Mr. Hess?"

"I'm on my way."

"Good. See ya."

"Bye."

Merrill hurried to the garage house and went inside. Alicia was sitting on the bed in a short, black satin robe. There was a chair in the middle of the room with a card on it.

"That's yours," Alicia said.

"You want me to read it now?"

"It's your birthday- do what you want."

"I'll open it when we're done…so that way I don't rush through reading it in anticipation."

"OK..and one other thing."

"Yes?"

She slowly unbuttoned his shirt and said, "You won't be needing this."

After she stripped him to his wifebeater, she went to the CD player and turned on a slow, sultry song.

"Dance with me," she whispered.

Merrill took Ali into his arms and they moved sensually in time to the music, letting the lyrics echo in their head:

Everything you are

Everything you'll be

Touches the current of love so deep in me

Every sigh in the night

Every tear that you cry

Seduces me

And all that I am

And all that I'll be

Means nothing at all if you can't be with me

Your most innocent kiss

Or your sweetest caress

Seduces me….

Alicia wrapped her arms tighter around Merrill's neck and their bodies were pressed together. The sexual tension was so thick, they could barely breathe. Alicia closed her eyes as he began planting lingering and wet kisses along her neck. She thought she was going to burst with pleasure as he gently tugged at her earlobe with his teeth.

Merrill said, "I feel like I'm going to explode any second."

"I know. I can tell."

"Who said I wanted to stop dancing? The song's not over."

I don't care about tomorrow

I've given up on yesterday

Here and now is all that matters

Right here with you is where I'll stay

Everything in this world

Every voice in the night

Every little thing of beauty comes shining through in your eyes

And all that is you

Becomes part of me too

Cause all you do

Seduces me…

Merrill separated his face from Alicia's and kissed her lips.

"You're turning me on in ways I never even thought possible," he whispered.

"Am I?"

He went to untie Alicia's robe, but she pushed his hands aside.

"Not yet, baby."

"Not just a touch?"

"You'll have your time- I promise."

And if I should die tomorrow

I'd go down with a smile on my face

I 'd thank God I'd ever known you

I'd fall down on my knees for all the love we've made

Every sigh in the night

Every tear that you cry

Seduces me, seduces me

And all that you do

Seduces me…

When the song ended, Alicia turned off the CD player and led Merrill to the chair. Then she held up a satin ribbon.

"What are you gonna do with that?" he asked.

"You'll see."

She slipped off his wifebeater and tied his hands behind his back as he snickered.

"Ali, you're gonna kill me. Can we just have sex now? I'm dying here."

"That would take the fun out of your present."

"What exactly is my present, if you don't mind me asking."

She untied her robe and it fell to her feet, revealing a strapless black bra made of lace and matching boyshort panties.

"Oh my God," Merrill panted, "You look…wow. Happy birthday to me."

"This is just the beginning."

Alicia went over to her dresser and opened up one of the drawers. She grabbed a container of honey and when Merrill caught sight of it, it made him even more aroused than he already was. Then she poured some honey in her hands and spread it all over Merrill's chest. She kneeled in front of him and started licking it off- very, very slowly. He was biting his lip to keep from crying out in pleasure; closing his eyes and enjoying every millisecond to the fullest.

"Having fun?" asked Ali.

"I'll have more fun if you untie me so I can put my hands all over you."

"Not just yet."

She took a dab of the honey and spread it behind Merrill's earlobe. Then she carefully sucked it off and he let out a shaky sigh.

"I can't take this any longer," he whispered.

Alicia unzipped his jeans and put the honey in intimate spots. As she pleasured him, she untied his hands. Once they were free, he ran his fingers through her hair and murmured her name again and again. She came back up and took his jeans and boxers off completely, straddling him in a fiery and passionate manner. He reached up and unhooked her bra as they moved to the floor. Almost immediately, they became lost in one of the most amazing moments of both their lives.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

After taking a shower to get the honey off of their bodies, Alicia and Merrill laid in the bed together. She rested her head on his chest and sighed with satisfaction.

"God, that was….wow."

"Take what you're feeling and multiply it about a thousand times…that's exactly how I feel right now. This was most definitely the best birthday in the history of Merrill Christopher Hess."

He ran his fingers through her damp hair as she said, "You still have to read your card."

"Let's save it for in the morning. I'm exhausted."

"OK," she replied, closing her eyes.

They wrapped their arms around each other and gazed into each other's eyes.

"When we were in the shower tonight, do you know what I was thinking?" Merrill said,

Alicia yawned and replied, "What?"

"That there's no turning back. You're my past, present and future. And knowing that was the most incredible feeling. This is it…we're in it for the long run, baby."

"And I couldn't be happier."

Merrill ran a finger across her still-swollen lips and kissed her.

"I love you more than anything, Alicia."

"I love you too."

They closed their eyes and within minutes, were both fast asleep.