Thank you to my reviewers of Chapter 24: cheerleader2006, KikiCohen, CynthiaB, and SandyKirsten, BeAuTiFuL mAdDnEsS, and FoxyWombat (who reviewed Ch. 11). A few responses to the reviews: cheerleader2006- you'll have to wait and find out…KikiCohen- right now, I'm about half way done with the story, so yes it is going to be long…and CynthiaB- I definitely love Kandy more than Kimmy, but I did this fic because I was curious about Kirsten and Jimmy's relationship when they were younger and Kandy will come eventually. Okay, here's the next chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter 25: The Box of Chocolates

MARCH 12, 1981

NEWPORT BEACH, CA

"Happy early birthday, Kiki!" Caleb told her as Kirsten blew out the candles on her birthday cake to celebrate her 18th birthday.

"Thanks, Dad. And thanks so much for dinner too. It was really nice." Kirsten said. She had been a little surprised when her dad suggested that the family go out to dinner to a great Italian restaurant called Giorgio La Trattoria on a Thursday night to celebrate her birthday. She guessed, though, that it was to make up for that fact that her parents would be missing her actual birthday, which was tomorrow. Her father was taking her mother on a trip to Italy for their 20th anniversary, which was the day after Kirsten's birthday.

"Of course. We had to celebrate you're eighteenth birthday, didn't we. And I felt bad that your mother and I would be missing it. So are you doing anything this weekend for your birthday?"

"Oh, Jimmy is taking me out tomorrow for dinner. Other than that, nothing," Kirsten replied.

"You aren't thinking of throwing some big party, are you? Because…" Caleb told her.

"Dad," Kirsten said, cutting him off. "Trust me, I wouldn't think of it. I promise."

Hailey caught the last part of the conversation between Kirsten and her dad, almost letting out a laugh and practically dropping the plate of cake. Luckily she recovered in time and nobody seemed to notice. Boy, Kirsten is going to be in for a surprise tomorrow, Hailey thought.

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MARCH 13, 1981 (FRIDAY THE 13TH)

NEWPORT BEACH, CA

"Jimmy, thanks so much for dinner. The food at Fleming's is always really good," Kirsten told him.

"Well, you do deserve the best food on your birthday," Jimmy said as he kissed her. "Happy birthday."

"Thank you," Kirsten answered and kissed him again.

"Hey, what do you say, we head into your house…your parents are gone, right," Jimmy asked.

"Yeah, let's," Kirsten said and the two of them got out of the car.

As Jimmy opened the front door for Kirsten, she heard voices inside erupt in a loud 'surprise!' She looked around the foyer of her house to see it filled to capacity. I guess the whole no party thing is going out the window, she thought.

"Oh, my gosh, guys! Thank you!" she exclaimed.

"Were you surprised," Jimmy asked her.

Kirsten laughed and said, "Yes, completely. You did well not letting anything slip. Thanks." Then she leaned in a kissed him.

Kelly and Matt walked over to her. "Happy birthday, Kirst!" Kelly exclaimed as she hugged her friend. Then Matt said the same and gave her a hug.

"Thanks so much, guys. This really means a lot to me. It was so thoughtful," Kirsten thanked.

"Well, we knew your parents were going to be gone so we had to take advantage," Kelly explained.

"Which reminds me, we cannot let the house get trashed…if my parents find out…" she trailed off.

"Relax, Kirst…let's get you a drink. Look, obviously I can't guarantee anything, but I warned everyone before, okay. Time for you to have some fun!" Kelly told her.

Just then Hailey approached her sister and said, "Happy birthday Kiks!" and leaped into Kirsten for a hug.

"You knew about this, Hail?" Kirsten asked.

"We enlisted her to help us. She did great," Kelly explained.

"This isn't some plot to get me in trouble, is it?" Kirsten asked her suspiciously.

"No, I promise. Have fun Kiks…I'll probably just stay upstairs…but I might spy a little bit for some entertainment," Hailey said as she started up the stairs.

"Thanks Hails," Kirsten told her.

"You're welcome, Kirsten," Hailey smiled.

"Now, come on Kirst! Time to party!" Kelly exclaimed.

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"Ohhh, shiiit!" Kirsten exclaimed, slurring slightly. She walked around the bottom floor of her house, surveying the damage from the party after all her friends had departed. Kelly's warning to their friends apparently didn't work, as couches and tables were overturned, alcohol was spilled on the floor, plastic cups were everywhere, and lawn furniture was in the pool.

"Oh, man! You are going to be so dead, Kiks!" Kirsten heard Hailey call from behind her.

Kirsten spun around and stared at her sister, "You…you let them come here…and helped plan it!"

"Please, do you think I actually had a say in what was going to happen. And besides, do you think Mom and Dad would really believe I was involved in this?" Hailey stated.

Kirsten put her hand to her forehead. She could feel a headache coming on…partly from drinking too much and partly from the knowledge of the extent of cleanup she was going to have to deal with. She mumbled, "shit," as she staggered over to where Hailey was.

"Are you okay, Kiks? You're drunk, aren't you!" Hailey exclaimed.

Kirsten looked up at her sister and mentally kicked herself that Hailey was here to witness the happenings of her party. "How do you even know what that is? You're eight!"

"Well, it helps that I'm smart…and that I have a sister who's eighteen. What did you expect?" Hailey paused for a second and then continued, "Kiks, you never answered my question either."

Kirsten sighed, "Yes, Hailey, alright! I'm drunk okay!"

"Kirsten's drunk! Kirsten's drunk!" Hailey yelled out. "If mom and dad find that out, you really will be in trouble!"

"Hailey, shut up! If you even tell them, I swear you'll pay big time sis," Kirsten said.

"Relax Kiks…I won't tell…but it will cost you," Hailey told her.

"Cost me?" Kirsten asked.

"You have to clean my room for me for a month. Take it or leave it," Hailey said.

"Fine. I'll do it. But if you tell them, the deal's off," Kirsten agreed.

"Okay," Hailey said. Before she went back to her room, Hailey surveyed the damage around the house again and then continued, "Hey, I'll help you clean up down here…but it will cost you another month of cleaning my room."

"No way, Hails!" Kirsten exclaimed. But when she began to look around her again, she sighed and reconsidered. "Fine, okay…I could use the help a lot as you can see."

"Okay. Hey, where's Kelly? I thought she was going to stick around and help," Hailey said.

"She fell asleep in the guest room downstairs. She had more to drink than I did," Kirsten told her.

"Should I go wake her up?" Hailey asked.

"No…just let her sleep for now. I'm going to go get the cleaning stuff. And then the cleaning begins, okay?" Kirsten said.

"Okay," Hailey agreed.

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MARCH 15, 1981

NEWPORT BEACH, CA

"Kiki! Hailey! We're home!" Caleb yelled as he and Katherine made their into the house after their weekend in Italy.

"Hi Dad! Mom!" Kirsten called as she gave hugs to both of them, with Hailey following suit.

Kirsten was slightly nervous as her parents walked through the downstairs of the house. She and Hailey had cleaned for hours and had worked very hard to put everything back in place. She hoped that her parents wouldn't suspect anything.

"So how was the weekend? Every looks to be in order here," Caleb stated.

Kirsten let out a breath she had been holding. So far so good, she thought. "Um, it was good. I went out with Jimmy on Friday for my birthday, but other than that, nothing too exciting."

"No parties or anything, right?" Caleb questioned.

"Nope," Kirsten said, as nonchalantly as possible.

Caleb turned to the younger of his daughters and said, "Your sister didn't try to pull anything, did she?"

Kirsten glanced at Hailey waiting for her answer, hoping she wouldn't tell. "No, Dad! We had a good weekend. Kirsten took me to the beach on Friday and Saturday. We had fun!" Hailey exclaimed.

"Good then. Glad to hear it. We're going to go unpack right now, but your mother wants to have dinner in half an hour, okay?" Caleb told them.

"Okay, Dad," Kirsten said, and their parents disappeared.

Kirsten looked back at Hailey, smiled, and said, "Thanks, Hailey."

"You're welcome…I told you I wouldn't tell," Hailey stated. "But I guess you never know what you're going to get with me."

"Yes you did," Kirsten said as she gave her a hug. "You're not always so bad to have around, sis."

"Neither are you," Hailey replied, as she hugged her back.

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Okay, so this was more sister bonding between Kirsten and Hailey, and not really much Kimmy. And it probably wasn't the most exciting chapter, so I apologize. Please review!

Giorgio La Trattoria is an actual restaurant on Balboa Island in Newport Beach. I've actually been there myself and it is really good. I do not own it.

Fleming's is an actual restaurant in Newport Beach. I do not own it.