Happy, Happy Birthday Baby – chapter 3

The girls stayed out until mid-afternoon, and by then, both the men had their plans in place. Jet even tried his hand at baking, and had managed to make a rather good-looking cake. Soon, Faye strode in to the sofa area with Ed in tow, laden by shopping bags.

Jet grinned. "So you finally made it back. Who's this? What have you done with Ed?"

Ed smiled and flew into Jet's arms. "Silly, Papa-Jet! This is Ed! New and Improved!"

"I'll say," replied Jet, turning Ed around in a twirl. "Faye did a good job on you."

Faye smirked. "And within budget. Told you so."

Jet smirked back. "In that case, I suppose it's time for cake. And presents."

Ed squealed. "More presents?"

Jet winced at the piercing tone. "Well, just a couple to unwrap. And I do have something to show you."

Ed didn't want to wait for cake to see what Jet had in store for her. Finally, he led her down one of the sleeping corridors and to a closed door that had a ribbon tied to the door handle. She paused, hand on the handle, until Jet said, "Go ahead. Take a look."

Ed opened the door to find a room, outfitted with furniture. She didn't even realize it was for her until she saw her Tomato set up on a desk. "My own room?"

Jet chuckled. "Yeah, I was getting tired of tripping over you in the corridors. I know it's kind of bare, but you can decorate it as you see fit."

Ed was nearly beside herself. She had new clothes and now a new closet to put them in. She spun around in a circle for a few moments, laughing.

Spike was peeking over Jet's shoulder. "I think she likes it."

Jet and Faye laughed. "I think so, too," relied Jet. Then he came forward and presented Ed with a small box. "And this is also from me. Happy birthday, Ed."

Ed took the small box and carefully took off the wrapping paper. She lifted the lid and took a quick breath at what she saw. Her hand trembled as she lifted out a thin golden chain that had a single pearl hanging on it.

Jet gave a little cough. "When my sister turned thirteen, my father gave her a gold chain, and every year after that, he gave her a pearl to put on it. I was a bit behind, so that's why you're getting the chain and a pearl at the same time."

Ed's chin was wobbling. Spike whispered to Jet, "I thought we weren't doing pearls and diamonds."

Jet whispered back, "You and Faye promised. I didn't." To Ed, he said, "Come here. Let's see how that looks on you." He fastened the necklace around her throat, which fell just below her collarbone. Ed felt it to make sure that it was real, and then launched into Jet's arms.

Faye sniffed. "Now my present pales by comparison." She gave Ed a box that had come from one of the stores they had visited that day. Inside was a compact with different eyeshadows, lip glosses, and other basic makeup needs. Faye promised that she'd show Ed how to use them.

Spike smiled. "Well, then, I guess it's my turn." He gave her an odd-shaped parcel, which she turned over in her hands several times. She unwrapped it to find a motorcycle helmet. She looked up at Spike. "Well, that's part of your present, sort of. You never told me where you'd like to go out to, so I went ahead and picked out something. Are you ready?"

Faye said, "Is she okay with what she's wearing?"

Spike smiled at Ed's outfit: jeans, sneakers, and a knit top with a wide scoop neck that was embellished with stones and sparkles. And now, a pearl on a chain. "She's fine. I found an extra jacket." He took Ed by the hand and led her out into the hallway.

"Now you have her home at a decent hour, young man," Jet said with a mock growl.

Spike grinned. "Yessir, I will."

Faye screeched after him, "And don't you dump that thing in the fog!"

Spike yelled back, "Okay, Ma, geez! I promise!"

Spike led Ed out to the hangar bay. And out there, with another helmet and a couple of leather jackets draped across it, was a motorcycle. She looked up at Spike with wide eyes.

Spike chuckled. "No, the scoot is not yours. It's an early present to myself. My birthday's in five days, you know. You just get the first ride on it." He handed her a jacket and plopped the helmet on her head. "Let's get this brain bucket strapped down. Is that too tight?"

Ed smiled and shook her head.

"Say something, then."

With her teeth clenched tight, she said, "Zha srap's nog oo ite."

Spike laughed and mounted the motorcycle. "Okay, kiddo, hop on." Ed gingerly got on behind Spike and put her hands on his shoulders. "No, Ed, put your hands on my waist, okay? You'll hang on better." She complied, shyly. Then Spike stood the bike upright and fired the engine. He gunned it twice, then lifted his feet as they took off out of the hangar. Ed was startled by how quickly they started, and she grabbed Spike tightly, clasping her hands over his stomach. He chuckled, and said, "Okay, Ed, you don't have to squeeze me in half. Relax!" She released him slightly, and leaned back a little to watch everything go by. She nearly panicked again when he went around a tight corner and banked the scoot a bit far. But then they got on a straightaway, where he revved up to a good speed. The wind blew into her helmet, rattling it on her head, and Ed laughed. "I thought you'd like it!" Spike shouted back at her.

That wasn't quite true: she loved it, she loved the wind, and she became keenly aware of the throb of the engine below her and how warm and strong the man was that she was holding on to. Her heart skipped a beat, and she wrapped her arms around him a little tighter. She leaned her helmet against his back and smelled the leather of his jacket as they sped along the waterfront. She closed her eyes and thought about how this must be what flying was like.