CHAPTER 6:
On New Year's Day, the Bellas were at Jessica and Ashley's apartment for Jessica's 30th birthday party. They settled on having the party during the day so they wouldn't have to worry about keeping the children awake past their bedtime.
"Happy Birthday, Jessica," Chloe said.
"Thanks, Chloe. I was a bit skeptical about having a birthday party this year, but as long as my fellow Bellas showed up, I'm not complaining," Jessica said.
"I get it. Anyway, the food here is great, and we're all having a wonderful time," Chloe said.
"You said it," Jessica agreed. "I don't know about you, but I'm up for some cake."
As everyone sat down in the kitchen, Ashley lit the birthday candles before the Bellas sang "Happy Birthday" to Jessica. Afterward, Jessica blew out the candles in one breath.
"Just think, if my birthday was yesterday, we could've stood out at Times Square in the freezing cold," Jessica said, joking.
"Whoa, babe; I'd much prefer the warmth of our apartment," Ashley said.
"Agreed," Jessica said, chuckling.
"And besides, I don't think a noisy New Year's Eve environment like that would be good for the children," Aubrey pointed out.
"I, for one, am glad we didn't have this party in the evening. Finn gets rather cranky if he doesn't get enough sleep," Chad remarked.
"Okay, what do you say we cut the cake?" Beca suggested as Ashley did so, putting each of the cake slices on plates.
As the Bellas passed the cake slices around to each other, they started to wonder where it came from.
"This cake is so delicious. Ashley, did you make this yourself?" Chloe asked.
"No, actually, there's this bakery not far from our apartment. They make all kinds of cakes, birthday cakes, wedding cakes, you name it," Ashley explained.
"Wait, did you say they do wedding cakes?" Jessica asked.
"Yeah, why?" Ashley asked.
"Maybe they could do our wedding cake when the big day arrives," Jessica suggested.
"I was thinking the same thing," Ashley agreed.
After the Bellas finished their slices of cake, Beca pulled out a giant birthday card that all of the Bellas had signed.
"OMG! Look at the size of that card," Jessica exclaimed, surprised.
"We all pitched in and signed it. Open it up and read what it says," Beca directed as Jessica did so.
"Happy 30th Birthday from your fellow Bellas. May you be showered with happiness on your aca-awesome day," she read on one side of the card.
The other side of the card had contained the signatures of all the Bellas.
"Thank you all. This definitely has already proved to be an aca-awesome day," she continued, filled with happiness.