It's early Sunday morning and Kerry wakes to a chill. But yet she's still very comfortable, and doesn't want to move. Instead, she feels around for her blanket, but to no avail. Frustrated and cold, she opens one eye, and spies the balcony doors were left open overnight, and during the night their cover has slipped to being draped only over their legs, but her upper half is pulled tight with Tony's arm around her waist.
She feels him snug behind her, with his face planted into her back, snoring. She doesn't want to wake him, but it's impossible to grab the cover, and not disturb him. So she manages to wiggle a bit, and she gets some slack from his grip; just enough to grip the comforter, and then lies back in place under him.
When she moves, he barely wakes. She sees his eyes are still closed, but he sleepily whispers, "What are you doing babe?" His baritone voice is ultra-rich, deep, and groggy in the morning, she loves it. She smiles as she settles back in, with the cover now fully on them, as she says, "I'm just grabbing the cover babe, go back to sleep." He kisses her neck and pulls her tighter, she feels his morning erection pressing against her back, as they lie intertwined, and she subtly moans.
Her mind begins to drift, in thinking about the party the other night. As her thoughts shift, he strengthens his hold on her, and kisses her neck continuously. She was asleep, but who can sleep with a battering ram in their back? A very pleasurable battering ram at that, and his sensual kisses, dancing on her neck. His tongue and lips are her kryptonite. Hell, who's she kidding? Everything about him makes her weak.
While she still feels him gripping her body, she no longer feels his kisses. She realizes, he's fallen back asleep, and she smiles. She thinks to herself, they have had a very active few days, and perhaps it's taking its toll on him. Also, the aching between her legs, is proof, that a little reprieve may be a good thing. With him settling back into slumber, she recounts their last few days together, and how special they've been.
She smiles as she thinks about the success of the surprise party. The look on his face when they walked into the restaurant, and he saw his entire family, as well as some of the cast, still makes her grin. She knew he'd figured out she'd thrown him a party, but he didn't know who'd be in attendance.
There was something special, about the way he looked at her, when he saw his dad sitting at the head of the table. She'll never forget how big his grin was, or how tight he hugged and kissed her, thanking her for putting the party together. Or how happy the party goers were, seeing them together. It was very special indeed, because she'd finally opened up the door a little wider about their relationship to people they'd grown close to.
Initially, she thought it would be a bit awkward. Since she didn't invite the entire cast. But, the reality is she didn't want to have people there who'd make them uncomfortable, or she didn't feel were genuine. So she unapologetically declined to invite people she didn't want at the event. The night was about Tony, and his happiness.
She and Tony already knew, Columbus, Jeff, Tom, Katie, and Darby were all genuinely happy for them, and it showed. They'd all worked tirelessly with them, to keep their relationship a secret, without her, or Tony saying a word. They'd gone above and beyond, attempting to dispel rumors circling in the press, about the chemistry between their on screen characters. So, she and Tony both felt like they all deserved to be rewarded for their efforts.
At first, the idea of inviting the cast mates scared her. But it was something she had to do. She had to begin to trust. It wasn't in her control, and it was killing her, but she trusted him, and followed his lead. Tom and Columbus were already in the know about them, and it was a given, they would be in attendance at the party. But the others, she needed to talk to, just to see where they were, in their thoughts.
She remembers Jeff telling her, anyone who didn't see it was blind, or in denial. But despite that it was nobody's business. His words comforted her concerns. However, the most encouraging words she recalls him saying, was that love knows no limits, and he wasn't there to judge her. They talked for a long while, and she remembers feeling very settled afterwards.
So settled, she ended up speaking to Darby and Katie too. After speaking to them, both admitted they'd suspected they were a couple. But like Jeff, they didn't feel it was their business to say anything. Kerry loved that they were willing to remain quiet, even though they didn't have to. Their loyalty to her, and Tony was wonderful, and she knows she now has friends in them too. With the guest list being complete, she recalls being able to just focus on the party. So her mind goes to the party itself.
After arriving at the event, Kerry was able to see all the planning, and the worrying that all would go well, was worth it. Because everything, was perfect. Everyone was on their best behavior, including his siblings, and they all managed to make it about Tony, just as she wanted, on his special day.
The meal was fabulous, all of Tony's favorites were served, including the ultra-decadent chocolate mousse and truffle cheese cake, with roasted almonds, and a raspberry gastrique. All night long he managed to kiss her and thank her so much, it became the running joke of the night. But he didn't mind the teasing, he grinned happily and took it all in jest. He was like a kid on Christmas, and she was his miracle.
Later Liz explained, this was the first birthday he had where all of the family was together. Which is why it was so special to him, and the fact that she'd managed to pull it off, definitely gave her major brownie points with him and the rest of the family.
Kerry didn't realize this was the case, but it helped her understand his excitement, and it became a moment she'll always treasure. The key moment for her was when his father, Samuel pulled her aside, and told her how happy she's made his son, and how grateful he was that she was in his son's life.
The moment was remarkable for Kerry; she'd never had such a heartfelt moment with his father before. He'd always been nice to her, and always complementary, but he'd never said anything like this to her in the times they'd spent time together. It's just another one of those special moments that she's going to keep tucked away for the rest of her life.
Although the party was amazing, and quite memorable. The best of the evening was yet to come. She recalls leaving the restaurant hand in hand, walking out to their car, and her driving them back to the apartment. Because the birthday boy was too intoxicated to drive, not that his intoxication was a bad thing, because it certainly proved not to be. Something about him being overjoyed with the birthday turnout, and filled with top shelf tequila, gave him a mission of something to prove.