Chapter 13

And you're as cute as button. The things you do sure are somethin'. Are you runnin' out of breath from runnin' through my head all night?

I sat in front of my laptop, editing pictures, but mostly scrolling through Tumblr. Vintage blogs were my inspiration, and I loved finding new ones. I'd much rather go shopping for vintage items, but because I live in London, a deluge never ceased to exist. The pitter patter outside was comforting, so I only left one earphone in as I scrolled.

You make me happy whether you know it or not.

Ooh! Vintage wedding dress! The lace roses were absolutely perfect. I'd love to own a dress like that one day.

Oh, darling, I love you so. If you asked me for my heart, there's no way that I'll say no.

Heehee. Funny kitty, rolling around...

If you can wait 'til I get home, then I swear to you that we can make this last.

My stomach gurgled. Time for food.

I love you one, a-two, a three-sh-pause.

I skidded into my kitchen, wondering what to make. I searched through the cupboards to find...nothing. I sighed in frustration. What to make? I checked the fridge. Nothing but pickled fish (why did I even BUY that?) and milk. I looked through the cupboards once more. Noth-wait! Cupcake batter! Yes! Cupcakes, here I come!

I preheated the oven accordingly and began folding, NOT whisking, the batter, giggling as I remembered the Halloween Brownie Graveyard video. Being the impatient person I am,I took a fingerful of the batter from the bowl and licked it. Mmmmmmm. Strawberry. I suddenly had a craving for music again. I sat my bowl down and ran into my room to grab my phone.

NEW TEXT MESSAGE

Dan Howell

Hey, Luce! Check out Phil's live show! Just trust me.

Puzzled, I returned to the kitchen to turn the oven off and then back to my room. I typed in the url for YouNow, and sure enough, Phil was doing a live show. I clicked watch.

"Alright, guys! So hopefully by this time, Lucy has gotten Dan's message and is watching. Dan?"

Dan appeared on-screen, showing my reply. "Yep, she's on guys."

"Okay, well here we go!" His Mario voice. How I loved it. "Alright Lucy, Dan says you're watching, so listen carefully. First, you might want to switch to your phone, because you'll be going mobile. I'll give you some time to do that."

I quickly closed out of the window on my laptop and opened it back up on my phone.

"You're quick with technology, so if I know you, you're already up and running on your phone." I grinned. "Well, then. We are off. Go ahead and head down to the coffee shop you love so much. Ask for Bennie. Once you talk to him, have him text me."

I slipped a coat and rain boots on and was out the door and down the street to the coffee shop I visited every morning before exploring London. Sure enough, my good friend Bennie was there with a fancily wrapped package of vanilla biscotti, my favorite. "Here ya are, love! You deserve the best!" I thanked him and waited for Phil's next instruction.

"Looks like you received the biscotti. Yay! Okay, next destination. You know that abandoned alleyway you always tell Dan about? The one that's off limits? Visit it and find Anna."

The alleyway was halfway across town! I sucked in all the warmth I could before running out into the frigid downpour outside. I finally found the alleyway, and in it stood a young girl about my age. She greeted me with a daisy, my favorite flower. "This alleyway is yours to use any time, just let me know when you're heading over."

"Thank you very much!"

"Good luck!"

"Seems that you found Anna. Great! Final destination. Visit your favorite pond. Look for the one-spotted duck. That's all. The duck will tell you what to do from there."

Was Phil crazy?! Ducks can't talk! Nevertheless, I followed his directions. I spotted the duck and it surprisingly let me approach it. Around its neck was a note tied to a string. I untied it from the duck and attempted to read the sopping wet mess.

"Go to the chapel. Don't worry though. You're not getting married."

I looked up to see a small chapel glowing on the other side of the pond. I jogged, trying not to slip in the mud as I made my way towards the building.

Once I stepped in, I gasped. It was beautiful! Twinkling lights were hanging from the ceiling, tables were set up, a delicious aroma was wafting through the air. I walked further into the building to find Phil.

"Phil, what is all this?"

"Your birthday present." He smiled brightly.

"My what?"

"It's your birthday."

How could I have forgotten my own birthday? No wonder I was craving cupcakes.

"There are some people here to see you." Phil took my hand and led me to a table filled with...

My family. My family was here. In London. My dad, my mom, even Drew. They all waved at me.

I completely broke down.

I captured up in a sea of hugs and I love yous by my parents. All I could do was blubber I love yous back. Once I pulled away from the hug, I gently wrapped my arms around my brother.

"How are you even here, Drew?"

"I got the okay from my Doctor Qoreshi." He beamed up at me, tears streaming down his face. "I really missed you, Luce."

"I missed you, too Andrew." I pulled him into another hug, kissing his forehead.

It turns out Dan, Chris, and PJ had bee invited too which I was super psyched about. Phil doesn't really know how to cook, so he made us all his gourmet mac n' cheese and we finished it all off with some wonderfully baked strawberry shortcake. The rest of the night I spent talking with my family. They would be leaving the next morning because one night was all the risk they could take with Andrew right now. I understood, but I was saddened, so I talked with them for hours and hours. Mom got a double raise at the pharmacy which was incredible since had been looking bad when I'd left. Dad finally finished a book he was writing and was in the process of publishing it. And best of all, Drew's tumor was shrinking was overall a fantastic night. Then it came time for my family to return to their hotel until their flight would take off. I kiss them all goodbye and promised to write them soon. As the taxi took them away, I stood in the doorway, tears streaming down my face.

From behind me, I could feel the boys' presence so I wiped my tears away and turned to them. They all stood there, smiling at me genuinely. I began crying once again, and Chris was the first to hug me, then Peej. Then Dan planted a kiss on my head. Then finally, Phil.

"So, what did you think?"

"You boys are amazing. Phil, you are amazing. I didn't even remember it was my birthday, and you've made it the best birthday ever."

"I couldn't have done it without the help of those three boys." He gestured with his thumb to the other three-fourths of the Fantastic Foursome. I once again started tearing up.

"You guys are just so sweet. You have no idea how much this means to me."

Then Phil cut in. "You have no idea how much you mean to me."

"How-how much do I mean to you Phil?"

Phil inched closer, taking my hand. "Well, I think I...you see..."

"Oh just ask her out already!" Dan shouted and the other guys giggled.

"Lucy...um, will you...will you be my girlfriend?"

I smiled, planting a light kiss on his lips. "Yes, Phil. Yes."

A/N: Hello my lovelies! Ahh! I so wasn't planning on doing this tonight, but it all just came to me and begged to be written down, so here you are! Love you all!