Several days later, both of the women were back in their suite, recovering from their ailments. They had been both given a few days off to recover. Aunt Brody had stationed himself as their care taker while the two women were recuperating, and fussed over them like a mother hen.
Jaye rested on the reclining chair, which used to occupy Hawk's office but was brought into the suite for this special occasion. Her nose ached and most of her upper face was still swollen, even making breathing uncomfortable. A green blanket covered most of her body, keeping her warm.
Scarlett was ordered on couch duty, which the redhead intelligence agent despised. She rested her head on the pillow; with the thick blanket which mysterious had appeared from several nights before covered her body.
Two empty bowls were sitting on the table in front of them, along with many magazines and several books. At the moment both women were watching what it seemed like the millionth hour of television.
Aunt Brody came from the kitchen, humming an old Irish song, wearing a white apron over his green calico dress. The phone began to ring, and the motherly person answered it.
"Aunt Brody's Medical Clinic, Ye send them, Ah heal them. PMSing Sergeants get free knuckle massages. Need to make an appointment?"
The two women glanced at each other, raising their eyebrows.
"Oh, 'ello Lad!" Aunt Brody said happily in the phone "Aye, she's here." Then he nodded. "Nay Lad, will not let her outta me sight."
Both Jaye and Scarlett gave Aunt Brody a curious glance, to which he stuck his tongue out at them and then spoke to the other person on the other line, "See ya later, Lad." He said, placing down the receiver.
"Was that Dash?" Jaye asked, her voice still a little hoarse from the breathing tube that was used during the surgery.
Aunt Brody began to hum once more "Not telling ya, Lass." Ignoring her question, he gathered the empty bowls and went directly back into the kitchen.
The women looked towards his direction, perplexed. Scarlett turned to her friend. "Well, you sound better." She stated with a smile "I wonder what is up?" Indicating to Aunt Brody, who was now singing Ave Maria in Alto part.
"Don't know. Feel like sneaking out?" Jaye whispered in a low voice for only the redhead could hear.
Scarlett nodded, whispering back, "I want to break out of here! I'm supposed to be teaching two sessions this afternoon!"
The two silently stood up from their comfortable areas, slipped on their slippers, because there was no way to go to the closet to grab the shoes without Aunt Brody catching them. Slowly they walked towards the door, inching closer. Jaye almost had the knob turned when a booming voice came from the kitchen.
"If ye think ye are gonna leave, think again. Back to yer places. Or Ah will grab ya and bring ya back meself!" Aunt Brody's voice sounded serious from the other room.
Jaye and Scarlett changed similar looks, busted! Their shoulders slumped down, they headed back to the chair and couch, defeated.
"You have to catch us first, Aunt Brody." Jaye said, giggling. This was a game that used to go on when she was a small child. Aunt Brody would have to go find her.
He stepped out of the kitchen, dusting his apron, "Lass, dona get any ideas this time. Yer injured!" Aunt Brody walked over to her chair, and covered her with the blanket. "There now." He then turned towards Scarlett. "And they warned me on ye!" He said, shaking his finger at the redhead. "Try anything and ye will have to face one unhappy Aunt Brody."
Scarlett gulped, "But I--" She went to explain but was interrupted.
"No buts, Lassie. Listen to yer Aunt Brody." He covered her with the blanket and then walked back into the kitchen continuing to sing.
"Ready?" Jaye whispered. "He's singing the chorus. He'll never hear us."
Scarlett nodded. "Ready. This is like sneaking out of a Cobra Base!"
Slowly, both of the women got up from their seating areas and started to walk towards the door. The loud sound of a pot falling came from the kitchen, made the women freeze in their tracks. Glancing towards the kitchenette, they gave each other an 'everything is all clear' signal. Scarlett's hand touched the knob on the door and slowly turned it. Jaye glanced behind her back to make sure that Aunt Brody continued to be occupied, and hearing the high pitches coming from the kitchenette, they were Scott free!
Both walked out of the suite, leaving the door open. A few seconds later, their legs returned walking backwards into the room, slowly, and they gulped from the unhappy looking warrant officer walking in after them.
"Where do you two think you are going?" Flint asked, a frown on his features. He wasn't happy to find them almost out of the door. He crossed his arms and stared at both of them. His lips in a tight line, his foot tapping the floor and pointed to the seating areas. "BACK!"
"Shhh..." Jaye said, putting a finger on her lips to silence him. "Come on, we've been cooped up in here for three days." Her voice still sounded rough and her face still pale from the surgery with dark circles around her eyes.
"Sorry Allie, but Doc's orders." Flint stated. "Now back to your chair. You too, Red. Move!"
Giving him an evil look, both of the women grumbled but walked slowly back towards their seats.
The warrant officer walked over to the phone and dialed. "Mutt, can you send me four Greenshirts to watch Jaye's and Scarlett's suite?" He paused to listen to the other man, "Yes, they tried to escape. Thanks." Then hanged up the phone.
Both women gaped at him and his fiancée sent him an angry glare.
He shook head, "That look will not work this time, Allie."
"But Flint," Scarlett tried to explain, "I have training sessions to instruct."
Flint looked towards the counterintelligence agent. "Save it. I'm not hearing it. Besides, we've got it covered, so get back under that blanket! Both of you!"
"See if I share my bed with you again." Jaye mumbled, sitting back down on the recliner and wrapping herself up with the blanket. "Dash will you put my feet up?" She asked sweetly. "It hurts my nose to bend over."
"Grumpy, aren't we?" He teased, picking up her feet and placing them on the recliner. "Anything else, Milady?"
"Some hot tea with honey and one of Aunt Brody's cinnamon rolls." Jaye asked giving him a sweet smile.
"Oh? I'm not buying that look either! I already know what you are thinking, Allie. Send Dash in the Kitchen and dash out of here before he even notices. I'm not budging til the Greenshirts come to the door." He crossed his arms.
Scarlett grumbled something and pulled the blanket over her face.
"Not buying that either, Red." The warrant officer said, shaking his head, towards both stubborn women.
"Damn it, Dash!" Jaye groaned. "You used to be the one that would help me sneak out."
"Hey, Aunt Brody!" Flint called towards the kitchenette, "The ladies are getting grumpy!" He made a face towards the woman he loved. "I think it's time we drug them."
Scarlett ripped the blanket off her face and sent him a nasty look. "Evil!" She stated, her dark blue eyes staring at him ice cold which caused him to burst out laughing. She then turned to Allie, "Permission when we are both one hundred percent well, to chase him with my crossbow?"
Jaye glared at Flint. "You can even use him as target practice."
Flint pretended to look hurt. "I can feel the love in this room for me."
"Dashiell, Ah didna see ye come in." Aunt Brody came out of the kitchen carrying a tray of two glasses of water and the medicine bottles.
Flint pointed towards Jaye and Scarlett. "Your two patients almost escaped Alcatraz."
"WHAT!" Aunt Brody gave each of them a glare. "Ah warned ye! Dona make me sit on ye!"
Jaye just glared back at her Aunt Brody, her arms crossed, her features in a frown, saying nothing.
Aunt Brody frowned, shaking his finger. "It won't work, Alison. Now take yer medicine. Both of ye." Then he handed each their medicine and glass of water.
Flint shook his head, and at the same moment came a knock on the door, which he went to answer. "Hello boys." He greeted the four Greenshirts. "Two of you stay here, the others station yourselves under their window. With these two Houdinis, I expect it all." The Greenshirts saluted and went to their stations.
Jaye sat her medicine down on the table beside, refusing to take it. Her head throbbed from the extreme pain but didn't like how the pills made her non-functioning.
"Allie, take your medicine. You too, Shana," Flint noticed the redhead mimicking her friend, "You will both lose this battle. I can always call Doc and he can come here and just shove it down your throats."
Aunt Brody nodded in agreement. "Ah can call that blond lad too. He would make ye take the medicine. Aye, he will!"
Scarlett's eyes widened and glanced at Allie, seeing hers had also gone wide.
"Get out of here," Jaye growled, feeling really cranky because of the pain. "If you aren't going to be nice." But took her medication for her Aunt Brody, who had been always able to persuade her to take it.
"Touchy touchy." Flint smirked. "Red, take your medication too!"
Scarlett sighed, "Fine. You win." She took the bottle, opened it and shook two pills in her palm. Then taking the glass of water from the table, she swallowed her medicine. "Happy?"
Seeing that both took their meds, Flint grinned at them. "Happy. Now I'm going out for a moment, and will be back later. Be good girls for Aunt Brody." He went to kiss Jaye on the forehead, but she moved her head away from his lips. "Fine. I'll steal a kiss when you are unconscious."
"Don't bother coming back." Jaye growled.
"I love you too." Flint said smiling, then turned to the other woman. "Red? Any messages for Duke?" He smirked, seeing her eyes widening at the mentioning of the field commander's name.
"Go to Hell!" Scarlett cursed.
"Woah!" Flint pretended to look shocked. "Now I know those meds make you both grumpy if Red is cursing."
"Aunt Brody, Dash is bothering me," Jaye whined.
"I'm leaving! I'm leaving!" Flint held his arms up. He headed towards the door, "Have a good sleep you two." He blew his fiancée a kiss and closed the door behind him.
Scarlett let out an aggravated sigh, "I'm fine! Can't they get that in their thick Joe skulls!" Just as a short cough left her throat.
"Well maybe if you'd quit coughing." Jaye pointed out.
"And your nose doesn't hurt?" Scarlett retaliated.
"All right ye two! Get some sleep. Yer Aunt Brody got work to do." He said, turning around and headed back towards the kitchen.
Jaye started to yawn. By the time Aunt Brody returned with the tea they were both fast asleep.
"Poor Lassies. Sleep well." Aunt Brody tucked them with the blankets and went back to his cooking.
Hours later, Jaye eyes began to flutter open, the sounds of talking and laughter echoed in her eardrums. She slowly open her eyes, and noticed Scarlett still sleeping under the covers. Only some of her red hair and forehead could seen, most of her was completely buried under the covers. Thinking it was the television that had awakened her from the deep sleep, she turned her head, discovering Flint, sitting on the floor with Cover Girl and Duke, drinking beers and having a good time.
Cover Girl looked up, noticing her groggy friend. "Well, looks like Sleeping Beauty is awake."
Flint turned his head towards the chair. "Yes Courtney, I believe you're right. 'Bout time you woke up, Allie."
"Wh...what's going on?" Jaye asked, trying hard to lift the fog from her mind.
Flint looked innocent. "Nothing's going on. We are just here, on the floor, drinking beer, nothing unusual." But the sound of teasing sounded in his voice.
Cover Girl giggled, and covered her mouth with her hand while Duke pretended to be very interested to his beer bottle.
"Yeah, right," Jaye said, rolling her eyes, trying to fully wake up.
"Want anything, Allie?" Flint asked her. "How do you feel?"
"I want to get out of here." Jaye answered, still trying to clear the cobwebs out from her head. "But something to drink would be great."
"Typical Allie." Cover Girl said, with a chuckle.
"Sorry Allie, but no drinks remember, can't mix meds with drinks, even Virgin Beers." Flint smirked, "I can get you a soda, if you like."
"That's what I meant anyway," Jaye grumbled.
"I brought over a case of coke, Dash. It's in the fridge." Cover Girl pointed out.
"Never ye mind, Courtney. Ah got some for the Lass." Aunt Brody cwalked in with several glasses in his hand. "Is the other Lass still asleep?" Glancing towards the sleeping redhead, then handed Jaye a glass filled with ginger ale.
"Someone has to wake up Snow White over there." Cover Girl suggested, smirking.
Flint smiled towards the first sergeant. "Maybe a nice Prince should go over to Snow White and kiss her awake."
Cover Girl giggled, and Lady Jaye choked on her soda.
Duke seemed to pale. "Very funny, lover boy."
"She'd kill him." Jaye claimed, after catching her breath.
"I think Duke's going to need all his teeth for a while still." Cover Girl pointed out, making the room fall into laughter.
Scarlett stirred but still remained asleep. Duke noticed that his blanket covered her, though he wasn't going to admit it to the redhead that the blanket belonged to him, not yet anyway.
"Well, we are going to need her." Flint stated, standing up and walking over to the wolverine driver, holding his hands outwards. "Come on Courtney, up and at 'em." Helping her off the ground.
"Keep me out of it," Duke said. "We are finally somewhat civil with each other and I'd like to keep it that way."
"What are you guys up to?" Jaye asked, watching Flint and Cover Girl heading for the couch.
Cover Girl huffed. "Civil? Duke! You called her a witch! You're lucky she hasn't killed you yet-- Hmm, maybe if she wakes up--" But her words her cut off by the warrant officer's hand covering her mouth.
"Never mind her, Conrad, Court here, had too much to drink already." Flint said, pulling the wolverine driver along with him. "Well... we could throw some water on her, but then I don't want anymore blames for getting someone sick... so, we just have to do one thing." He leaned and whispered to Cover Girl something that caused her to giggle.
Duke and Jaye raised an eyebrow. Aunt Brody dropped his mouth.
"Sit on her!" Both Flint and Cover Girl shouted and rested themselves on the redhead, who began to stir awake.
"Hey! Off of me!" Scarlett groggily commanded.
"Sorry Shana, but you are hogging the couch," smirked Cover Girl.
The others burst out laughing.
"OFF!"
Flint shook his head towards the redhead. "Say it and we will."
"Fine! UNCLE!" Scarlett growled towards them..
"Sorry Lass, only Aunts here!" said Aunt Brody while laughing.
Duke was shaking his head, and closed his eyes.
Jaye started laughing loudly and her nose started to slightly bleed.
"Here's a tissue, Lass." Aunt Brody said, standing up and handing his niece a tissue for the bleeding.
"Will you two get off! You are both heavy!" Scarlett groaned, raising her head slightly off the pillow.
"Shana! Are you calling me fat?" Flint acted insulted, touching his hand on his chest, both his eyes wide and his mouth opened from shock.
Cover Girl laughed, holding her stomach and almost toppled over. "This is comfy, maybe I will stay on this soft couch all night."
Scarlett's head fell back down on the pillow. "I'm going to ask for a transfer!"
"If you do, you're taking Duke with you." Jaye stated while Aunt Brody continued to hold the tissue gently over the nose bleed.
"Shut up, Allie." Duke said, warningly.
Scarlett's eyes widened when she heard the field commander's voice, but turned to her best friend. "No, Allie I'm going to ask for a transfer to work for Cobra and then come over and shoot these two heavy whales!"
Cover Girl acted shocked. "Dash! She called us whales!" She touched her cheeks with her hands, and her mouth opened wide.
Flint acted horrified. "Oh no! What ever shall we do?" He threw his arm over his forehead, acting ashamed.
"Bounce on her!" They both stated at once, looking at one another with an mischievous smile.
"NO!!!" Scarlett pleaded. But it was too late, for both the warrant officer and the tank driver began bounding lightly on her, making her move up and down on the couch. A groan escaped her throat.
Aunt Brody started to laugh so hard, he began to choke.
"Oww, oww, oww...Aunt Brody!" Jaye cried out softy, feeling his squeeze harder on her nose, while he continued to laugh and cough at the same moment.
"Alright, you two are going to make her puke, if you don't stop." Duke laughed.
"Relax Duke, we're not bouncing too hard, right Shana?" asked Cover Girl.
"I'll tell you when I see you under my Cobra Tank." Scarlett answered.
Flint chuckled, "Glad you are feeling better." He stood up and helped Cover Girl off the couch.
Scarlett shook her head. "And I would like to thank the two men, who didn't even bother helping with the situation." She said softly, steadily trying to sit up.
"Men? Where?" Aunt Brody twisted his head left and right, causing the entire room to laugh.
"Would you like something to drink, Red?" Duke asked, trying to be hospitable.
"Aunt Brody, I think it's done bleeding now." Jaye pointed out to the man, who was still holding the tissue on her nose.
"Sorry, Witches can't drink water, they melt remember?" Scarlett shakily sat up, "But thanks anyway." She did not want another fight on her hands with the field commander, especially tonight.
"Shana, I think that is Witches can't get water thrown on them." Cover Girl stated.
"Sorry Shana, but we're not in Oz." Flint pointed out.
Cover Girl grinned, "We're not in Kansas either!" Causing more laughter, "Love the new picture, Flint!" She pointed to the picture of the warrant officer sleeping with the evil plastic things and more laughter erupted.
"Alright, can I get up, please," Jaye asked Aunt Brody. She leaned in against the man. "Bathroom." She whispered in his ear.
"I'm sorry about that." Duke apologized to Scarlett. "I didn't mean it." 'Did I actually just apologize to her?' He thought to himself.
Scarlett sent him a half smile.
Aunt Brody nodded, "Come on Lass. Ah'll take ye to the lavatory." Helping her off the chair and guided her to the bathroom.
Flint glanced to make sure Jaye had gone in the room before turning to the others. "Alright! Showtime! Move!"
Duke and Flint headed for the kitchen, while Cover Girl went to Scarlett's room. Scarlett quickly picked up the items on the table and put them on the couch's side. Flint and Duke brought out some of the food. Cover Girl returned from the bedroom, her arms full of boxes, all wrapped. Then all four of them went into the kitchen, grabbed the rest of the food and set it out. Cover Girl rested the plates on the table and Scarlett took out the utensils. Flint rushed out the kitchen holding the cake, with burning candles, just as the bathroom's door clicked open.
"Thanks, Aunt Br-" But Jaye's words were cut off.
"SURPRISE!! Happy Birthday ALLIE!!!" They all yelled at the same moment.
There was a huge smile on Jaye's raccoon eyed face. "But my birthday isn't for two more days."
Flint smiled. "No Allie, your birthday is today." The others nodded.
Jaye's eyes widened. "How long was I out of it?"
Duke came up behind everyone and put Hawk's present for Jaye down on the table.
Flint winked. "Five years." Both Cover Girl and Scarlett hit him on the arm. "Oww."
"Allie, you were hurt five days ago." Scarlett explained.
"No way?" Jaye said in disbelief, as Aunt Brody helped her sit back down.
"I'm afraid so." Duke stated. "And just for the record, Beach feels really bad about it."
Cover Girl smirked, "Yeah, he finally visited the wizard and got a heart!"
Scarlett sat down back on the couch, smiling at her friend, "Well, are you going to stand there or blow out the candles?"
Flint chuckled, "Yeah, we will be waiting here for a whole year until she decides to blow them out." He was standing in front of Jaye with the cake.
Jaye smiled happily at her fiancé. Her eyes twinkled, she made her wish, and then blew out the candles, though it did take a few seconds afterwards to catch her breath again. "You guys are amazing."
"Yeah, tell us something we don't know." Flint smirked, causing the room to burst into laughter.
Just then the phone rang. "I'll get it!" Cover Girl said, answering the second ring, "Jaye's Party Shop, you want cake, we got it, you want fun, we got that too, you want balloons? Sorry we're out. How can I help you?"
Cover Girl nodded. "Alright Ace, we are set." She put the receiver down and hit the speaker. Then she turned to Jaye. "Allie, we know you couldn't go to the Mess for your celebration, so we brought the Mess to you. Hit it Ace!"
Ace's voice came on the speaker, "Jaye, all of us just want to say- ok everyone ready….1... 2... 3.. .
Happy Birthday to You
You live in a GIJOE Zoo
So we would like to say
Hope you have a merry day
with lots of Birthday Wishes
to our special Jaye!
And for Red... 1...2...3...
Hurry back our dear Red
cause Snakes has us doing flips
and Beach Head is making us watch clips
Get Well fast
as we're about to jump
off the canon soon!
"Enjoy!! And save some cake for us!" Ace added.
Jaye started laughing so hard she almost fell over.
The first sergeant rolled his eyes. "Ace, I recommend you not follow in Roadblock's shoes.
Aunt Brody caught Jaye by her arm, so she would not topple over the chair. "Easy there, Lassie."
Scarlett called out, "Thanks Ace!" Laughing at the image of some of the Joes jumping off the canon.
Flint rubbed Jaye on the back,. "Hey Ace! I think we're going to send her back to Doc's! Bad case of Laughinitis!" Making everyone join in on the joke.
"You guys are great. Thanks." Jaye managed to say, when Aunt Brody helped her sit down back in the chair.
"Happy Birthday, Jaye!" Ace's voice cameonce more, before the line went dead.
Duke walked over to Jaye with Hawk's present in his hands. "Hawk really wanted to be here today, but he had to run to D.C. He wanted you to open his present first."
Jaye took it, quickly opened it and her eyes widened in awe when she looked inside the box. Her hand gently lifted two sets of tickets and a Hotel brochure.
Flint's jaw dropped. "Allie, is that what I think it is?"
"He's sending us to Greece for our honeymoon!!!" Jaye announced, excitedly.
"Wow!!!" Flint said, thankful for the General's generosity. "That is a truly wonderful gift."
Scarlett and Cover Girl shared a smile. "Ok, our turn!" they said together, handing Jaye a square box.
"Allie, this one is from both Courtney and me." Scarlett said, pointing to the larger square box, "But this little one is from me." She handed her a second present.
Jaye opened the larger box and smiled happily at her two best friends. She slowly pulled out a beautiful emerald gown. Her eyes widened, from the surprise.
"Happy birthday, Allie." Scarlett and Cover Girl wished together to their friend who hugged them both..
Jayet hen slowly opened the smaller box from her maid of honor, and gasped when she pulled out a gold bracelet with her birthday stone set around the circumference.
"And this is from me," Cover Girl added, before the covert opt. could even thank the counterintelligence agent, handed her a third present.
Opening the third present, Jaye's eyes softened, when she pulled out the matching earrings.
"You guys didn't have to do this." Jaye said softly, with joyful tears in her eyes. "You are the best friends anyone could ever have."
Duke cleared his throat and handed her another wrapped box. "This is from me."
Taking the box in her hands, Jaye slowly opened it. Her hands reached in and pulled out a stuffed Saint Bernard, whose tags named, Bernie. She petted the dog's soft fake mohair fur with a smile on her face. "He's so cute."
"There's more." Duke said, indicating towards inside the box.
Jaye set the stuffed dog down on the arm of the recliner, then once again reached in the box and pulled out a large manila envelope. She looked at her field commander questionably, then opened it. "Two weeks pre-approved leave for Flint and me. Also there is a written guarantee that there will be no last minute missions for either of us."
Flint turned to his best friend. "Thanks good buddy," He said, patting his best friend on the shoulder.
Aunt Brody smiled. "Lass, this is from yer, Aunt Brody." He put an enormous box on the table. His niece glanced at the box and gave Aunt Brody a curious look. But when she opened the gift, she let out a gasp, pulling out the wedding invitations. "Ye have to thank Courtney too. The Lass went to pick them up for yer Aunt Brody." He winked at the tank driver.
Jaye pulled one of the invitations out. She had seen this pattern before, but not from the sample group that they had looked at months ago. "These are just like Mom and Dad's invitations. I was told they were no longer made." A tear trailed down her cheek. "How did you..."
"That's yer Aunt Brody's secret, lass," he said, kissing his niece on the cheek. Then from behind his hands, he revealed another gift.. "From yer Daddy, Lass."
Jaye gave him another curious glance, then looked down on the small present, noting its beautiful decorated wrapping paper. Lifting the lid gently, her heart almost stopped, her mouth opened and nothing came out, but a tear escaped.
"Allie?" Flint's voice sounded concerned.
She looked up to him, another tear falling down her cheek, and pulled out a very old looking necklace with a red stone amulet. Her mother's, her grandmother's, and now hers.
Jaye held it as if it were the most precious thing in the entire world. "Oh, Daddy..." She said softly, wishing he were there with her. She looked up at Flint. "This is given to the first born daughter for her wedding. It's very old."
Flint smiled, putting his hand behind her nape. "It's beautiful… what is the saying again? Someone old? Something new?"
She felt something cool against her skin, and then around her neck. Her hand slowly rose up to touch it and she gasped, feeling the smooth diamonds against her skin.
"Happy birthday, Allie." He whispered in her ear.
She looked down at the necklace. "Oh, Dash! It's beautiful." She kissed him passionately.
"Ahem." Aunt Brody cleared his throat and everyone laughed, "Lass, there is one more gift." He took out from his pocket a envelope, making everyone glance at it, wondering what Aunt Brody was up to. "Tis from yer Uncle James." Silence surrounded the room at the mentioning of Destro's name.
Shakily, she took it in her hands, wanting it rather burn it in the fire, but curiosity overcome her mind. Opening it slowly, she felt Flint's hands rubbing gently her shoulder. Taking out a small document from the envelope, she opened it and discovered the ownership papers for the colt.
A slight smile graced Jaye's face. She felt Flint's hand give her a squeeze.
Flint smiled. "Well… I don't know about all of you, but I'm starving! Shall we eat what Aunt Brody made, and eh… I hope it's not any more of that blood stuff." He prayed, turning a slight shade of green.
"What did you make, Aunt Brody?" Jaye asked.
"Blood stuff?" Duke asked.
"You do not want to know." Flint whispered to the field commander.
Aunt Brody did not answer the first sergeant's question or curious glance. "Aye Lassie, all yer favorites! Cloutie dumpling, Neeps and tatties Cullen Skink Drop scones, Cranachan, Cock-a-leekie, Lorne sausage, Arbroath smokies, and Venison casserole."
Flint's face changed into a deeper shade of green. "I do not even want to know what's in some of those dishes."
From the couch, Scarlett groaned, "Umm, I think my stomach is going to turn." then rested her head against the soft cushions of the couch.
Cover Girl turned to Duke and asked, "Can we go to McDonalds?" She frowned, watching him shake his head.
"Ye got to try the stuff, first!" Aunt Brody suggested, "And if yer stomach can't handle the food, Aunt Brody will make some pizza." Laughing, he uncovered the dishes, and everyone sighed with relief, seeing a normal American meal. "Aunt Brody loves to cook American."
"Homemade dough and sauce for the pizza?" Jaye asked, trying to get up from the chair, only to have Flint keep her in her seat.
"Sit Allie, I'll fill your plate," Flint said, giving her one of his dashing smiles.
"Aye Lassie, homemade dough, none of that store bought rubbish," Aunt Brody explained.
Everyone grabbed a plate and began filling them with samples everything that Aunt Brody had created. Jaye smiled looking around her, from her friends, her family, and the man she loved. It was indeed a birthday she would never forget.