The Star of My Heart

Story by: Phoenix710&Merigirl

Summary: In this chapter, Polly tries again to get Francine to remember her birthday, but she is disappointed once more. She meets Speedy outside, and the two of them share a tender moment, until one of Princess Vi's messengers interrupts them. Upon returning to the restaurant, they learn that Princess Vi has ordered all restaurants to be closed, to make sure that NO ONE misses her ceremony. However, Speedy promises to make it up to Polly, and decides on a picnic lunch in the park.

Disclaimer: Neither Merigirl nor I claim any rights whatsoever to Samurai Pizza Cats, or to any of the characters or locations associated with the series. Samurai Pizza Cats is a registered trademark of Saban.

Chapter Eight: Vi rains on Polly's Parade

The next day, Polly was still a bit sad at the fact that her friends had forgotten her birthday, no matter how many hints she had tried to give to them!
"So…you got anything SPECIAL planned at ALL on Friday?!" Polly asked, trying to control her emotions, but fighting the urge to take Francine by her shoulders and shake her.
"Uh, yeah, the Friday Pizza special!"
"ANYTHING ELSE?!"
"Oh yeah….well, ya know that handsome caterer that has that business on the next block? The one that's MAJORLY cute?!"
"Yeah, yeah."
"Well, I just happened to call him up.."
"Oh..do we need some catering done here? Like, say, for a VERY SPECIAL DAY soon?"
"Well, that's what I told hi.."
Polly was leaning forward. "Yeah?"
"And I got him to come here.."
"Yeah?"
"And he asked me to the movies THIS Friday!! AAAAAAAAAAAGH!!"
"ARRGH!!! You're HOPELESS!!" Polly stormed out of the restaurant in anger. "Incredible! I could stand there wearing a cardboard sign around my neck and they STILL wouldn't get it! I can't believe this, they forgot my own birthday!" She sat down on one of the benches in anger and waited for Speedy to come. At least HE remembered. When he got back, the first thing he noticed was Polly staring up at the clouds with a mixture of angry and sad tears in her eyes. He sat down next to her.
"Polly?" Polly looked at him, and managed a smile. "You OK?"
Polly sighed. "I just can't believe that due to Vi being an egomaniac, no one remembered my birthday, and I could just stand there holding a sign and they STILL wouldn't get it!" Speedy shook his head in pretend frustration.
"What's with those guys?!" He put his arm around Polly, and squeezed her close to his side. "Well, I'm gonna give you the BEST birthday this whole of Little Tokyo has EVER seen, I promise!" Polly smiled and kissed him.
"Thank you, Speedy for remembering and doing this, even if you're the only one who did!" She hugged him tightly. "You're so sweet and thoughtful! I just love you so much!"
"I love you, too," Speedy assured her, as he pulled her into his arms for a deep kiss. They were pulled part by the insistent ringing of a bell. "What the….a guy can't even kiss his wife without..HEY, BUD, WE'RE MARRIED!!! I CAN KISS HER IF I WANNA!!" The Herald holding the bell came forward just then.
"Beg pardon if the ringing was too loud, but Princess Vi wanted me to ring this bell around the town every two hours in order to inform everyone of the star naming ceremony coming soon! Everyone must celebrate, everyone must be happy."
"Ironic," Polly thought, for she hadn't felt less happy in her life. She stood up then and faced the Herald. "Now LISTEN! There's only ONE thing that's making me happy and it is NOT Princess Vi or her stupid star or her dumb party!! So you can tell her to take her star and SHOVE IT, cause the ONLY THING THAT IS MAKING ME HAPPY AT ALL RIGHT NOW IS MY WONDERFUL HUSBAND NEAR ME AND ALL HIS LOVE!!! THAT IS WHAT MAKES ME HAPPY AND NOTHING ELSE!! GOT IT?!" Just then, Speedy and Polly heard an unmistakable yell from inside the restaurant.
"WHAT DO YIOU MEAN WE HAVE TO BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY?!?!" Speedy and Polly raced inside to find an incensed Francine screaming at another of the Princess's soldiers.
"Sorry, but the Princess has decreed that all restaurants are to be closed on Friday for the Star Celebration, including this one!"
"ALL of them?!" Polly's face fell as she realized what that meant…she couldn't have lunch with Speedy at the restaurant she had chosen. Speedy put his arm around her.
"There's always a picnic lunch in the park instead!"

Next Chapter: We fast-forward to the final day before the two big events: Vi's Star-Naming Ceremony, and Polly's party. Can Francine and the rest of the crew at Pizza Cats' Pizza keep Polly's surprise under wraps, and what will Al Dente come up with, to keep Princess Vi from ordering the Pizza Cats to come? Find out next time in Chapter Nine: Pre-Party Jitters.