Eponine was greeted with a loud chorus of 'happy birthdays' from the full to bursting car. Men were packed inside so tight that Eponine wasn't sure how they had all gotten in there.
"Why didn't you take two cars? Or four?" Eponine wondered aloud.
"I am the only one that owns a car… Plus who else would drive safely, Grantaire?" Enjolras asked rhetorically.
"Point taken," Eponine muttered as she clambered into the car. "Is this why everyone has been acting so strange lately? I can't believe you are throwing me a birthday party!"
"Oh yes, we are all terrible at keeping secrets! Except for Enjolras, he never gives anything away. He probably doesn't care enough anyways," Grantaire said happily. Eponine chuckled when Enjolras rolled his eyes at the man. "You look beautiful by the way."
"Absolutely gorgeous!" Courfeyrac agreed.
"You should wear that every day."
"You do look beautiful, Ep."
Eponine just laughed at their compliments, not really taking it seriously.
"Will anyone tell me where we are going?" Eponine asked hopefully, but everyone shook their head.
"It's a surprise!" Combeferre said with enthusiasm. "Now, Enjolras step on it! Let's go, go, go! You don't want to miss the reservation!"
"So we are going to dinner! Ha!" Eponine exclaimed.
"Well yes, but that isn't the big surprise," Bahorel said cryptically.
Eponine had never felt so lucky in her life; she had wonderful friends who actually cared about her. It touched her heart to see them doing all this for her. This simple act of friendship had such a big impact on her. Even though the car ride to the restaurant was noisy and cramped, Eponine didn't take notice for she was too absorbed in having fun herself.
"Here we are, The View!" Enjolras announced with relief in his voice; clearly he hadn't been comfortable in the tight conditions. Eponine glanced at the restaurant with wide eyes; she had heard about The View before but she had never actually been there before. It was New York's only rotating restaurant, and she heard it provided astonishing views of the New York scenery. They would be able to see the sunset over the city!
"I love you guys! This restaurant is extraordinary!" Eponine declared as she craned her neck to see the top of the tall building.
"Come on, let's go in," Grantaire said and everyone ran into the building while Enjolras drove away to park the car. Once inside, Eponine spotted a large circular structure that stood so tall she couldn't see where it ended. Curiosity filled her as she examined it, but jumped in surprise when a tube holding people descended it.
"That's the elevator," Courfeyrac explained as he noticed Eponine's puzzled complexion.
"That's the elevator? That looks absolutely nothing like an elevator in the slightest!" Eponine said in amazement as she watched the people in front of them enter the tube.
"Yes. Half of us can go in now, and the other half can get in the next one," Joly said before running into an available tube. "Come on Eponine, you can get in the first one. It is your birthday after all!"
Eponine stepped forward excitedly and entered the tube elevator. It was completely glass so she could see out. Several other Amis piled in after them and the doors closed. Suddenly, the elevator shot up and Eponine looked out at the inside of the building as they climbed floor after floor. Apparently this was a hotel because there were rows of bedrooms on the floors that they passed. All too soon, the elevator dinged to a stop and the doors opened once more.
"That was the best freaking elevator ride I have ever been on in my entire life," Eponine said in awe.
"I never can get used to it," Grantaire agreed as he staggered out of the elevator.
Dinner that night was amazing with the celebrating and opening of presents. Eponine's favorite gift was Grantaire's Harry Potter Wand Remote (Grantaire couldn't stop bragging about it for the rest of the dinner), followed by Bahorel's brass knuckle taser (which Enjolras strongly disapproved of), Marius' narwhal stuffed animal (which truthfully Eponine only liked so much because it was from Marius), and Combeferre's target practice alarm clock. She really loved all her presents, but she felt a reluctant twinge of disappointment when she noticed Enjolras didn't get her anything. She didn't know why; it's not like she cared about anything material. It is the thought that counts, but he didn't put in any thought.
Eponine stared out the window down onto New York. The restaurant was totally awesome; the floor rotated in a circle so they could get a full view of the city! The sunset was long gone now, but it had been beautiful with bursting red, pink, and orange hues. Now, the sky was darkened and dotted with little stars. They looked like the freckles on Marius' handsome face.
"Guys, we need to leave now if we want to make it on time for our second surprise. I paid the check, let's get out of here," Enjolras said ushering everyone out of the restaurant. Eponine was sad to leave such a great place, but she was waiting in anticipation to see her next surprise. Everyone filed into the elevator (Eponine swore that when it went down it felt exactly like the Tower of Terror at Disney because it dropped so dang fast), exited the building, and hopped in the car.
"Here we go," Enjolras grumbled to himself and they raced off into the darkness. The drive was short, only a couple minutes, before they pulled into a parking spot. Eponine looked around to collect a sense of her bearings wondering where they were going.
"We're here!" Courfeyrac said jumping for joy pointing to a building that was adorned with bright lights. Eponine's eyes burst open in shock and her jaw literally hit the filthy ground.
"OH MY GOSH YOU DID NOT!" she exclaimed jumping up and down in joy. The Wicked theater stood proudly in front of her like a dream. Eponine had always dreamed of seeing it live, but she had only seen a blurry version on YouTube and listened to the soundtrack (a million times).
"WE DID!" Prouvaire shouted back.
"Happy Birthday!" they all yelled, drinking up Eponine's delighted reaction.
"I LOVE YOU GUYS!" Eponine shouted.
"We love you too, Ep," Joly said honestly as they all wrapped her into a hug. Enjolras stood awkwardly off to the side as always.
"Enjolras, for once get off you high horse and get your butt over here," Eponine demanded. Had it been anyone else, Enjolras would've refused, but Eponine was too threatening. Loathingly, he briefly joined the group hug before announcing that they should get inside.
"Thanks you all for this," Eponine said grinning from ear to ear. They entered the building in the least orderly fashion possible and almost sprinted to their seats. Eponine gazed longingly at the sparkling stage that had a map draped across it with 'Oz' highlighted in green lights. A dragon hung menacingly at the top, and the whole scene was drenched in dazzling lights.
Eponine sat down between Enjolras and Combeferre. Enjolras didn't seem to want to talk, so she fell into an easy conversation with Combeferre.
"Have you seen this on Broadway before?" Eponine asked him, but Combeferre shook his head.
"No, I haven't. I have always wanted to see it though, but I just haven't had the time. Enjolras has seen it though," he replied dragging Enjolras into the conversation. Eponine turned to him, but he didn't seem very eager to talk.
"Did you like it?" Eponine asked. Enjolras looked her in the eyes and noted that she really did look stunning tonight. When she talked to him, her eyes were sparkling in happiness.
"Yes, I enjoyed it. Mind you, it is the only musical I have ever admitted to liking," Enjolras admitted. Eponine smiled briefly at him and returned to her conversation with Combeferre. Several minutes later, the lights began to dim and Eponine gripped the edge of her seat with giddiness. It was starting.
Line Break
Eponine had never had more fun in her entire life. She sang along with all the songs, after all she had memorized them long ago (her favorites were Defying Gravity and For Good). The performance was so wonderful that she almost felt sad enough to tear up at the end. But she was Eponine Thenardier and she never cried, so she didn't.
Courfeyrac did. And so did Prouvaire. And Joly.
She was downcast when it was finally time to leave. One by one, Les Amis were dropped off until it was only Eponine, Courfeyrac, Grantaire, and Enjolras left.
"Did you have a fun birthday Eponine?" Grantaire slurred. Eponine smiled to herself, the memory of the night still fresh in mind.
"Yes, I had the best birthday ever," she said truthfully.
"I'm glad," Courfeyrac said happily. "We work hard. I know Enjolras did, getting all the tickets and reservations." Eponine was taken by surprise, to say the least, that Enjolras had done all that.
"Thanks buddy for doing that," Eponine said graciously directing her thanks at Enjolras. He just gave her a half nod in acknowledgment.
"Wicked is the best musical of all time," Courfeyrac breathed in delight. "I am treasuring my playbill for ever and ever and ever."
"Don't you already have a playbill for Wicked?"
"What is your point?"
"Here is Eponine's stop," Enjolras said as he slowed down the car. Eponine gave them all another 'thank you' and leapt out into the darkness.
A/N: Aw, someone had a good birthday. Silly Enjolras is still being cold though
