Episode 5 Head Writer Kelli and Illea

Jess's eyes flutter open and she finds herself in Nick's bed. Their date several days ago left her on cloud nine. Not only did Nick Miller stand up for her, but he finally came clean and told her how he felt. Today was extra special to Jess because today was her birthday. She has had plenty of other birthdays, however, she was particularly excited about today because it would be her first birthday where her and Nick were officially a couple. Jess got so lost in her own thoughts that she didn't even notice that Nick wasn't lying next to her.

Nick, Schmidt, and Winston were all around the table having breakfast. "So Nick; today is Jess's birthday. What do you have planned?" Schmidt asks.
"I'm not sure," Comes Nick's puzzled reply.
"Well, you better figure something out quick or you won't be getting any birthday sex tonight," Schmidt teases as his mouth curves into a sly smirk.
"Schmidt, Jar!"
"Guys, I do not need a discussion of birthday sex while I'm eating my omelet." Winston says as he rolls his eyes.
"All I'm saying, Nicholas, is you better put effort into this and not slack off or you will have to face the wrath of Jessica Day."
Nick becomes silent for a few minutes. Suddenly his face lights up. "I have the perfect idea!"

"Good morning," Jess says cheerfully when she walks into the kitchen and sees her roommates lounging on the sofa.
"Good morning," the guys reply stoically.
"I'm off to meet Cece for lunch; she called and said she needed to talk to me this morning about something important." Jess says as she is walking towards the door.
Jess gets in the elevator and presses the button for the lobby, already in a crummy mood because none of her roommates remembered her birthday. Feeling ignored by her roommates and unappreciated by her boyfriend, she climbs into her car and drives to the mall to meet her best friend.

As soon as Jess arrives at the café she can tell her best friend is going through a range of emotions just by the look on her face.
"Cece what's wrong?" Jess asks concerned.
"We talked." she says quietly, being extremely vague.
It takes a moment for Jess to fully understand what her friend is talking about. "That's good though, right? Talking is normal."
"Jess, he chose me," Cece pauses as if she can hardly believe what she is saying, "He said that he loves me." Cece looks like she is on the verge of tears now, "Jess, I pushed him away. I told him I needed space, but I think it was a mistake. I still love him, Jess. What do I do?"
Jess gets up and pulls Cece into a big bear hug. "Cece, a wise woman once told me when things got awkward with Nick that I would be okay and look at me now. I am extremely happy," Though even as she said the words she could hear the hesitation in her own voice.
"Are you just using my own words against me?" Cece asks teasingly.
Jess smiles, "Whatever is going on with you and Schmidt will work itself out eventually. You two are meant to be together, I know it in my heart."
"I suppose you're right," Cece was already feeling much better for talking it out with her best friend, but now she noticed that Jess seemed distant, "What's going on with you today?"
"None of the guys remembered my birthday." Jess said in a piteous tone.
"Jess that's completely normal for guys; they aren't in touch with their emotions like we are."
Jess smiles half-heartedly, "I thought at least Nick would say something. I thought things would be different now that he has spoken his true feelings.
"Honey, you of all people should know that Nick is not going to just change overnight. He's still a grump, there's nothing you can do to fix that." When Jess still looks troubled, Cece says, "I know what we should do; let's go shopping and do some retail therapy; it'll be my treat for the birthday girl."
Jess looks up at her friend gratefully and they head to the department store on the corner.

"Schmidt we have to make this party for Jess perfect so just leap into my arms like they do it in the movie!" Nick yells.
"I still cannot believe that you want us to help you plan a Dirty Dancing theme party for your girlfriend." Winston mumbles.
"What are you over there complaining for, Winston? You're not the one who has to play Baby." Schmidt shouts.
"SHUT UP both of you! Schmidt let's just practice one more time and then I have to go pick up some things from the store." Nick says.
"Fine, here I come, catch me you grumpy fool." Schmidt says in a girly voice, trying to mimic Jess.
Schmidt runs full speed at Nick, who tries to lift him up at the last minute, but instead Schmidt falls on top of Nick and the two are left sprawling on the floor together. Winston snorts with laughter.
Nick picks himself up and glares at Schmidt before storming out the door.

Once Nick is safely gone, Winston turns to his roommate. "Schmidt, I have a confession to make. I have always want to try that leap."
"Really?" Schmidt asks skeptically.
"Yeah," Winston answers sheepishly.
"Ok let's do this, I'll be Swayze." Schmidt says, walking to the end of the hall.
Nick walks back into the loft right as Winston is running toward Schmidt.
"Hey guys I forgot my keys have you seen—" Nick is stopped midsentence when he witnesses Winston landing in Schmidt's arms. He shakes his head violently and backs out of the room, trying to wipe the image of Schmidt cradling Winston out of his mind.

Nick is sitting on the couch sipping a beer when Jess returns to the loft.
"I'm home." Jess shouts.
"Hey Jess." Nick responds.
Jess shoots a glare at Nick.
"Did I do something wrong?" Nick asks.
"Do you even know what day it is Nick?"
"Yeah," Nick responds quickly. "It's your birthday."
"Oh, so you did remember." Jess growls.
"Of course I do," Nick shrugs, "I don't see what the big deal is; you're celebrating being a year closer to death."
"Nick I know this sort of thing means nothing to you, but it means a lot to me. I thought you could at least understand that much." Jess states disappointedly and hurries past him to her bedroom.
Nick feels horrible about lying to Jess, but he has been working his butt off all afternoon just for her. Feeling underappreciated, he slams his beer on the coffee table and punches the pillow beside him, letting out an angry grunt of disapproval before stomping across the loft to his room and slamming the door shut.

Schmidt heard the commotion and peeks his head into Jess's room to make sure everything is alright.
"Trouble in paradise?" When he sees her tear stained face he gets serious, "What's happened?"
"Nick and I had a fight. He thinks my birthday isn't a big deal." she replies sorrowfully.
"Jess I know for a fact he thinks it is a big deal because he has been planning a surprise party for you all day. Remember when I told you he's our chubby, damaged, flower? Well, he's also stubborn and will do anything not to spoil a surprise—Even if that means letting his girlfriend cry alone in her bedroom." Schmidt blurts out before he realizes what he has done.
Jess glances up at him with a look of excitement in her eyes, "What?"
"Look, I shouldn't have said anything, but you looked so sad. Just promise you'll be surprised for the party."
"I promise." She got up from her bed and ran over to give Schmidt a bone-crushing hug. "And thank you."

Cece called Jess later that day to invite her out for a birthday dinner. As the girls walked back to the loft, Jess could barely contain her excitement. As soon as she opened the door all of her friends jumped out and yelled "Surprise!"
Jess didn't even have to pretend to be surprised. The apartment was decorated in true Nick Miller fashion. Streamers were hanging all over the place, there was a sign hanging crooked from the ceiling that said 'Happy Birthday Jess!' There were even random pictures of Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey plastered on the walls.
Jess's eyes filled with tears and she couldn't find the words to express her joy.
The party was in full swing when Winston got up and proposed a toast to Jess.
"When Jess came to live with us I didn't have much say in the matter because I was in Latvia, but I've come to love her and all her quirkiness. I always thought inter-loft relationships were a bad thing until I saw Nick and Jess together. You two are really something, and I mean that in the best way. Jessica, you bring out the best in Nick. I'm glad he has you." He raised his glass, "To Jess!"
"To Jess!" Everyone shouted, clinking their glasses together. Schmidt brought out a chair for Jess to sit in.
"Jess," Schmidt said "We have a group present for you."
"Really," Jess's face lit up at the mention of presents.
All of a sudden music plays and I've Had the Time of My Life blares through the loft speakers and Nick, Schmidt, and Winston begin serenading their roommate in perfect rehearsed harmony.
When the party subsides, after everyone has gone home and Schmidt and Winston have given Jess their final birthday wishes, Nick and Jess sit together on the couch.
"Nicholas," Jess says, "This has been the best birthday ever. Thanks for putting all of this together." She looks up to give him a peck on the lips.
"Well, Jessica, I have one more surprise for you."
Jess stares at him curiously.
He stands up and helps her to his feet before walking toward the foyer. "We're going to do the move from the end of Dirty Dancing." Nick winks, "Okay on the count of three run and jump and I will lift you up."
Jess takes off in a sprint. When she reaches Nick he tries to lift her but he loses his balance and she falls on top of him.
"That went well," Jess laughs and Nick joins in.
They become silent again. Jess is still lying on top of Nick, but he doesn't mind. They both gaze deeply into each other's eyes and Jess presses her lips firmly to his. She can feel his hands slide gently across her back as their tongues have their own WWE match. She breaks the kiss lightly to examine his lips, biting her own lower lip in anticipation.
"What are you thinking about, Day?"
"Birthday sex, Miller."