Ever since that night Edmund kissed her, Sam had wondered if Edmund liked her as much as she liked him. He'd shown no signs that she could see-which is both absurd and true, he'd sent a great many signs, Sam just couldn't them. And now, her birthday was in a week and a half. She wondered if she should tell him.
They were lounging around Edmund's room, being lazy and talking.
"Hey, Ed, when's your birthday?" Sam piped up from a lull in the conversation.
"A week and a half from today. When's yours?"
Sam's mouth fell open. That was not she expected. Edmund had the same birthday she did!
"A week and a half from today," Sam replied.
Edmund arched his eyebrows. "Interesting. I wonder how Susan will manage that."
Sam looked confused. "What's Susan got to do with anything?"
"Susan's in charge of finding someone to help with all our parties and balls and stuff like that. Peter can't do everything," Edmund explained. "But we have a huge ball for all our birthdays, I wonder how she'll manage two people at the same time."
"Knowing Susan, she'll have a blowout party with more people than is possible."
"Probably. Oh, this does pose a problem. What am I going to get you?" Edmund wondered aloud.
"The idea is to not tell me, idiot. But I'm flattered, I didn't expect to get anything at all."
"Don't be. Peter makes us, and Lucy pulls a guilt trip for the next three weeks if anyone's present isn't decent."
Sam mock pouted. "And here I thought you liked me enough to give me a present out f the goodness of your heart."
Edmund sat up with his face twisted into a theatrical version of shock. "I am amazed, Lady Samantha. Where art thou been? Doth thee not know I have no goodness in my heart?"
"Obviously, because it was kicked out by your passion for Old English."
Edmund sat back, smirking. "That too."
"So, speaking of birthday presents and Lucy's vengeance, what am I going to get you?" Sam asked.
"A gift from thine own heart, my lady."
Sam sat up, cleared her throat, and put on a perfect imitation of the expression Edmund had sported a moment ago. "I am amazed, King Edmund. Where art thou been? Doth the not know I have no heart?"
Edmund chortled. "Impressive. You're an actress, I see."
Sam shook her head. "Nah. But I am amazingly skilled in annoying you, and whatever it takes."
"That I can agree with."
The day before their birthdays, Sam tapped lightly on Edmund's doorframe. Edmund looked up from a book he'd been reading.
"Since when do you knock?"
Sam drew a present out from behind her back. "I figured I'd go on and give you this, since there'll be no time at all tomorrow."
Edmund look surprised. "You got me a present?"
Sam laughed, easing some of the tension. "I don't hate you THAT much, Ed. Besides, you DO know where I live."
"That's the understatement of the year."
Edmund disappeared over the edge of the bed, then resurfaced with a large box. "Here."
They exchanged presents and Sam settled at the foot of Edmund's bed. "You first."
Edmund shrugged and tore the wrapping off the long box. He opened one end and drew out a long sword. He boggled.
The sword was dwarf-made steel, the best around, and the hilt was gilded and inlaid with a ruby.
Edmund whistled. "That, my friend, is one very nice sword. And it must've cost a pretty penny."
The look on Sam's face was priceless. "I thought you'd like it."
"It's better than my best. Now you, open yours."
Sam unraveled the long blue ribbon and set it beside her, then pulled the paper off and lifted the top of the box.
"Ed!" Sam gasped. In the box lay the most beautiful gown she'd ever seen.
It was green silk, with off-the-shoulder sleeves. Where the sleeves hit her arms, it looked as if they'd been split down the length of her arm and they hung from her elbows and would, she imagined, billow behind her when she walked. The dress had a white sash and was frothy with white lace on the bodice and the hem. Underneath the dress was a long silver chain with a single diamond on it.
Sam carefully set the box aside and tackled Edmund in a hug.
"Oof!" came Edmund's muffled cry. He wrapped his arms around her for a moment, then turned red and they pulled apart.
As Edmund's face turned back to normal, Sam examined the dress further.
"I was hoping you could where it to the ball tomorrow," Edmund mumbled.
Sam arched a suspicious eyebrow. "What did you do, put a snake in the bodice?"
Edmund laughed. "No. I was just hoping."
"Sure. Why not? I like snakes."
This time they both laughed.
"Hey, Ed, what's this?"
Sam lifted something made of cream-colored satin and turned it over. It had spaghetti straps and looked to go down to one's knees, with a modest neckline and buttons down the back.
"Edmund?"
Edmund turned crimson. "I am going to kill Susan."
Sam, realizing what it was, turned just as red. "What's Susan got to do with this?"
Edmund sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Susan helped me pick out the dress, OK? I'm hopeless when it comes to clothes, so I asked her. She knew your size, too, which was something I wasn't going to outright ask you. While we were in the market, I saw this one and Susan said it was a good choice. I'd allotted a sum of money, and this even came in under budget, even after the necklace. Susan must've snuck this in, with the extra money."
Sam giggled, trying to feel empathy for Edmund. It didn't work, and soon she was cracking up. Her laugh was contagious, and soon Edmund was laughing. When they finally quieted, Sam folded everything back up and put it back in the box.
"You can have it, if you want, to strangle Susan with."
A mischievous twinkle entered Edmund's eyes. "Nah, keep it. Maybe one day I'll get to see you in it."
Sam smacked his arm. "Perv!" But she was laughing.
A/N - OK, so you all found out what the big dance is. But I bet you don't know what happens at the ball! Well, I know you don't know, because I'm not totally sure myself. But anyways, the biggest and bestest chapter yet is coming up!
(by the way, I am sooooooooo sorry, but some of your characters didn't fit into the story. I love you soooo much for sending them in, but there were only a few spots. cries don't hate me...)