Chapter 59

Two weeks later:

"Kind of nice to invite me over for a Batman movie marathon, man," Paul said. "I mean, I'm settled in the new place, but it's always nice to get out once in awhile."

"So you're digging the new place?" Brian asked, popping in the first movie.

"Yeah, it's pretty cool. I guess whoever said things happen for a reason was right on the money. Except there's one thing."

"What?"

"I kind of keep forgetting about the breezeway in there," Paul replied. "Anyway, I'd just come out of the shower one day and had forgotten to pull down the blinds before I went in.. Long story short, the old lady and her daughter across the breezeway got a show."

Brian broke out laughing. "Oh man, and to think I missed that!"

"Come on, dude, that wasn't funny. Even Nadine hasn't seen me in the raw."

"You and Nadine are just good friends," Brian pointed out. "Besides, she probably thinks the same I do; seen one dick, seen them all. And Lord knows I've seen that thing of yours more than I care to mention, but hey, nice to know you made a lasting impression on one of your neighbors."

"Shut up." Paul blew a raspberry. "Anyway, how many of these movies did you get?"

Enough to keep you here while the party gets in place, Brian thought before grinning. "All of them."

"Jesus, we'll be here until at least seven in that case."

That's the idea. "Hey, what better way for me to break in my new 'guys' room' than with my best buddy?"

"Bree won't mind being stuck with the kids all day?"

"She's usually stuck with them all week when I'm gone, I don't think today is going to make much of a difference. Now, let's watch this movie."

Meanwhile:

"All right, we have until seven," Briana announced, arranging various items for the party, "so we need to really boogie on this thing."

"Pete's going to be here to fire up the grill at six," Tina replied. "Where are you putting gifts?"

"On that corner table. Nobody will be using it anyway."

"Sounds good."

"This is going to be so awesome," Nadine said, putting out plates of food on another table. "And to think he has no idea what's going to be happening."

"Brian made sure of that," Briana nodded, putting the casserole her husband had made into the oven before checking on the chili. "He has Paul thinking that they're having a movie day together and then coming over to see this place now that Paul has it together."

"He isn't called 'a man with a plan' for nothing," Tina cracked. "Hey, where are the twins?"

"I have them in the back taking a nap," Briana answered. "It's going to be a long day for all of us and some sleep for them wouldn't hurt."

"They've gotten so big," Tina said. "One minute, you're bringing them home from the hospital, and the next, they're walking."

"It's enough keeping up with one baby," Nadine chuckled. "Poor Bree here has to chase after two of them."

"The joy of fertility drugs," Briana nodded, laughing. "But you know, it was worth all of that to have them."

"Planning on any more?" Tina wondered, setting up a few extra chairs.

"Papa's original plan was only two," Briana replied, "and I filled that order with one pregnancy. If there is going to be any more, it won't be right away. And I've been off the fertility treatments since I got pregnant with those two, but I have a diaphragm, just in case."

"Nothing like covering all your bases," Tina said. "So when are you going to have one, Nadine?"

"Not right away, obviously," Nadine answered. "I need to find the right partner first."

"Artificial insemination," Tina joked. "The joy of motherhood without the headache of a man underfoot."

"Tina!" Briana exclaimed. "That's terrible."

"Hey, don't think Pete and I haven't considered it."

Briana was stunned. "You mean you guys are…."

Tina nodded. "It's time and neither of us are getting any younger. My appointment is Monday."

"Tina, that's wonderful!" Nadine gasped, delighted.

"It's going to cost a hunk of money, but Pete is willing to sacrifice some of his 401K," Tina continued. "Let's just hope that it will be money well spent."

"I have a feeling that it will be," Briana smiled. "And speaking of money well spent, I have a feeling the man of this domain is going to enjoy himself tonight. Not to toot our own horns, but I'd say we did a mighty fine job."

That evening:

"Dude, you are going to love this place!" Paul said excitedly as Brian drove toward the apartment.

"Paul, I've been there before, remember? It's great, I know."

"Yeah, but you haven't been there since I unpacked all my shit and bought new furniture with the renter insurance check I got from the fire."

"You got new furniture? Awesome."

"Yeah, wasn't too thrilled with the idea of going to secondhand places. It's okay for some stuff, but I'm afraid of getting some weird bugs from furniture. Hey, did I tell you Nadine screamed when she first saw the frogs?"

"Frogs?"

"I got two new ones. Nadine walked into the one room while helping me unpack and let out this blood curdling scream before she realized what they were. It was funny as fuck."

"You are one strange dude, PL," Brian laughed, parking the car. "Come on, let's go check out your new palace."

They took an elevator up to Paul's floor before going to his unit. Paul unlocked the door and went in ahead of Brian.

As soon as the lights were turned on, the rest of the group popped out of their hiding places. "SURPRISE! HAPPY NEW HOME!" they all cheered.

"Wow, you all did this shit for me?" Paul grinned widely. "Damn, Spanky, I should have known you were up to something. You got me again."

"We even brought your favorite beer," Brian joked. "What better way to get you really settled in your new castle?"

"Thanks, guys, this is really cool," Paul said before sniffing something. "Is that chili?"

"It is," Briana nodded. "And Pete is doing the barbecue on the patio."

"He's lucky he's from Texas or I'd have to make him get off that thing," Paul nodded.

"Dude, you're doing nothing," Brian said. "This is your party, so enjoy yourself."

When dinner was finally served, everyone dug in, sampling every delicacy that had been laid out. Soon, foam plates had been emptied and all were filled and satisfied. Nadine had brought her video camera and taped the festivities.

"Oh God, I think I'm going to explode," Paul said, lying back on his new couch with his hand on his stomach and his arm thrown over his eyes before he let out a loud belch.

"Fucking hell, Paul," Brian laughed. "And the rest of these people have the balls to talk about me doing shit like that."

"Compliments to the chefs," Paul replied. "Thank you all for a wonderful feast. I still want to know where Bree got that chili recipe, though."

"She just worked some kind of magic," Brian grinned knowingly. "But don't die on us yet; you still have your gifts to open."

"I have gifts? Wow, you guys really went all out."

"Yep," Brian replied, tossing the first one at him. "And here's the first one. Get busy."

Paul tore through all the presents, grinning at each gift. Everyone sat around after talking and having drinks before something caught his ear.

"Nadine!" he yelled. "You got to get this on the camera!"

Brian and Briana turned toward what had caught Paul's attention. "What?"

"I think your daughter just said something."

Bella caught sight of him and smiled up at him before chirping, "Papa!"

"Uh, no kid, that's the funny looking short guy over there," Paul said.

"Oh how cute!" Nadine said, filming the whole thing. "She said 'Papa'!"

"Wow." Brian had a dreamy look on his face. "Papa."

Briana frowned a little. "Yeah. As much time as these two spend with me, Bella's first word would have to be 'Papa'." She shook her head.

"She's Papa's girl," Brian said, smirking.

"You know, I got all these cool gifts," Paul spoke up, "but I think that kid starting to talk is the best one yet."