"What is there left to talk about?" I said turning and walking into the kitchen.
"I wanted to apologize."
"Apologize?"
"For the way I acted at the hospital." He said walking around the counter. "I shouldn't have snapped like that."
"Your right, you shouldn't have."
"I just…I don't understand why you wanted to come back after everything he did."
"I explained it to you and…"
"I know," he said cutting me off. "That is why I wanted to apologize. I don't want the friendship we have to be thrown away because I have a bad temper." He said sighing. "I am sorry."
"I know." I said washing the mugs.
"So…are we ok?"
I turned around.
"If you think I would let that attitude get between our friendship after everything you have said and done over the years then you really don't know me."
"True." He said laughing a little. "I am sorry." He said hugging me.
"I know."
"So, what are your plans for tonight?"
"Well, since the boys are with Kunihiko. I was going to clean this house like no other with Ayana and then stay home, watch a movie, and drown my sorrows in ice cream."
"I got a better idea."
"Really?"
"Yea." He said with a mischievous grin.
"What?"
"Have your mom watch Ayana tonight and be ready by 7."
"You're not going to tell me?"
"Nope. See Ya." He said leaving.
I laughed a little and went back to cleaning the mugs.
*That evening*
"Thanks again mom for watching her."
"Of course," she said picking up Ayana and smiling at her. "So you have no idea what he has planned?"
"Not a clue."
"Well, have fun."
*Ding Dong*
"That's him."
"Hey, you ready?" Saeki asked.
"Yea, Thanks again mom I will be back later."
"Have fun." She said as I closed the door.
I got in the car and Saeki drove for about 25 minutes.
"Where are we going?"
"You will see."
Then his phone started ringing.
"Hello?...yes….everything is ready?...ok see you guys in a few." He said hanging up the phone.
"Who was that?"
"Yuta, he is meeting us."
"Where?"
"You will see." He said pulling into a parking lot.
"What are we doing here?"
"You will see." He said getting out of the car and opening my door. "Close your eyes." He said.
"Seriously?" I said giving him a look.
"Close 'em."
"Alright." I said closing my eyes.
He took my hand and I followed him.
"What's going on?"
"Just wait." He said.
We walked for a few minutes.
"Ok, open them."
I opened my eyes.
"Happy Birthday!"
"Wha?!"
I looked around and everyone was there.
Yuta, Takao, Ren, Yamato, Kyoichi, Haruka, the head nurse Danielle from the hospital as well as so many others.
I just stood there dumbfounded.
"You forgot it was your birthday didn't you?"
"I guess I did." I said looking around at everyone smiling and started to cry. "Excuse me…" I said running back outside leaning against the car.
"Anne?"
I turned around and Haruka was standing there.
"I'm sorry…" I said smiling a little smile.
"There is no reason to be sorry. Saeki told the all of us what happened."
"All of you?!"
"NO!...sorry, just us that go to long island…or use to."
"O…ok" I said relieved.
"We know you might not be up to celebrating but we couldn't just let you stay at home on your birthday."
I smiled at him.
"Ready?" He said holding his arm out to me.
"Yea." I said sliding my arm around his walking in.
I walked in and everyone came up and gave me a hug and wished me happy birthday.
After a while, the party was really going. Everyone was having a good time dancing and drinking.
"Are you having a good time?" Takao said to me.
"I am thank you."
"Anytime."
"I don't know what I would do without you guys." I said smiling at everyone.
"Okay, can we have the birthday girl come out to the center of the room." Danielle said over the Microphone.
"What?" I said looking at everyone.
They just gave me a look like they didn't know what was going on….even though I know they did.
I walked out to the middle of the room.
"Okay, so today we are here to celebrate Anne's Birthday today so…." She said waving her hand over toward the other side of the room. "Why don't we all…sing."
I looked over and there was a giant sheet cake decorated.
"Ready…. Happy Birthday To You…."
Everyone was singing and I couldn't help but start crying.
But for the first time in these last few months…they were happy tears.
When they got done everyone started clapping and I blew out the candles.
One of the other doctors at the hospital started to cut the cake and pass it out to everyone.
After the cake everyone started dancing and talking.
I was sitting at the bar looking around.
I saw all the guys sitting at a table talking.
It amazed me that after all these years they are still so close.
I was amazed at how much they did to make sure I had a good birthday, especially with everything going on.
"Why are you sitting here by yourself?"
I turned around and saw Haruka sitting next to me.
"Just looking at everyone dancing and having a fun time."
"Are you?"
"What?"
"Having a good time."
"I am." I said taking a drink of Shochu on the rocks.
"You don't look like it, come on." He said taking my hand and leading me out onto the dance floor.
We started dancing and having a blast.
Pretty soon all they guys came out onto the dance floor to dance.
Next thing I know it is almost 2 am.
The party was starting to die down.
I went up on stage and grabbed the mic.
"Everyone."
The music died down and everyone looked at me.
"I just wanted to say thank you for coming out and making this the most memorable birthday ever. I also wanted to thank Yuta, Takao, Saeki, Ren, Yamato, Haruka and Danielle for putting this all together…I will never forget this birthday." I put the mic down and everyone started clapping.
I walked over to the guys.
"Thank you guys, for everything. I'm going to head home."
"Ok, call us if you need anything."
"Where is Saeki?" I asked.
"I think he is getting to know Danielle a little better." Takao said pointing in the direction of them.
"Well shoot. He was my ride here."
"Come on, I'll give you a ride." Said Takao.
"Are you sure?"
"Yea, Leslie is at home waiting for me anyway." He said smiling.
Leslie was Takao's wife. They had gotten married 4 years ago.
"Thanks."
I said bye to everyone as I passed by them.
I finally got home about 3.
I walked in the door and the lights were off.
I went back into the bedroom and my mother was asleep on the bed.
I looked over and Ayana was asleep in her basinet.
"Mom…mom."
"Hmm?" she sat up rubbing her eyes.
"I'm just letting you know I am home. You can stay here for the night. Its already 3."
"3?" she looked at the clock.
"Yea, I am sorry I was out so late."
"It is fine, Saeki and everyone came over to my house before I came over and told me what they planned."
"You knew?"
"Yes."
"Thank you." I said hugging her.
"Anytime."
"Everything will be ok…right?"
"What?"
"Everything with the boys and Ayana…"
"Everything will be fine. It will be hard at first, especially with the boys."
"I know Ethan has already got upset about it."
"You will be fine Anne, you are strong just like your father."
I laid there in bed with my mom and fell asleep.