A/N: In the Second Time Around universe, the Farron sisters throw a surprise belated birthday party for Maria which happens to be on Rydia's birthday. How will others around them react to this? All pairings here are married.

The Farron Sisters: Birthday Party Hostesses

"Ready for a visit to Light's house ladies...?" Edge and Firion ask Rydia and Maria in a cheerful, happy tone - after all, the men have full knowledge of the reason behind this particular visit to the Yun-Farron household that the ladies in question don't: Lightning, Serah and Seven were hosting a birthday party for Rydia and a belated birthday party for Maria at the same time. Although the ideas for stuff like this came from Seven, the youngest Farron sister this particular idea all came from the oldest Farron for a wide variety of reasons, one of them including Maria and Firion being first time parents to a healthy set of twins; their son Leon (who was named after Maria's older brother, who gave them his blessing to do so) and their daughter Lyse (Firion lost a bet to Y'shtola short time ago) on Maria's exact birthday in very late November. Knowing the ladies are as ready as possible, they had to make sure the infants were as ready as they were to make the safe drive to the Yun-Farron household for a joyous occasion.

Once everyone was ready to go - they had to take two cars due to the twins - the two married couples made their drive to the house where their favourite cat resided - after all, during Maria's pregnancy Odin was the purrfect nurse to the violet haired woman as he was with the other females who were in his company (Seven lost count at how many times the beloved cat and her were cuddling when the silver haired woman was pregnant with her and Sice's child) that was pregnant. Edge made sure that Odin's favourite treats and wet cat food were in his car so that Odin continues to be one happy cat. The drive itself was very surprisingly quiet, since the infants were napping and Maria was drained overall. Firion was the same way: his drive was quiet as well despite him being with the infants as Maria and Rydia were with Edge - his car had varying presents for Rydia and a VERY LATE birthday present to each of the Farron sisters and his Christmas gift for Fang FINALLY showed up after a lengthy delay. If anything the Fynn native is one with surprises.

Firion would also earn something from Odin.

XXX

Decoration at the Yun-Farron household was a hilarious affair: Fang, Sice, Serah, Carlyn and Lyse were all in the kitchen cooking varying foods which included Sice's famous cakes, not having a care in the world as it was an affair in the circle of friends. Lightning, Snow, Vanille, Seven and Y'shtola either did the cleaning or decorating. Despite being Serah's idiot, Snow was making sure that Y'shtola stayed safe while doing her part of the decorating the house, which was a key reason why Lightning has the utmost respect for the oaf. Even Leon, who arrived ahead of the other Fynn natives plus Edge and Rydia, figuratively stuck to Y'shtola's hip, for he was getting more concerned about the Miq'ote's failing vision. What made this beyond adorable was the kids chipping in to help - they felt bad for Y'shtola and wanted to help the adults in the matter, young Kurasame included. Thank you, Leon, for having my back... and not just avoiding my tail... the Miq'ote thought to herself in thanks for the oldest Fynn native for his foresight on the matter. Thankfully, all of the cleaning, decorating and cooking was a success.

Fang called Lightning over to test some food, to ensure that it was cooked to Maria and Rydia's standards. While Lightning herself enjoyed the samples, the oldest Farron knew that the best judge of character with the food was actually Leon. "You need something ladies...?" Leon asked, grateful to have been invited to something like this. When Carlyn had a few spoons of food ready for him to try, the smile was all she needed to be sure that the Fynn native was saying thanks for helping out however he can. For reasons unknown besides Lightning's intuition, he earned the friendship of every person in the Yun-Farron household and those who know them - Y'shtola being the most difficult but the best earned, for ever since Y'shtola got the Very Important Friend (VIF) treatment from Leon at every opportunity that was possible. After being the second person to sample the food, Leon made some recommendations to alter some of the seasoning with some of the foods, recalling that Maria is allergic to varying spices but LOVES her garlic to no end, which Leon found beyond hilarious to this day. Anything to make my kid sister happy, that's all that matters to me, Leon happily mused to himself.

For his reward, Odin the cat gave Leon some serious attention.

XXX

The two married couples arrive at the Yun-Farron household at long last - traffice was a nightmare to put it kindly. Once they all got out of the cars - gifts and kids included - they made their way to the front door and rang their bell. Of all days, it would be Leon who answered the door, floored to see them dress like Maria or Rydia, which Lightning wasn't shocked by one bit. Once everyone was inside they all got settled in. It was Lyse who made a sudden announcement that everyone can grab a plate of food as it was all ready to be enjoyed. As for Rydia and Maria, they were floored by the food being from either Fynn or Mist, which was cooked exactly the way they like it. Extra garlic for foods Maria enjoys - and extra cilantro for Rydia's favourites, which Maria also had a thing for the cilantro. There was varying conversation between the adults outside of Maria, who had to keep a close eye on the infants since she schedules her meal times with theirs. This was something that Lightning and Seven understood very well, as well as Rydia.

Later on, Serah, Leon and Fang all made an announcement of the reason for this gathering, that they wanted to give Maria a belated birthday party on the same day of Rydia's birthday. Upon hearing this, Maria and Rydia managed to get the best seats in the Yun-Farron house so that they can open every birthday present from every person there - and Leon getting some cuddles with Odin the cat. Rydia and Maria had a blast going through each present they were given, giving varying remarks along the way. What was surprising here was that, while the duo were go through their gifts, the Farron sisters were all given a gift from Firion as well as Fang being told that her gift from Firion FINALLY showed up. The four women, however, opted to wait until Maria and Rydia were done opening up their presents. Manners mattered at the Yun-Farron household, after all! It was around the time that Rydia and Maria were about to open their final gifts that they wanted Fang and the Farron sisters to open up their gift from Firion.

Lightning got a new tool to help her Blazefire Saber, while Serah got Sir Mog the Moogle Statue and Seven got a pendant from Rubrum. As for Fang - it was a component for her red lance that she was waiting on which Firion insisted that he would get for her. All in all, they got something the needed in some capacity, which they were all happy to have seen. Seeing their smile made Firion's day so much better in the end. As for Leon - he took Odin to the hammock that was next to the rear door for a nap, which the beloved cat was all too happy to join his new hooman in a midday nap, which made everyone laugh and smile at the scene, for Leon earned Odin's trust and friendship. Maria and Rydia couldn't stop thanking the Farron sisters enough for this particular birthday party, which Seven was beyond happy to see Maria was included in this one, knowing that she recently became a first time mother. If anything, the Farron sisters all understood what Maria went through.

As for Rydia and Maria? The duo would make plans for a Girls Camping Trip with some of the others, for them having something like this was a great thing to have, especially if one Claire 'Lightning' Yun-Farron was the mastermind behind it. A thank you card was left behind when everyone minus Leon left for the day. Speaking of the oldest Fynn native, he was the last one to leave for the evening.

What an amazing day.

FIN

A/N #2: Next story is in the Second Time Around universe but it's the Sebusai marriage proposal!