Chapter 10: Pool Party

As it was custom during her birthday, Chloe left school earlier to have lunch with her dad at the hotel. This had long since become a tradition between them. Especially since Audrey was not usually in Paris for her daughter's birthday. When Chloe was younger, André would take the day off and spend it with her, taking her to the cinema, or the zoo, after which they would pass by one of the many toy stores in Paris, so he could buy Chloe all the toys that she wanted. All this culminated with a birthday party in the hotel's grand ball, with music, ballons, sweets and the biggest birthday cake one could imagine. But as she got older, the parties changed to accommodate her tastes. And this year would not be different. But before the party she was going to have with her friends, she was going to have lunch with her father.

Like always, the table had been set in the balcony of the hotel's restaurant, and when they both arrived their favourite plates were served. For Chloé, sushi and tempura shrimps were in order. And for André, a delicious plate of Rabbit Chasseur with Wild Mushrooms.

"Jean told me you arrived carrying a bunch of birthday gifts. Were they from your friends at school?" -André asked Chloe.

"Yes. They gave me things that are more than I deserve… they didn't have to give me anything, but they made sure that each present was something that I was going to love." -Chloe declared. –"And speaking of presents, thanks for taking the day off, daddy." -she said, as she used the chopsticks to grab a piece of tempura shrimp. –"It's the best gift you could've given me."

"Oh, Chloe, you know I always take the day off to spend your anniversary with you." -André smiled.

"Yes. But I also know that you've been busy, and under a lot of pressure, with the re-election and all that." -Chloe told him.

It was no secret that her father's pole numbers were diminishing, when compared to Ambroise Delay's, who was becoming a serious contender for the job of mayor of Paris. His populist speech continued to ring in people's ears, making them believe that it was time for a change, with him at the helm of things. Still, the mayor was not interested in the pole numbers, knowing that he still had a few more months of campaign ahead of him, where he intended to prove that he was once more the right man for the job. On top of it, he was about to sign a contract that he was led to believe would help solve the problem the city had with Hawk Moth and his Akumas. In his mind, that alone would show that he was determined to ensure the safety of everyone in Paris.

"I admit that I am. But under pressure or not, I'll never be too busy to spend this special day of yours with you, my little princess." -André declared, smiling.

Chloe had been given numerous nicknames over the years. Queen Bitch. Diva. Drama Queen. Bumblebee. Little Sister; with Little Princess being the one given to her by her father. To him, no matter how old she was, she was still his little girl.

"As long as I live, I will do everything in my power to be with you on your birthday." -André added. –"On fact, if an important meeting landed in your birthday, and I had to choose between attending it, or spending the day with you, I wouldn't hesitate in choosing to spend it with you." -he said.

It warmed Chloe's heart to know that her father would be willing to do such a thing. But it also made her question one thing. It made her question something she had never questioned before. She asked herself if André liked his job, or not? And that question lead to another one; did he always want to be a politician? She had never asked him that, and because curiosity killed the cat, she did not hesitate in asking him, right then.

"Do you like your job, daddy?" -Chloe questioned him.

"Uh… yes, I do. Why do you ask, Chloe?" -André answered.

"I'm just curious. Did you always wanted to be a politician?" -Chloe asked.

"N-No. When I was your age, I didn't care about politics or anything. I wanted to be a filmmaker." -André admitted.

"A filmmaker?!" -Chloe said, surprised with the answer.

"Yes. When I was younger, I used to shoot small home films. And it was my dream to become a filmmaker." -André declared, as he reminisced about those days.

"How come you didn't become one?" -Chloe asked him, as she dipped a piece of sushi in soy sauce.

"Your grandparents didn't like the idea. They wanted me to take over the family business." -André said, referring to the hotel. –"So, I ended up putting that dream aside, and pursued business management and hotel management, which allowed me to take over the hotel. Politics only came later, when I felt I could try and do something good for the city." -he said.

"Well, you could try and become a filmmaker now." -Chloe told him. –"There's nothing stopping you." -she said, as she wondered what kind of movies her father would make.

"I don't think so, Chloe. I'm already too old to pursue such a crazy dream." -André sighed. –"Besides, I do like being mayor of Paris. I know I haven't been the best mayor ever. But I also know that I haven't been the worst mayor ever." -he chuckled. –"No. That's just a dream that was not in the cards for me."

"But you're not going to be mayor forever, right? You could try and accomplish that dream. Miss Bustier is always telling us that it's never too late to fulfil a dream. And this time, you wouldn't have anyone telling you, you couldn't do it." -Chloe suggested.

And she was right. André did not wish to be mayor forever. He had given some thought on what he was going to do, once his political career ended, but never truly reached a decision. He just knew that once that time came, he was going to need a new project, because he was not a man who enjoyed sitting around and do nothing, and he knew that managing the hotel was not it; especially since he had people taking care of that for him. The idea of pursuing his filmmaking passion felt like a good idea, and more importantly, one that deserved some further pondering.

"Maybe." -André said, as he thought about it. –"Maybe I could do it. There's lots of people who took on new careers later in life." -he added. –"Just because I'm no longer a teenager, doesn't mean I can't learn a new trade."

"The way you're talking, it's like you're 90 years old, daddy." -Chloe chuckled.

"Well, I'm not getting any younger." -André joked back. –"Anyways, and changing the subject, Jean told me that when he got to the school with your birthday cake for you to share with your friends, he heard that you apologized to your friends, for all the bad things you did to them in the past." -he said.

"Actually, Jean might've understated what truly happened, because he wasn't there." -Chloe said. –"The apology was not just to my friends, who put up with my rude behaviour and past misdeeds. It was addressed to the whole school, daddy."

"The whole school?!" -André said, surprised. –"Well… that was very thoughtful of you, honey." -he declared.

"I owed them all an apology, daddy. Even if they chose not to forgive me, I owed it to them." -Chloe declared. –"And I should've apologized much earlier. I should've apologized to the whole school, when classes started back in September. But I wasn't ready to do it. I still had a lot to learn, to make the apology be and feel real." -she sighed.

Looking at her speaking that way, André could not help but to once more, see just how much his daughter had change in less than a year. In the past, he had to do everything in power to bail Chloe out of trouble in school, when some of her attitudes got her in trouble with other students and the school's faculty. But that all felt like it was in the distant past. Chloe's behaviour changed overnight, and she was now any parent's perfect daughter. Or in Chloe's case, almost perfect, because even though her behaviour changed for the better, her spending habits remained the same.

"That… That was very mature of you, honey." -André told Chloe. –"I know I don't say it as much as I ought to, but I'm proud of you. And what you did, makes me realize that even though I wasn't always the best father, or was always there for you, when you needed the most, you're turning into a daughter that every father would want to have, including me." -he smiled at her.

It warmed her heart to hear her father telling her those words. During her early childhood, she could only remember two people who praised her and told her they were proud of her. The first was her butler, Jean. And the second one was her father, and in his case, it was something that happened very sporadically. Her mother was not the kind of woman to praise her or any of her accomplishments, which led her to mimic her actions and her personality, and caused her to become someone she was not. So, to hear such sweet words from her father, reminded her how she had put that behind her, while also giving her the confidence needed to continue to focus on the new path she had decided for her life.

"Oh, that reminds me! I still need to give you your birthday gift." -André exclaimed.

"You got me a birthday gift?" -Chloe asked, playfully.

"Of course, I did. You didn't expect me taking the day off from office, was my only gift to you, or did you?" -André chuckled. –"Here's the second gift, or if you prefer, the real birthday gift." -he said, by pulling an envelope from one of his pockets. –"I was going to give it to you later, but I think now is the right moment."

Seeing the envelope, Chloe wondered what was inside. She was used to her father giving her birthday gifts that had written "fabulous and expensive" all over them. So, to see an envelope, made her question what could be inside. Once in her hands, she carefully opened it, and pulled out a postcard from the city of Milan. Turning it, there was a message written on the back. It said "Happy 14th anniversary, my sweet princess. Safe trip to Milan."

"A trip to Milan?!" -Chloe asked, surprised, as she read the message on the card, a second time. –"You're giving me a trip to Milan, as a gift?!"

"You're always saying that the best city to go shopping for clothes, other than Paris, is Milan. So, I thought that four days in Milan would be a good idea." -André told his daughter. –"Consider this present mine and your mom's, princess." -he added.

Hearing him say that, Chloe's train of thought took a sharp turn, as the memories about her mother came galloping in, at an incredible speed. Their relationship was the polar opposite of a healthy mother/daughter relationship. For a long time, Chloe had every reason to hate her mother, even though she loved her. But now that she knew Audrey had lost herself, and turned into someone who was not the kind of woman she was, when she met her husband, that made it easier for her to admit that one day she might find in her heart the strength to forgive her and give her a second chance. She knew the two of them were more alike than people imagined. And knowing she was in Switzerland, receiving the help she needed to once again be the kind of woman she was, before she gave birth to Chloe, made her feel both happy and sad, but mostly sad on that special day.

"I just wish mom was here." -Chloe sighed, disheartened.

"Me too, Chloe. But we must remember that she's where she is, because she wants to get better for all of us, so we can be a family again." -André declared, also feeling sad about Audrey's absence. –"Next year, she'll be around to partake in the festivities. You'll see." -he said, hopeful.

Suddenly, André's phone rang. Pulling it from his jacket pocket, he checked the name on the screen. Sighing, he apologized to Chloe before answering it. The call did not last more than a few seconds, but it was long enough to upset André.

"Who was it, daddy?" -Chloe asked André, after he ended the call.

"One of my cabinet advisors, reminding me about tomorrow's meeting." -André quickly said. –"He could've texted me, knowing that I'd taken the day to be with my daughter." -he thought to himself.

"What meeting is that?" -Chloe asked him, curious.

"Oh, it's nothing serious. It's just that city hall and the ministry of Interior are going to sign a contract with a new private security company, who is willing to lend a hand to the police and the gendarmerie in finding Hawk Moth and arrest him." -André answered.

"That sounds like it's a really big deal." -Chloe declared. –"And quite honestly, we need all the help we can get to find that psycho." -she thought to herself, while dipping a piece of sushi in the oyster sauce.

"Well, it's merely a formality. It'll only take about an hour to sign things, and then there will be a press conference, where the details of the contract will be explained to the public." –André stated. –"In other words, it's going to be a drag… you kids still say that, don't you?" -he asked her, curious.

"Yes, we still say that, daddy." -Chloe told him.

She was about to ask André a question, when they both heard a knock on the glass door. It was Jean, who promptly slid the door open, entering the balcony. He was carrying on his hands an envelope, which immediately caught the attention of both the mayor and his daughter.

"Pardon my intrusion, but I bring this to your daughter, monsieur Bourgeois." -Jean said, as he placed an envelope on the table.

"It's a letter from mom!" -Chloe exclaimed, recognizing Audrey's handwriting. –"She must've sent it to wish me a happy birthday." -she said, as she grabbed the letter.

"Well, we won't find out, if you don't open it, sweetie." -André said.

Opening the envelope, she swiftly pulled the letter from inside it. As always, it was written in the same kind of paper provided by the clinic Audrey was. And like always, it was written with blue fountain pen ink. But there was one thing about that letter that made it look different from the other letters André and Chloe had received from Audrey. And that was the calligraphy. In some parts of the letter, Audrey's calligraphy looked a little shaky. Still, that did not prevent Chloe from reading it.

"My dearest Chloe; First let me wish you a happy birthday. It seems it was just yesterday you were born, and here you are, celebrating your 14th birthday. I wish I was writing to you to give you good news, but unfortunately the news I have for you are rather tough. My treatment has come to a stop, as its progressing slower than what the doctors are expecting, and they are thinking about changing the approach to my healing. They were suggesting hypnotherapy; and I'm not sure what to expect of it. They have kept reassuring me that the whole time; I will be aware of everything; as they plan on using good hypnotherapy. I'm not sure what to expect of it. I'm scared. What if I lose myself while they do it? I don't want that to happen. Still, I don't want you or your father to get scared. I continue to believe that I'm in good hands." -Chloe read out loud. –"Also, I apologize for my messy writing, Luxor somehow jumped onto the table while I was writing, and tracked his paws over my paper... silly cat. More and more, I feel that adopting him was the right thing to do. Regarding your birthday, I'm so sorry that I won't be out of this place in time to celebrate it with you. For the first time in many years, I feel truly sorry that I won't be there to see you blow your birthday candles, in what I know will be a beautiful birthday cake. But I know I will be present, when you celebrate your next birthday. Hope to hear from you soon. Love, your mother, Audrey." -she said, sighing after she finished reading it.

As it had happened before, Audrey's words touched Chloe's heart, making it hard for her to contain her emotions. One tear rolled down her face, followed by a second and third one, and so forth. She already knew her mother was not coming. But even knowing that, it did not make it any less painful.

"Now, I really wished she was here." -Chloe sniffed, as Jean swiftly pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and gave it to her. –"Thanks, Jean." -she thanked her butler, while wiping the tears from her eyes.

"You're not the only one, honey." -André said, while looking at Jean, and giving him a look that said "Help me out here, please!".

"It is truly sad that your mother isn't here today, miss Bourgeois. But even though the news she had for you and your father aren't the best, she remains hopeful that next year, she'll be able to be here, by your side to celebrate your birthday." -Jean declared, trying his best to give the blonde some kind of reassurance.

Chloe knew Jean was right. The news was not the best, but between the words used by Audrey in the letter, there was the unmistakable presence of hope that things would turn out for the best. And that alone would have to suffice for her. As

"I know. And we can always hope she comes home sooner than expected." -Chloe smiled tearfully.

"Of course, we can, honey." -André smiled back at his daughter. –"But, and I don't want to feel like I'm rushing you, or anything, but we better finish our lunch. We wouldn't want your friends to arrive, and you still being here with your old man." -he joked.

"You're right." -Chloe agreed, as she checked the time on her cell phone. –"And you're not that old, daddy!" -she laughed.

Once classes were over, miss Bustier's class made their way to the Le Grand Paris, where the party was about to begin. Because they were near summer, Chloe decided to have a birthday pool party, which suited everyone. The weather was nice and hot, and a refreshing dip in a pool was just what the doctor ordered.

As they entered the hotel's foyer, they were all greeted by Jean, who told them they could get changed in the gym changing rooms, on the first floor. Doing as they were told; the Miraculous gang made their way up the staircase towards the hotel's gym to get changed into their swimming wear. As they all changed, there was general enthusiasm, and everyone was wondering what would await them on the roof. Chloe was known for throwing wild parties, and being her birthday, they were sure she had something incredible planned. In the feminine changing room, the girls gossiped and wondered what could have Chloe prepared for them?

"What do you think she'll have waiting for us up there?" -Rose asked the girls, as she put on her pink bikini.

"I don't know. This is Chloe we're talking about." -Alya said. –"It could be an ice sculpture of herself, or a butler for each one of us." -she chuckled, as she finished putting her swimsuit on. –"The possibilities are endless."

"You're so right, Alya." -Marinette chuckled along with her.

"Well, I know one thing. It's got to be something great. Chloe changed a lot, but there's one thing about her that hasn't changed." -Mylene said. –"She knows and loves to throw a great party." -she declared. –"Personally, I wouldn't mind if she had set an ice cream buffet with a chocolate fountain, or maybe a cotton candy machine."

"You really have a sweet tooth, don't you, Mylene?" -Pin asked her.

"I do." -Mylene admitted. –"Plus, it's the kind of stuff that I would love to have in my birthday party." -she said.

"Do you want us to go up and check out the rooftop and see what awaits you, and then come back to tell you?" -Daria suggested.

"No. Whatever's up there, I want to see it, with my own two eyes." -Alix said, as she finished putting on her bikini. –"Plus, I know you just want an excuse, to go and check out the party food." -she told him, with a voice filled with sarcasm.

"Guilty as charged." -Daria laughed. –"You can't blame me for being hungry." -he said.

"You ate two slices of birthday cake and four pickles, before we came here. What are you? A garbage disposal?" -Alix asked him, as she grabbed one of the bathrobes and put it on.

"No, I'm a kwami. And by now, you should know that we kwamis are known for needing a lot of sustenance, Alix." –Daria said, which made Alix roll her eyes.

"Why do I even ask?" -Alix thought to herself.

After getting ready, both girls and boys took the elevator leading to the hotel's rooftop, still wondering what waited for them. Once they arrived, they saw what had been set for them. Under the umbrellas, next to the bar were two long tables with every type of food you could imagine. From canapés to slices of pizza; from fresh fruit to candy and icy beverages, there was something for all tastes. In addition, there was also a huge birthday cake covered in strawberries and wild blackberries, which looked divinely delicious. In the opposite corner, a DJ station worthy of some of the best DJs in the world had been assembled, along with a karaoke machine. And on the pool, there were numerous beach inflatables that were just begging to be used. In sum, like always, Chloe did not look at expense.

"Chloe outdid herself again." -Ivan said, as he looked around.

"If she hadn't, it wouldn't be a Chloe-class party." -Adrien said. –"You can always count on her to pull a rabbit out of the hat, when it comes to giving a party." -he stated, as he took off his bathrobe, which earned him a couple of hoots and whistles from Alya and Alix.

"Is it me, or it suddenly got hotter around here?" -Alya joked, chuckling.

"Your boyfriend is some eye-candy, Marinette." -Alix joked. –"Mind if we share him with you?" -she kept joking, as she took off her bathrobe.

"Sorry, Alix, but he's all mine." -Marinette joked back, as she wrapped her arms around Adrien's waist and smiled at him, who smiled back at her.

"Trying to make me feel jealous, foxy fox?" -Nino whispered at Alya's ear.

"Not really. You know I only have eyes for you." -Alya whispered back.

"For me, and my six-pack." –Nino whispered at her.

"And can you blame me for it?" -Alya whispered at him, before kissing him on the neck. –"You know I'm a girl that likes certain things about you, but loves the whole package." -she whispered with a mischievous voice.

"Keep talking like that, and I'm going to spoil you rotten with kisses, foxy fox." -Nino said, before kissing Alya on the neck.

Looking at Alya and Nino, anyone could tell their relationship grew stronger with each passing day. And it was not the only one. The relationships of all couples in that group kept growing, just like theirs. But there was one couple; or better yet a couple who had yet to become one, where things were still quite shaky, due to both individuals' personalities and stubbornness. Alix and Kim had feelings for one another, but they kept repelling each other like magnets, thanks to how they interacted with one another.

"Whoa… croissants, eclairs, chocolate cake, canapes, sushi rolls, pizza… I'm in food heaven!" -Kim declared, as he looked at the food on the tables.

"Ugh… You only think with your stomach, don't you?" -Alix sighed.

"So what? Ain't I allowed to be hungry and drool over the sight of food, now?" -Kim asked her, a little upset.

"Not when you ate your lunch, and four huge slices of birthday cake already." -Alix shot at him.

"Are you afraid he starts to put on a little belly?" -Mylene joked.

"What?! No!" -Alix exclaimed, disconcerted by that question. –"Why should I care if he puts on a belly?!" -she asked out loud. –"That's his problem, not mine."

"Then why are you so bothered by him drooling over the food?" -Juleka asked her in jest.

"I'm not bothered about it! I just don't want him to eat too much, that he'll get an indigestion while swimming in the pool, causing him to drown." -Alix explained. –"Because if that happens, Sabrina or me we'll have to give him CPR, because we're the only ones who know how to do it." -she added.

"Don't you worry. I'm not going to need you to revive me." –Kim told her. –"Besides, I'd rather have Reptile giving me CPR, than you!" -he shot at Alix.

"And what is that supposed to mean?!" -Alix shouted, offended.

"Kim! Alix! Please, stop!" -Marinette told them. –"They're so focused on taunting and offending one another, that they both can't see they're head over heels for the other." -she thought to herself. –"Let's focus on what we're doing here. We're here to have a good time and celebrate Chloe's birthday."

Once more, Marinette played the part of leader, putting a stop to the animosities. Because of the number of times those two got on each other's nerves, Marinette had already become an expert in preventing them from killing each other.

"Marinette's right. This is a party, and arguments only spoil one." -Rose declared, as she removed her bathrobe.

"Yeah. This is no place for arguments or fights, people." -Nino said, as he got behind the DJ booth. –"So, what do you all say, if we put all those bad things aside and start having a little fun?" -he asked everyone.

"I make your words mine, man." -Max told him.

"Shouldn't we wait for Chloe and Sabrina get here?" -Nathaniel asked Nino, as he dropped his bathrobe on top of one of the Sun loungers next to him.

"I'm sure she won't mind if we start without her." -Nino said, as he took over as DJ. –"Let's make the roof shake like crazy, everyone!" -he exclaimed, as he dropped the first beats.

"You heard him, everyone! Start dancing!" -Alya exclaimed, as she began to shake her body to the rhythm of the music.

The only ones still not present at the party were the birthday girl and Sabrina, who once in the hotel, went directly to Chloe's suite, to get changed, and also to see if the blonde was ready or not. When she got there, Chloe was still trying to pick which bathing suit or bikini she was going to wear. Spread on the bed, there were eight or nine bathing suits and bikinis. Some were more revealing, others less so, but they were all beautiful, and Chloe was having a little trouble picking which one to wear that afternoon.

"Hey!" -Sabrina said.

"Oh, hey, Sabrina." -Chloe replied.

"How did the lunch with your dad go?" -Sabrina asked, curious.

"It was good. I'll tell you all about it later." -Chloe answered, without taking her eyes off the swimsuits. –"Right now, I need to choose what to wear for the party."

"Do you need a little help with it?" -Sabrina asked, as she dropped her backpack on the floor, and Mika came out of it.

"No, thanks. I already narrowed it down to these two. I just have to decide which one I'm going to wear." -Chloe said, as she kept staring at them. –"Alright… it's this one!" -she exclaimed, as she grabbed it.

"Are you sure about that?" -Pollen asked her.

"Why do you ask?" -Chloe asked.

"Because you said the same thing about all the others before, and then went back on your decision." -Pollen told her.

"I know. But this time, I'm really sure." -Chloe declared. –"But out of curiosity, what do you think of this one?" -she asked the bee kwami. –"Be honest."

"I think you'll look quite regal wearing it, my queen." –Pollen answered.

"It's beautiful. And it matches your eye colour." -Sabrina smiled at her. –"Plus, it'll also match with my swimsuit too." -she chuckled.

"I'm with the kiddo. You'll look good in it." -Mika said.

"Then, I'm going with it. I bought it for the trip to Lloret del Mar, at the end of the month. But I don't mind debuting it today." -Chloe declared. –"Just thinking about that trip, makes me wish I was already there, swimming in the Mediterranean, and tanning on the beach." -she said, as she imagined it.

"Sounds like a splendid idea. But you might want to keep those thoughts for another time. Your friends are probably already waiting for you at the pool." -Pollen said.

"She's right." -Sabrina said, as she placed herself behind her, and then placed her hand over Chloe's right shoulder. –"If they aren't up in the pool, they'll be there soon. And you don't want them to think you're a bad hostess, do you?" -she asked the blonde.

"No, I don't." -Chloe said, as she turned and placed her arms around Sabrina's waist. –"But I think they won't mind if we take a couple of more minutes to get ready." -she smiled. –"Besides, rich people are never late. We're fashionably late."

"Isn't that just a fancy way to say that you're never on time?" -Mika asked, in a sarcastic tone of voice.

"It is." -Chloe answered him. –"Your kwami really loves to point things out, doesn't he?" -she asked Sabrina.

"That's Mika for you." -Sabrina giggled, before placing a peck on her lips. –"And as much as I would love to be fashionably late, we better get going." -she said, as Chloe released her.

"Oh, alright." -Chloe said, as she grabbed bikini and made her way to the bathroom. –"You brought things to stay overnight, didn't you?" -she asked Sabrina.

"Yes, I did. My mom wasn't very keen on the idea of me sleeping over tonight." -Sabrina said, as she pulled her bathing suit from inside her backpack. –"But she let it slide, because it's your birthday, and she thinks that you're going to give a sleepover, where all the girls will be." -she told her.

"Well, she's half-right. I'm going to give a sleepover. But you'll be the only one attending it." -Chloe declared, with a mischievous smile on her face, making Sabrina giggle.

Once they finished getting ready, Chloe and Sabrina exited the blonde's suite and made their way through the corridor, to the elevator. Both of them were excited, especially Sabrina, whom Chloe had not told her a peep of what waited them on the hotel's rooftop. But they were not the only ones, who were excited. Pollen and Mika were just as excited as their holders. The bee kwami could have found out what Chloe had in store for the party, but she decided she wanted to be surprised too. Calling the elevator, this one arrived almost immediately. Looking at Sabrina's eyes, Chloe could see the eagerness in them.

"Calm down." -Chloe smiled at Sabrina.

"I'm calm. You're the one who should be excited. It's your birthday party, after all." -Sabrina told her.

"And I am." -Chloe smiled. –"But unlike you, I know what awaits us up on the pool." -she teased her, while pushing the elevator's button.

"And what awaits up there?" -Sabrina asked, as the elevator's doors closed.

"You'll see in a couple of seconds." -Chloe smirked.

"Can't you just give me a little spoiler of what's up there?" -Sabrina insisted, as the elevator went up.

"Come on! Tell the kiddo what's on the rooftop!" -Mika practically begged the blonde, using Sabrina as an excuse for his own growing curiosity. –"You know it's bad manners to keep things from the ones you love." -he told her.

"Patience. You'll find out in a couple of seconds." -Chloe said, not wanting to spoil the surprise.

Those couple of seconds, felt like hours to both Sabrina and Mika. Long, tedious hours, where nothing happened. In their minds, they kept imagining what awaited them. But soon, the elevator bell rang, signalling they had arrived. As they waited for the elevator doors to open, the unmistakable sound of the pool party was heard. Laughter and chuckles, splashing water, mixed with good music, which the girls assumed was courtesy of Nino. The song that was playing was "I'm Good (Blue)" by David Guetta and Bebe Rexha, one of Chloe's favourites.

"I think Nino put on the playlist he made just for you." -Sabrina said, recognizing the song.

"I think so, too." -Chloe declared, as the elevator doors opened.

When the elevator doors opened, they were presented with a party scene like they had only seen in movies. Everyone was having fun, and enjoying themselves; teenagers and kwamis. Sabrina was marvelled with what her best-friend/girlfriend had come up with for the whole gang. And Chloe, she was happy to see everyone in good spirits. Looking around, that was what she wanted her birthday party to be.

"Our queen has arrived!" –Nino exclaimed on the microphone, upon seeing her and Sabrina arriving. –"Put your hands up for her, everyone!" -he shouted, as he pressed a button on the sound FX machine, sounding the royal trumpets, as well as the sound of applauses.

The sound of applauses of the sound FX machine mixed with the applauses from everyone at the pool party, giving the impression that Chloe was being applauded by hundreds of people. Naturally, she loved this kind of thing, and did not hide her exhilaration.

"Your queen appreciates the applauses." -Chloe told them, chuckling. –"And with that said, I declare that the festivities can properly begin now!" -she exclaimed, as she removed her bathrobe, and showed off her bikini. –"Keep the music up, Nino!"

"As you command!" -Nino told her, as Alya joined him behind the turntables. –"Let's kick the party into high gear!" -he said, while smirking at his girlfriend. –"Care to do the honours, foxy fox?"

"Gladly." -Alya said, as she kissed him. –"Let's see what songs you've got in this playlist of yours." -she said, as her eyes scrolled down the playlist. –"No… no… no… bingo! This one is perfect!"

Clicking on it, a second later "She Sells Sanctuary" by The Cult burst from the numerous speakers around the swimming pool, creating the perfect atmosphere for a party. Fuelled by the music, everyone started dancing to its rhythm. Some together, others by themselves, there was not a single person or kwami in that party that was not having fun. And that meant the DJ himself.

"Come on, turtle boy. Leave the music to Wayzz and Trixx for a bit, and let's dance." -Alya told Nino, as she grabbed him by the hand.

"Okay, I'm right behind you." -Nino said, as he followed her. –"Keep the music flowing, buddy!" -he told Wayzz, while looking over his shoulder.

Hello, everyone! It's been nearly two months and a half, since I last updated this fic. I'm so sorry it took me so long to finish this chapter, especially because I know that most of you want to know, what's going to happen with our heroes. But between my mental health, which is slowly but steadily getting better, my job and a writer's block, it's hard for me to find the motivation and the time to just sit down and write something I deem worthy.

First, I want to thank you all, who text me weekly or daily, to ask me how I'm doing. I appreciate you finding the time to ask me how I'm doing. And second, I want to thank LaViolaViolaRosa for helping me with Audrey's letter to Chloe (once again, thank you my friend, for helping me in my time of need), which was one of the hardest elements of this chapter. I truly hope you enjoy this chapter, and forgive me if it's not my best work ever.

As always, feel free to comment, fav and leave suggestions to improve this and/or future fics.