"Greatest Birthday Wish"
Jade's mother, Irene has a Birthday Party for Jade amidst their Memorial Day BBQ. Tori gets to meet Jade's new family since Irene got remarried. Despite not really being one for family time, Jade is glad that Tori is there with her. Jade is curious about a surprise that Tori says she'll have to wait for until her party.
AN: Hello all, Happy Memorial Day, Happy belated Mother's Day, and also Happy Birthday to me!! I know in most fics people typically give a character the same Birthday as the actor if their birthday isn't specifically mentioned, but for this one shot collection, Jade will have the same birthday as me. Also, as far as I know still isn't sending email alerts, but you can get them on the app. This story is also cross posted to Ao3. Hope you enjoy!
Tori is at her locker, changing out her books when she gets a text confirming her plans for Jade's birthday. She is excited to hear the good news and texts back, "Okay, thank you very much!" Tori took a deep breath, and nodded to herself as she nervously awaited the upcoming party, when from behind her she felt a familiar presence. She turned to find Jade standing behind her with eyes narrowed, and a curious smile.
"Who were you texting?"
"Uh…oh just checking in with my lab partner. I was confirming that I had my written portion all done." Tori told her.
"Save it, Tori. I know you were texting my mother."
"What would give you that idea?"
"Cause I could see her number at the top of your screen. Does whatever you guys were talking about have to do with my birthday party?" Jade asked.
"Maybe." Tori smiled. "You'll have to wait and find out."
The girls kept walking down the hallway, while Jade followed her girlfriend close behind still trying to get this secret out of her.
"Is that why you weren't at lunch today? Were you two meeting to talk about this surprise you have?"
Tori turns around to stop her.
"Jade, stop prying. You have to wait until Saturday to know what it is." Tori told Jade, kissing her cheek. "Come on, let's go to class."
"She's not inviting some kind of live band; is she? Because last time she got a band it was some weird guy playing top 40 covers on an accordion."
Tori laughs, "Yeah, she told me about that, and no it's nothing like that, don't worry."
"So what is it?"
"It's a surprise!" Tori said, grabbing Jade's shoulders.
Jade groaned, with no choice but to be in suspense as the two headed to class.
For the rest of the day Jade would try to concentrate on school, but she couldn't help but look curiously at Tori all day. Anytime her girlfriend checked her phone, she wondered what it could be about or what Tori and her mom were discussing. Jade herself hasn't always been the best gift giver, but Tori has been great at it so far, which has made her even more curious what Tori wants to keep a secret so badly.
Later while in the Black Box Theater, Jade was coming back from the bathroom to see Tori with Cat, who was squealing excitedly while hugging her around her waist. It wasn't unusual for Cat to be affectionate, but Jade knew there was still a big surprise in store for her that Cat obviously knew about. Tori has been determined all day not to spoil the surprise, but that wasn't going to stop Jade from trying anyway.
"What were you and Cat talking about?"
"Oh, she's just excited about going away with her parents over the holiday." Tori told her.
"Mmmhmm." Jade hummed. "You won't even give me one hint?" Jade asked. and Tori laughed.
Tori wraps her arms around her anxious girlfriend, pressing a kiss to her lips.
"I know the party isn't until tomorrow, but you'll have to wait and see. I really don't want to spoil this one."
Jade sighs, "Okay, I trust you. Let's talk about something else for now."
"Alright." Tori said. "So this will be your first birthday with your new family, huh?"
"Yeah, my mom says Russell has probably been more excited for the party than I am. Both of his kids have birthdays in November, so he's happy to celebrate a birthday in barbecue season."
"Aww, that's really sweet. I bet he can't wait to be your personal chef for the evening." Tori said, nudging her shoulder.
"Yeah, I guess, but if he ends up wearing an apron that says "Kiss the Cook", I swear I'm leaving." Jade said, and Tori laughed.
"What was it you said he did for a living?"
"He's a travel agent. He met my mom while she was renewing her passport."
"That's cool." Tori said. "It's great that he seems to make your mom happy."
"It is." Jade nodded.
With that the two of them headed off to lunch with Jade still not successful in figuring out what Tori was hiding. With not much time left, she would have to let herself be surprised, and find out at the party. Jade would never admit this out loud, but she was actually looking forward to her birthday party for the first time in a long time. Even with her stepfather, who she was still getting to know.
Later while at home, Tori has finished wrapping Jade's gift, and is now staring at it while sitting on her bed. She and Jade were now both eighteen, and about to graduate highschool. From here their lives would never be the same; no more going to Sikowitz's class, no more lunch at the Asphalt Cafe, and no more rehearsals at the Black Box Theater. Even though they would all have to say goodbye to this life, Tori was still excited for the future, and to see how she and Jade would grow together. They have already planned to move in together after graduation, and Tori hoped that things would continue to change for the better. As Tori was deep in thought, Holly came to check in with her.
"Hey Honey, everything okay in here?"
"Yeah, just thinking about a lot of stuff." Tori told her.
Holly sat next to Tori, placing her hands on her daughter's shoulders.
"What time are you guys leaving for the party?"
"About noon."
Tori sat playing with the strap on the gift bag while Holly leaned into her ear.
"She's going to love it, and she loves you very much."
"I love her, too." Tori nods.
"Get some sleep. You have a big day tomorrow." Holly said, kissing her cheek.
Tori laid back staring at the ceiling, and hoped that her mom was right. She wanted more than anything for this birthday to be special for Jade, and one they could talk about for years to come.
Jade arrives with Tori at her party that is already set up in the backyard. With their fingers laced together, Jade leads Tori out onto the patio where they see Russell at the grill, cooking up hamburgers, hotdogs, and some vegetable kabobs. He turns to the young couple enthusiastically waving them outside.
"Hey girls, you're just in time. The food is almost ready."
Jade takes in her stepfather's appearance, with a colorful party hat on his head and a red grilling apron that says "Mr. Good Lookin' is cookin' ", to which she merely stood there slowly shutting her eyes. Tori manages to stifle her laughter as she nudges Jade's shoulder.
"At least it doesn't say "Kiss the Cook"." Tori whispers.
"Yeah, cause that would be embarrassing."
They both sit at the picnic table with the rest of Jade's family, each pouring themselves a drink.
At the table sat Jade's younger brother, Henry and their step-brother, Ethan who both silently waved at the girls as they sat down. Courtney, Jade's eight year old step-sister, comes to hug her from behind.
"Happy Birthday, Jade."
"Thank you." Jade answers, gently squeezing her wrist.
Russell and his kids have been living with Jade and her mom for a little over a year now. Irene met Russell while going to get her passport renewed. The two of them dated for a few months before Irene finally felt ready to introduce Russell to her kids. With Russell having a boy Henry's age, Irene wasn't as worried about him, but she was concerned about how Jade would take to this relationship. The tension she had with her own father was bad enough without a new father to contend with. For the most part, Jade found Russell to be nice enough, and so far the two have been getting along.
Irene came from inside the house to check on how the food was coming along, as she greeted Tori with a hug.
"It's so good to see you here. I feel like we don't get to hang out with you two that often."
"Oh, well I'm happy to be here." Tori said, laying her head on Jade's shoulder. "The food looks great, by the way."
"Thank you. Russell's been excited to cook for this party all month." Irene says, moving to stand next to Russell at the grill.
"How's it going here, chef?"
"I think we're just about ready for burgers and dogs. Ya know, at the office barbecue, I grilled a medium-rare steak for my boss, and he said, "I like it well done!"
I said, "Thanks. That means a lot." Russell says, and Irene laughs, giving him a kiss.
Jade looks away, burying her face in Tori's shoulder. Ethan, also covers his face, and shakes his head. The birthday girl looks back at her step-brother with a half smile, as he looks back, mouthing 'I'm sorry'. Finally Russell plated all the food from the grill, and everyone was ready to dig in.
As everyone was enjoying their food, Tori was staring at her gift for Jade on the present table. This is something she's thought about over and over the past few months, and now with their lives moving beyond highschool, Tori wanted to keep moving forward with Jade, and she hoped her girlfriend felt the same way.
Jade has been enjoying all of her food, and has so far been enjoying her party. Although she wasn't about to put on a birthday hat from the table, the time with her family has been really nice. Russell joked around with the kids, while telling stories from when they were little. Jade observed her mom while she sat next to Russell with their arms linked, and smiling up at him the whole time. Although she wasn't expecting to see her mom get remarried, it was nice to see her happy. Jade squeezed the hand of the girl next to her, while Tori leaned into her.
"Are you having a good time?" Tori whispered.
"Yeah." Jade nodded, kissing Tori's cheek.
From behind them, Russell came out with lit candles on a cake as they all sang Jade 'Happy Birthday', and she blew them out, speaking a quiet wish in her head as the cake was prepared to be served.
The chocolate cake with strawberry filling was a big hit for everyone, with the younger kids already going for a second slice. Soon after the cake came presents, and Tori sat, holding her breath the whole time. Courtney made her a few bracelets, Ethan and Henry chipped in and got her a new messenger bag, and a few murder mystery books she's had her eye on, then it was time for her present from her mom and Russell. Jade opened the packaging, seeing a very familiar movie. Of course she already owned "The Scissoring '', but it has just been released for the 30th anniversary steel book. The DVD included more deleted scenes, a retrospective documenting the film 30yrs later, and glossy photos of scene cards. Jade was very thankful, and happy to get a gift from her parents she really liked. Now with Tori finally letting out her breath, it was her turn.
She placed the large bag in front of Jade, unable to look away from it as she untapped the gift. Inside was another smaller bag that Jade pulled out, opened up, and found yet another bag.
"I love it. I've always wanted a collection of gift bags." Jade jokes, and Tori laughed, still with her hands clasped together.
She takes the third bag out of its packaging, before looking to Tori, and asking, "Let me guess, another bag?"
"See for yourself." Tori said.
Jade opened the next bag in her hand, but this time pulled out a small box. She pulled off the top to find a 14k yellow gold, diamond ring that she recognized as her grandmother's. Completely speechless, Jade looked up at her mom who was grinning ear to ear, before she looked back at Tori who was kneeling next to her.
"Jade, you have made me more happy than I could ever imagine being. There's nothing I want more than to keep being happy with you. I love you, will you marry me?"
Jade reached up to wipe away tears, before answering, "Yes."
Tori placed the ring on Jade's finger before wrapping her arms tight around the other girl's shoulders, and they were both crying happy tears. The newly engaged couple shared a kiss as they were met with applause, and the three youngest kids blowing on noise makers while throwing confetti over them.
"Congratulations!" They all yelled.
Jade is still shocked, looking up at her family. "So, you guys knew this whole time?"
Irene nodded while Tori confirmed that this was what their meetup was about. Jade kept hugging Tori close as Courtney chimed in.
"Yeah, that's the longest I've ever kept a secret."
"And, we're very proud of you." Irene said, kissing the top of the little girl's head.
"Congratulations, you guys." Courtney said, hugging the two of them.
After many more congratulatory hugs, and indulging in a few more desserts, the evening ended by the fire pit in the backyard. This is something Russell has always loved doing with the kids, having everyone toast marshmallows around a fire on a chilly night. He talked about wanting to take the family camping, and now that his family is bigger, the trip should be even more fun. It's probably the first time Jade would look forward to a family vacation, and it might not be a bad way to spend some time with them before heading off to college.
Jade spread more of the blanket over Tori's lap, still holding her hand as they have been pretty much the whole party. Soon as the evening winded down, everyone else made their way inside, leaving Tori and Jade on their own. Jade hugged Tori around her shoulders, pulling her in close as they listened to only the sounds of the fire crackling, and each other's breathing. Tori turned, touching her forehead to Jade's cheek, and Jade pressed a kiss on the bridge of her nose.
"I think this has been the best birthday I've ever had." Jade whispered, moving in to kiss Tori's lips. "It's one where I finally got what I wished for."
"What's that?" Tori asked, smiling up at her.
"To spend forever with you."
"Sounds like a pretty good wish to me." Tori replied.
"I hope you know what you're getting into." Jade joked.
"I do, I can't wait." Tori said, as they shared another kiss.
They continued enjoying the quiet a little while longer before Tori spoke up again.
"Jade, will you promise me something?"
"Anything."
"When we get a house of our own, we need a fire pit in the backyard."
"Deal."
Tori and Jade looked forward to spending more nights together like this one, enjoying quiet moments in each other's arms. A place where no drama was happening, and no one was worried about making it somewhere on time or stressed about exams. This was a place where they could sit, take a deep breath, and just be.