Happy Birthday

"The City" café was, to be honest a strange establishment. The building had been broken up into several tiny rooms, each having a different theme to the next. No matter where your interests lay, there was a place you could sit down in and chat to others that shared the same interests. Walking through the front door and into the café, Abbie quickly looked for her friends in their corner. The "Cabin" room was mostly devoted to either writers or readers and their friends.  "Hey guys, how's things going?" Abbie asked flopping down into the beanbag, dropping her bag of University texts on the floor.

"Yeh not bad, been a quiet day at work, but in here there’s always something happening" Jack said putting her arm around Lizard and grinning.

"Uh huh, so I see… You two better get a room if you're going any further" Remy chuckled back as the new couple both smiled in complete happiness.

"Oh come on Rem they're cute… Awww look at Lizard getting huffy, what’s the matter Lizzie? The "cute" thing too much for the big tough dyke" Jess teased as she got up to get a drink as Lizard started to scowl.

"Ok, ok, could you two please stop trying to prove how macho you are. Have all the plans for the birthday girl been taken care of? Seeing as it's in a couple of days." Ally laughed as Lizard and Jess mock glared at each other.

"Yep everything is planned and ready to go, with nothing to worry about" Jack answered patting Lizard's stomach to try to make the scowling woman smile.

“What time’s the party?" Remy looked up from picking paint off a once white but now paint covered shirt.

"As soon as she gets here after school" Jess said returning to the leather couch and sipping on a fresh cup of coffee, noting to herself that Abbie was rather quiet and deciding that a little talk with her friend was in order.

"Sounds good" Ally smiled hopping into the seat next to Jess and giving her a quick kiss, sending the room into a fit of chuckles and jibing.

Discussions about the timing and preparations continued for several more hours. Eventually all the details having been worked out so that everyone knew what they were in charge of and what to bring for the event. Opening the front door and walking into the room Amy smiled at the group of friends chatting away. Abbie jumped up off the rug, quickly offering the seat to Amy.

"Are you sure?" Amy asked heading towards the rug.

"Yeh, I'm going to get a coffee, is there anything you'd like?" Abbie replied smiling at the unknowing victim.

"Um, no, I think I'm ok" she answered sitting down on the floor and starting a conversation with Jess.

Fixing up her cup of coffee and grinning to herself Abbie turned to the fridge to get a cold bottle of ice tea, suspecting that her friend would want one sooner or later and returned to the group. Fully engrossed in the conversation with Jess, Amy only partially noticed Abbie quietly walk back over and deposit the beverage next to her and just as quietly walk over towards the couches, sitting on the floor and leaning back against them. 

For several more hours they chatted about everything from music, to politics and world domination, Abbie finally stood to leave, gathered her bags and said goodnight, “See you all later”.

Arriving home and going to her room, Abbie sat down on her bed to think. Half an hour later Jess walked into the room snapping Abbie out of her thoughts. Wanting to talk with Abbie about whatever it was that had been bothering her.

"Ok Junior time to talk, what’s up? Something’s troubling you and I want to help " Jess said looking straight at Abbie.

"Yeh, I think you might be right… " she replied as all the thoughts that had been clouding her mind continued to whirl around.

"So what's the problem?" Jess asked again.

"I want to do something special for Amy, but I'm pretty much flat broke, any ideas?" Abbie asked as she looked up at her roommate.

"Well, here's one, you could try showing her" Jess replied.

"Hmm… I guess that could work… I suppose I could… And then… Hey this might actually work, thanks mate" she answered now jumping up and bouncing on the bed, a million and one ideas flashing through her mind of just how she could do something special for Amy.

"Ok, well get some sleep squirt, school tomorrow morning, night" Jess said standing up and walking towards the door, feeling slightly proud at being able to help her young charge.

"Yeh, no worries, and thanks Jess, I appreciated your help. Do me a favor though, don't tell anyone about this, please" she replied getting off the bed just long enough to pull the comforter back and change into a pair of Scooby Doo boxers and sleep shirt.

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The next morning flew by, how much of her schoolwork was actually done or remembered was another matter. But by the end of class Abbie was racing out the door and running down the street hoping that she'd still have enough time to be able to arrange several surprises for Amy.

She spent the next few hours diving in and out of a few small stores, purchasing and organizing the finer points for the next day's party. Having finally finished and heading towards the café, Abbie walked along the street with a smug grin on her face, part of her wishing that the next twenty-four hours would hurry up and pass. The other part hoping she could pull off the surprise without embarrassing herself too much. 

Opening the door to The City and walking through to the Cabin room she flopped into the nearest leather couch and smiled at the few friends that were already there.

"Hey Ab, how's school?" Jack asked grinning at the flushed woman recuperating on the couch.

"Yeh not bad, the usual stuff, you know" she answered having regained her composure.

"Great, so you set for tomorrow, you've got all the music taken care of I hope" she chuckled.

"Uh huh, something for everyone, so Lizard can relax, she won't be tortured too much. But I need your help with a couple of things" Abbie laughed knowing how varied the gangs taste in music was.

"Ok, what is it?" she asked.

"Um… Well I was wondering if you'd play guitar with me, you know, both of us sing a few songs for her, including "Happy Birthday" just for a laugh" Abbie answered with a big grin on her face.

"No probs. Any other songs you want to play?"

"Yeh, they're easy ones though"

"Terrific, sounds like we're all set then"

"Yep, I think so" she grinned to herself, thinking of what the next day could bring if she didn't chicken out between now and then.

They continued chatting for several hours as many friends came and went. Ally and Jess checking to make sure everything was set. Pat breezing in to see if there was any last minute changes before she returned to her family. Eventually Jess and Ally took up their usual seats on the other couch, ten minutes later Jess' twin, BettySue popped in and started yet another ruckus and wrestling match. 

So by the end of the evening all the usual crew had been and gone, each nodding with an evil grin before leaving. Slowly walking back home, the three roommates were in fine form, cracking jokes and teasing each other.

"So did you get everything ready?" Jess inquired, curious to know whether her friend had actually decided to do anything or not.

"Yep, it's all done, just hope I don't turn into a bumbling idiot" she chuckled.

"Um, do either of you want to let me in on what you're talking about?" Ally piped up.

Both of the co-conspirators broke into laughter, Abbie starting to blush as Jess started to try to give some sort of explanation without giving the whole story. "Oh, just plotting and planning dear, nothing you need to worry about".

"Ok… If you insist" she replied not entirely sure she wanted to know what the two pranksters were up to, it was sometimes safer that way.

"She's just checking to make sure I've got all the duties I'm responsible for done, nothing big" Abbie laughed trying not to sound as worried as she really was.

"Yep, that's all babe" Jess said, and in all honesty it was the truth.

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"No, move it to the other left" Jack laughed as she tried to direct Lizard and Remy who were both standing on ladders attempting to hang the birthday banner over the doorway.

"Hey guys, how's it going?" Abbie asked sticking her head through the archway dodging the banner as both Remy and Lizard dropped it to the floor.

"Well it'd be going a lot better if dumb and dumber here could figure out which of their lefts is left and not their right" Jack laughed as both Lizard and Remy started bickering over who said they'd tied off the banner before letting the ends go.

"I'm sure it'll be fine, just don't ask them to direct traffic ok…" she chortled stepping through carrying a bag of CD's and her guitar.

"Oh don't even joke about that" Jack howled with laughter at the thought of what would happen to the cars if they were left in charge of them. "My guitar's over in the corner, just set yourself up wherever suits you best, and I'll be with you in a minute".

"No worries" she answered taking all the items over to the corner.

Setting up didn't take long at all, running the wires all over the room to the speakers were was the interesting part. She'd tripped over them that many times it was no longer funny. By late afternoon everything was ready, music set ready to deafen even the most hardened of ears. Enough food to feed a huge army let alone a small one and just as much to drink to keep the munchies company.

Waiting for Amy to arrive was the worst part, the time seemed to go so slowly that when she eventually arrived there, the whole gang was jumping with anticipation. Finally she opened the door and walked into the room, not expecting the welcome waiting for her.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY" a dozen voices all bellowed out at once, sending a booming sound through the building.

Abbie and Jack broke into song, strumming away to the traditional birthday tune as the rest of the gang happily sang their hearts out. Which sounded somewhat like a bunch of marauding cattle attempting to drown out the sound of bullfrogs in mating season, but it was the well wishes behind the din that was important.

"Um… wow, thanks guys… I'm… wow" Amy stood just in front of the doorway with a look that could only be described as astounded, on her face.

One by one each of the gang made their way over to her and personally wished her all the best for her special day, presenting her with a token for the occasion. Last was Abbie, feeling somewhat self-conscious even though no one was taking the slightest bit of notice.

"Happy Birthday Amy I hope you have a fantastic night, and that it's a memorable one for you" she said handing the young woman her gift and quickly making her way back to her guitar and stool in the corner.

Slowly making her way through the presents Amy eventually came to the box from Abbie. Opening the lid and taking out the top layer of tissue paper and lifting out the first item to see what it was. "Ohhhh…" she breathed as she looked upon a bottle of CK1, her favorite perfume. Next in the box was a few selected candy bars and a packet of chocolate biscuits.  Looking up from the parcel and searching the room for Abbie she finally caught her eyes on the other side of the room.

Walking over to Abbie, Amy couldn't help but wonder why she had given her such a personal gift. She'd known Abbie for nearly nine months, and thought of her as a dear friend. Approaching the tall blonde she hoped that whatever was about to happen was going to be good. "Howdy"

"Hi, having a good time?" Abbie answered.

"Yeh I am. Thanks for the gift" Amy smiled in return.

"You're more than welcome " she said, her voice starting to crack slightly under the strain.

A nod and smile was all the young woman could manage as Jack came back to her stool and the two got ready to do a few songs before turning over to the CD's for the rest of the night. 

Song after song, the duo rocked away to tunes consisting of soft ballads to livelier melodies, eventually finishing up with the last song that had recently featured in a popular movie. "Happy Birthday Amy, we all wish you the best. G'night everyone" Abbie finished as both she and Jack unplugged their guitars and packed up the leads and amps.

Walking over to the guitarists to thank them Amy was pondering on just how much of an interesting night this was turning into…

"Bravo, thanks for that you two, it was really nice" she said looking at both of them.

"You're welcome, I hope you enjoyed the last song" Abbie responded with a faint blush still not believing she'd been singing in public.

"Yes I did"

"Good. Any requests for the first CD?"

"Nah, pick anything"

"Ok" Abbie replied picking up a selection of compellations and loading them into the player and letting the songs carry the group even further into the night. 

"Hey Amy come over here, you really need to see this" Jack bellowed from across the room where Jess and BettySue were wrestling on the floor.

"What happened?" Amy asked walking towards Jack and peering over the couch to where Jess had BettySue's legs pinned under her knees trying to get a hold on the squirming woman, while BettySue was frantically tickling the shorter woman and quickly gaining the upper hand in the duel.

"Oh I think they got a little too happy on some of that special Amazon style liquor, and somehow they ended up in a challenge… Doesn't really matter how or why they got into this, it's too damn funny!" Jack answered laughing as Jess went tumbling to the floor.

"Uh huh… I just hope neither of them end up hurt…" Amy chuckled as Jess got one hand onto BettySue and started tickling her enough to allow her to flip the woman over on to her back, then she scrambled over to start a fresh assault.

Approaching the squirming bodies and coughing loudly to gain the attention of the two women on the floor, Ally looked down on the two twins. "Excuse me… mind if I intrude?" she said scowling at the red faced and laughing pair.

Looking at each other they began laughing. "Looks like lady love calls, and while I'll take you on any day, I'm not dumb enough to take on your girl…" BettySue chuckled at the wincing semi-smile on Jess's face as she tried to get out of the dog house with her girlfriend.

They all watched as Jess and Ally headed off towards the couches to discuss just why Jess had been rolling around on the floor with BettySue and what was going to be suitable punishment or reward, depending on who's side you happened to be.

"Oh well, guess that's the end of that then" Abbie said laughing, wiping the tears from her eyes. Walking over towards the couch and sitting down long enough to regain her composure.

"Yeh, looks like it" Amy turning around to see her tall blonde friend sitting at the other end of the couch watching Jess and Ally in their negotiations. 

"Awww, come on… isn't there anything else I can do to make it up to you?" Jess whined standing up and looking down on the grinning Ally.

"Nope, I want to dance, and you WILL dance with me" Ally replied standing up and walking towards the dance floor.

"Yes dear" Jess replied muttering under her breath and following the love of her life, pausing just long enough at Abbie to whisper something to her before catching up with Ally and taking her hand.

"Yeh sure, I'll put it on right now…" Abbie answered smiling at her friends, and hoping that she could find the song and get everyone else to help out. She strode over to the CD player, sifting through the stack searching for the requested song. Having found the disc she waved Amy over and mumbled into her ear, "can you go and see if you can get everyone else to come dance, Jess hates dancing, especially when she's the only one up there".

"Ok" Amy answered wandering off to round up the troops.  Abbie cranked up the stereo and popped in Sister Sledge's "We Are Family", walked back to the dance floor and joined up with the rest of the group. They spent the rest of the night dancing and partying, everyone enjoying themselves immensely.