“Happy Birthday!” Jillian said after she kissed me and presented me with a tray that had a new huge coffee cup. It was more like a soup bowl with a handle. Fresh warm cereal bars from the oven a single flower and an envelope. I smelled the flower, sipped the coffee using both hands and then opened the envelope. The cover was the first picture we took together. As I opened it, I could just barely detect my favorite perfume. It was hand written in pen, very neat. It contained three paragraphs of the most sincere and honest thoughts and feelings I have ever read. Tears came to my eyes as I read through it. I said nothing and hugged Jillian for a full minute. Seventeen minutes later we took a romantic bath together.

  Jillian was full of energy and in good spirits as she straightened up the house.

  “So what time is everyone coming over?” I asked Jillian.

  “How did you know?” Jillian said, not very surprised.

  “All the bathrooms have a fresh roll of toilet paper.” I said.

  “Helen and Scotty left early for some last-minute shopping and will be back in an hour or two…” Jillian said as three quick clicks came over the radio.

  “That’s the signal.” I said walking outside to the patio to give Jillian some privacy with her failed surprise party planning committee. I used the outside hot-tub as a planter for peppers; Jalapeno, habanero, red, yellow, green and needed to transfer the plants now that we have power. For some reason I actually lined it with thick plastic in case we needed it for something else and clean up would be easier.

  “They will be here around six o’clock.” Jillian said as she came over to me.

  “Have you checked the pool?” I asked smiling.

  “Oh my god is that nice! Jillian said with a big smile as she knelt down to check the water temperature. I actually had to turn it down a bit.

  Everyone showed up in festive Hawaiian fare and Rebecca actually wore a coconut bra and grass skirt. Reese prepared a medium sized Turkey and everyone else helped clean and prepare fish and appetizers. Sammy played with all the dogs and Rosie took a particular liking to Sammy as he was very careful and protective with the pups as he read a book to all of them as they all sat patiently waiting for him to pass out dog cookies.

  The sun was setting and we wanted to show off our power conversion project. Paul and Reese took detailed pictures, video and notes as Scotty and I walked them through our on-going learning process. Paul and Reese already started extracting two engines from the cars they found at the Sofa-King on Catalina with no occupants. Reese’s mechanical knowledge gave us a couple of new directions on a phase two project.

  Jillian turned off all the lights in the house as she was very excited to see the patio and pool area with all the lights and her recent additions. One by one she threw the switches to a resounding series of ‘Ohh’s and Ahh’s like during a fireworks display. My personal favorite was the lights recessed in the cement around the pool area. Plus, a couple on the low stairs I did not know existed or just forgot about them. It looked very classy and the lights inside the pool were just beautiful. Everyone presented me with gifts after a toast and an awful rendition of ‘Happy Birthday”.

  I received an electronic coffee grinder and a photo album of just Jillian and I that she took. It included bits and pieces of memorabilia that took a long time and a lot of effort. Helen gave me a beautiful handmade sweater that fit perfectly. Scotty made me a leather holster for my Desert Eagle and of course a couple of bottles of Bourbon. Reese gave me a complete set of ‘proper’ cutlery, he said ‘they were the best’ and a book on how to prepare animals of North America. Rebecca, obviously does not like my choice of casual wear and got me a number of shirts and pants. She also got me a new video camera and tripod and a collection of ‘toys’ for Jillian and I that did not need to be presented. Susan and Paul gave me a marked-up chart with days and hours for fishing.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Jillian then presented me with a familiar shaped package and weight. I tore off the wrapping paper and immediately recognized ‘Fender” on the case. I snapped the locks off and lifted the lid. It was a beautiful dark green Stratocaster.

  “There were so many choices, but this one wanted to come home with me!” Jillian said.

  “I had no idea you play! I play drums. I have four kits set up. Were gonna have to jam one day!” Paul said with enthusiasm. I smiled and gave Jillian a kiss.

  Sammy presented me with a huge rolled up and wrinkled poster. It chronicled our arrival at Avalon Bay and our first baseball game together. All the key plays including a very detailed area of when I hit the line drive right at Sammy. His verbal presentation outlining each individual drawing was a complete and detailed recap of the game that included Ginger and Pete with his over-sized head. I was all choked up and did not know what to say. I hugged Sammy and thanked him. Embracing his small frame immediately transported me back in time when I hugged my children. I should have hugged them more often.

  “Tomorrow, I’m going to make a frame for this.” I said holding back my emotions.

  “You didn’t sign and date this.” I said to Sammy. Jillian found a pen and handed it to Sammy who signed his name and today’s date.

  It was very late; I was tired and a little drunk. We turned off all the lights and laughed at all the dogs bedded down together on the huge couch.

  “I have one more present to show you.” Jillian said grinning ear to ear as we entered our bedroom and made ready for bed.

  “Really! Does it include…” I started to say as she presented me with a black and white picture.

  “This is a… Sonogram?” I asked trying to assemble my thoughts and feelings. Jillian started crying tears of joy and hugging me. I was numb, tired, drunk and a wash with swirling emotions.

  “We’re going to have a baby?” I asked out loud in order to actually hear the words. Jillian looked at me clutching my face crying and giggling. I was overwhelmed with joy seeing her so happy. As I was hugging Jillian, a flash of lightening appeared followed by a little thunder as light rain started to fall outside.

  “We better check on the dogs.” Jillian said knowing Ginger and Rosie might be a little nervous.

  “SURPRISE!” Everyone was assembled downstairs as Sammy was in charge of the light switch illuminating everything as Helen and Rebecca snapped off some pictures including the head of my dick peeking out from under my over-sized t-shirt. I immediately pulled it down to cover it up.

  “Too late! We’ve already seen it!” Helen said confirming the picture she took with Susan as everyone laughed and congratulated us.

  “Did all of you know?” I asked.

  “Only me!” Helen said walking up and hugging me.

  “I just told everyone about ten minutes ago.” Helen said wiping tears from her eyes.

  “Uncle Greg. You need to put some pants on. I can see your butt!” Sammy said laughing. I have not heard someone say ‘Uncle Greg’ in a long time.

  “I’ll just shake your hand if that’s okay.” Scotty said as he congratulated me. I grabbed his hand and gave him a hug anyway. I hugged Susan and Paul then Rebecca who all congratulated me.

  Reese was smiling broadly with arms outstretched. He picked me up by my ass with both hands and gave me a bone crushing hug.

  “REESE! Down Boy! SIT. HEEL!” Rebecca said as she smacked his back. Reese put me down laughing and congratulating me.

  All the dogs seemed to be annoyed at this commotion looking at us from the couch. Susan and Paul showed the Sonogram to Sammy as he did not fully understand the picture.

  “I picked up the machine a week ago. It’s at Helen and Scotty’s. I figured out how to use it. It’s not that difficult.” Jillian said.

  “I thought it was to test high blood pressure or something. Didn’t give it a second thought.” Scotty said.

  No one else noticed but a soft yellow glow was visible inside the fireplace.