♫ Lemon ♫
There are only two days left before Drew and Homme’s birthday. These past few days, Kevz, Kellen, and Kale have been calling to try and convince me to come home. I’m planning to surprise them, but of course, I can’t let them know.
After one of our video calls three days ago, I visited my OB here in Paris to let her know of my plans about flying back home. Fortunately, I was given the go signal, I’m safe to fly.
From the clinic, I booked my flight and my hotel, which isn’t far from Homme and his brother’s bar. That will give me some time to rest before the party tonight.
So here I am now, with just a bag that contains two pairs of clothing, other than the one I’m already wearing. I didn’t bother packing as I didn’t bring that much when I went there anyway.
I reached my destination at seven in the morning. Based on what they talked about in our secret group chat, the party starts at seven tonight.
“Partnerrrrrrr!” a very familiar voice called from behind. It’s been ten minutes since I came out of the airport before he came. “Sorry, I didn’t expect the long line at the gasoline station,” he explained.
“It’s ok, Partner!” I responded before hugging him.
“Wait, he might get squeezed,” then he pointed at my belly. “He’s a grown-up now!” he exclaimed.
“Silly!” then I hooked my arm to his and lead him to his car. He even opened the car door for me and placed my bag in the backseat as I get in.
“Did you really not tell anyone that you’re coming?” he asked as he wear his seatbelt and I nodded in response. “As in? I’m the only one?” and again, I nodded.
“Why can’t you believe that you’re the only one I informed? I wanted to surprise Drew but I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to just show up out of nowhere. I want to do something extra!” I explained.
He squirmed and giggled after hearing what I said. “Then we need to come up with a plan for later!”
When we reached the hotel, he handed the car over to the valet attendant as he assist me out of the car. He placed an arm over my shoulder as we walked toward the elevator.
He didn’t let go of me even when we reached my unit. He even helped me sit on the couch and I felt weird.
“Hang on, Partner! I’m not disabled!” I told him off.
He scratched the back of his head and laughed. “I just feel anxious, Partner. Imagine if you trip and fall? Your bell will hit the ground first!”
I laughed hard at his description. Even until now, I’m still not used to how weird he describes things.
We ordered late breakfast and started planning for my surprise tonight before he left. He said I need to rest so I’d look good when we present the surprise.
So when he left, I immediately changed clothes and headed to bed. I still have ten hours to rest and I wasn’t even surprised when I quickly fell asleep as soon as my back touched the mattress.
I woke up when my phone started vibrating. I can’t believe that I fell asleep holding it and when someone called, it started vibrating like crazy.
“Partner! Are you ready?” Kevz asked when I answered the call.
Rubbing my eyes, I tried to make out the time from the wall clock above the door. I was even surprised to see that it was already twenty minutes past five in the afternoon.
“Oh my God! Where are you?” I asked.
“I’m in the parking lot. Are you ready to go?”
“Don’t come up here! Just give me thirty minutes to get ready,” I told him hurriedly.
The bar’s not far from the hotel I’m staying in. But the road that we’ll take usually has heavy traffic so we still need to leave early.
When I ended the call, I rushed to the bathroom for a quick shower. Then I took out the clothes from my bag and starts dressing up.
Fortunately, the elevator opened just as I came out of my suite. I rode the cab and headed to the parking lot where I saw Kevz pacing back and forth next to his car.
“Let’s go!” I announced and he immediately opened the passenger door for me.
“You didn’t even comb your hair?” he asked when he got inside the car.
I scowled at his reaction. He looked like my looks disgusted him. “I have a comb here!” I spat and he chuckled.
“Ok, calm down. Are you ready?” he asked and I nodded.
According to him, the plan is to turn off the lights fifteen minutes before seven. Then the guests will wait for the celebrants to come in before turning it on again.
But for his plan, the lights will be turned off again after the celebrants were greeted. He said he already asked Ram for help, but he didn’t give him any details to not spoil the surprise.
Everyone on the guest list is already there when we arrive. I stayed inside the car as I wait for the lights to turn off before going out. It was exactly fifteen minutes when the show started so I hurried to the backdoor.
I can see the silhouette of the people from behind the kitchen door. Ram even saw me but he just smiled and waved.
“Happy birthday!”
Everyone greeted when Drew and Homme entered the bar. Kip and Roj gave them a bro hug then they started singing.
Watching from the kitchen, I saw how the celebrants were smiling widely as they were greeted by the guest. But Drew’s smile turned upside down when my parents approached him.
After the greetings and the birthday song, the lights were out again except for the kitchen. Kellen looking confused, stood up and track the way to the kitchen, but Ram blocked her way.
When Kevz asked me if I’m ready, I nodded then he instructed one of the waiters to turn on the lights of the stage. He handed me the mic and pushed me out lightly, “Don’t be nervous and good luck!” he whispered.
♫ Drew ♫
Today is our birthday celebration, me and Homme. Unfortunately, I woke up around noon as I had a drinking session last night with my brother and cousins.
It was around one in the afternoon when my phone started ringing nonstop. When I was about to answer it, the call ended so I pushed myself up from the bed.
I was on my way to the bathroom when it starts ringing again. “Dude, they’re preparing a surprise party for us tonight!” Homme reported.
I chuckled at the thought of him looking into Kellen’s phone again and I believe that’s how he found out. They were rather obvious these past few days but we pretend that we didn’t notice.
“Are you ready to be surprised?” I asked.
“I’m ready to pretend that I’m surprised!” he giggled. “Kellen will kill me if she finds out that we know about their plan,” he added.
When Homme’s call ended, I sat down on my bed as my phone showed a notification from Facebook. As I check, I came across one of Leslie’s posts.
It was a picture of her and Pete and it was taken yesterday. He has his arm around her shoulders and they’re sitting on a bench at what seems like a park. A tear escaped my eye as I see how they were smiling beautifully.
She’s all I asked for from Jesus. For her to come home and celebrate my birthday with me. unfortunately, I don’t think it will be given to me.
I laid down on my bed with my feet on the floor and continued crying until I fall asleep again. I wasn’t sure how long I slept but I woke up to someone shaking me.
When I opened my eyes, I saw Kip, Roj, and Homme and they were all scowling. “Dude! Let’s go!” Roj exclaimed as he push me up.
“Where are we going?” I asked, trying to pretend that I know nothing.
“We’ll just grab a couple of drinks at Homme’s bar. Kale and Kellen will be there too. Kevz, however, will be late because he needs to take his Uncle to the airport,” Kip explained lengthily.
I nodded as I stood up from the bed, “I’ll just get ready,” then I entered the bathroom.
After a few minutes, we’re already in the car on our way to the bar. We’re both sitting in the backseat and he can’t stop poking me and giggling.
The venue was dark when we got there, which makes their surprise even more obvious. Homme and I can’t help but chuckle when the lights turned on as soon as we stepped in.
Familiar faces greeted us before they started singing. “Let’s sit guys! The food will be served!” Kellen announced.
However, before my butt touched the chair, the lights turned off again. At first, we thought it was a power outage but then the lights in the kitchen are on. Seconds after, the stage was lit too.
A song started playing and my heart sank. I wanted to walk out on them, thinking they were teasing me on my birthday, but then a voice I never expected started to sing.
“If I had one wish boy ~ I'd wish you next to me…”
And I can’t be wrong. I know that voice and I know the owner. Even if I’m asleep or drunk, I’d recognize it.
I slowly stood up straight, wiping my palms on my pants as they start swearing. I also felt Homme’s hand on my back as if trying to calm me down.
When Ram turned on all the lights, our gorgeous vocalist showed up. She’s wearing a really simple outfit but she’s still the most beautiful girl in the world.
She emerged from the kitchen and headed up to the stage where she sat. She continued singing without taking her eyes off of me and I’m sure of that as I was doing the same.
And in the middle of the song, I started sobbing. I uttered a silent prayer to thank Jesus for giving me exactly what I asked for.
As she continues singing, she stretched out her arm in my direction. Without seconds thoughts, I ran the distance between our table and the stage and hugged her.
I didn’t let go even if she was still singing. I can hear her voice breaking from time to time and I understand. I’m feeling exactly the same.
It feels like heaven being able to hug her again like this. Jesus has just proven that sincere prayer is an answered prayer.
I cupped her face when she ended the song and kissed her. She then returned the mic to the stand before returning my hug.
They were all cheering for us but I can’t understand a word they were saying. It’s’ like my heartbeat has already deafened my ears.
When we went down, her parents walked over to us and hugged her. After that, she held my hand again.
“You didn’t even tell us you’re coming!” her mother told her off as her father messes her hair.
“Sorry Mom, I really just want to surprise Drew,” she told her sweetly and Aunt Tori smiled as she wipe her tears away.
I led Leslie to our table. Kevz is supposed to be the one sitting next to me but I haven’t seen him since we got here.
Kale and Kellen approached Leslie as soon as she was seated. “You’re supposed to be surprising Drew! Not all of us!” Kellen commented while wiping her cheeks.
“And this is how not ready you are!” Kale exclaimed then sniffed.
“Sorry!” then she stood up to hug both of them. “I didn’t tell you because I feel like you’ll spoil the surprise,” she teased and even our parents laughed.
When Kale and Kellen let her go, Leslie went to the side to greet my parents. She kissed both of them and hugged my brother so I quickly pulled her away from him.
“Jealous?” mom teased but I just ignored her.
“Don’t worry bro, even if you put her on drugs, she won’t choose anyone else than you. Even if you’re an asshole most of the time!” David stated and everyone laughed.
“Are you seriously forgiving this moron?” Dad asked her and she nodded pouting.
She looked at me before hooking her arm to mine, “Don’t worry Uncle, I’ll do everything to straighten him,” she grinned.
“You’re one lucky guy Drew, fix yourself!” my Mom chirped.
“I won’t miss this chance Mom,” I replied before turning to Leslie’s parents. “Auntie, Uncle, thank you for everything,” and they both nodded and smiled.
“Let’s eat! Lemon’s surprise hungered me!” Kale announced and everyone went back to their assigned seats.
As soon as everyone settled down, the waiters started serving the food. Leslie even suggested that we eat on one plate.
But in the middle of the feast, something caught our attention. It was the sound of someone sobbing incessantly.
When we look around, we saw Kevz crying with his arm over his eyes. He was just there, standing right outside the kitchen door.
♫ Lemon ♫
“Omg! Partner! It’s over! Why are you still crying?” I asked when Drew and I approached Kevz.
Now I know why we can still hear someone sobbing while we were conversing. At first, I thought it was just my imagination but it turned out to be him and now his eyes are swollen.
“You just told me that you wanted to surprise him… but you didn’t say it’ll be emotional!” he stated as he wipes his tears.
I pulled him for a hug and thanked him but that didn’t last for three seconds as someone pulled me away from him. “Why are you being jealous?!” he spat at Drew. “Don’t you know I was the one who helped her?” he added and Drew laughed as he pulled him for a hug.
“Let’s go eat,” I told them and we returned to the table.
They all look very hungry after shedding tears. Yes, they all cried. I even saw Ram wiping his cheek with the back of his hand when I went down the stage earlier.
The table was filled with talks and it continued while they were drinking. I can’t join them but it’s fine. What’s important is that we’re all here.
When the clock struck one in the morning, the party ended as well. Homme’s drunk but he’s more drunk from apologizing to Kellen.
It was all Drew’s fault as he took after Kale’s talkativeness. He told Kellen that Homme is already aware of the surprise they were preparing.
Kelln was drunk too and was feeling sulky. Imagine spoiling a surprise you prepared for a week? Even I will be disappointed.
Because of that, Roj, Kevz, and Kale were assigned to take care of them. But, we all ended up going to the studio after the party. Lyra was surprised to see me and Guido can’t help but smile as he look at my belly.
“How are they?” Kip asked and Kevz told him they were fine.
“Where are they?” Lyra asked and Kevz informed her that Kellen and Homme are in the small room. “Alright, I’ll stay with Guido for tonight!”
Upon hearing that, Kevz had an abnormality attack and started teasing Lyra and Guido. “Silly!” I told him off before turning to our caretakers. “You can go ahead and rest,” I told them smiling.
When Lyra and Guido left, Drew pulled me to sit on the couch. Kevz, Roj, and Kip slumped on the bean bags while Kale crouched on the single-seater.
“You’re not tired yet?” Kip asked and I shook my head as I lift my feet to the coffee table.
“So you’re in cahoots with Kevz?” Kale asked.
Kevz nodded in response before he run to the kitchen. We thought something happened but when he came back, he got beer cans in hand.
“I didn’t drink enough at the party,” he pouted.
“Yep, Kevz helped me. he picked me up from the airport and drove me to the hotel.”
Kip then pat Kevz’s shoulder, “How did you manage to keep it?” he asked, laughing.
He laughed and almost choke as he was drinking when Kip asked him. “I talked to Drew over the phone earlier. I almost asked him what will be his reaction if Lemon showed up. Thank God I stopped myself from doing something stupid!”
We all laughed at his story. If he spoiled my surprise, he would have been dueting with Homme in apologizing.
“Hang on, how did Homme find out about Kellen’s surprise?” I pried as I didn’t understand anything about their conversation earlier.
Drew then turned to me and started narrating how it happened. Kip clapped and laughed after hearing his story.
“That’s why you keep glancing at each other earlier when we picked you up!” Kip stated.
The blame game continued as they drink. It’s been two hours since we got here and I’m starting to feel sleepy.
“Do you want to rest?” Drew asked when I yawned and even if I don’t want to, my head automatically nodded.
“You guys go and rest,” Kip ordered before turning to me, “You’re not supposed to stay up late!” he lightly scolded.
When Drew and I stood up, the rest of the guys stayed with him. Drew helped me find something suitable to wear when we got into the bedroom.
I headed to the bathroom to change. When I went out, he was right outside the door, “What are you doing there?”
“Waiting for you!”
I laughed and smack his shoulder, “We’re just a door apart!”
“Regardless!” he pouted. “What if you run away? I have to be here so I can see if you’ll go downstairs or you’ll jump from the terrace!” then he pulled me into his arms.
“Silly! I won’t waste money and time just to run away!”
He smiled before kissing my forehead. I’m still enclosed in his hug and it’s just tightening. “Promise?”
“Promise!” I quickly answered before planting a kiss on his cheek to get rid of any fear or doubt he was having.
When he let go, he held my hand and led me into the room. He let me lay down first and covered me with a blanket before he laid next to me.
He placed his hand on top of my belly and I was a bit startled. “Sorry,” he whispered. “How is he?”
“He? You want a baby boy?”
He shook his head as he slowly tuck stray hairs behind my ear. “Whatever He gives us, we’ll love him and her with all our heart,” then he kissed my lips and hugged me. “Will he get squeezed?”
I chuckled and shook my head. “He’ll know it’s his dad, he’ll love it,” I giggled before kissing his lips.
It was supposed to be a peck but it deepen when he placed a hand on my nape and pulled me closer. We were both gasping for air when we let go.
“I missed you so much,” he whispered to my lips.
I slipped my hand under his shirt and moved it up and down his back. “I miss you too even if you’re an asshole most of the time.”