“Happy birthday, Nick,” Shy said, and she hugged Nick.
After Bobby and Pam extended birthday wishes, each of the Captains, Jackie, Carter, Ed Weather, Doc and, even Sherman, as well as Perry and Glenda, came to show respect and wish Nick a happy birthday.
“You got me good.”
“We got each other good all day long … but with this,” she kissed him. “Happy birthday.”
He didn’t say anything at first, but then leaned in to kiss her. “It’s been the best birthday, baby.”
“Quit it y’all. You can make a baby later,” Wanda teased, and then she pulled Nick away from April to give him a hug.
“Happy birthday, Nick,” she said to one of her oldest friends. In order for Wanda to move on, she had to put their relationship behind her and remember that they were friends first. They were family.
One by one, all of the guest paid birthday respects to Nick, laughing with him and telling old stories and wishing him the best. And then Rain who had sat back to watch it all, stood up and approached him slowly. Due to their past relationship, just about everybody was surprised when Rain came through the door.
The room grew silent, with the exception to Scarlett’s voice singing in the background, there was not a sound. They all waited for her to say something and when she did, she surprised Nick and everybody else, for that matter. First Rain greeted April with a nod and then hugged him.
“Happy birthday. I wish you the best year with April.”
“Thanks, Rain,” Nick said, and then the party started, and everyone dispersed to mingle before the meal was served. But on the other side of the room, Pam was grilling Shy.
“You are absolutely glowing. I mean more than usual.”
“Thank you, Pam,” Shy said and smiled at her.
“So what’s going on? The last time I looked like that, I was pregnant with the twins.”
Shy smiled.
“Noooo!”
Shy nodded and her
smile widened.
“Congratulations!”
“Shhhh. I haven’t told anyone yet.”
“Okay, okay, but when are you due?”
“I’m ten weeks, so do the math.”
“Well, this is fabulous news. I know Mike is happy.”
“I haven’t told him yet.”
Pam laughed. “You need to tell him.”
“I will, tonight,” Shy promised but before the conversation could go any further, Chef Aja came out with her creations for dinner and everyone sat down to listen as she went over the menu and everyone ate when she left to see to dessert.
As the meal winded down and everyone sipped on their champagne and made birthday toasts, except for Shy, who sipped on water. The huge birthday cake was wheeled in with sparklers for candles. The Family sang happy birthday as a smiling Nick stood by the cake, asking April to come up to blow out the candles with him. When the singing died, he closed his eyes before blowing out the sparklers as everyone applauded.
“I don’t think it’s tradition to share your birthday wish with others, but I’m doing it anyway. I asked April up here with me to let you all know that I asked April to marry me and for some reason, she accepted.”
There was a round of applause and shouts of congratulations and then Nick held up his hand to quiet the crowd. “So, my wish is that we have a very long and happy marriage and I wish for this Family be as happy and as strong as we are right now.”
The End of The Model and The Madam