When they get back to Ravenwood, Sam is surprised with a birthday party.
"Nope, just a bunch of Vera's fans. You did this for me?"
"You didn't think we'd forget your eighteenth birthday, did you?" Emma looked near tears.
"No. You'd never forget that," he said softly. "Thank you."
"It wasn't just me," she replied. "The girls helped me plan it."
"Is this what you were talking about during your makeover?"
Vera chuckled. "Told ya he'd notice that."
"Come have pizza and cake," Emma insisted, dragging on his hand. "We got your favorite—pineapple, ham and feta."
"You're amazing," he said. "Thank you." He kissed her again.
They all ate pizza until they were stuffed. Once the plates were cleared away, Tim and Shelby lit the candles on the cake. Vera led everyone in singing the Beatles' Happy Birthday and Sam blew out the candles. They ate cake and ice cream before opening gifts.
"We went shopping in the attic outlet," Carlos said. "Raleigh gave Tim the keys, and we all were allowed to choose something for you."
"Except for me and Emma," Vera said. "We bought you this today." She handed him a bag from the outlet store.
"How did you buy this without me seeing?"
Vera rolled her eyes. "You know that guys can't stand to shop, so they wander around? I got this while you wandered."
"So, getting the bra was an excuse?"
"Of course! But it totally rocks." She pushed her breasts up, doing a shimmy.
Sammy opened the bag. There was a package of his favorite boxers and another of T-shirts. At the bottom was a small box. Inside, he found a pair of gold hoops. Even discounted, they were more expensive than any he'd owned before. Speechless, he put them in his ears before kissing the girls.
"You're not done," Tim insisted. "Here." He thrust a small package into Sam's hands.
It contained a variety of guitar picks. Some were slightly used, but most were new. There was also a well used, but functional, guitar tuner. Shelby gave him a coffee mug with his name hand painted on the side. Freddie and Carlos had found band T-shirts like he favored. Glenn proudly presented him with a pair of jeans and more socks. Donna had pawed through the gold suitcase, and presented him with a silk tie and dress shirt. Another trip into the junk room and Cory had found him some nice slacks to go with the shirt and tie.
Benji and Freddie held back shyly.
"We couldn't find much, after everyone else went shopping," Freddie said shyly. "But we came up with these." He handed Sammy a stack of CD's and a small portable player. "I know it's kinda low tech, but Raleigh said we can use his computer to put them on your iPod."
Benji's gift was the most random. He'd found a can of shaving gel and some fancy razors in the junk room. He also presented him with a manicure set.
"I know it's kinda girly, but it's got nice nail clippers in it and some tweezers. Guy or not, sometimes you've gotta pluck."
Sam thanked them all for the gifts. He'd never had such a wealth of presents, nor had he ever had such a fantastic party. Overwhelmed, he felt like crying. It took a moment for him to realize that no one here would care if he cried or not, so he let the tears flow.
"I never had this good a birthday," he admitted quietly. "My parents never remembered and the foster families didn't care. Sometimes, I'd get a cake, but mostly not. You guys have no idea what this means to me."
Emma came up to him, hugging him tightly. All the girls did the same. After that, the men lined up to clap him on the back. Tim even dragged him into a bone cracking man hug. Sam had to rabbit punch his ribs to make him let go. Laughing, the other man jabbed him playfully in the gut.
"Stop that this instant," Shelby said, before they could escalate. "What would Molly say?"
"She'd say to grow up or pay up," Tim replied.
©2020 Dellani Oakes
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