Chapter Text
In the evening, at Booker's party, Nicky was talking with Nile. Nile was the newest member of their little group. It was Andy who had found Nile at a university in England, where Nile was studying to become a lawyer. Just like Andy, Nile was also dealing with PTSD after being to war. And now Nile was working with Andy, trying to make new laws for soldiers and veterans.
"I'm sorry to hear about your arm, Nicky," Nile said. "That you need to have an operation."
"It is just not my week," Nicky replied. "First, I flunked again, and now this. I so wish I could get drunk. You know, drown your sorrows."
Nicky took a sip of the orange juice.
"I know that feeling all too well," Nile replied. "And you know it."
"Sorry," Nicky replied. "I didn't mean to upset you."
"I know, Nicky," Nile replied. "So, tell me, what is your boyfriend doing to lift your mood?"
"He is up to something, that much I know," Nicky replied. "I just don't know what yet."
"Knowing, Joe," Nile replied. "It will be something amazing that will definitely lift your mood."
Nicky nodded as he looked over at Joe and Booker, who were setting the table.
"No need to worry, Babe," Joe said. "We got this."
Joe kissed Nicky on the cheek before leaving for the kitchen.
"It isn't as good as when you do it," Nile said. "But at least they are trying."
"You are right," Nicky replied. "And I think it looks great."
"Thanks," Booker replied. "We decided to use this old photo as a reference."
Booker handed Nicky a photo. It was from New Year's Eve two years ago.
"That was a fun night," Booker said. "Wasn't it there Joe got so drunk that he ended up confessing his love for you to the plant in the corner?"
"Yes, it was," Nicky replied. "And it was Andy's idea that Joe should practice first."
They all laughed just as Joe returned with a tray of chicken. He looked bemused at them.
"Uhmm?" Joe asked. "What did I miss out on?"
Nicky looked at the plant in the corner, which made Joe facepalm himself.
"Please forget that I did that," Joe begged. "It was two years ago."
"Well," Booker replied. "If you forget what happened on that ski trip back in ninth grade, I will forget you and the plant."
"Not going to happen," Joe replied. "I need to have something on you for a rainy day."
Both Nile and Nicky looked at Booker and Joe.
"That is the only story I have never been able to get out of them, Nile," Nicky said. "Maybe as a lawyer, you got a better tactic than me."
"I will start working on them tomorrow," Nile replied. "We are going to find out what happened."
It knocked on the front door and seconds later, it almost sounded like someone kicked in the front door.
"Andromache," Quynh said out in the hallway. "I told you to let me open the front door."
"You are carrying more than one," Andy replied. "And I got this under control."
Andy entered the living room carrying a big box with Quynh after her.
"Happy birthday, Book," Andy said. "You don't look like a day over forty."
"Andromache," Quynh said. "So sorry, everyone, for my wife's manners. She was raised in a cave."
"That's not true," Andy replied. "It was a yurt."
Andy and Quynh hugged their friends before Andy slapped Booker over the hand.
"Keep your hands to yourself," Andy said. "You can have a look at your birthday cake after we have eaten dinner."
"It's called a Christmas birthday cake," Booker replied. "It's what Nicky calls it."
"Yes, yes," Andy replied. "Let's eat. I'm hungry."
Quynh rolled her eyes before she sat down next to Andy.
"Before we eat, I got something to tell you," Booker said. "I have been offered to teach a year at Cal Tech. Something I have said yes to."
Everyone at the table congratulated Booker.
"I will leave in March," Booker said. "And I hope that you all will visit me."
Everyone promised to visit Booker. Then they started to eat.
"We also got something to tell," Quynh said with a smile. "We are having a girl in a month."
Everyone congratulated Andy and Quynh.
"And she already has an attitude I love," Andy laughed. "She turned her bump towards the midwife during the scan."
The others laughed.
"So, you are having a mini Andy," Nicky said. "I feel for you, Quynh."
"Hi," Andy said. "I'm a terrific human being."
Everyone exchanged a look between them.
"Yes, yes," Joe quickly said. "Simply the best."
Before Andy could say anything, Booker offered Andy more chicken. While eating, the others tried to cheer Nicky up, talked more about Booker's new adventure, the baby, and a law Andy and Nile were working on. After eating, Andy placed the big box on the table with a secret smile on her face.
"Nicky, be a dear and take Booker with you," Andy said. "I will call you in a moment."
Nicky made a sign that Booker should follow him.
"Remember what you said about having faith in Andy's baking skills, Nicky?" Booker asked, and Nicky nodded. "Let's just say I don't have much faith right now."
"Give her a chance," Nicky replied. "And if you don't like your Christmas birthday cake, I will buy you one tomorrow to your liking. I promise."
Nicky placed a hand on his broken arm.
"You know what?" Booker asked. "Could you maybe let me worry about you? You always take care of us, so let me take care of you."
"If you want to help me, maybe you could get my Mama before the operation in two days," Nicky replied. "She can't make the long trip alone because of her hip, and I don't have the money to pay someone to accompany her. I promise to repay you..."
Booker placed a hand on Nicky's shoulder.
"Tomorrow, you call your Mama and tell her I'm on the way," Booker said. "And you don't have to repay me. See it as my Christmas gift to you this year."
"Thanks, Book," Nicky replied with a grateful smile. "For being such a great friend."
Booker smiled just as Quynh came into the kitchen.
"One thing before you go in there, Booker," Quyhn said. "Remember, whatever you see, Andy has done it with love."
"I keep that in mind," Booker replied. "It's all about having some faith."
Booker looked at Nicky before they followed Quynh into the living room. On the table stood a six-tier chocolate cake decorated with action figures and filled with sparklers.
"Tada," Andy said with a proud smile. "What do you say to your Christmas cake? Was it called that?"
"Christmas birthday cake," Booker replied. "And I have to say, it looks....impressive."
"Thanks," Andy replied. "It was hard work."
Andy handed Booker the knife.
"Could I ask something?" Nile asked. "Don't you sing birthday songs?"
"I don't think we have ever done that," Joe replied. "Most of all because Andy's singing makes the dogs in the neighbourhood howl."
"Very funny, Al-Kaysani," Andy replied as she punched Joe on the shoulder. "And for your information: I have the voice of an angel, right, Quynh?"
"Uhmmm," Quynh replied. "I need a bathroom. The baby is kicking my bladder. Save a slice for me."
Quynh almost ran out of the living room with a smile.
"Folks?" Nicky said. "I would really prefer not to burn down the place I share with Booker, so could anyone put out the sparkles?"
It was there the others noticed that the action figures were on fire. Joe quickly got a hold of the sparkling water Nicky always had in the fridge in case the living candles set anything on fire while Nile opened a window.
"That has never happened before, and I have never seen my Christmas birthday cake on fire before," Booker said. "Thanks for making my birthday one I won't forget in a very long while."
"So sorry, it wasn't the plan," Andy replied. "But maybe some of the cake can still be eaten."
Because of the melted action figures, the four first tiers of the Christmas birthday cake couldn't be eaten. After getting a slice of cake each, they sat down in the sofas.
"This actually tastes good, Andy," Joe said. "Did you pay attention in the cooking class?"
"Nah, I dished that project after the burned chicken," Andy replied. "No, I bought the cake at the only baker in town Nicky uses. And I did the decoration myself. The small fire wasn't a part of the plan."
"We know that," Quynh replied. "Just promise me you won't use any more sparkles on our kid's birthday cake unless you have conferred with Nicky first."
Andy promised Quynh that.
"Nicky?" Nile asked. "What is the idea with the sparkling water Joe used?"
"My Uncle is a firefighter and keeps on telling us to keep sparkling water to put out small fires in the home," Nicky replied. "And it works."
"Remind me, I need to thank your Uncle for that tip," Booker said. "I will remember to keep a bottle in my office and the fridge in the future."
They ate the rest of the cake.
"Thank you for coming today," Booker said. "Nile, do you have any plans tomorrow?"
"No, it's my day off," Nile replied. "Why?"
"I promised Nicky to get his Mama before the operation," Booker replied. "And your Italian is better than mine, in case of problems."
"Sure thing," Nile replied. "I would love to go with you."
"Thanks," Booker replied. "While we are gone, could Andy and you maybe find a place for Nicky's Mama to stay? She can't use stairs yet because of her hip."
"We find something that is near you, Nicky," Quynh replied. "And before you protest, Nicky, we are doing it because we love you, so it isn't too much trouble for us."
Nicky thanked his friends for all the help.
"And I'm going with you to the hospital," Joe said before kissing Nicky on the head. "Not leaving your side at all."
"Thanks again for all your help," Nicky replied. "It means a lot to me."
Nicky stood up and hugged his friends.
"Not to sound like the boring old adult," Joe said. "But Nicky needs to go to bed and try to get some sleep. He is getting up at 5 AM before going to the hospital."
"It's getting late anyway," Nile replied. "And we can party again at New Year. It's, after all, a new millennium we are celebrating."
They all couldn't wait for that party. After saying goodbye to their friends, Joe tucked Nicky in bed before promising him to return as soon he had helped Booker with the cleaning.
"Thanks for getting Nicky's Mama, Book," Joe said. "I had thought to get her myself before Christmas. Nicky's mood is still at a low."
"It will get better again; just give him time," Booker replied. "Are you planning to ask him to move in with you?"
"It is complicated," Joe replied. "I will explain more after the operation."