PAR-TAY WITH BREE

Chapter 8


 

The birthday princess and her entourage were all seated around the decorated kitchen table. Justin had a tray of hamburgers, hot dogs and mini pizzas sitting in the middle of the table. With cups of punch and juice poured, dinner was ready to begin. Since Emmett was going to supervise dinner, a second tray piled high with burgers, dogs and pizzas, was ready to be walked over to the Anderson-Morrison end of the cottage. The men of Edna’s Treasures decided to have their dinner over there.

John, Bobby and Patrick came over to the Kinney-Taylor side to express their good wishes, greet the guests and help transport their dinner over to the other side of the cottage.

“Happy Birthday, Princess! Good evening, my ladies,” John very gallantly greeted the young princesses. All the young ladies giggled with delight as John made a very gentlemanly bow.

“Oh thank you, Unca John!” Bree replied. John kissed her cheek, smiled at the girls then gave JR a wink. He knew how vital JR was to the party. JR beamed back a smile.

“Happy Birthday, Sweetheart,” Bobby added as he also kissed his niece’s cheek. “I hope all you young ladies have a great time tonight,” Bobby said as he smiled handsomely at all the girls.

“Thank you, Unca Bobby. We will!” Bree said with a bright smile. The girls squealed, innocently flirting with the handsome redhead.

“Happy Birthday, Bree,” Patrick said quickly then turned to make his escape.

“Paaatwick!” Bree called out, stopping Patrick in midstride. He slowly turned around. Bree shamelessly batted her blond lashes. “Could you eat dinner with us?” Bree asked with wide innocent eyes. Ashley, Brenda, and Hannah huddled close as they giggled. Winona wasn’t that impressed, but she smiled anyway.

Patrick sighed, looking to his fathers for help. Searching for a logical excuse to get his son out of his present predicament and finding none, Bobby shrugged his shoulders in defeat. Patrick sighed louder then looked to his older but equally wise father.

“Sometimes a man’s gotta do, what a man’s gotta do,” John said to his son as he patted his forlorn son on the back.

Patrick lowered his head then sat at the head of the table.

“YAY!” the girls cheered. Even Emmett clapped as he bounced up and down on his toes.

“Just what we needed, a prince to grace our table!” Emmett gushed as he placed a cardboard crown on Patrick’s head. He then placed sparkling crowns on each girl’s head.

Patrick turned, his eyes pleading to his fathers, as they and his uncles bid a hasty retreat with their own tray of dinner.

“He’s such a great kid,” Justin commented to Bobby as he carried the tray.

“Yeah, he is. I’m so proud of him,” Bobby said with a chuckle.

Following behind Justin and Bobby were Brian and John.

“He never stood a chance,” Brian snarked as he shook his head.

“Nope,” John agreed. The Kinney brothers followed their partners to the other side of the conjoined cottages.

 

*****
 

A knock on the back door of the Anderson-Morrison cottage surprised all the men as they were munching on the tiny burgers, hotdogs and pizzas. John got up to answer the door.

“Come in,” they all heard John say.

“Sorry to interrupt your dinner. It’s still early, isn’t it?” Rachel asked.

“We’re on princess time now,” Brian responded, eliciting a laugh.

“Why aren’t you with the princesses?” George asked.

“We left them with Emmett. They’re having dinner,” Justin said.

“Do you think it’s safe to leave that group alone?” Rachel wanted to know, even though she said it with a laugh.

“Maybe not,” Brian said with a frown.

“I’m teasing,” Rachel replied quickly. “I’m sure they’re doing just fine.”

“And they have Patrick as a stabilizing force,” Bobby added.

“Patrick? And all those girls?” Rachel asked. “How did you get him to stay over there? I’m sure he’d much rather be with the menfolk.”

“Bree batted her eyelashes at him and said ‘Paatwick’,” Justin laughed.

“And he was doomed,” George chuckled.

“Correct,” John said, “and we did sort of abandon him.”

“That wasn’t very gallant of you,” Rachel said with a laugh.

“Why don’t you join us in our junk food feast?” Bobby asked his sister and her husband. “We have plenty.”

“More than enough,” Brian added as he finished his first and last burger.

George and Rachel sat down and helped themselves to some of the delicious finger foods.

“These are yummy,” Rachel said wiping her mouth with a napkin. “I bet the kids are loving them. Um … if it wouldn’t be an imposition, I’d love to wish Bree a happy birthday and see the princess palace Emmett has concocted.”

“No problem at all,” Justin replied. “Bree will be very happy to see you.”

“As soon as you’re done eating we can go to our place,” Brian said. “And find out what kind of a mess Emmett has cooked up while we’ve been gone.”

“Brian!” the three men of Edna’s Treasures admonished. Brian merely smirked.

 

*****
 

“Another one, Patrick?” JR asked as she held out the tray of food towards him.

“Yeah, thanks,” Patrick said grabbing a couple of pizzas while the tray was in front of him. “These are great.”

“Why thank you, sweetie,” Emmett responded with his toothy smile.

“Sweetie?” Winona asked with a smirk. “That’s for girls.” Patrick glowered at her.

“It’s a name for people who are sweet,” Emmett corrected. “And for my very most favorite people, like Patrick.”

“You called me sweetie too,” Winona reminded Emmett.

“Yes I did. And you are one of my favorite people too,” Emmett stated, stretching the facts quite considerably.

“Really!” Winona said in surprise.

“I love all my princesses,” Emmett professed. “And my princes,” he added looking at Patrick. “Especially brave, gallant ones.” That made Patrick smile.

“My Patrick is the bestest,” Bree chimed in.

“On that we are in total agreement,” Rachel said as she led the group returning from the Anderson-Morrison side of Edna’s Treasures. “Happy birthday, Princess Bree.”

“Oh thank you, Auntie Rachel,” Bree chirped, before sliding off her chair to give a big hug to one of her favorite people.

“Best wishes from me too,” George said.

“Thank you, Unca George,” Bree gushed hugging her uncle.

“Are you ready to come home with us manly men?” Bobby teased his son.

“Yes, Poppa,” Patrick agreed quickly.

“Then let’s be gone, and leave the princesses to their festivities,” John said.

“You could stay, Patwick,” Bree said batting her lashes at her cousin.

“Yeah, you could stay, Patwick,” Winona parroted earning glares from both Bree and Patrick.

“I’m ready to go,” Patrick stated and headed for the door.

“Your princess castle in the sun porch is wonderful, Emmett,” Rachel complimented the man, earning a big smile. “Have a wonderful birthday sleepover, ladies.”

All the Anderson-Morrison family made their way back to the other side.

 

*****
 

“Fair maidens, for your viewing pleasure, may I present, “Shrek”. I am sure that this tale of love, loyalty and bravery will inspire you as it inspires me and my fellow knights!” the brave knight announced as he sat atop his armored horse holding a javelin. The princesses all giggled, falling in love with the brave knight as all princesses will often do. The girls were all comfortable sitting on their mattresses that were made up with soft pink and white jersey cotton sheets and thick comforters. With full stomachs and anticipation of dessert, the princesses elected to see one movie before enjoying the cake. The cake had yet to be seen, but no one had any doubt of its magnificence. JR started the movie to the applause of all present. Even Emmett pulled up a throw pillow to make himself comfortable as he joined the girls to watch Shrek.

“He’s like a big kid,” Brian commented from the doorway. He and Justin retreated to the kitchen to clean up and to prepare for the cake.

“But in a good way. And he’s doing us a big favor by hosting the party and spending the night,” Justin said reasonably.

“I suppose you’re right,” Brian admitted.

“You know I am, and he’s sleeping in Gus’ room. That bunk bed can’t be that comfortable when he’s used to sleeping in a big bed with Drew.”

Brian gave an exaggerated shudder at the thought of the hunky retired quarterback and Emmett together, in bed. “Ungh. You’re going to have to work real hard to get that image out of my head, Sunshine,” Brian drawled.

“Not with all the princesses in the house,” Justin replied, waiting for the inevitable fallout.

“See! I do take a backseat to a bunch of girls,” Brian protested.

“We could sneak out and go to Emmett’s cottage. I hear it’s rather cozy in front of their fireplace,” Justin said with a waggle of his eyebrows.

“Good thing you didn’t suggest their bed,” Brian purred as he drew the younger man to him.

“Never. Or we could do it in the back seat of my car,” Justin suggested with a leer. “I don’t think we ever properly broke it in.”

“Hmm, has possibilities.”

“But you do realize that if we disappear, our princess will be very upset.” Brian sighed. Justin chuckled. “You know, you’ve made it this far, and if Bree’s ‘Paatwick’ can make it through dinner then you can make it through the rest of the night and tomorrow’s breakfast. They’ll all be gone by noon.”

“That is something,” Brian conceded. “But Justin, no fucking? In our own room? Come on,” Brian said as close to begging as his dignity would allow him to get.

Justin laughed. “If you’re really quiet, I’ll blow you.”

“I can be real quiet,” Brian said with a smirk.

“I just bet you can,” Justin replied with a twinkle in his eyes as he wrapped his arms around Brian’s waist.

Brian reveled in the feel of Justin’s solid body in his arms and he instantly relaxed, feeling better because of the closeness. The tensions caused by the party planning were slowly ebbing away.

“Come on, big guy, I’ll buy you a cup of coffee. When the movie ends, and after we serve the cake, we’ll excuse ourselves to our room for your special treat.”

“Mmm, my treat. Will it be sugar and chocolate?”

“That’s a possibility but only if you’re very, very good.”

“I’ll be so good that I’ll be bad,” Brian murmured against Justin’s lips. That was followed by a toe curling kiss.

“Just how I like you,” Justin whispered when Brian released him.

With renewed energy the lovers went about making coffee and preparing for the cake.

 

*****
 

“Okay, munchkins,” Emmett called, “now that Shrek has saved the world, it’s time for birthday cake.”

“Auntie, Emm,” Bree said seriously, “Shrek didn’t save the world.”

“But he made things right,” Emmett amended quickly.

“Yes, he did,” Bree agreed bobbing her head up and down and making her ponytail dance.

“I love Donkey,” Ashley gushed.

“Me too,” JR chimed in. “He’s so funny.”

Emmett was about to ask what the other girls thought about the movie, but then thought better of it. “I think it’s time for birthday cake. Talk amongst yourselves until I get everything ready.” He hurried into the kitchen.

“What is your birthday cake like?” Winona asked.

“I haven’t seen it,” Bree admitted.

“They made it without you knowing what it would be?” Brenda asked in surprise. “My mommy always asks me what kind of cake I want.”

“I know what kind of cake it is. I just haven’t seen it,” Bree said slightly annoyed.

“I can hardly wait to see it,” Hannah chimed in.

“Me too,” Ashley agreed.

In the kitchen Emmett was making sure the cake was just right and placing the candles into the icing. He asked Brian to light them, while he got the ice cream out of the fridge.

“I have to admit, Honeycutt, now that I see the cake assembled, it does look pretty all right,” Brian said.

“All right? All right? It’s fabulous!”

“Okay, fabulous. Bree will love it. But does it taste good?”

“Do I ever make anything that doesn’t taste good?”

Brian raised an eyebrow.

“Never mind! Justin, can you call the girls in here?” Emmett asked. “I think we’re ready.”

“Sure,” Justin replied. He walked to the door of the sun porch and called, “Cake time for the birthday girl and her friends.”

The girls rushed into the kitchen almost trampling Justin in their haste. They skidded to a stop at the counter where the cake was all laid out. There were many oohs and aahs, as the girls saw the beautiful pink Barbie princess for the first time. The pink ball gown flowed around the Barbie doll which had been inserted into the middle of the bowl-shaped cake. The Barbie cake was placed dramatically between two beautifully decorated heart-shaped cakes that said “Happy Birthday, Princess Bree”. The candles burned softly on top of the two heart cakes.

“It’s so beautiful,” Ashley said reverently.

“Yeah, beautiful,” the girls all agreed.

“Are we really going to eat it?” Bree asked. “It’s so pretty.”

“I thought we’d eat the heart cakes first. Barbie’s dress is edible, but maybe we can leave that till last.”

Bree nodded in agreement. “I just want to look at her for awhile, Auntie Emm.”

Emmett smiled broadly, very pleased with the reaction to his cake. “Time for pictures and blowing out the candles,” he said with a little clap of his hands.

“Come here, sweetheart,” Justin said. Bree walked over to her father who lifted her up into his arms. “My beautiful girl, you’ll soon be too big for me to pick you up.”

“I love you, Daddy,” Bree said kissing her father’s cheek.

“Smile for the camera,” Brian ordered as he began snapping pictures. He got Bree’s kiss for her father and the girls watching as Bree blew out all the candles with one big breath, after making her wish of course. He snapped pictures of the other girls watching while Bree did this, and while Emmett then cut the cakes, making a little plate for each girl, and one for each of the men.

The girls sat down at the kitchen table where they had been for dinner. They started eating their cake. There were many cries of “This is sooo good!” Emmett smiled warmly, pleased that they liked the taste of the cake as much as they had liked the look of it. Even Brian and Justin let out satisfied moans as they tasted the cake.

“I want another piece,” Justin said.

“Me too,” Bree agreed as did the other girls.

“I might even have to have some more,” Brian conceded.

“You want another miniscule piece like the one you just had?” Emmett teased.

Brian glared at him, but then he asked. “Is this coconut cake?”

Emmett smiled with a faraway look on his face. “It’s Vic’s recipe for his fabulous coconut cake. I still miss him … a lot.”

“Me too,” Brian agreed.

“Is that the Vic that I’m named after?” Bree asked.

“Your name is Briana, not Vic,” Winona informed Bree.

“I know that,” Bree said sharply. “But my whole name is Briana Victoria Kinney-Taylor.”

“Oh,” Winona said.

“Vic Grassi was Grandma Debbie’s brother,” Brian informed them all. “We all miss him a lot.”

“Is he far away?” Hannah asked.

“Vic died many years ago, before Bree was born,” Justin said softly.

“Oh,” Hannah said upset that she had brought that up.

“It’s okay, Hannah,” Bree said. “I never met Vic, but I know all about him.”

Emmett looked at Brian. “She knows everything she needs to know,” Brian added.

“Of course,” Emmett said. “I think it’s time to open all your presents, Princess Bree.”

“After I have another piece of cake,” Bree stated, looking to her fathers for permission.

They nodded in agreement and everybody had another round of Vic’s famous coconut cake and ice cream.
 

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