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“Happy Birthday to you!”
Everyone erupts into cheers and howls. Nick blushes as he blows out the candles to his birthday cake.
Today is his thirtieth birthday party. Technically, he turned thirty on Wednesday but they waited until today (Saturday) to have his party at theirs. Their niece and nephews did not want to miss celebrating Uncle Nicks birthday.
How did they get here? Where the hell has the time gone? Charlie swears they just graduated from Dobson High like, last year. So much has happened since they first laid eyes on each other in the corridor on that first day of Sophomore year. Charlie had just met Skye just minutes before when she introduced herself to him. They became the best of friends. She was the first friend Charlie made when the Springs moved from Rochester, Kent to Mesa, Arizona as a result of all the bullying and death threats Charlie endured at Truham Grammar. Charlie was so moved when Skye came out to him as trans later that day and their connection was instant. Later in the year, Sai worked up the courage to ask her out and they’ve been inseparable since. Sai proposed after high school graduation ceremony and they married five years later. They traveled the world together five times over, living the jet set life. Nick and Charlie went on a trip or two with them when they could.
They finally settled into their own home in Gilbert, not far from Nick and Charlie. They hadn’t any kids (yet) but Sai’s siblings provided their own children for the couple to sit for on numerous occasions. They were mulling over options of adoption or a surrogate. At times, Skye confessed to Charlie that she felt inadequate because she couldn’t give birth to any kids they may want. Her dysphoria sometimes really got to her and Charlie always lovingly reminded her that Sai loved her with all his heart and other options made no difference to Sai. What she didn’t know was that Sai also came to Charlie when he noticed she was putting herself down because of it. It hurt him that she thought less of herself at times but he would always be there to support her through any and everything. He loved her so much.
Charlie watched as Imogen poked Nick in the ribs, rinsing him for something. Nick squeaked and jumped away, swatting at her hand. Charlie giggled. Imogen and Sahar didn’t work out together like they had hoped but are still the best of friends. Imogen ended up in marketing at a fashion magazine in Los Angeles. She moved to Gardena, just south of Los Angeles three years after graduating. Elle had been looking for work in the states so Charlie hooked her up with Imogen and the rest was history.
Tao followed Elle to L.A. naturally. He started off as a PA before quickly working his way up to a Hollywood Producer himself. He’s gained a huge following which shocks Charlie in some ways but Charlie couldn’t be happier for him. They get to visit often as the ocean is Charlies happy place.
Sahar ended up in New York. She and her wife run their own nightclub. Sahar also sides as a talent scout for up and coming musicians.
Christian met his now wife in uni. She was a foreign exchange student from Croatia. He followed her back to Croatia and has five kids of his own. They visit once a year during the summer holiday as his parents are still in Mesa.
Otis has dated a few girls on and off. So far, nothing has stuck but he’s become more focused on sportscasting for ESPN or something. He’s quite happy and his mum always sends Nick and Charlie food at the weekends. She loves cooking for them all even though they’re full grown adults.
“Make me an airplane uncle Nick!”
Charlie smiles as Nick picked up his niece, Mimi and began flying her around the house. She’s already four years old, jeez. Ollies older two boys must have snuck off to one of the guest rooms to play Mario Kart. They all look like him, or rather his brother, Oliver. Ollie is now twenty three and is still a spitfire. He came out as pansexual during his junior year of high school, has had a few boyfriends and girlfriends before meeting his now longtime girlfriend Marie. They met on their first day of uni, sophomore year. She balances him out as the cool, collected one. They both have wild, curly hair although hers is a light brown and she has blue eyes. So all three of their kids took on the Charlie gene of dark, raven curls with blue eyes.
“Think he'll start greying soon?”
“Tori!”
“Sorry I’m late. There’s a wreck on the 202 at Cooper. Michael sends his regards. He really wanted to be here.” Tori says as she lightly squeezes Charlie.
“We understand. His kids should be proud that they made it to the competition rounds in Salt Lake.” Charlie says softly. Tori nods and takes a sip of her diet lemonade through her metal straw.
“How are mum and dad?”
“Good. They just landed in Austria. Mum said she tried ringing you but remembered Nicks party is today.”
Charlie hums in response. “I’ll phone them tomorrow.”
They stand there for a moment, watching the party unfold in front of them. Most of their friends here, celebrating Nicks thirtieth.
“The house is nice. I see you’ve finally unpacked everything.”
“Yeah. Finally. Took us three weeks to get everything how we want it.”
Charlie couldn’t believe it. After living in flat after flat all these years, they finally bought a three bedroom home in Gilbert. It wasn’t too big but it fit he and Nick perfectly. It was right off of Val Vista and the 202 and was still in close proximity of all their family and friends. It has a pool and hot tub that they couldn’t pass up when they viewed the house. Ollie begged to come over several times a week so the kids could burn off energy in the pool with his girlfriend whilst Nick and Charlie put Ollie to good use helping them unpack. Ollie’s pack would be round theirs a lot and they welcomed it.
“I’m proud of you, Charlie. Of both of you.” Tori reached for Charlie’s hand and gave it a light squeeze. Charlie was then hit with a wave of emotion. They’ve come a long way, he and Nick. After graduating from Dobson, they both went to uni at Arizona State University. Charlie then went on to become a junior professor whilst Nick took a chance at an open casting call and became a stunt double for major movie and tv production companies in Los Angeles. Nick would usually stay with Elle and Tao when in town and Charlie would join when he could. Nicks job sometimes took him around the country and occasionally, around the world. Charlie always missed him when he was away but was so proud of him.
Three years ago, Nick confessed that he was really missing rugby. Stunt work kept him busy and it paid pretty well but he missed being on the pitch. When Ollies kids came around, Nick became the most involved uncle ever (next to Charlie, that is) and began teaching the older boys rugby. He then found a junior rugby league in Chandler and began coaching there as well. Nick couldn’t be happier and Charlie loved seeing him so happy.
“Any word from the Fourniercator?”
Charlie snorted and choked at the same time. Nick turned and shot Charlie a quizzical look from across the room, head tilted to the side. Charlie nodded an ‘I’m ok’ before Nick went back to tickling Mimi.
“No actual contact but Nick said fifty thousand popped up in the ‘Stéphane Guilt Account’.”
“Is he ever going to touch any of that money?” Tori asked quietly.
“Not right now but he has mentioned setting some of it aside for our retirement and he wants to fund the kids education with it.” Charlie mused.
“Wow. That’s very generous of him. Does Oliver know?”
“Not yet. Nick plans on sitting down with Ollie after we come back from LA in a couple weeks.”
“He’ll be thrilled. I kind of want to be there to watch Oliver explode all over him.” Tori smirked.
“I’ll text you when we have a solid date.”
“Where are Tara and Darcy?”
“Back in Kent.” Charlie sighs. “Tara’s mum is sick so they went back to help her dad take care of her. Not sure when they’ll be back.”
Tori nodded as Sarah flounced over to pull Tori into a patented Sarah Nelson hug. Tori sank into it which is rare for Tori. She’s really the only person who gets to hug Tori like that outside of the immediate family. But I guess Sarah is family, after all.
“It’s so good to see you love!” How’s Michael?” Sarah asks cheerily. Charlie focuses on Nick as Sarah And Tori chat next to him. Being here, right now still takes his breath away. The life they’ve built, the family they have around them and the friends they’ve kept. Charlie wishes Isaac could be here but he understands Isaac is on another book tour. Charlie got to read it before it released and was so proud of Isaac. He was currently finishing his UK dates before his US book tour and would be able to spend a few days between his Oklahoma City and Los Angeles dates. They’d catch up then.
“Charlie, would it be wise to bring Nicky his gifts to open now? The kids want to go for a swim and are getting restless.” Sarah asked.
“Yes, of course, of course! Let’s do it.”
Sarah, Tori and Charlie brought the gifts to the dining room table as everyone began to navigate their way back around the dining table.
“Hi.” Nick whispered into Charlie’s ear, wrapping his arms around Charlie’s waist and pulling him in for a kiss.
“Hi.” Charlie responded, dimples on full display. “Ready for all your gifts, birthday boy?”
“I have everything I want right here.” Nick growled into Charlie’s neck, pulling him in closer. Goosepimples broke out all over Charlie’s skin, causing him to shutter. He couldn’t believe Nick still had this effect on him half a lifetime later.
“Ahem!” Sarah cleared her throat. “Boys, shall we?” The rest of the group giggled and snickered. Nick and Charlie broke apart, except for their pinkies.
“Ready.” Nick answered as he sat at the head of the table. Charlie surveyed the amount of gifts in front of the love of his life. He loved Nick with his entire being. He couldn’t wait to share the rest of their lives together.
“I love you.” Nick said as he pressed a kiss onto Charlie’s temple.
“I love you too.” Charlie responded dopily as he fiddled with the engagement ring in his hoodie pocket. He was going to ask Nick to marry him once he’d finished opening all his gifts. Nick was it for him. And he wanted to show Nick how much he meant to him. They’d been through everything together, highs and lows, saving up and now have purchased their first home together. This was the obvious next step to him. And this ring solidified their bond. A promise of a lifetime together. Nick and Charlie, forever, in any universe.