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“Come on now, everybody! Let’s get a move on!” Ada’s voice echoed over the room, “Charles will be here in ten minutes and he’s nothing if not punctual, just like his blasted father.”
Ada bustled around the diner which they’d booked for the afternoon, clipboard in hand and checking off her to-do list as she paced the floor for the umpteenth time.
The clock above the counter ticked away towards three o’clock in the afternoon as the Shelby family carried out their tasks in the room in preparation for Tommy’s birthday surprise.
Lizzie exited the kitchen, wiping off her hands with the rag and made a beeline for Ada near the far wall.
“Alright Ada Dearest, to appease your worries, I’ve placed the cake on the highest shelf; out of reach of the little darlings, but not too high that it falls when needed to be brought out.”
“Thank you, Lizzie. You see everyone?” she called out to the room, “This is a Shelby who can co-operate.”
“Maybe it’s the management that’s the problem!” Arthur shouted in reply. The eldest Shelby had been charged with mixing cocktails and pouring fruit punch at the counter. He’d attempted earlier to sneak a drink which landed him a slap to the forehead by Ada.
The Shelby sister simply gave him the finger, making Lizzie laugh.
“Ada, when I asked for your talents to help me plan this surprise, I didn’t mean for you to become a drill sergeant, however much you enjoy it,” Lizzie gently patted her sister-in-law on the shoulder with a smile.
“Yeah! And at least our sergeant accepted smoke breaks,” Arthur grumbled.
“Arthur, Brother, do you want me to stab you with a fork?” Ada pursed her lips.
Arthur raised a brow, opening his arms in a welcome dare.
“No time, Ada!” Esme interrupted, “I see Charles walking with Tommy across the street!”
The nerves lit up Lizzie’s body as she tried to ground herself with a few deep breaths. Sure, in the past she and Tommy had been together for his birthdays – sharing a bed when the special day was too much on him to handle, cooking him his favourite breakfast, a day spent riding in the fields with the children...
But now, with a brother gone, an aunt who was more of a mother and a daughter who were no longer in this life, Lizzie wanted to spoil her husband with something small, yet meaningful. The remaining family she’d rung up to be here on this day now ducked and hid as Charles and his father took another step closer to the diner.
Lizzie was about to hide herself, when she took note of John’s little boy playing with a sparkler.
‘Shit!’ Lizzie cursed.
She scurried over to the little boy as quietly as possible.
“Hey there, Sweetheart,” she whispered gently, “Do you wanna give that here to Auntie Lizzie?”
As she made a grab for it, the little boy tossed it into the air and the rest seemed to happen both in the quickest flash of slow motion.
The sparkler twirled in the air. Lizzie could do nothing but stare as two seconds went by and the room was showered in water droplets as the sprinklers were instantly activated.
Simultaneous shouts and curses flooded the room as the family scrambled all over the place.
“What the devil?!”
“What happened?”
“Oh! It’s pouring!”
“Save the food!” Lizzie yelled, “Save the food! Cover everything!”
Amidst the chaos and the cries of the kids, Lizzie and Ada grabbed a few food covers from the kitchen while Esme did her best to console the children. Arthur fiddled with the alarm while yelling for the tools Finn should bring him.
Everything reached its peak when Ada tripped over a toy on the floor and barrelled into Lizzie just as the door opened and Charles stood with a proud smile beaming on his face, revealing, unbeknownst to his dad, the scene of Tommy’s wife and sister collapsing on the floor as Finn and Arthur stood shell-shocked by the wall.
For a moment, nothing happened. No one spoke. Nobody moved. The last few drops from the sprinklers dwindled to nothing. Esme helped a groaning Ada to her feet and Arthur cleared his throat in the silence.
Finally, Tommy said, “Well... Charles, uhm... when you said you had a surprise for me at the diner, you have my respect son, because I am... very, shockingly surprised.”
Charles merely stood with his mouth agape, causing a grin to spread over his father’s face. Taking his son’s hand, Tommy stepped into the diner. His smile widened as he took in everyone’s sheepish faces.
“Dad,” Charles turned his face up, “I swear, it-”
“Tommy, listen-”
“An accident, brother-”
“It really happened outta nowhere-”
Tommy shook his head, raising a hand to silence everybody. He breathed in, the smile still on his face.
“First, I’d like to know if my wife is still present and accounted for.” He rounded a few tables and found Lizzie on her knees with her face in her hands. Tommy’s heart melted instantly. He got down on one knee and slowly reached out his hand to caress Lizzie’s shoulder.
“Hey Lizzie girl,” he rumbled softly.
Sniffling, Lizzie shook her head.
Tommy chuckled, “Come on now, let me see your face. A man on his birthday should see his wife’s face.”
With a frail gasp, Lizzie wiped away her tears, still avoiding his eyes. If she looked into his eyes, she’d be done for.
“Tommy, listen, I... I wanted so much-”
“I know,” Tommy smiled, “And Lizzie, I’m happy, truly.”
Lizzie scoffed, rolling her eyes, “Don’t let me down so easy, Tommy-”
“No, I’m serious,” he tilted his head with a boyish charm, “You booked the diner, had all that food prepared and my family’s here too? Lizzie girl, I’m flattered. You’re perfect.”
Lizzie blinked up at him with owlish eyes.
“Really?” she asked.
Tommy nodded with another chuckle, “Really. Now come here.”
He brought her in for a hug, squeezing her tightly and placing a kiss to her temple.
There was a murmur of “aww’s” and a “yuck!” from Charlie, but Tommy merely cradled his wife’s face and kissed her deeply.
Breaking away, Tommy helped her to her feet. “Alright, slowly now. There’s a girl. Nothing broken?” The concern in Tommy’s eyes warmed Lizzie’s whole heart.
“Just my ego,” she rolled her eyes.
Tommy grinned, squeezing her hip. “I’ll make it up to you later,” he growled softly, relishing in Lizzie’s blush.
“Alright, we don’ need to hear all that,” Arthur interrupted, flapping his hands. “Give us a speech, Tommy, come on! Let’s toast.”
Everyone agreed with a cheer. Lizzie handed Tommy a flute of fruit punch while cocktails and champagne was passed around.
Tommy put his arm around Lizzie’s waist while she held on to Charles. They looked upon their family: Arthur, Finn, Ada and Esme, and the kids.
Something lit up in Tommy’s chest, something he realized was content.
Smiling, he began, “Well, you know me as a determined man. A man who’s ruthless and reckless. But, after all this turmoil that’s happened, I’m ready to go all soft for the day and give you “Tommy”. Just Tommy, who’s very grateful for everyone in this room. Cheers.”
“Cheers!” everyone echoed, raising their glasses.
The cake was brought out and Lizzie welcomed the loving feeling as she fed Tommy bites from his slice.
He brought his chair closer and squeezed her to his side. She let her head fall on his shoulder.
“Lizzie?” he whispered.
She turned up to look at him. “Yeah?”
“In this moment,” he began, “in this room, I love you.” He smiled, eyes glittering.
“Oh, Tommy,” she laughed softly as she remembered those words.
“I love you too,” she kissed him slowly.
There would be no rush in this quiet life they now welcomed.
“Hopefully this means you’ll treat yourself more often, Mr Shelby.”
“Certainly, Mrs Shelby.”
Tommy nuzzled her hair, basking in the moment.
Peace, at last.
Fin.