House of Anubis: One Last Stand

House of Birthdays/House of Surprises

Part of this is dedicated to @last_queen_of_narnia based on something from my last story. You might remember why or might not, but it'll show up in the chapter, and at the end of the chapter, I'll explain why in case you didn't catch it.
~~~~~

Nina and Joy glanced at eachother, grins plastered on their faces as cheers went on around them throughout the park, and the stars shone perfectly above in the night sky. Their friends hadn't failed to shower them will a perfect 34th birthday for them all, and in that moment, they couldn't be happier.

It was unexpected that Amber would arrive back in England and gather Sibuna up for, not a mystery, but a surprise party for the Joy and Nina on July 7th. Amber had literally shown up on that same day and left her stuff at Jerome's place. Now that Fabian and Nina were married and had a house together, it would be awkward for Amber to room there as well. So, she'd be staying with her boyfriend this time around in England.

"You can't stay at my place with me anymore, Amber," Nina complained, feigning a pout.

"I know," Amber replied. "I love Jerome and all, but best friends beat boyfriends any day."

"I heard that," Jerome moaned, coming into the mix.

"I still said I love you."

"Oh, really?" Jerome looked down a her playfully and kissed her cheek.

Their affection made Nina want to go find Fabian. Honestly, with only twelve people there(Jerome, Alfie, Patricia, Eddie, Fabian, Joy, Erik, Amber, Willow, Nina, Walfie's six-year old son, and Peddie's four year old daughter), it shouldn't have been so difficult to find him.

Nina searched, and upon turning around, she ran right into Fabian's chest.

"Oh, hi," Nina laughed awkwardly, pulling herself back.

"Looking for someone?" Fabian asked, a large smile on his face.

"I've found him." Nina gave Fabian a kiss.

"Nona! Nona!"

Nina felt tiny fingers poking her leg. She parted from Fabian knowing exactly who they were. She knelt down to six-year old William and four-year old Lucille, who had been playing together at the party. Everyone reunited a few months after the last mystery for the birth of Patricia and Eddie's baby and kept up to date ever since. When their daughter, Lucille, became able to talk, she'd always call Nina "Nona", and so when William heard this, he called her that as well. Nina was pretty used to it, and it stuck.

"May I help you, Lucy and William?"

"We finished our present for you!" they exclaimed, almost in synchronization.

William then revealed what was behind his back. It was just a blown-out candle with icing on the bottom. They handed it to Nina before scurrying off to Joy.

Nina stood back up and faced Fabian. "They pulled this-"

"-right off the cake," Fabian finished. "Yeah."

Patricia was standing right by Joy when her candle was given to her. Joy seemed delighted and smiled at the kids before they ran off.

"I'm starting to think you love my kid more than me," Patricia admitted.

"Well, they are adorable," Joy responded, her eyes following Lucille(Lucy) and William. "And sweet," she added, glancing back at Patricia.

"They're not adorable when they trash everything in your house," Patricia defended. "It costs more to replace items they break than it does to take care of them. I swear, when she's eighteen, she's refunding me all this money."

"Love your Lucy, Patricia," Joy encouraged, laying a hand on Patricia's shoulder.

~~~~~
After the party, they waved goodbye to eachother.

When Fabian and Nina arrived home, they changed into more sleep-oriented wear. But they didn't go to sleep just yet. At least, Fabian didn't allow Nina to.

"You have one more birthday surprise," Fabian told her as Nina sat on the bed.

"Fabian, it's half past eleven."

"Still half an hour before your birthday is over, so before you go to sleep, let's unveil one more gift, shall we?"

Fabian held Nina's hand and led her out of their bedroom. He took her to the living room where, lying on the table, was a sheet of paper. In the bottom red corner of the paper was a red seal that anyone living in the UK long enough would recognize.

It meant that those were adoption papers.

"You know how we've been discussing adoption?" Fabian reminded. "Sorry I couldn't bring her here tonight, but you'll be meeting your new daughter tomorrow morning."

Nina couldn't find words to say. Tears just came out her eyes in streams. She cupped her hands over her mouth and nose as she wept joyfully.

"Do you like it?"

"I love it," Nina cried, hugging Fabian's neck. "We'll love her."

~~~~~
Short chapter, but still just an opening chapter! No mystery has started yet, but there surely will be one. But beautiful moments in this chapter, right? You now know Patricia and Eddie had a girl, Fabian and Nina are adopting, and Amber is back in the UK for the time being.

And, the reason this chapter was dedicated to @last_queen_of_narnia is because in my last story, I asked what you'd like Patricia and Eddie's baby to be named. She suggested Lucy, so that's her nickname(her full name is Lucille).

Ok now, discussion questions!

How was this for an opening chapter?

And that is all. General comments are still welcome if you please, but until next time you awesome Aristocrats!