Chapter 110 - Celebration

If his parents were suspicious of him paying so much attention to Ryan's birthday, they didn't let on. Quite the opposite, in fact. When Evan asked them if he and Angie could visit another pack to learn more about it, they beamed with happiness. They were even happy enough to let Evan go to Lola's on Wednesday, even though it meant they wouldn't see much of him for the rest of the week.

Lola was excited about his visit too. Especially when he told her his plan and she lit up like a star on a Christmas tree. As a lover of romance, she was obviously delighted that he had decided to ask her for help.

"What flavour do we want?" They were in the grocery store as Evan insisted on buying everything, although Lola offered to use things she had at home.

"I'm not sure. I only know what it looks like and I didn't want to ask Ryan. I felt like even asking him his favourite flavour would be giving it away. It has to be a surprise," he replied, his eyes scanning the items on the shelves.

"Well, you still know what he likes best," Lola argued, cheering him on.

"I'm sure you can't make a cake out of a cat," Evan laughed, giving her a look, and the blue-haired girl immediately burst into laughter as well.

"You probably can, but I can't think of anything more traumatic," she said.

"True." Something caught his eye and he grabbed it. "He likes coconut. That's a good start, isn't it?"

"I can work with that," she agreed. "With the way you want to decorate it, I think vanilla and coconut would be the winning combination."

"Sounds good." He nodded immediately and turned to her. "What do we need?" Not that he didn't have experience in baking, but every time he baked something he had to have the recipe open on his phone. Evan didn't understand how there were people who could bake from memory. No weighing, no instructions, they just did it by hand. He was definitely not one of those people, unlike the blue-haired girl.

When Lola finally had an idea of what they were going to prepare, she easily knew what they needed and quickly started throwing things into the shopping cart.

In the end, she offered to pay for some of it, but Evan immediately refused, explaining that her help was enough. Especially since it was her kitchen that was going to be covered in flour.

Baking a birthday cake was surprisingly easier than he'd thought when they finally got down to it. As soon as they had the cake mixture in the oven, Lola's phone rang and the moment she picked it up and Aaron asked her if she was free, she turned to Evan and asked if he would mind if he joined them. He definitely wasn't going to say no and soon there were three of them.

"I hope you don't mind me crashing your hang out session," he said right after the hello, clapping Evan's hand in a manly handshake.

"I don't know if me using Lola's talents can be called a hang out session, but I'm definitely glad to see you again," he replied. " You have to hang out with all of us some day."

"That's true." Lola gave Evan a playful pat on the shoulder, then turned to her boyfriend. "You haven't even met Evan's boyfriend."

"Lola's already managed to tell me quite a bit about him, so I'd love to meet him." Aaron gave him a smile and reached for his girlfriend to tuck her into his side. "She also mentioned something to me about a double date..." He turned to her and then to Evan.

"Nothing against you, but a double date doesn't sound too appealing in my head," Evan responded immediately.

"Once upon a time I would have agreed, but I promise it's not as bad as you think. We're used to having movie marathons with my brother and his girlfriend if you and Ryan are ever interested," Aaron explained with a smile.

"A movie marathon doesn't sound bad," Evan had to admit. If that was the definition of a double date, they were already doing it, just with Angie and Michael. Not that he dared say it out loud in front of them. "But we'll have to plan that for later."

"Evan's meeting his parents this weekend," Lola revealed with an important tone.

"Aaah," Aaron said in the same tone. "Then I wish you nerves of steel. I panicked for a week when Lola told me she wanted to introduce me at home."

Evan laughed even though he knew exactly what he was talking about. "Believe me, I know. I've never been so worried about making a good impression."

Their conversation continued in a similar vein until they moved on to simpler topics, and then Lola began to give the two instructions as they took the finished sponges out of the oven and began to prepare the filling. It turned out that Aaron was on the same level as Evan when it came to baking, but fortunately with Lola's help things went smoothly for them.

Eventually, everything was ready, the cake was put together and all that remained was to decorate it. But before Evan could get to work, the cake had to be left in the fridge for at least an hour, as Lola had instructed.

The hour eventually turned into two, as they put on a fantasy film while they waited, and everyone got so into it that they almost forgot about the cake. Besides, Evan's parents hadn't given him any specific instructions about when to be home, so he wasn't in any hurry.

When he got around to decorating the cake, he pulled a drawing out of his pocket for reference. Not that he didn't have an accurate picture in his head thanks to the vision, but he didn't want to miss any details, so he spent a few days perfecting the sketch.

Lola explained how to work with the frosting and how to make sure he didn't mix the colours, and Evan used all his mental strength to keep his hands from shaking.

When he was satisfied with the result, they put the cake back in the fridge and Lola promised to bring it to him tomorrow after school. Evan had arranged with Michael to pick him up in the car without Ryan knowing, so he could be sure that the cake would get to North Hallson without any trouble.

Even though everything had been arranged, Evan was anxious when the day of Ryan's birthday finally arrived and he was at the Saunders' house while Mama Olivia took Ryan into town so he wouldn't see what his friends had planned for him.

Angie took care of the decorations, Michael prepared the snacks and Evan placed the candles on the cake while the icing melted a bit and then put it in the fridge.

"We both know he's going to love this, just because you made it," Michael told him, noticing that he was playing with his hands out of nervousness.

"I just want it to be perfect," he revealed honestly and Michael rolled his eyes at his words.

"I told you to make a cake so big you could jump out of it naked, but you didn't listen." This time it was Evan who was rolling his eyes. His best friend always had the worst ideas.

"I can't think of anything more traumatising," Michael concluded, continuing to dump crisps into the bowl.

"Just so you know, I look pretty decent naked," Evan argued in a disinterested tone as he grabbed the first bag of snacks closest to him and started to help Michael.

"I'm pretty glad I haven't found out yet." Fortunately, Michael remembered to knock on the door of his own room before entering.

"You'll never find out," Evan assured him. It wasn't just Michael who did his best not to catch them being intimate. Evan was still aware that he was a guest in this house and that Michael had more right to his room than he did.

"Thank Goddess," he muttered.

"It's a wonder you haven't caught them doing it yet." Angie reached over and took a crisp from the bowl, ruining their hard work.

"Can we change the subject?" Evan interjected before the topic could ruin the spirit. Everyone had to be in a good mood for Ryan's party. Period.

"Yes." Angie agreed and Evan was immediately suspicious. "But only because I need help with something." Never mind. "Where's Marshmallow?"

"Probably sleeping on Ryan's bed. Why?" Apparently Michael didn't have any faith in Angie's idea either.

"You'll see." She waved her hand, but her smile made both of her friends suspect her and stay still. "I don't know what you're waiting for." She put her hands on her hips and then waved her hand to move them. "Go get her."

Evan exchanged a quick glance with Michael and a silent conversation passed between them. Michael's nod of his head to the side meant that Evan should go get the cat, and Evan's nod meant that he would go while Michael kept an eye out for Angie.

He knew he and Ryan had been together long enough when he realised it was natural for him to move around their house even when Ryan wasn't there. Once such a revelation would probably have unsettled him, but now it just brought a gentle smile to his face.

"Mallow," he started to call her before he had even reached the room. "Pspspspsps." He'd never thought he'd make a sound like that, but he was obviously willing to do anything for Ryan. "Mallow, where are you? Come here, sweetheart."

Luckily, all the noises and the baby voice paid off, because after a while a white cat came running up to him. She meowed loudly in greeting, and Evan immediately crouched down to take her in his arms.

She rubbed her little furry head against Evan's chin and he automatically began to stroke her under her chin. A loud purr was his reward.

"Stupid cat," he muttered under his breath. In fact, it was he who felt stupid, for the cat had grown on him. Not that he wanted to admit it out loud. At least not in front of anyone who wasn't Ryan.

"Hopefully Angie won't turn you into a dinosaur," he told the cat as he carried it into the kitchen. The moment he was within earshot, however, he remained silent. Their relationship was to remain a secret.

"I found her," he announced as he walked into the kitchen and two pairs of eyes curled towards him.

"Great." Angie walked over to them and Evan noticed the bow in her hand. "Hold her still." Fortunately, Mallow decided to cooperate, probably because Evan kept stroking her while Angie tied a big pink bow around her neck. Suddenly she looked like the cat from The Aristocats. Evan was sure Ryan was going to love it.

"You should have bought the same one for Evan," Michael remarked, looking at Mallow, and Evan gave him a single look to let him know what he thought of his comment. "Very funny."

"Look how cute she looks in your arms." Angie stroked the cat's head and Evan rolled his eyes, pretending he wasn't thrilled by their closeness.

"Let's get this done. Ryan will be here any minute and it needs to be perfect." He carried Mallow over to the couch and stroked her to keep her in place. Since they'd put blankets and pillows on the couch earlier to make it as comfortable as possible, she liked this new place to nap.

They got everything ready, even prepared a movie on the TV, and when Michael got the text from his mum that they were almost home, they lit the candles on the cake.

The moment the door opened, Evan ran over to Ryan, took his hands and turned his back to the inside of the house so he wouldn't see the candlelight coming from the kitchen.

"Hey, love," Ryan greeted him with a laugh. Evan immediately pulled him closer, still holding his hands, and as soon as he was in front of him he moved his hands to his neck and pulled him into a kiss.

Ryan didn't hesitate and wrapped his arms around his waist and kissed him back. Of course, it was a short, tender kiss as they weren't alone in the room and the others were waiting for them.

"We have a surprise for you," Evan revealed as soon as he was able to speak again. "Do you trust me?" He asked.

"Of course." Ryan replied without hesitation, earning a genuine smile from Evan.

"I'm going to blind you for a moment." Evan moved behind him and put his hands over his eyes. "Can you see anything?"

Ryan covered his hands with his own and replied: "Nope."

"Great. Then step forward carefully." Ryan obeyed immediately and Evan led him cautiously into the kitchen, stopping in front of the table with the cake. The others stood around it, waiting for Ryan's reaction. "I'm going to let go of your eyes. Just don't put your hands anywhere in front of you, okay?"

"Okay."

Evan pulled his hands back to his body and took a step to the side. "Go ahead."

Ryan first took his hands off his face and then, once they were safely behind his back, slowly opened his eyes. Evan watched as the candlelight reflected in them before joy joined it and then their eyes met.

"You..." Ryan couldn't find the words, but they weren't needed when Evan saw the wide smile on his lips and the tears in his eyes.

"Happy birthday, love." He pulled him gently to him by the waist and planted a kiss on his cheek. Ryan chuckled and rested his head on his shoulder for a moment.

"Happy birthday, Ryan," Angie told him. "Make a wish."

Ryan lifted his head and leaned over the cake, its light still illuminating the room. "I don't know what to wish for. I have a great family." He looked at Michael and his aunt. "Amazing friends." He glanced at Angie. "And a loving mate." He turned to Evan and he immediately took advantage, pressing a fleeting kiss to the tip of his nose, making him giggle.

"Wait a second!" Angie got his attention back and quickly disappeared from the kitchen. She was back in an instant, however, and in her arms was Mallow, complete with a bow around her neck.

"Oh, my Goddess. She looks just like Marie." Ryan reached for her, but then thought better of it, as he was still too close to the fire. "This is perfect. You guys are perfect."

"You deserve nothing but the best," Michael assured him. "Happy birthday, cuz."

"Now blow out the candles so I can take a picture of you," Mama Olivia instructed him, managing to pull her phone out of her pocket and position herself to get the best shot.

Ryan laughed and before taking a deep breath he said, "I wish everything would stay the way it is." He blew out the candles and applause filled the room.

"You should have wished we wouldn't get food poisoning," Angie corrected him. "Evan's never baked a cake in his life, so I wouldn't count on it."

"You made it?" Ryan turned to Evan, surprise accompanying the affection in his voice.

Evan nodded shyly. "Remember when I told you in Nowhere that I found out your name a year ago? This is how I learned it." He nodded his head towards the cake. "I thought it would be a nice gesture."

"Nice? It's incredible," Ryan corrected him immediately. "I love you." He laughed bubbly and took his face in his hands, pressing a kiss to his lips before he could even reply.

"I love you too." He cuddled him close and Ryan's aunt immediately took advantage to take a picture of them together.

"Now I've got the perfect picture for the wallpaper." Evan was done hiding his mate. If their relationship was going to be discovered by his parents because of a picture on his phone, so be it. He didn't care. He was holding the most important thing in his life in his arms and he was never going to let him go.