(Sequel) You and I | 70s Teen Dream Story

Chapter 11

"Which dress would be better?" I asked Andy.

We were currently getting ready for a dinner reservation. Well, I knew it was the party but I had to keep playing along.

"Erm well darling I'm wearing a white button down so maybe the white dress will be better," Andy suggested.

"Okie Dokie,"  I replied as I hung up the other dress in the hotel closet.

We had less than an hour to finish getting ready and head down to the restaurant. The restaurant was only 2 blocks from the hotel.

"So I never figured out why I swore I saw Karen outside the door yesterday," I randomly blurted out.

"Well, what do you mean darling?" Andy asked me.

"When KC called last night, she and Rich were out at the studio. You could hear a lot of chatter in the background," I replied.

"That's odd darling but don't feel like you are going crazy. I'm sure Karen has a twin out there and she doesn't even know it," Andy replied.

"I assume so," I replied chuckling as I went to the bathroom to get dressed.

Andy was finishing his hair at the vanity while I had just to get dressed and put on shoes. I was not sure how many people we'd be expecting and who else besides Gail and Johnny from my circle of people would be in attendance.

I stepped out of the bathroom after finally getting dressed.

"How do I look?" I asked Andy.

"Absolutely perfect darling," Andy replied with a smile.

"Thank you," I replied bowing toward him.

"And we managed to finish getting ready with 30 minutes to spare before the car arrives to take us to the restaurant," Andy commented while glancing at his watch.

"What does the restaurant serve anyways? Is it like Italian or like American-style food?" I asked Andy curiously.

"It's more I would say Italian but also French style," Andy replied.

Then, the hotel phone rang.

"I'll get it," Andy replied jumping up.

He ran to grab the phone while I stared in confusion.

By his facial expressions, I assumed everything was officially set for the surprise anniversary party.

He quickly came back to where I was on the edge of the bed.

"Who was that?" I asked tilting my head.

"Don't worry your pretty little head darling," Andy replied smirking.

I just smiled.

"If you say so," I replied as I stood up to gather the things for my purse.

I knew it was going to be a long evening so I wanted to be prepared.

"We probably should head downstairs in the next few minutes darling," Andy suggested.

I grabbed my purse and put it over my shoulder. I did one more spray of perfume.

"Ready?" Andy asked grabbing my coat and draping it over my shoulders.

"Yes," I replied smiling.

Andy grabbed the hotel key, put it in his pocket and we headed downstairs. 

It was almost dark outside with daylight savings coming up. The autumn chill was everywhere.

"The car should be here in 5 minutes," Andy commented glancing at his watch.

"Dinner is at?" I asked him.

"6 promptly," Andy replied nervously.

"Andy it is only 5:30 now," I replied as I glanced at my watch.

"I know but if the car doesn't get here in the next," Andy begin saying.

Then, the car arrived outside the lobby doors.

Andy sighed in relief.

"See it's here," I replied as we walked outside to the car.

"For Mr. and Mrs. Gibb?" the driver asked.

"Yes sir," Andy replied.

I smiled like an idiot. 

The gentleman escorted us into the car.  The drive to the restaurant was quiet. Andy's knee bounced as we drove.

"Stop doing that it is making me nervous," I said putting my hand on his leg to make it stop bouncing.

"Darling I can't help it. What if nothing works out?" Andy asked.

"We are extra early anyhow. If something doesn't work out, it'll be ok," I replied reassuringly. 

The driver parked as Andy helped me get out of the car.

"Thank ya," I told Andy with a curtsy.

"Of course darling," Andy said kissing my hand.

We walked into the restaurant and went straight to the back area. It was a party room that I knew Andy rented out for our friends and family to be here to celebrate.

"Where are we going?" I asked as we walked.

"You'll see darling," Andy replied as we walked hand and hand.

I just smiled. We arrived at the entrance and I took a deep breath.

Andy opened the door and a roar of "surprises" came from the room.

I jumped back as my eyes scanned the room.  Even my mom and dad were here.

"Oh my god," I replied covering my face.

"See  I told you, darling it was worth the wait," Andy replied to me.

"Mom, dad! SISTER!" I replied running up to them.

"You did good,"  I could hear Mo tell Andy from afar.

"Karen," I went up to greet her.

"See I am the best secret keeper," Karen told me with a chuckle.

"Well yes oh my god," I replied chuckling.

Everyone we loved was in one room for the whole night. 

"How did you do this?" I asked Andy after it all settled down and we begin eating.

"Well, it sort of was helpful when you were working late because I was able to converse with everyone without you knowing. But, the last two days almost gave it away," Andy told me proudly.

"So then I did see KC in the hall," I replied pointing at her.

"Oh shoot you saw me? When?" Karen asked worriedly.

"Yes, yesterday morning. I also saw Barry and Linda but my loving husband tried to convince me otherwise," I replied as I sipped some water.

"Oh no," Karen replied chuckling.

"So wait you were the one who hollered "Linda," Linda commented from the left of me.

"Yes that was me," I replied chuckling.

Johnny and Gail were a few spots down from where I and Andy were sitting.

"Yeah, the worse part was running right into her and not knowing what to say," Johnny commented.

"And I had been back in the states for a while," Gail commented.

I chuckled.

"But best of all, my parents and sister are here," I said gesturing.

"Of course, we wouldn't have missed it for the world," my sister replied.

The most planned event of the year was the most surprising to say the least.