Unbreakable (Book 2 of Unexpected)

With Arms Wide Open

Ivy's POV

"...geek...scored at least once... Ivy it's perfect!" Kirstie screamed as her eyes met mine.

"You think he'll like it?" I asked curiously as I took the object back.

"Five bucks says he'll start crying," she said with a smirk. I smiled and put it away in the small box. I was nervous about giving it to him on his birthday, but I couldn't think of a better time.

"I don't doubt it," I said as I grabbed my phone and my keys. "Now come on or we'll be late."

We left my apartment, presents in hand as we headed over to Scott's place. It had pretty much become party central for almost every occasion. This one: Avi's birthday. It was supposed to be a surprise party so I had to keep him at a distance for nearly a month while we planned details. I had called Kirstie over because I wanted to show my present to someone and she was the one that could keep a secret the best.

We arrived within minutes and quickly went inside. Kirstie set her present to the side, but mine stayed clutched in my hand nervously. I couldn't put it down and I didn't know why. Avi was supposed to be there in roughly half an hour so we spent it making final adjustments.

Dragon cake? Check. Music? Check. Snacks and drinks? Check. Barbecue? Check. That was the big one, and I couldn't help but admire Alex and Jake for getting up so early just so it could be done in time.

Avi knew to be here, but all he knew was we were just going to hang out for the afternoon. He said he didn't want a party, but the ever-so-sassy Queen decided it had to be done.

Car tires. Everyone quickly gathered in the living room, smiling and talking softly, occasionally giggling. Knock knock knock.

"It's open!" Scott called, unable to keep the smile on his face from transferring to his voice.

The door opened, and we all immediately began singing Happy Birthday. The shock on his face was priceless as we broke out into claps and cheers. "It's a dragon! Holly Molly!" he said excitedly, causing me to break out in a fit of giggles.

I was the first one to approach him, giving him a quick kiss so Mitch didn't say anything, a habit he seemed to pick up on. "I know you said you didn't want a party but Mitch didn't care," I said with a small smile.

"Party!!" I heard Scott yell just as the music began. Kevin walked up, hugging him tightly.

"Happy birthday man!" he said with a smile.

As they talked, I snuck away and went into the kitchen, taking the time to fix us both a plate. I didn't bother with snacks for him and focused solely on the meat, while mine had a mixture. When I returned, I smiled and handed him his plate, watching as his face lit up. "Thank Jake and Alex," I said as I began slowly eating, managing to hold onto the small box in my hand in the process.

"What's that?" he asked, his mouth stuffed with barbecue.

"You'll find out later," I said with a cheeky smile and walked over to where Scott and Mitch were both talking to each other rather closely. "Get a room," I said with a wink before making my way to Kirstie and sitting down. "I don't know if I can do this. What if he gets mad?"

"Stop psyching yourself out. He won't get mad. If anything he'll be even more thrilled than I was when I saw it," she replied, placing her hand on my shoulder.

"Okay okay okay! I wanna give him his first present! Mitch yelled as he handed him a box. "Because you're amazing at what you do."

Avi pulled out a navy blue shirt with a bass clef and a staff on it that said GET LOW. I laughed a bit and shook my head.

"Ivy you wanna go next?" Mitch asked, pointing at me.

I shook my head and smiled. "I wanna go last."

Scott walked up, practically throwing a black beanie at Avi. "Yours is getting old." He kept a straight face for a few moments before breaking out into laughs. "Happy birthday." He gave him a brief hug before Kevin quickly hopped up and took his place.

"I hate to fuel your mild obsession, but I couldn't not get it," he said, handing him a small box. Avi pulled out a coffee mug, his face lighting up.

"It's got a castle on it!" he nearly yelled as he hugged Kevin tightly. "Thank you!"

Kirstie got up from her spot next to me and walked over with a smile. "I don't think I can top that but don't worry Kervy. You're not the only one fueling an obsession," she said, handing over an item wrapped in wrapping paper.

As Avi began tearing it off, I caught sight of what it was and grinned slightly, but it was nothing compared to his when he realized what it was. "I figured why not get the Lord of the Rings slash Hobbit series for you to read. I heard the books are really good."

He set them to the side and squeezed Kirstie tightly, even lifting her up a bit. "Thank you thank you thank you!!!"

Once he let her go, she returned next to me, rubbing her arms a bit. "You get used to it," I said with a laugh before standing up, my tiny box in hand.

I smiled slightly as I stopped in front of him and took a deep breath. "Well....where to start...I don't think any present is good enough for you, not even mine. The last year has been...eventful," I said with a laugh. "So over the past month, I've been thinking and thinking hard. I decided that it's best to wait and give you your actual gift in about eight months, but I still got something to replace it until then."

I handed him the box as he stared at me in confusion. "Why then?"

"Just open the present," I said with a laugh, bringing my hand up to my mouth and biting lightly on the end of my sleeve nervously.

I watched him open it, and his entire expression drop. He slowly looked up at me, no emotion on his face. "This isn't funny."

"Good. Because I'm not joking," I said softly. I watched as tears began clouding his eyes, his entire body began shaking until he finally dropped to his knees and full on cried. The last time I saw him like this was after he found out I couldn't have kids but still insisted on performing.

I smiled widely as I knelt down, taking his face in my hands and kissing his cheek gently. The entire room was silent and everyone had closed in to see what was going on and why he was in tears. "But I thought..." He trailed off, still clutching the present in his hand.

"I did too but slim was in the phrase they used."

"Will one of you tell us what the hell's going on? Mama's getting anxious over here!" Mitch said impatiently. I quietly took the item from Avi's hand and handed it to him, only to see just about the same reaction. The only difference was Mitch didn't collapse.

"It says something," Scott said, tears in his eyes as well, but he was trying not to let them fall. "It says My Daddy's a Geek, but I'm Living Proof He Scored at Least Once."

I leaned forward, hugging Avi tightly as he cried into my shoulder until he managed to form coherent words. He pulled back as I took the pacifier back from Scott just before Avi spoke softly. "I'm gonna be a dad."

A/N: And a bomb explodes!!!!