Blessings In Disguise (lesbian)

(20) I Didn't Realize That Mr. Ashton Kutcher-Moore Knew Me

~CONCLUSION~

Although her eyes were out of commission for the time being, Dylan could still rely on her ears and nose to give her an idea of where they were headed. Based on the array of sounds, conversations and salivation worthy odors, she figured that they were now inside Tacky Taco. Had her brother really called in an order for their lunch? She doubted it. Perhaps Layne had secured the both of them a little private romantic table to dine.

Dylan's heart could have given out the second she and Layne stopped walking and a multitude of voices screamed at the top of their lungs, "YOU'VE BEEN PUNKED, DYLAN!"

"I didn't realize that Mr. Ashton Kutcher-Moore knew me!" The comic laughed as Layne removed the mask. Blinking, she looked around, noting that this was Tacky Taco's banquet room. It was large enough for a party of one-hundred, however theirs was closer to a party of thirty-five. A sea of teasing smiles was aimed at Dylan, and she cheerily smiled back, the smile increasing when she read the strung up festive banner.

Happy Belated Birthday, Robin & Dylan!!!

The banner held the signature of just about every adult and child in attendance except for the smallest, Robin, because she was after all the main birthday girl. Every one of Layne's already named conspirators had shown up along with Jimmy, a newly single Adriana, Lindsay, Nancy, Elena and Alexis. Laurel, Dylan's longtime friend and Evangeline, Layne's social worker were also there along with their spouses. Laurel brought her brood of six who were looking forward to having a lot of fun with Angela's four youngsters. Henry and Mason were among the conspirators who each brought a guest of their own.

"Dada!" Held by her grandma, Robin left one arm around Madeline's neck and stretched the other out toward Dylan, wearing a soupy grin. The guests chuckled at her enthusiasm, yet most were tickled by what she called Dylan. Carefully placed on feet tucked within the new shoes from her birthday package that Mason delivered Tuesday, she toddled toward her aunt and since she was proceeding surely yet slowly, Dylan met her a little more than halfway. Scooping the small child into her arms, she littered her cheeks with kisses earning a good share of belly laughs.

"How's my big girl?" Dylan cooed, so thrilled to have Robin back in her arms. Her niece didn't vocalize how she was, but she did plant a kiss on the tip of the brunette's nose. Grinning, Dylan turned toward Layne half-whispering, "I love what you've done, but it isn't my birthday, sweetheart. This little lady right here though," she indicated Robin by pecking her cheek again, "should definitely be honored as she just turned the big one!" Robin giggled when long fingers tickled her tummy.

"We're honoring you both. So what if your birthday was in August? We weren't here to celebrate it with you and I never gave you an appropriate gift, so this is your party with Robin." The muralist grinned, pecking them both on the cheek. "So just deal and prepare to have fun."

"You and Robbie are a gif..." She didn't finish her reply, as the dimming lights were a distraction. And then the grandest smile touched she and Robin's lips when they saw the substantial candle-laden sheet cake being wheeled toward them on a cart by Jimmy. Large enough that surely everyone could go back for seconds, the cake had been professionally iced to resemble a birthday present, complete with ribbons and a bow all made out of frosting. The only part of the cake inedible was the small cluster of multicolored plastic balloons in each corner, which would be removed before Robin could get it into her curious mind to swipe one.

"Happy birthday, big cuz and lil' cuz." Beaming, he turned toward the other guests and counted to three. On cue, everyone began to sing the traditional Happy Birthday song while Robin clapped her hands with glee. Once they were reminded to make a wish, aunt and niece simultaneously blew out what had looked to be around a hundred candles from a far, but was actually thirty-seven, their combined ages. However, once a candle's flame was quenched, a second later it ignited once again. It took them a few moments to catch on.