A birthday special! That's right, today is Phil Collen's birthday. Happy birthday, Phil! I'm writing this at 1 a.m. to ensure I post it in time on Phil's birthday. Anyway, let's do this...

~ One Great Party ~

I knocked on the door of Joe's house, taking care not to drop the cake I held in my left hand. He didn't answer, so I took the cake in both arms and kicked the door a couple times. That he responded to.

"Joseph Thomas Elliot!" I barged in as soon as he opened the door. "I've called you about a thousand times! What's going on?"

"Sorry, (Y/N)," Joe said sheepishly, "I was a little busy wrapping the presents. And entertaining these people asking where the hell you are."

"Well, I'm here now. What did Steve say?"

"He said he would stall Phil as long as he could. Said Phil would have no idea."

* Meanwhile ~ Steve and Phil ~ *

"We've got to stay out just a little longer, Phil. We so rarely get to spend time together, it's quite the surprise when we do..."

Phil rolled his eyes extra-dramatically. "We see each other every single day. You know what would be a real unexpected surprise? A surprise party. But I don't think anyone would throw one for me. And I certainly don't think you're stalling me right now."

"Great," said Steve, the joke going over his head. He doesn't have a clue, he thought to himself.

***

"He's with Steve. I'm willing to bet he knows," I said.

"C'mon, (Y/N), have a little faith," Joe laughed. "And come. Help me finish getting the place ready."

I followed him to the kitchen, where he had put out several kinds of drinks and snacks. I put the cake down on the table and said, "it seems like you have this all covered."

"Yeah, I'm mostly done. I just need your help with the decorations."

So we hung up the banner in what I deemed the perfect spot and put up streamers and balloons. We made confetti and put tons into feverishly fashioned exploding cans. We set out single-use plates and plastic cups, put plenty of punch in a large bowl, lined up cans of soda and beer, and put the snacks on trays to make them look good.

We finished just in time. They would be arriving any minute now.

We turned off the lights and hid, several of the guests having to stand in awkward positions because there were just too many people. It was fine, though-- Phil would feel extra-special. I hoped.

Someone, presumably Steve, knocked on the door. No one made to open it, so he tried the handle and swung the door open.

"SURPRISE!" Everyone yelled when they saw Phil. Sav set off one of the confetti-cans, and Rick slammed a party hat onto Phil's head.

Phil laughed and looked around at everyone, hugging Steve and Sav, then Joe and Rick. His eyes landed on me then, and he moved toward me for a hug and kiss.

He noticed everyone looking, so he put his arm around my shoulders and turned to face them. "Thanks so much, everyone. This is so great."

People started coming forward to greet him, and the party started. Joe put on some music, and it rocked the house as people danced. The playlist he'd selected ranged from slow songs to rock 'n' roll to fast-paced dance music, which made Phil smile.

About an hour into the party, Rick took up a drumstick and repeatedly tapped on the table. Everyone turned to face him, and Sav turned down the music.

Joe pushed Steve forward, and Steve awkwardly cleared his throat.

"Phil," he began, "first of all, happy birthday. Second, Joe, go to hell. Third, I said that because Joe is making me make a speech. Fourth, here goes my speech."

Everyone laughed and Steve continued.

"Phil, we've known each other for a while now. You're a great musician and an even better friend. We have so much fun, and I'm glad we met. You've helped better my life, and I'm grateful to you for just... existing. I love you, and this speech is starting to sound like I'm proposing to you. So I'm going to turn it over to Joe now."

Everyone laughed again and clapped a bit, and Joe spoke.

"It's like Steve said. You've made our lives better just by being in them. Phil, you really are a talent and a rarity. A friend like you is hard to come by; you're trustworthy, reliable, loyal, and honest, and a ton of fun. I believe I speak for all of us when I say we don't know what we would do without you."

Rick whistled a low note of agreement and the guests clapped again.

"Rick and I aren't making speeches because we got you the best presents, but (Y/N) has something to say," Sav chimed in. I shot him a look but cleared my throat to speak.

"I don't really know what to say except that I love you. A lot. I'm so lucky I met you. What they said is all true, but I have a bit more of you in that I know how sweet and caring you can be, and I'm happy and proud to call you my boyfriend."

Phil grinned and began: "thank you, all of you. I think I'm the lucky one here, to have people like you around, throwing a party for me and everything. I don't know where I would be right now without you all... Probably doing something... not as good. Anyway, thank you all. This is great. Now," he took a can of beer and raised it, "let's really get this party started!"

The guests all cheered and Sav turned the music back up. People talked and laughed and ate and drank, and it was a good time.

A while later, after Phil had opened his presents (including a new guitar, of course), he announced that he had one more thing to say.

"I've been gathering the nerve to do this all night," he said, "and it's ironic because I'm a performer, so I shouldn't be worried, right? But this is different, and honestly, I'm a little too nervous to make a long speech. And I'm sure you all just want to get back to the party, so I'm going to try to keep it brief."

He turned to me and grabbed my hands. "I meant what I said. I don't have a clue what my life would be like without you, and I'm glad I don't have to find out. You've made it better in so many ways, and I can't possibly thank you for all the things you've done for me. You've helped me to see how beautiful life can be, and I'll always be grateful to you for that. So, if you'll let me, I'd like to spend the rest of my life trying to repay you."

He got down onto one knee in front of me, reaching into his jacket and pulling out a little dark blue box.

He opened it and took my hand again. "(Y/N) (L/N), will you marry me?"

I stared at him for a moment, looking between him and the ring. It was the most beautiful diamond ring I'd ever seen, but it didn't hold a candle to the nervous grin on his face.

"Yes," I said, smiling widely, "of course I'll marry you!"

His smile grew, and he stood up, taking the ring out. I held out my hand and he put it on my finger. Everyone there cheered. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Rick grumpily hand some money to Steve, who had a gloating expression on his face. I also notice Sav jump in happiness before grabbing Joe's face and kissing his cheek.

"This has been the best birthday I've ever had," Phil said to me. "Thank you."

I grinned and stretched a little to kiss his cheek.

"How's it feel knowing you're going to be (Y/N) Collen?" Rick asked, coming up to us.

"Great," I said as Phil put an arm around my shoulders. "It even sounds nice. Has a pleasant ring to it."

He laughed and agreed, then yelled out, "now we really have to party!"

Phil looked down at me and grinned, and we stepped over to join the rest of Def Leppard and enjoy the rest of the night.