Brook sat outside the trailer a few hours later, all dressed up in a blue evening jacket and jeans paired with a black silk button-up shirt and glossy black boots. He checked his phone for the second time that evening, checking the message he sent earlier. He had managed to sneak Michelle's friends Leah and Brynn's numbers from her phone and sent them texts inviting them to Michelle's surprise birthday party as he felt she'd be overjoyed to see her lively friends. He also asked them not to call her and remind her it was her birthday until that evening—surprisingly, Michelle seemed utterly unaware of the date. He smiled to himself. He couldn't wait to see her face when she got surprised, he'd even warned the crew not to breathe a word. So Michelle remained in the dark until night.

"We're heading out now, we'll see you in a bit!" Jett whispered to him as he came out of the trailer.

"Don't drive like a maniac, we'll need time to set everything up," Reece added to Brook with a grin, following Jett. Both of them were also all dressed up in fancy green and purple jackets and had gelled their usually unruly hair.

"I'll take Paige, explain everything on the way," Payton said. Paige had also been in the dark about the party since Payton felt she might let on to Michelle if she knew. Brook nodded at him.

"Don't let her suspect anything until you arrive," he said.

"Relax, she thinks I'm taking her out," Payton brushed off. Brook looked amused.

"You pulled a dating card to get her to go out tonight? Bro, bad move. You'll have some serious making-up to do later."

"How else was I supposed to get her to dress up without giving away the party?" Payton asked rhetorically, making Brook chuckle. Leslie and Soriano also came out, dressed to the nines. Leslie had managed to convince the girls that she was having a date night with the chief, stunning them for a moment but passing it off as a good reason to dress up. By now the whole crew had an inkling that they were together and the girls gave her knowing smiles as she left, suspecting nothing. Brook was glad they were coming along too since they all made up and they agreed to come for Michelle. He watched them drive off in their car after saying he'd bring Michelle later.

Everyone except Payton was left. When Paige came out of the trailer dressed in a violet, full-sleeve, V-necked, bodycon, cocktail dress, she was surprised to find only Payton and Brook outside.

"Guess tonight's a date night for everyone. You ready to go?" She asked, looking at Payton and Brook after noticing that no one else was around.

"You guys go ahead first, we'll catch up later," Brook said with a secretive smile. Payton was still gathering his thoughts and took a minute to answer after Paige stunned him in her outfit.

"Er, there's somewhere we gotta go first," he said to her, clearing his throat to hide his heated-up face. "You look drop-dead gorgeous, by the way." She smiled at him.

"Thanks, babe. But aren't we double-dating? I thought Michelle was coming too. Where exactly are we going?" Paige asked, narrowing her gaze.

"Somewhere fancy—and it's a good thing you're ready so, let's go." Payton hurriedly led her to the car before she could ask more questions. Once they left, Brook got up and knocked on the girls' trailer door.

"Michelle? You ready?" The door opened and Michelle stood there in a short, black-busted dress with a pink satin flair skirt and strappy black and silver heels. Brook blinked.

"Wow..." he stared at her, enthralled. He quickly wiped a little drool off the edge of his mouth, making Michelle giggle.

"Mission accomplished," she said triumphantly. Brook grinned back and slid a hand around her waist drawing her closer.

"Absolutely perrrfecto," Brook said, his rolling Spanish accent almost seducing her with his tone. "You know that outfit is very dangerous." He continued huskily in her ear.

"Why's that?" She asked.

"Because you're tempting me so damn much to take it off," he said, tilting his head to kiss her cheek. She reddened down to her neck and gave him a playful push.

"Come on Brook, or we'll be late for our own date," she laughed although she was pleased by his compliment. Brook stepped back.

"Right." He wondered how she'd react if she found out the actual 'date' part wouldn't come till much later...

"Why didn't we take the Bugatti?" Michelle asked Brook later as he drove along in a chic Mercedes open-top convertible. She had been surprised to find him driving an unfamiliar car on the way to wherever they were going for their date and even more so when he said it was a rental.

"It's part of what I have planned for tonight," Brook answered her with a secret smile. "Having an open top will come in handy later."

"Okaaay, someone's being coy tonight," Michelle teased him, grazing her fingers against his arm.

"Oh, I have to be if I wanna surprise you," Brook replied with a wink. They drove to a restaurant in the heart of the town—a rather posh place by the looks of it, Michelle thought. The outside itself exhibited modern grandeur and haute architecture. It wasn't a huge edifice but what it lacked in size it made up in its exterior which was built to impress. In a little town like Gardnerville, it was hard to find a gem of a place like this.

"Someone's going all out," Michelle said in awe, giving Brook a sideways glance. He grinned sheepishly.

"It's actually a karaoke bar and restaurant."

"So I'm gonna hear you sing tonight?" Michelle asked in surprise.

"You might," he said with a wink. They went inside, Brook leading her by the waist. Michelle took in the brightly colored place with upbeat music playing in the background in wonder. Neon lights bounced off every glittery tile, the soft leather booths glowing in the reflection. The place wasn't crowded but gave off an aura of being exclusive by the few patrons occupying the tables. Brook guided Michelle inside with his hand gently leading her by the small of her back. She spoke to him.

"I gotta say, Brook, this is kinda unusual and a little over the top for a date, Brook. What made you—"

"SURPRISE!" The whole crew popped out from behind a balloon-decorated table, making Michelle gasp.

"You guys! What are you all doing here?" She asked in amazement.

"Happy Birthday, Michelle!" They sang. Michelle blinked.

"Birthday? You guys—oh my gosh, I completely forgot!" She exclaimed. Paige smiled at her.

"So did I until I got dragged here," she said jokingly. "Someone even had to fake a date to get me here..." She gave Payton a narrow-eyed look but he simply grinned nervously and wrapped a pacifying arm around her.

"It was all Brook's idea," Jett said.

"Come sit down, we've gotta make a toast!" Leslie said, clapping her shoulder.

"Thank you all, this is the best surprise ever!" Michelle said with sparkling eyes filled with touched tears.

"It's only getting started," Brook said, glancing at the door. Leah and Brynn came in just then and Michelle's eyes widened as she saw them.

"Leah! Brynn! You're here too?!" She ran and hugged them as they came near.

"Surprise!" They said simultaneously with bright smiles. "Brook invited us! And here—" Leah passed two bags to Michelle, "We got you something."

"Aw, thanks, you guys!" Michelle said, feeling pleasantly overwhelmed with the number of surprises she got.

"Join the party, we were just about to toast!" Jett called.

"So you're Michelle's friends," Paige said, eyeing them. "Nice to meet ya. I'm Paige, the 'ex-convict' friend." Leah and Brynn's eyes widened.

"She's kidding!" Michelle hurriedly assured them. They grinned nervously at her and exchanged friendly introductions with everyone. Soriano stood up after that, holding his beer mug and drawing everyone's attention.

"Mind if I say a few words?" He asked. Michelle smiled at him in assent.

"A year ago, Michelle came to us under extraordinary circumstances. We didn't know we'd grow to love her so much, or that she'd make such a difference in our lives and mean so much to us. Now she's part of our family and we couldn't be happier to have her." Michelle's eyes filled up at Soriano's words.

"Michelle? You're a special addition to our crew. I can't imagine us without you. And I just want you to know that I'm proud to call you one of my own. So without further ado—to Michelle!" He raised his mug as Michelle wiped her tears.

"To Michelle!" Everyone echoed and clinked glasses in a loud cheer. Jett spoke up.

https://youtu.be/kuQwR9-DlnY

Just background music. ↕🎵

"Alright! Now let's eat, I'm starving!"

"You're always starving," Paige rolled her eyes at him and everyone laughed. Leah and Brynn began to talk animatedly with the crew, asking questions and being asked in return.

"So what was Michelle like in high school?" Paige asked them.

"Oh she was a total troublemaker, detention every other week," Brynn giggled. Everyone laughed, even Michelle taking the joke against herself well.

"You know, that's actually not hard to believe," Payton said, rubbing his chin. "Considering the amount of extra trouble we got into since we started hanging out with her, it adds up."

"Yeah, right, like you guys weren't getting into plenty of trouble without me," Michelle teased him, making everyone laugh.

"You guys know each other long?" Leslie asked Michelle's friends.

"Since first grade," Leah replied.

"Then you must know everything about Michelle," Jett asked, waggling his eyebrows. Michelle punched him lightly.

"If you're trying to dig dirty secrets about me, look elsewhere," she warned him playfully.

"Yeah, why don't you tell us about yourself instead?" Brynn asked Jett, giving him a flirty smile. Jett looked unsure.

"Oh, us? Well, unless you're into cars or video games—"

"I love video games! Well, one, anyway. I'm biased for Dance Dance Revolution!" Brynn said excitedly.

"No way! For real? I used to slay it at DDR when I was in high school!" Jett replied with enthusiasm. Reece shuddered.

"That's creepy—it's like he found his match," he muttered. Michelle giggled.

"What about you Michelle? Aren't you into video games like your friends?" Brook asked.

"Well..." She looked embarrassed.

"What?" Paige asked immediately, sensing a secret.

"Ever since—last year, I've been a car racing game addict," she admitted, red-faced. Reece actually burst out laughing at that.

"Too much of a bad influence, huh?" He teased her. Brook smiled.

"Missed my Bugatti rides?" He asked her. Michelle nodded.

"Driving my McLaren around was too conspicuous. So I switched to video games," she said with a wistful smile. "But it still wasn't the same as being with you in your Bugatti." She nuzzled into his neck as he pulled her close for an intimate moment.

"I missed our 'you and me' time too," he whispered in her ear, making her smile.

"No wonder you get along so well with Jett and me, you were born for the wheel," Reece said mischievously.

"That's an understatement," Leah added with a smile. "You couldn't get her to go out some days, she's skipped concerts and ice cream dates for that game!"

"Sounds familiar," Reece said with a knowing smirk.

"I hope you guys remember there's a life outside the car, virtual or otherwise," Soriano added with a smile.

"Shelly should've heard that last year," Brynn laughed. "But we're glad she got you all back, those days were hard watching her." Michelle's head lowered as the memory of the days when she spent longing for Brook in misery came back to her. Brook saw her face grow a little downcast and immediately got up.

"Where are you going?" She asked in surprise. He only winked boyishly at her and made his way to a raised platform stage for the live bands and karaoke to play. There was a single microphone on a stand and Brook unhooked it, holding it in his hand.

"No way! Is he gonna–?" Jett asked with wide eyes. Michelle gasped when she realized he really was going to sing. He told the DJ what song to play and suddenly a guitar tune strummed out of the speakers.

https://youtu.be/j-nxZ0IFSvE

Essential soundtrack for this scene! ↕🎤🎶

Wait—I know this song!" Michelle exclaimed. Paige smirked.

"Then enjoy it, angel face, because this is a rare thing." Michelle watched with starstruck eyes as Brook parted his lips and melodic words flowed out.

"Hey, what's the situation? Woah,

I'm just tryna make a little conversation,

Why the hesitation? Woah,

Tell me what your name is, for your information...

Don't get me wrong, you know you're right,

Don't be so cold, we could be fire,

Tomorrow we'll go, let's start tonight,

You know what it's all about, woah,

I could take you out, I could take you home,

I could take you, oh, where you wanna go,

I could pick it up, we could take it slow,

I could take you, oh-oh-oh-oh... Here Michelle felt like melted butter and almost swooned but kept her eyes fixed on the man who took her breath away as he continued.

I could take you out, I could take you home,

I could take you, oh, where you wanna go,

I could pick it up, we could take it slow,

I could take you, oh-oh-oh-oh!"

Michelle felt her heart explode into a million fireworks as Brook looked straight at her as he sang. Warm pink flames curled up her cheeks as the lyrics moved her—she knew he picked it out on purpose. And it made her feel like the luckiest girl on earth.

"I might have a reputation, woah... But there's only me and you in this equation..." Brook pointed at Michelle with his finger as he sang the next verse. Michelle bit her lip bursting with excitement, unable to stop the wide smile that spread her face. Just when she thought he couldn't get any more amazing, he sang the bridge, almost making her squeal for joy—his singing already had Brynn and Leah squealing and shaking each other in admiration.

"Baby, señorita, ma chérie, please be my little lady, my little lady, mi amor, you're the one I adore, come on be my little lady, my little lady..." he stepped off the stage and came right up to her. He touched her cheek as he sang the bridge again.

"Baby, señorita, ma chérie, please be my little lady, my little lady, mi amor, you're the one I adore, come on be my little lady, my little lady..." Oh, the Spanish rolled off his tongue like honey! He sang the next high note as he returned to the stage, making Michelle stand up and clap her hands together before she ran and joined him. This was the most beautiful thing he'd ever done for her!

The song finally came to an end and everyone in the restaurant clapped hard, especially Michelle. She flung her arms around him in a great big hug.

"You—are—amazing!" She emphasized each word. Brook grinned, thrilled to see her so happy.

"You are, Michelle. That's why I meant every word for you. I'm glad you enjoyed it." He gazed lovingly at her as he spoke. She raised shining eyes to him.

"Happy Birthday, baby." He planted a quick kiss on her lips, making her giggle.

"That is one helluva boyfriend you got there, Shelly!" Brynn said enthusiastically.

"Boyfriend? They're engaged so technically that makes them fiancés," Jett explained. Leah and Brynn's jaws dropped.

"You got engaged?!" They asked simultaneously in loud, shocked voices.

"And you didn't tell us?!" Brynn accused. Michelle giggled and held out her hand showing them her topaz ring. Brynn squealed.

"Tell us absolutely everything!"

"I can do that! It happened at a cute little Mexican restaurant—" Jett began, but was cut off by Payton's hand slapping his mouth.

"Shut up idiot!" He hissed. Michelle and Brook blinked at them.

"Wait, how do you guys know that? I never told you those details..." Brook frowned at them.

"I'm hearing about this for the first time too," Soriano said with raised eyebrows. Paige scowled at Jett.

"Nice going, blabbermouth," she huffed. Michelle laughed, guessing they had spied on them. But right now she was floating on air and too happy to let it bother her.

"You know, it doesn't matter how you guys know, I'm just glad to share this night with you all," she said.

"Yeah, but I'm still dying to know..." Brook said, shooting sharp glances at Jett. He grinned nervously.

"Why don't we get the cake out now?" He quickly diverted the conversation and no one protested as a beautiful yellow and purple cake with a car on top was brought out.

"Brook you didn't!" Michelle laughed when she saw the car. He smiled.

"I couldn't resist. Blow out the candles, baby." They all sang for Michelle and fell into fits of laughter as the sparkler candles she tried to blow wouldn't go out. Brook helped her blow them out at last, earning a compliment from her about his 'strong lungs' but returning a compliment whispered in her ear about her 'taking his breath away'. They gave each other lovey-dovey eyes over that private joke together in secret.

The night wore on, filled with laughter, juicy anecdotes from everyone and loads of quesadillas and nachos (Michelle wanted the Mexican menu), and a fair share of alcohol. Everyone except Paige and Payton tried out the karaoke features as well, Jett and Reece even making a parody of the song 'Happy' by Pharrell Williams and leaving everyone doubled over in laughter. Jett tried to make Paige sing but gave up after she lightly threatened to chop his ponytail off if he insisted.

Later, he and Brynn got into a heavy conversation over their best dance battles while Leah amused everyone with tales of college life with Michelle, making her amused to see her friends getting along so well with the crew. She was glad to find them so comfortable with the people she came to call family, glancing at them all fondly as she sipped a margarita. Brook refrained from the stiffer drinks as he intended to drive later and kept checking his watch for the time. He wanted to take Michelle on the second part of her birthday surprise soon and wondered how to break up the party when she seemed to be having such a good time. Fortunately, Payton saw him checking his watch and guessed his plan.

"Hey guys, isn't it getting late? You're gonna miss part two of the surprise if you don't hurry," he said, helping Brook out. Brook mouthed a 'thank you' to him and he nodded with a smile.

"Part two?" Michelle asked, turning to him in confusion.

Tell me you screamed or drooled over the idea of Brook singing because I did just writing it! The best effect came from listening to the song as I went along. Hope you enjoyed the music. And the pretty pictures, especially Paige fans, that dress is for you! 

Did you catch the throwback on the color thing from the birthday last year? Yellow 💛 and purple 💜 foreva! 

And did our girl look delicious in that dress or what? Brook won't be able to keep his hands off her in the next chapter...😉🥵 wink wink* hint hint.

Who's ready for part 2?