Nick falls face first on his bed and then rolls over to stare at the ceiling.  This has got to be my worse birthday he thinks to himself.  This whole thing with Brian, Jessica and Christine seems right out of a soap opera or some bad romance novel his mom reads.  He sits up and goes over to his dresser where he picks up a picture of Summer.  He had been trying to call her for a week now and all he got was her answering machine.  He knew she was avoiding him and he couldn't blame her.  The whole Willa thing was such a mistake.  After he ended it with her all he wanted to do was call Summer and talk to her about it and try to mend their friendship.  The phone rings just then and he reaches over to pick it up with out setting down the picture.

Nick - "Hello."

Summer - "Happy Birthday."

Nick - "Summer!"

Summer - "That's me."

Nick - "I was just thinking about you."

Summer - "Good thoughts I hope."

Nick - "Yeah of course.  How are you?"

Summer - "Good.  How's your party going?"

Nick - "Well it was going good until about ten minutes ago."

Summer - "Why what happen?"

Nick - "Well Brian and Jess broke up back at New Years."

Summer - "I know I talked to her a couple days ago."

Nick - "You actually talked to her.  How is she?"

Summer - "She's really hurt.  I mean she didn't say anything about it but we were both avoiding the topic of Brian.  Loren filled me on some details."

Nick - "Yeah well now he's marrying Christine."

Summer - "Oh God you're kidding me."

Nick - "I wish I was.  I guess he's announcing it tonight."

Summer - "Before or after the cake?"

Nick - "I dont know what difference does it make?"

Summer - "Cause if he does it before the cake then you'll know what to wish for won't you."

Nick - "True."  He pauses a minute to think about what he wants to say to her.  He's still blown away that she called him and he doesn't want say anything stupid.

Summer - "So did you get anything good?"

Nick - "I don't know I haven't opened anything yet but I already know what my favorite part of today was."

Summer - "And when was that?"

Nick - "When I picked up the phone and heard your voice.  I miss you Summer."

Summer - "Yeah well I kind of miss you too."

Nick - "So when am I going to see you?"

Summer - "What makes you think I want to see you?"

Nick - "I don't know wishful thinking."

Summer - "Well I do want to see you again but I'm unsure.  I'm still really hurt Nick, but I really really miss you."

Nick - "What do you want me to do?  I can be at your house in about a half an hour if you want me there on my knees I'll do that."

Summer - "No that's quite alright.  Why don't you just go back down and enjoy your party and then give me a call in the morning.  We'll start from there."

Nick - "Okay what time?"

Summer - "Whenever you wake up."

Nick - "Okay I'll talk to you tomorrow.  I love you."

Summer - "Bye Nicky."  She hangs up.

After Nick does a little dance celebrating the fact that Summer is talking to him again he goes down stairs in a much better mood.  He sees Kevin talking to some important looking person that Nick doesn't remember inviting.  He just shrugs his shoulders, he doesn't know half the people here anyway so what does one more matter.

AJ - "Hey you look like you're in a much better mood."  He had just come back from the bar.

Nick - "I just talked to Summer."

AJ - "Oh she finally called you.  Well thats really great."

Nick - "Yeah well we talked for a little bit and then she told me to call her in the morning."

AJ - "Sounds like she's giving you a second chance don't screw it up."

Nick - "I don't plan on it.  Oh look I guess Brian's making his announcement."  Brian walks on the little stage where the DJs set up and takes his microphone.

AJ - "I don't think I can watch this sober."  He downs his drink.

Brian - "Hi.  Hello yeah up here on the stage.  Well I know that everyone is gathered here for Nick's birthday so first of all I'd like to say Happy Birthday bro.  Can't believe you're twenty, man I remember when you first started shaving.  When was that last week."  There's a mix of polite laughs.  "Yeah okay really bad joke.  But I thought I would take advantage of the fact that everyone's here and make a little announcement.  Christine, honey come on up."  He reaches his hand down and helps her on the stage.  "As many of you know Chris and I have been dating for awhile now and I have recently asked her to do me the honor of becoming my wife.  After she got done crying she of course said yes."

There are appalause and some one form the back asks what date.  Christine answers, "July 22. of this year."

Kevin shakes his head he was hoping it was going to be after him and Loren's wedding.  Tristen comes up to Kevin and pulls his pant leg.  "Kevin can we go home now?"

Kevin - "You sure buddy they're going to be cutting the cake soon."

Tristen - "I don't want cake I want to go home and see my mom."

Kevin - "Okay bud.  Lets go say bye to Nick."

Tristen - "Okay."

They track Nick down who is talking Howie and say goodbye.  Kevin puts Tristen in the backseat of the car and then gets in the front.  Now Tristen is normal quite a talker but Kevin doesn't notice at first how quiet he's being cause he's wrapped up in his own thoughts.

Tristen - "Kevin I want a question."

Kevin - "You have a question."

Tristen - "Yeah I have a question."

Kevin - "Go ahead."

Tristen - "What's a bastard?"

He caught Kevin complately off guard and he turned and looked in the back seat quick.  "Where did you hear that word?"

Tristen - "I was playing hide and seek with Angel and I hear Cousin Brian's girlfriend say that I was a bastard.  What is it?"

Kevin pulls the car over.  "Come up here a sec buddy."  Tristen unbuckles his seat belt and climbs over the seat.  He sits in the passenger seat and faces Kevin.  "Okay now I know how smart you are so I'm going to tell you the truth okay."

Tristen - "Okay."

Kevin - "First of all that word that she said is a bad word and you shouldn't use it okay."

Tristen - "Okay, but what is it?"

Kevin - "It means some one who doesn't have a dad."

Tristen - "But I do have a dad.  When you marry mommy it means you're going to be my daddy right."

Kevin - "Thats right."

Tristen - "Then why did she say that?"

Kevin - "Well she probably just forgot that I'm going to be your daddy that's all."

Tristen - "Well maybe if I called you daddy it would help her remember."

Kevin - "You know what, it might."

Tristen - "I dont think she likes me."  Kevin is holding in his angry at Christine for hurting Tristen.

Kevin - "I don't think its you buddy.  I don't think she likes herself and that makes her not like other people."  Tristen looks up at him confused.  "Its okay if you don't understand.  Its a lot of grown up stuff.  But I need you to do me a favor okay.  Don't tell your mom what you heard okay."

Tristen - "Why?"

Kevin - "Because it will make her feel bad and then she'll be mad at your cousin Brian and Christine."

Tristen - "I dont want her to be mad at Brian.  But I don't like that lady."

Kevin - "Neither do I."  He hugs him close.  "How about we stop for ice cream on the way home?"

Tristen - "I want to get some for mommy too."

Kevin - "Yeap we'll get some for your mom too.  Hop back there and buckle up."

Tristen - "Okay."  He climbs back over the seat and they stop by Baskin Robbins.