A loud thump from outside, or rather what sounded like a body crashing to the ground and the lights suddenly flickering caught both of their attentions.

“Holy shit! You flew like five feet back!” A baritone voice said in amazement.

“That’s because I was fuckin electrocuted you jackass!”

Both of the girl’s realized that the voices belonged to Aiden and Dano.

“Shit.” Ashley muttered while pinching the bridge of her nose.

Spencer wasted no time sliding the glass door open and looking in amazement at what had been set up in the back yard. The two of them had managed to create a makeshift gazebo with garnished planks and patterned wood. Tiny white Christmas lights were strung up on the ‘roof’ with some of them hanging down while the rest wound down the pillars. To top it off, in the center of this romantic master piece was an ornate table set for 2 complete with a white table cloth and two lit candles standing in silver holders. Plates and cutlery had been laid out with grilled chicken breast, asparagus, and mashed potatoes . Gravy and empty, champagne glasses, and a bottle of Cristal chilled in a bucket on a stool off to the side.

“Happy Anniversary?” Aiden said sheepishly, standing beside one of the wooden pillars while holding a red rose and a note.

Dano was still sprawled out on the ground a few feet away from the socket which had allegedly shocked her. “What he said.”

Ashley had finally made her way out back to witness what she had feared to be a catastrophe but smiled when she saw that everything was just as she had pictured it would be, aside from her two friends of course.

“A little help, please?” Dano groaned. Aiden helped her up and checked her hand for any burn marks.

“I thought you guys would be gone by now?” Ashley said with amusement.

“Well considerin that absolutely nothin was set up when we got here, you’re lucky we finished now rather than later.” The green eyed girl said while dusting herself off. “Plus, I was almost fried to death.”

“Are you ok?” Spencer asked with concern.

“I’m alright.” She turned to her shorter friend who was looking at her with nothing but gratitude. “Is everything to your liking?” Her questioned was laced with a hint of playfulness as she waited for her answer.

“You guys are amazing.”

“I’ll take that as a yes. We’ll be off then.” A dramatic bow followed as she walked over to Spencer and gave her a hug while Aiden did the same with Ashley. They switched places and began to walk through the back door before she smacked the dark haired boy on the back and pointed to the letter in his hand.

“Oh yeah! Here you go. Don’t open it until we leave.” He said as he handed the envelope and rose to Ashley. With that, both of them disappeared into the house and out the front door.

The two girls watched their friends go before looking back at each other and breaking into spontaneous laughter. Their combined mirth spurred them on for a good minute before it died down to giggles and finally, to content smiles.

“Come here.” Spencer commanded.

Her voice had taken on that edge that Ashley had heard many times before, the same one made a warm shiver pass from her shoulders to her toes as she walked towards her girlfriend. They stood inches away from each other, looking nowhere else but in each others eyes until Spencer closed the gap and kissed her, passionate and soft with a searching tongue that made her toes curl and her hands come to rest on the blonde’s hips, pressing her fingers into the denim.

With a sigh, Spencer pulled back and took the note still clutched in Ashley’s hand. When she opened it, she found messy cursive writing and a happy face drawn on the bottom.

Dear Pez and Firefly,

Happy Anniversary! Thank you for giving us something to believe in.

Love,

Dano and Aiden

Ps. We’re never doing favors for you ever again.

She laughed at the end of the note and showed it to Ashley who smiled and shook her head. “Let’s eat.”