Page 11 of The TV Show Rival
The doorknob rattled, with the sound of jingling keys slicing through the tense silence.
Then, the door clicked open, and the door creaked a hesitant welcome.
“Light! Now!” she whispered, and Theo threw on the switch. Then, a collective yell of “Surprise!” exploded from behind the furniture.
Sue froze, framed in the doorway. The travel fatigue melted away, replaced with pure shock. Her eyes widened to cartoonish proportions, luggage sitting at her side.
Her features, once marked with the lines of worry and struggle during her time as a single mother, were smoother, healthier, revealing a woman perhaps a decade younger.
She looked beautiful in her flowery blouse and tight pants that skimmed her curves with a newfound elegance. Her once dull brown hair, sparkled with a healthy vibrancy, cascading down her shoulders in loose waves.
The surprise must have hit her all at once: the garish “Happy 48th Birthday!” banner strung across the living room, the explosion of rainbow streamers clinging desperately to the furniture, the gaggle of them—Jess, Theo, and Riley—sporting the most ridiculous birthday hats.
But the centerpiece, the undeniable star of the show, was the cake. A magnificent three-tiered monstrosity frosted in her favorite shade of chocolate, with a few candles on top.
It was a masterpiece, courtesy of Theo’s secret mission to the bakery down the street (bless him for indulging Jess’ slightly outrageous cake vision).
Before Sue could even sputter out a single word, ten-year-old Riley decided this was the perfect moment for his own grand gesture.
He scurried forward with the solemnity of a knight bestowing a royal honor and draped a homemade garland of wildflowers around her neck while giggling uncontrollably. The lopsided construction, a chaotic blend of dandelions and clover, somehow managed to look adorable.
She blinked, the shock finally giving way to a smile that could light up the entire neighborhood.
She let out a shaky laugh, tears welling up in her eyes. “Oh my gosh, you guys! This is… incredible!”
They erupted in cheers, engulfing her in a giant hug, the flowery garland threatening to topple under the weight of their combined love.
“Happy birthday, Mom,” Jess whispered, squeezing her tight.
“You guys... you really got me!” Her eyes, still sparkling with surprise, darted playfully around the room. “I knew it had to be your idea, Jess. You couldn’t resist a good surprise party, could you?”
Jess grinned sheepishly. “Guilty as charged. But everyone was in on it, even Riley here.”
Riley, still nestled in Mom’s hug, piped up, “Nope! I didn’t know anything!” His eyes widened innocently, completely betraying the mischievous glint that had been there earlier.
Riley looked just like his father. His dark curls bounced with each wiggle. He was constantly bursting with ideas and ready to jump into any adventure, often without considering the consequences.
Despite the occasional mess, Riley’s infectious enthusiasm and genuine sweetness made him impossible to resist. His clothes, a mismatched assortment of comfy fabrics—a favorite Star Wars t-shirt tucked into pajama bottoms with mismatched socks—spoke volumes about his love for comfort and his tendency to prioritize fun over tidiness.
Mom threw her head back and laughed, wiping away another tear. “Oh, you little rascal! You kept calling me while I was away, asking where I was. I thought you just missed me!”
Riley squirmed free and puffed out his chest, striking a heroic pose. “Well, of course I missed you! But I also had an important job to do, Operation Surprise Mommy!”
They all laughed. As the laughter subsided, Sue turned to Theo, her gaze filled with admiration. “And you, Mr. Poker Face! I didn’t suspect a thing.”
Theo grinned, his crooked crown finally giving way and tumbling to the floor with a soft plop. “See, honey? I told you my acting skills were award-worthy!”
In his fifties, Theo sported a crown of black hair peppered with streaks of silver, particularly noticeable in his salt and pepper beard. He wasn’t built like a fitness model, more stout than muscular, with a bit of a potbelly that jiggled good-naturedly when he laughed.
But what he lacked in sculpted abs, he more than made up for in warmth and kindness. Beneath his faded jeans and well-worn T-shirts, his calmness, a stark contrast to his wife’s sometimes fiery personality, was one of the things his family loved most about him.
“And you managed to fool me.”
Theo threw his hands up in mock defense. “Hey, I’m just a dedicated husband following orders.” He winked at her, earning a playful nudge from her elbow.
The warm, familial energy in the room was palpable. This was exactly what Jess hoped for—a night filled with surprise, laughter, and love.
Sue deserved every bit of it and seeing herself surrounded by the people who cherished her most filled her heart with a joy that rivaled the sparkle of the candles on the cake.