A Musical Beast

Jade: Jade had been working all that afternoon to get this dinner together. The dinner was done the cake was done, everything was ready. 

Patrick: Patrick grimaced a bit as he pulled up to his parents house. He really hoped that Jade hadn't gone too crazy. He walked up to the door and went inside, "Hello?" he called out. 

Meredith: Meredith came downstairs and into the kitchen. "Oh, you're a wizard, we'll keep you around," she told Jade, looking around, impressed. 

Jade: She grinned at Meredith, "A witch actually" 

Joel: Joel came down the stairs shortly after Meredith, peeking his head around the corner when he heard Patrick. "Hey! Happy birthday!" 

Lora: Lora tromped downstairs looking half-awake. 

Leo: Leo arrived with Sarah a couple minutes after Patrick, not bothering to knock on the door before going inside. It was still his house, sorta.. 

Patrick: Patrick smiled at his father, "Hey.. Thanks.." he rubbed the back of his neck, walking towards the kitchen. 

Adam: Adam came soon after Leo and Sarah and tripped through the doorway- almost falling on his face. 

Meredith: Meredith grinned at Jade and gave her a hug, then went over to Patrick. "Happy Birthday," she smiled and gave him a big hug. 

Patrick: "Hey mom.. thanks," He said as he gave her a hug, "It looks amazing Jade. I still think you shouldn't have done this." 

Sarah: Sarah looked around and chuckled when she spotted Adam. "Careful Adam." 

Lora: Lora went and sat on the couch with her arms crossed. She gave Leo a small glare. 

Logan: Hearing everyone downstairs, Logan ran out of his room carrying a gift, rushing past Lora as he went down the stairs. "Patrick! You gotta open my gift first!" 

Jade: She waved a hand, "it was no problem and happy birthday!" she said to Patrick. 

Leo: Leo gave Lora a confused look, "What?" 

Adam: "I'm fine, Sarah," he smiled and gave her a bear hug. 

Sarah: She hugged him back. "Okay just don't fall and scar up that pretty face of yours," she teased. 

Meredith: "Anything I can do to help?" she asked Jade. 

Lora: "Nothing," she shrugged. 

Patrick: Patrick chuckled at Logan and messed with his hair, "Alright, once we have cake." 

Jade: "Umm.." she rubbed the back of her neck, "Just need to finish setting the table and put the food on it." 

Leo: "Doesn't seem like nothing" 

Adam: "I heal, no worries," he smiled. 

Meredith: "Alright," Meredith forced a big smile and went to set the table. 

Logan: "You better." Logan playfully swatted his hand away with a laugh before going to place his present with everyone else's. " 

Sarah: Sarah rolled her eyes. "True but I don't need to see that. It would ruin my appetite." 

Patrick: "Can I help with anything Jade?" Patrick asked, while grabbing a glass of water. 

Lora: "It's nothing, Leo," she sighed. 

Adam: "Oh, toughen up," he smiled and headed towards the kitchen to see if he could steal any food. 

Jade: She shook her head at Patrick, smiling a little "Nope." 

Patrick: "Rude..." He grumbled playfully as he took a drink of water, standing at the back of the kitchen and watching his family. 

Sarah: Sarah just shook her head and watched Adam go before flicking her gaze between Lora and Leo. 

Leo: he let out a breath and shrugged, "If you say so." 

Adam: "Hey, happy birthday, Pat," Adam said and punched his shoulder lightly. 

Patrick: "Thanks Adam," he said rubbing his shoulder a bit and smiled, "How have you been?" 

Lora: "You forgot, didn't you?" she raised an eyebrow. 

Leo: "Forgot?" he frowned. 

Sarah: Sarah walked past Leo and Lora towards the kitchen to see if she could be of any help. 

Adam: "I've been hungry," he said and went over by Jade to try and steal some food. 

Jade: She smacked his hand, "No snitching" 

Lora: "Talking to Mom and Dad with me." 

Patrick: Patrick laughed as he saw Adam get smacked, "Serves you right. Birthday boy gets first dibs." 

Leo: "Oh! oh..." he frowned, "I'm sorry Lora.." 

Sarah: Sarah came up to Patrick and gave him a hug. "Happy birthday Patrick." 

Patrick: Returning Sarah's hug, Patrick smiled, "Thanks Sarah. Long time no see." 

Sarah: "I've been busy," she said with a smile. "How are you?" 

Patrick: "Pretty good. Was hesitant about this party at first, but very happy to see the family." 

Adam: "I'm starving," he pouted at Jade and Patrick. He turned Jade towards him to give her a quick kiss on the lips- alcohol apparent on his breath. 

Meredith: Meredith finished setting up the table and looked around with a small smile. 

Logan: Logan looked around the room before slyly shoving all of the other gifts back, leaving his out in front, so Patrick would have no choice but to open it first. 

Lora: She shrugged. 

Sarah: She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "It's not everyday you turn twenty," she smiled. "It's good to have your family over, but that begs the question of what I'm doing here." 

Jade: She made a face, "Have you been drinking?" 

Adam: "No," he said innocently. 

Patrick: Patrick raised a brow at Adam, before looking back at Sarah, "You are family silly. It will just be official soon. Besides, I'm glad you are here."

Jade: "Right" she snorted, before picking up the dish full of dinner and moving to put it on the table. 

Sarah: "Well I wouldn't have missed this for the world," she replied. "I guess in some ways the wedding won't change anything at all." 

Patrick: "Except your last name, and you'll have in-laws. But that's about it," he said with a smile.Patrick sneakily takes a plate of food and carries it into the dinning room. 

Adam: Adam sighed and followed Jade.

Sarah: "Yeah that's about it," she nodded before Patrick took some food to the dining room. Sarah looked around the kitchen to see if there was anything she could help with. 

Logan: Logan looked around the room for a moment before grabbing on the the extra napkin rings. "Stop being such a grumpy gill, Lora." He then tossed the ring over at her on the couch. 

Lora: Lora glared at Logan as she caught the ring and gave him the finger. 

Logan: Logan made a face at her, sticking his tongue out. 

Patrick: "So Logan," Patrick said standing behind his younger brother, "I hear Adam is taking you to the science museum." 

Lora: Lora ignored him and gazed into the diningroom towards Jade. 

Jade: She put her hands on her hips, surveying the table, "Well besides drinks, everything is ready" 

Logan: Logan turned his attention to Patrick, a grin making it's way to his face. "Yeah, on Wednesday! It's gonna be awesome!" 

Meredith: "Dinner time, brats!" Meredith called into the livingroom. 

Patrick: With a laugh, Patrick nodded, "Be sure to tell me how it is. I guess that means you and I have to find something to do, huh," Patrick turned and looked at his mother, "It's my birthday. You're supposed to be nice, ya know?" 

Adam: Adam stood behind Jade and put his arms around her in a hug. "Good, I'm hungry," he whined. 

Sarah: Sarah walked into the dining room and looked at the table. "Wow everything looks amazing." 

Logan: "I will! Yeah...we should, um..I don't know yet, but we can think about it after dinner!" He gave Patrick a nod before motioning over to the dining room. 

Patrick: Nodding to his brother, Patrick headed into the dining room and grinned, "This looks amazing Jade," as he looked at the food, he wondered where Tristram was. 

Joel: Joel walked in the dinning room, sniffing the air. "Hurry up and sit everyone, I'm hungry" 

Logan: He turned around to look for his eldest brother. "Leo? Leo, can I sit next to you?" 

Jade: She smiled at their praise. "Thanks." she turned slightly to look at Adam 

Leo: "Of course, Squirt." 

Patrick: Patrick sat by his mother, looking at his family, waiting for everyone to sit down. 

Lora: Lora sat down at an empty chair. 

Sarah: Sarah couldn't help but smile as she watched everyone move about before taking a seat once Joel told them to. 

Logan: Logan beamed as he waiting for his brother to take a seat. 

Leo: Leo sat with a tired sigh, smiling slightly as he looked around the room. 

Adam: Adam sat down heavily beside Lora. 

Logan: Logan hopped into the open seat next to Leo, placing his arms on the table as he glanced around to see where everyone else was sitting. 

Jade: Jade sat in the nearest empty seat she could find, her tiredness from the night before finally catching up to her. 

Meredith: Meredith looked over at jade, concerned. "You okay?" she asked from where she was sitting. 

Patrick: Patrick cleared his throat, looking at each of his family members, "I just want to say, before we start eating, that it's really good to have the family together. It's been a long time," Patrick looked at Sarah then Jade, "And it's nice to have two additions to our family, even if it's not official. And thank you Jade for putting all the effort into making this dinner for all of us," blushing a bit, he sat down and bit his cheek. Public speaking, not his strong point. 

Jade: She nodded at Meredith and then smiled at Patrick.

Lora: Lora rolled her eyes at the speech, ready to eat. 

Adam: Adam clapped loudly. 

Logan: "Woo, Patrick, yeah!" 

Logan: "And Jade!" 

Sarah: When Patrick spoke Sarah looked down at her plate, slightly embarrassed for having been talked about. 

Joel: "Annnd can we eat now?" He asked with a grin. 

Patrick: "Yeah... Dig in you dogs," Patrick laughed softly. 

Meredith: Meredith smiled and started picking some at her food. 

Leo: "Hey, watch who you're calling a dog!" Leo teased. 

Adam: Adam started wolfing down his food. 

Patrick: "Okay.. I'm sorry.." Patrick grinned at his brother, "Dig in you wolves! Does that work?" 

Joel: "Speaking of dogs, I think it's time we got another." 

Sarah: Sarah rolled her eyes before taking a bite of her food. "This is delicious." 

Lora: "Mom's having another baby?" she asked Joel. 

Leo: "Eh.." he shrugged with a smile, "It's better" 

Logan: Logan tossed a roll at Adam. "Manners, dude." 

Meredith: Meredith gave Lora a look. 

Joel: He made a face, "No... I meant an actual dog... like that goes woof woof" 

Lora: "Sounds like Logan." 

Adam: Adam caught the roll easily and tossed it back to him. "I'm hungry, dude." 

Patrick: Patrick frowned at Lora's attitude, but quietly ate his dinner. 

Logan: "You're just like everyone at school, Lora. Why don't you stop being pissy for once and try to at least act like you're happy to be here."

Joel: He rolled his eyes, "be nice and no throwing food you two." He gave Logan and Adam a look. 

Logan: He lowered his head and started heading. 

Jade: Jade sat back in her chair, picking at her food, an amused look on her face at the antics of the Redfords. 

Lora: She pressed her lips together and remained quiet. 

Sarah: Sarah casually listened to the conversations before looking over at Meredith. "How have you been?" 

Adam: Adam stuck his tongue out at Logan and continued to eat. 

Meredith: Meredith didn't hear Sarah, distracted by picking at her food and nibbling at a roll. 

Logan: Looking up, Logan made a face at Adam, quietly laughing. 

Sarah: She ate a few more bites of food and watched everyone. Dinners at the Redfords were far more entertaining than dinners with her family. 

Leo: "So, did you do anything interesting today, Saint patty?" Leo asked. 

Patrick: Patrick looked over at his mother, but before he could speak, Leo spoke to him, "Nah. I never do anything exciting. Though Zach and I did play Halo all night the other night. 

Leo: He grinned,"Hey well that is fun!" 

Adam: Adam finished what was on his plate quickly enough and got up. "Be right back, I need a smoke," he said and headed outside. 

Sarah: "Are they always like this?" Sarah asked Meredith before lightly laughing. 

Meredith: Meredith gave Sarah a smile. "Yes, pretty much, yes," she chuckled half-heartedly. 

Sarah: A slight frown formed on her face. "Are you alright?" 

Patrick: Patrick looked at his family members, chewing his inner cheek, poking at his food. 

Logan: Logan turned to Leo, nudging him in the side. "Did I tell you that Adam is gonna take me to that new science museum?" 

Jade: Jade watched him go with a frown before her attention fell to Patrick, "Are you okay?" 

Lora: Lora looked over at Joel. "So Dad, when can I drive the new car?" she teased. 

Leo: "No you didn't! But that sounds like fun... as long as Adam doesn't trip over anything." 

Patrick: Looking up at Jade, Patrick nodded a little, "Yeah. The food is really good," he smiled at her, taking a bite. 

Meredith: "I'm alright," she nodded at Sarah. 

Logan: He laughed as he took another bite of his food. "It'd be a good chance for him to learn all about how gravity works." 

Joel: He made a face, "When you are 30" 

Lora: "Yeah, because you won't teach me to drive until then," she said sarcastically. 

Sarah: "Alright," she replied with a nod. "I looked at wedding dresses the other day and I was wondering if you'd like to come give me a second opinion on some of them." 

Leo: "i think he knows better than anyone how gravity works." he grinned. 

Logan: "If she makes it to thirty without someone killing her because she's so pissed off all the time." He muttered, taking a bite of his roll.

Adam: Adam came back in a few minutes later. He smelled like smoke and alcohol as he sat back down and got more food. 

Jade: She smiled, "Good. I'm glad you like it." 

Lora: Lora's smile fell at Logan's comment and she sighed. 

Logan: Logan nodded at Leo. "Yeah, I think you're right." 

Joel: "I'll teach you to drive when I think you are ready to drive" he said with a shrug. 

Meredith: "Oh, yes, of course," she smiled. "I haven't seen your ring..." 

Patrick: Patrick gave a look to Adam, but kept his mouth shut and ate quietly.  

 Lora: "Of course you will, Dad," she shrugged. 

Sarah: "That would be great. I thought I'd ask my mom too just to have varying opinions. I put two on hold that I really liked," Sarah said. "Oh you're right! Things have just been crazy between school, work, and wedding plans," Sarah exclaimed before offering Meredith her left hand to see the ring. "I love it so much." 

Leo: Leo sat back in his chair with a little sigh, "Mm that was good." 

Meredith: Meredith leaned over to look at her ring and smiled. "Good job, Leo," she chuckled. 

Adam: Adam looked over at Jade and attempted a wink as he ate. 

Leo: He grinned, "Thanks mom" 

Sarah: She smiled. "He did a great job picking it out," she agreed before taking her hand back and glancing over at Leo. 

Meredith: "He has good taste, got it from me," she nodded seriously. 

Jade: She just shook her head at Adam with an amused smile. 

Joel: "Excuse you, I did a decent job way back when." 

Patrick: Finishing his food, Patrick sat back and watches his family." 

Sarah: "I'm not surprised," she smiled. "When would be a good day for you to come see the dresses? I can ask my mom and we could all go together. Maybe Heather and Lora could come too." 

Meredith: She smiled at Joel. "Of course you did, hon." She looked back to Sarah. "Ah, I'm never sure about my work schedule. You should go ahead and plan it and I'll come if I can." 

Lora: Lora perked up some but tried to keep her expression neutral. 

Adam: "The dresses are pretty," Adam said without thinking. 

Sarah: "Alright," she replied before noticing the shift in Lora's demeanor. "Do you want to come, Lora?" When Adam spoke she looked over at him and smirked. 

Lora: "I have school." 

Meredith: Meredith raised an eyebrow at Adam. 

Sarah: "We can go afterschool. We'd have to anyway unless it was the weekend. My mom works during the day," she stated. 

Leo: "How would you know?" Leo asked, raising a brow at Adam. 

Adam: "Ah.....I don't," he said quickly and stuffed food in his mouth. 

Logan: Logan turned his attention to Patrick. "You're gonna open my gift first, right?" 

Lora: She bit on her bottom lip. "You want me to come?"

 Sarah: Sarah laughed. "He came with me when I looked at them," she said with a glance and Leo. When Lora spoke she looked over and nodded. "Sure you can come. It would be lots of fun, don't you think?" 

Adam: A tinge of red appeared on his face and he gave Sarah a glare. 

Patrick: Patrick turned and looked at Logan, smiling, "Of course I am bud. I said I would." 

Lora: "Maybe," she shrugged but smiled. 

Leo: Leo couldn't hold back a laugh, "He went dress shopping with you? I was wrong, he shouldn't be my best man, he should be your maid of honor" 

Logan: Logan nodded. "Just making sure." 

Adam: He bit on his bottom lip and looked down. "Yeah....be right back. Smoke break," he said quickly and went to go out again. 

Sarah: "I wanted a guy's opinion on them," she said with a roll of her eyes. "I figured Adam would know what you'd like, Leo." 

Patrick: "Besides, it's the one in front of everyone elses, how could I not open it first?" Patrick smirked having noticed what Logan had done. 

Meredith: Meredith smiled over at Patrick. "Birthday cake first." 

Patrick: Patrick nodded at his mother, before turning his eyes towards the door, biting his lip. 

Lora: Lora looked over at Jade. "You okay?" 

Sarah: "Well you can come, Lora." 

Logan: "It's in front because it's the best." Logan said matter-of-factly. 

Jade: She smiled at Lora and nodded, "Yeah, I'm fine." 

Adam: Adam sat down on the grass outside and leaned against the house as he lit another cigarette and took a flask of liquor out of his back pocket. His mind was being particularly torturing today. 

Lora: "Okay then," she frowned. 

Meredith: "You okay?" she asked Patrick. 

Logan: Logan turned to where Adam had been sitting during dinner, wanting to ask him something about the museum, but frowned when he couldn't find him. 

Jade: She just nodded, feeling dizzy. "Should I get the cake?" 

Meredith: "Joel can get it," Meredith piped up, noticiing Jade didn't look all that good. 

Jade: She started to get up, "it's fine." 

Joel: Joel hoped to his feet, "Nope, I got it." 

Logan: Logan cleared his throat, standing up from his seat. "I'll be right back ...Uh, bathroom break." Walking away from the table, he left the room and headed towards the back door. 

Sarah: Sarah leaned back in her chair slightly. "That was fantastic." 

Meredith: "Okay, sweetie," Meredith nodded, pushing her untouched plate of food to the side. 

Patrick: With a soft sigh, Patrick started to grabbed dishes and brought them into the kitchen. 

Jade: Jade got up quickly, picking up dishes, "You shouldn't have to clear the table." She said with a small smile. 

Logan: Closing the door behind him, another frown appeared on his face as the smell of smoke burned his nostrils. "..Adam?" Turning to the side, he spotted his brother sitting on the ground. "....They're, um, getting the cake.." 

Patrick: "It's okay Jade. You don't look like you are feeling too well," he said softly as he rinsed and loaded the dishes. 

Adam: Adam quickly put the flask back in his pocket when he heard Logan. "Hey bud," he half-smiled. 

Lora: Lora got up and took the dishes from Jade. "I'll get them," she smiled some. 

Jade: "Oh...thanks Lora." She smiled tiredly. 

Sarah: Sarah stood up to help with the dishes as well. 

Patrick: Patrick continued to rinse and load any dishes that come to him from the others. 

Logan: "W-what are you doing out here?" He took a few steps over to him before pointing back to the door. "The party's inside.." 

Adam: "Just a smoke break," he smiled some. "I'll be back in soon." 

Lora: Lora helped Patrick and watched him. 

Patrick: Patrick looked over at Lora and smiled, "How have you been little sis?" 

Meredith: Meredith bit at her nails absentmindedly. 

Logan: "Smoking isn't good for you, ya know." He stated, taking a seat next to him. 

Sarah: Sarah helped clean up the dishes, taking a few into the kitchen. 

Lora: "Just great." 

Patrick: Patrick frowned a bit, "You sure? Want to talk about it? 

Adam: "It doesn't bother me much. You should go back in, Pat's probably missing you." 

Lora: She shook her head. "I'm fine, Patrick Star," she elbowed him. 

Patrick: Smiling, Patrick gave her a small hug before continuing with the dishes. 

Sarah: "Here you go guys," Sarah said before bringing in the last of the few dishes from the dining room. 

Logan: "Oh.." Logan nodded, slowly standing back up. "Okay, um...well, I'll save you a piece of cake, okay?" 

Lora: She hugged him back. "Thanks Sarah." 

Adam: "No need, I'll be right in," he shook his head. 

Patrick: Patrick thanked Sarah before he rinsed and loaded the rest of the dishes, before starting the dishwasher. 

Jade: Jade sat with a sigh, feeling cold. 

Logan: He just nodded again before going back inside. 

Sarah: "You don't need to thank me," she replied with a smile. 

Meredith: "You alright, Jade?" Meredith asked quietly. 

Jade: She nodded, "Yeah, Just a bit tired is all.." 

Meredith: "I should have helped more with dinner, sorry about that." 

Jade: She shook her head with a little smile, "No, it's okay." 

Patrick: Patrick came back to the dining room and sat back down, looking from his phone to the door, sighing softly. 

Meredith: Meredith nodded, unconvinced. "Well you should rest. The boys can clean up and everything else." 

Leo: "What's up Patty?" He asked, noticing the sigh. 

Sarah: Sarah returned from the kitchen to go press a kiss to Leo's cheek. 

Jade: She nodded her head, "Okay. I guess I can let them do that." 

Patrick: Patrick looked over at his big brother, and shook his head, "Nothing. Just wondering when we are going to have cake and do presents," he said with a smile, lying a bit. 

Lora: Lora came back in and plopped down next to patrick. 

Logan: Logan quietly made his way back to the dining room, sitting back in his seat from before. 

Meredith: "Where'd Joel go? Fall into the cake?" 

Joel: he appeared a moment later, "No. I did not. I was looking for candles..." he shot Mer a glare as he walked in with the cake. 

Patrick: Patrick bit the inside of his cheek, "Can't we open presents first mom?" 

Lora: She smiled some at her parent's exchange. 

Meredith: She raised an eyebrow. "It's up to you. Your birthday." 

Patrick: "Okay.." Patrick looked at the door once more before grabbing the presents and putting them on the table, making sure to put Logan's directly in front of him. 

Adam: Adam stumbled back in through the door and went to the bathroom. 

Sarah: Sarah watched Patrick while he gathered up the presents. "Looks like a good haul, Patrick." 

Logan: Logan looked over at Patrick and gave him a small smile. 

Patrick: Patrick looked over at Adam and frowned, sitting back in his chair. He smiled a little at Sarah, "I think so too, even though, no body had to get me anything." 

Jade: Jade frowned deeply when she saw Adam, chewing on her lip. She wanted to go check on him, but she didn't want to be rude. Sarah: "It's your birthday," she said with a slight shrug. "You deserve it." 

Lora: Lora watched, eyeing her small gift of guitar picks that was to the side. 

Patrick: Patrick leaned over to Jade, and whispered to her, "Go... I think he needs you..." Moving back to his original position, Patrick grabbed Logan's present, "Now to open the best present of all." 

Adam: He washed his face off and came back in the dining room to sit by Jade. 

Jade: She looked up when he came back in, letting out a relieved breath. 

Patrick: Patrick first opened Logan's gift, albums from Nightwish, "Thanks Logan! These are awesome!" then he opened Lora's gift. He grinned at her and kissed the side of her temple, "Thank you. I needed some new picks." Followed by Adam's ochastra tickets, 

Lora: "You're welcome," she chuckled. 

Patrick: Patrick finished opening up the rest of his gifts, "Thanks again everyone," he said with a soft smile. Taking a deep breath, "I also wanted to let you all know... I'm gay," all color flushed from his face as he looked at all his family members. 

Joel: Joel looked up from cutting the cake. "Oh, cool. Who wants cake?" 

Lora: "Me," Lora chirped. 

Meredith: "I'll pass," Meredith smiled some and gave Pat a thumbs up. 

Sarah: Sarah smiled. "You're welcome, Patrick." She glanced over at him and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "Oh that's nice. I'll have some cake." 

Logan: "Gay or not, my present is still the best, right?" 

Adam: Adam let out a loud burp and leaned back against his chair. 

Joel: Joel smiled at Patrick, "You get the first piece" 

Patrick: Patrick stared shocked at his family before falling back laughing, "Yes Logan, your's was the best," he grinned at his dad and took the piece of cake.