One Chicago

"Adam, we had way too many drinks already. You don't need another one," I lecture my boyfriend. We had finally arrived home from being out at Molly's all night, and the first thing Adam had done when we got inside was head to the refrigerator to grab another beer.

"It's my birthday. I can have as many beers as I want," Adam countered playfully and sat down on the couch with me.

"Whatever," I murmur. "Man, I'm exhausted."

"You can head to bed if you want," Adam told me. "It's been a long day."

"You should know by now that I can't sleep unless you're next to me," I remind him. "And it's your birthday, so if you want to stay up a bit longer, we'll stay up."

"You're right. It is my birthday. And I say that nothing would make me happier than to end the day off cuddling with my girlfriend in bed," Adam confessed and set his unopened beer on the coffee table. Together, we headed into our bedroom, changed into some pajamas, and then climbed into bed. I curled into Adam's side as he pulled the blanket over us, and the two of us snuggled into each other. "Thanks for tonight, Y/n. I had fun."

"I had fun too," I agree and place my head on his chest. "And you deserved it after the long week we've had. Luckily for you, the case we were on ended yesterday so this morning was just paperwork."

Adam laughed softly. "I guess you're right. But seriously, thank you."

"No problem," I return. "Now I'm gonna assume that when my birthday comes up, I'll get the same favor."

"You'll get everything and more," Adam promised and placed a kiss on the top of my head. "Goodnight, Y/n."

"Happy Birthday!" I wish Ava and give her a hug.

"You remembered?" Ava asked, clearly surprised.

"Of course I did," I return. "You're my best friend. How could I forget your birthday? Besides, after you threw me an amazing party for my birthday, I thought I should return the favor. Tonight, you, me, and Connor at Molly's. First two rounds are on us."

"Paying for my drinks, huh? Was that your idea or Connor's?" Ava questioned.

"Connor actually the idea offered first," I respond. "But I figured that since you're so special, you'd get two free drinks tonight."

"You are the best," Ava confessed and gave me a hug.

"I'm sorry. What was that? Could you say that again?" I request.

Ava laughed. "You, Y/n, are the best person in the whole world."

"I know," I confirm as Connor joined us.

"You know what?" Connor quizzed.

"That I'm the best," I reply.

"Well, I could also argue that I'm the best," Connor noted.

"I'm gonna stop this right now," Ava interrupted. "None of your stupid bickering on my birthday."

"Fine. Truce, for now," I tell Connor.

"All right. But as soon as the clock hits midnight, we're back on," Connor announced.

Ava groaned. "You guys are impossible."

"Which is why you love us so much," I counter and pull Connor in for a side hug.

"Yeah yeah yeah," Ava muttered. "Now, as much as I love talking to you guys about my birthday and how amazing we all are, I actually have patients to get to, and you both should probably do the same."

"My shift doesn't officially start for another 10 minutes," I declare and glance at my watch.

"And I haven't gotten a page for anything Trauma related," Connor stated.

"Okay, well, I've got work to do," Ava disclosed. "So I'll see you guys later."

"Happy Birthday!" Maggie, Natalie, and I cheered in unison as April walked into the ED.

"Thanks you guys," April returned with a smile and set her stuff down.

"So, here are the plans for tonight. We're all meeting at Molly's after shift. And no, it is not optional," Maggie told April.

"As long as I don't have to wear some stupid stash, I'm in," April claimed.

"Oh, Mags tried to bring one out, but I shut down the idea. Don't worry," I assure her.

"We also got you a little something for the start of shift," Natalie spoke and produced a cupcake from behind her back.

"You guys are seriously the best," April declared and took the cupcake from Natalie. "And it's chocolate. My favorite. What would I do without you all?"

"Probably too many stupid things to even count," I answer with a laugh. "Or maybe not enough stupid things to count. It could go either way. Oh, and as your birthday present, all of your drinks are on me tonight."

"Y/n, you don't have to do that," April said.

"I don't have to, no, but I want to," I state. "Besides, Herrmann gives me discounts since I've delivered two of his kids and stitched him up many, many times."

"Well then I guess I will take it. I love all forms of alcohol," April chirped and shrugged off her jacket, just as my pager beeped.

"Looks like I'm needed in the NICU," I announce as I looked at the page. "I've gotta go. But I will see you all later tonight. Get ready to have some fun."

"Go save some babies," Natalie encouraged as I started to walk off, my hands shoved deep into the pockets of my coat.

"He's gonna hate us," Jay muttered.

"What? No he won't," I disagree.

"Y/n, he doesn't like celebrating his birthday. He's gonna hate us for doing this," Jay spoke.

"Technically we're not celebrating though," I bring up. "It'll just be him, his best friend, and his girlfriend having a few beers at Molly's. That's it. We'll be fine."

"If Mouse hates me after this, I'm blaming it on you," Jay told me.

"Greg will be fine with it," I state.

"You know, you're the only person that calls him by his first name," Jay reminded me.

"And his parents," I add and glance up at the door to the bar. "Look. Here he comes. Happy Birthday!"

Greg smiled and pecked my lips. "You didn't throw me a huge party? I'm impressed."

"Yeah, well, I figured just Jay and I would make you happy, so here we are," I say.

"Happy Birthday, man," Jay exclaimed and hugged his best friend.

"Thanks," Greg returned.

"First round of beers is on me," I declare. "But Jay, this is like a one time thing. So don't pressure me into buying you a beer every time we come here after work."

"I'll make sure he doesn't. Promise," Greg pledged. So, I went to the bar and grabbed 3 beers, bringing them back to the table in less than 2 minutes.

"I think this calls for a toast," Jay brought up.

Greg groaned. "No. Please don't."

"Shut up," I joke and shove Greg playfully. "No one else is gonna hear it anyways. All right. Here's to Greg, the best boyfriend and friend ever, who, no matter what, always has everyone's back. Happy Birthday."

"Happy Birthday," Jay cheered and clinked his bottle with mine and Greg's.

"I hate you guys," Greg murmured.

"What did I tell you?! I said he'd hate us after this," Jay commented.

"I must say, I am surprised with you," Connor told me as the two of us were gathering up our things in the resident's lounge, ready to go home.

"For what?" I question and throw my coat over my shoulders.

"Nobody knew it was my birthday today," Connor claimed. "Which means you didn't tell a soul."

"You told me not to mention it," I bring up. "So I didn't."

"Yeah, but remember last year? You told Maggie, and then Maggie told Natalie, and then everyone knew," Connor recounted.

"Okay, that was a little slip up. In my defense, I thought Maggie already knew," I say. "So, now that our shift is over, what do you want to do? We could go out to dinner any place you'd like. Or if you want to take a stroll on the Riverwalk, I'm down with that too."

"Actually, I'd just like to get home, order a pizza, and relax with you," Connor spoke.

"Really? Connor, it's your birthday," I point out. "We should be doing something that we don't constantly do on a regular basis. Something that makes you happy."

"You make me happy," Connor revealed and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer to him so our chests were touching. "So anything I get to do with you next to me is all I need."

I smiled and leaned up, pressing a quick, but passionate, kiss to his lips. "You are such a charmer. I love you."

"I love you too," Connor returned. "So, what do you think about Giordano's?"

"You read my mind," I exclaim and lace my hand with his. "Now lets get out of here."

"I'm with you on that," Connor agreed as the two of us left the lounge. "First things first though, do we have any beer left at the apartment?"

"What kind of girlfriend would I be if I didn't buy a case of beer for your birthday? Of course we have some," I exclaim.

"Maggie, I swear, if you don't put this sash on," I threaten.

"Y/N, I'm at work. I can't be wearing that," Maggie insisted.

"Yes you can, and you will," I state and slide it over her head. "It's your birthday, and everyone should know and wish you a happy birthday. You're the best damn charge nurse this ED has ever had!"

Maggie chuckled. "I can't disagree with that. But the sash? They didn't have any other colors?"

"You made me wear an even uglier one for my birthday which was spent at Molly's," I tell her. "So you can survive wearing it in the ED. Chances are the people you see today will never see you again, so it doesn't matter if they see you."

"What would I do without you?" Maggie muttered under her breath.

"You better have just said you love me," I say. "Now, since we have to spend today working, as soon as we get off, I'm taking you out wherever you want."

"You don't have to do that," Maggie spoke.

"But I want to," I counter. "It's your birthday, Mags. And I'm your best friend. So I want to make the day special."

Maggie smiled and shook her head. "Fine. I want somewhere that has nice wine. I can't remember the last time I had a decent drink. All I have at my place is the cheap stuff."

"Ooh. There's this new bar down the street from my place," I recall. "And I heard their wine is amazing."

"All right then. We'll try that place out. But for now, there's an incoming. Two car collision. You're on the kid that's coming in."

"Here you go, birthday girl. First round is on me just like I promised," I say and place a shot in front of Stella while keeping the other for myself.

"You, Y/N L/N, are the best," Stella declared and downed her shot, me following shortly after.

"I'm sorry, could you repeat that?" I request. "Did I just hear you call me the best? As in, I'm better than Kelly?"

"Don't tell him I said that," Stella urged.

I laughed. "I won't. I promise. So, since we have off all of tomorrow, Kelly and I are taking you out."

"Ooh. Where?" Stella questioned.

"I can't tell you," I reply. "It'd ruin the surprise. And don't try asking Kelly either. I already made him swear he wouldn't spoil our plans. If he does, I told him I'd constantly bother him at the Firehouse when we're not on calls."

"Damn," Stella cursed. "You're good. But you know, you don't have to do all of this for me."

"Stella, you're my best friend," I tell her. "I would do anything for you. Except commit murder. Or a felony. Or anything that would end up with me in jail."

"Well, I'd say that still leaves a lot of things open," Stella spoke jokingly. "All right, I know you'll hate me for this, but I'm buying you a beer."

"No no no," I disagree. "It's your birthday. You shouldn't have to buy me anything."

"I know, but I want to. You got everyone from the Firehouse to come down to Molly's, and you and Kelly have probably planned the best day out tomorrow," Stella pointed out. "So the least I can do is buy you one beer."