365 Days to Forget

[smlark.livejournal.com]

Title: 365 Days to Forget (Part 6/6)
Author: smlark
Pairing: Monaboyd
Rating: PG-13 (Language)
Summary: Billy's birthday (sorry I missed it by a few days)
Feedback: Appreciated as always.
Disclaimer: All totally made up...I do that when I'm bored.

Author’s Notes:  Thanks again to hobbitgwen  for her speedy beta skills and kind comments...*your suggestions helped immensely!*

Previous parts can be found here:

(1/6)-(2/6)-(3/6)-(4/6)-(5/6)

365 Days to Forget

(Part 6/6)

"How'd things get so turned around?"

thought Billy as he closed the notebook "I was the one who was so sure this was the right thing for both of us. I was the one who didn't think there'd be a problem with us moving on. Oh Dom, I can't do this either and another 365 more days won't change that...at least not for me."

"I wish I knew where the hell he was." Billy said aloud as he lifted the bedspread placing the notebook under the pillow.

After smoothing out the spread, he got up and unlocked the door deciding he'd better get back to the party even though it was about the last thing he wanted to do right now. Still, everyone was waiting and if he didn't get back in there, they'd come looking for him.

Sean stood guard in the hall next to Billy's door. When he came out, no words were exchanged. Sean put an arm around him and led him into the living room. Christine saw them enter and dashed into the kitchen to get the cake. Billy was handed a drink by Viggo who looked him straight in the eye and said, "Life sucks sometimes doesn't?" Billy wasn't worried that Viggo knew, it was just the way he was. Viggo was one of those old souls who, after years of knowing them, was able to read them all so well. Billy thanked him and took a large gulp of the drink. It burned going down but that was okay, it seemed sort of fitting right now.

Christine came out just then carrying the large cake with what seemed like enough candles to light up the neighborhood. "Everyone, come sing happy birthday to Billy." She placed the cake on the buffet table that'd been set up in the living room. They started singing as Sean gently shoved Billy forward, up front for all to see. He pulled out all his acting abilities and put on a huge smile as if he were having the time of his life. When they were finished he heard Elijah yell, "Speech. Speech." Soon, everyone joined in and it seemed he wasn't going to be able to get out of it.

"I want to thank everyone for coming tonight. I couldn't have thought of a lovelier way of spending my birthday than to share it with all of you!" That was about all Billy could muster. As he turned to blow out the candles he heard Ian say in that profound voice of his, "Don't forget to make a wish." Billy looked up at him and met his eyes. Ian knew, not really knew, but knew just as Viggo did. They were both old souls.

When he finished blowing out the candles, Orlando put his arm around him and whispered in his ear, "What'd ya wish for Billy?"

"Can't tell or it won't come true." said Billy as he started to cut the cake.

"Oh come on, you don't believe that do you?" moaned Orlando.

"I’m believing things more and more everyday, Orli." Billy said thoughtfully.

After cake, he opened up the gifts. They all laughed at the t-shirt Elijah gave him which read, "I'm not old, just youthfully challenged"

Everyone admired the framed collage of photos that Viggo gave to him, this time of New Zealand scenery, which was a nice change.

Liv gave him a collection of classic plays, leather bound and inscribe on the front with his name and the date of his birthday.

Ian's gift was a book entitled, "'Tis a Gift to be Free - Daily choices on Life's Path," written by Virginia Ann Froehle.

Orlando's gift was surprisingly brilliant. It was the "Boyd" family crest, hand painted at the top of a canvas and at the bottom was an image of a tree with all the branches lined off to fill in with family history. "I saw this bloke on the street in Paris painting these. I asked if he could do one with a Scottish crest and he said sure, that he had a book with just about every family name in it. Thought you'd like it."

"I do, thank you very much Orli!" said Billy as he reached up to kiss Orlando on the cheek.

"Thank you all again so much. I don't know what I did to deserve such wonderful friends as all of you." Billy said sincerely.

There were shouts of, "We love you Billy." and "Happy birthday Billy" but the question that seemed to quiet them all was Elijah’s with, "Wait, what did Dom get you? Where the hell is he by the way?"

Billy didn't answer right away. He felt all eyes fall on him waiting for a reply. Sean broke the silence by saying, "He had to go get something, he'll be back in a while."

"What about his gift Billy?" Elijah asked again. "Did he give you anything yet?"

Billy looked at Sean while answering Elijah, "No, nothing yet."

"Well, when is he coming back? I wanna see what he got you before I go; his gifts are always so cool!" Elijah asked with a grin.

"He may not be back for a few more hours. It was an important errand he had to run." Sean replied, for which Billy was grateful.

The subject was dropped when someone turned the stereo on and music blasted throughout the house.

Taking advantage of the interruption, Billy gathered his gifts and took them to his room. Sean was close on his heels asking, "Billy, what was that about? Dom gave you his gift."

"No Sean, he didn‘t" Billy said sternly as he set the gifts on the bed. He turned around and looked directly at Sean saying, "I won't accept it. As far as I'm concerned, I'm still waiting for my gift from my Do…from Dom."

"What are you going to do?" asked Sean.

"I'm waiting here until he comes home. I'll wait all night if I have to." stated Billy.

Sean nodded and said, "Okay, I think I understand. I'll tell you what, it's getting late, what do you say to me shooing everyone out of here and letting you have some time alone?"

"I'd be forever in your debt if you'd do that for me Seanwise." said Billy with a smile.

"Consider it done. Don't come out, I'll say the goodbyes for you. It'll be quicker that way. I'll tell them your sister called you on your cell phone to wish you a happy birthday and you’re going to be a while."

Billy grabbed Sean and hugged him tightly. "Thank you for everything. You're the best!"

Sean broke free wiping a tear from his eye. "Happy birthday Billy," he said softly as he walked out of the room shutting the door behind him.

Billy laid down on the bed opposite his gifts. He closed his eyes and listened for the noise to slowly die down indicating that the guests were leaving. Sometime later, he'd notice that all was quiet. The only sound he heard was that of his own breathing.

He got up and wandered from room to room. There was little mess left, thanks to Christine, he knew. He walked to the front door and opened it, looking out over the lawn and into the drive. Still no sign of Dom. Gently he closed the door. He sat on the sofa and thought about what he could do to make things right between them. He knew it wasn't too late. He was sure that Dom came to the same realization as Billy - only a whole lot sooner.

Eventually, he came to a decision.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dom arrived home around three o'clock in the morning. He was worried for a second when he found the front door unlocked but figured Sean probably did that in case he forgot his key in his haste to leave. Opening the door, he turned on the lights and surveyed the room finding it surprisingly neat and smiled to himself murmuring, "Thank you, Christine."

He took a step or two inside and heard a crunching sound under his feet. Glancing down he saw little pieces of paper scattered all over the floor in a path that lead into the hall. Curious, he bent down and picked a piece up. It was notebook paper, like the kind he uses to write his journal in. He picked up a few more and recognized his handwriting and froze, a thought entered his mind, "Christ, it's the journal I gave him...this isn't good."

Following the path, it led him down the hall, past Billy's room, past the bathroom and to his bedroom.

The door was shut, the trail of paper continuing underneath. There was no light coming through. He put his hand on the knob and turned it gently.

Standing in the doorway, he let his eyes grow accustom to the darkness. Waiting, the only sound he heard was a deep steady breathing coming from the direction of his bed. Hesitantly, he walked towards the sound. He knew who it had to be, but still he was unsure. When he got to the side of the bed his breath caught for there, bathed in the moonlight streaking through the blinds lay a sleeping Billy.

Dom stood there unable to move, taking in the site of him. Finding his breath, he leaned forward, gently shaking Billy's shoulder and saying softly, "Billy. Billy, wake up."

Billy mumbled incoherently before opening his eyes. He looked directly at Dom but didn't say a word.

Dom finally spoke, "Billy, why are you still here?"

Billy blinked once, twice before saying in a sleepy voice, "I was waiting for you. I was waiting for my present"

Dom bent down picking up some of the pieces of paper that lay gathered on the floor. "This was it Bills." He said holding out a handful of paper. "This was what you wanted. It was what you asked for." his voice cracking slightly.

Billy sat up shaking his head and said, "No. I was wrong, so wrong; it's not what I wanted at all."

"And It took you a year to figure that out?" Dom said incredulously.

"No Dommie, it only took me a day to figure that out. It took me a year to figure out what an idiot I'd been. It took me a year to figure out how to apologize to you. It took me a year to get up the courage to tell you that I love you." Billy said, his voice raw with emotion.

Dom seemed uncertain; he didn't reply, just stood there at the side of the bed staring down at Billy.

Billy waited, knowing that whatever path they chose was now up to Dom.

Silence filled the room

"Aw hell Bills," Dom said with a heavy sigh, a hint of a smile becoming visible.

Billy smiled back, relief sweeping over him. "So, were good?" he asked hopefully.

"Yeah, we're good." Dom answered earnestly.

Seconds passed, neither moved; eyes locked, completely absorbed in each other.

Billy, the first to break the spell, asked suggestively, "Well, Dommie?"

"Well, what?" inquired Dom looking puzzled.

"My present you daft git! Do I have to paint you a fucking picture?" asked Billy as he spread his arms out.

Dom hesitated for only a instant before understanding set in. In one quick movement, he jumped up on the bed wrapping his body around Billy's.

"Happy birthday, Bills." Dom said softly, lowering his head towards Billy's, "I love you too."

Just before their lips met, Billy whispered back, "I won't forget."