"SURPRISE!!!!" was yelled at deafening volume. With a steady hand on his back, Jim quickly changed his control and walked into the room with little trouble. Jim admired quickly how things changed, not long ago he would have stumbled backward and found the noise deafening.

 

Looking around the loft, he found balloons all over the loft.   He was directed by the hand to turn towards the kitchen where the table bestowed a large birthday cake with his name and candles that threatened the fire code of the building on it. 

 

"No cracks about the fire hazard," he heard Blair mumble under his breath behind him. The hand patted his shoulder and then left him. Jim looked around to see Blair head to the island which was laden with beverages and the ice bowl.

 

"Hey Jim," Simon said as he came up beside him. "You know, I didn't think this could happen?"

 

"What happen Sir?"

 

"A surprise party for you. I mean, with all that you can hear and see and such, that partner of yours pulled it off. I shouldn't have bet him the ten bucks that said you would figure it out before the actual event."

 

Jim looked at Blair as he approached with two cups of punch, one in each hand.

 

"So, you were surprised right? No idea that this was happening?" he asked as he handed over one drink to Jim.

 

"No Chief, no idea that this was happening."

 

"Cool," he smiled then looked at Simon.    "Okay Simon, pay up time. How much was in the kiddie for the bet?"

 

Simon moved and pulled out his billfold and started counting out the money. Jim watched as eight twenties were put into Blair's palm. That was some bet to not know about. He would have to look into it later; he had a party to partake in.

 

"So where are the presents?" he asked loudly. "You can't have a birthday party without some presents." He went walking around the loft, talking with guests and looking for the stash that he found under the kitchen table.