Throwing back the covers, Gina sat up and scanned her room blearily. Another day in her life was about to start, another god forsaken nine hours hunched in front of a computer and of course, for Gina it was another bloody birthday.
          It wasn't that she disliked her birthday, she just could find the enthusiasm for it like everyone else. Well, usually she couldn't but this year was going to be different. Unlike previous years when it'd just been her, a block of chocolate and Patrick Swayze. This year she had Paul, so at least she'd have someone to share the chocolate with.
          Gina poured herself a glass of juice and began sorting through the cards and post packs she'd received over the last week from friends and family. The first card she opened was from her parents. It was typical of her mother, cute and fuzzy with a bear and the words 'to our daughter' emblazoned on the front in gold lettering. She placed it beside her napkin holder and picked up a post pack from Abbie. Unlike her mother, Abbie's card was exceptionally crude and she'd scrawled 'I'd like to see you try that with Pauly boy' in a blank space. Gina placed it next to the bear card and removed a rather podgy looking parcel. She tore off the paper and burst into giggles when she discovered that her friend had sent her a stuffed monkey toy. But it didn't stop there, Abbie had gotten creative and sewn a pair of black satin boxers for the monkey (complete with tail hole. before embroidering 'Pauly' on one of the arse cheeks.
          "Oh my, I have to call her," Gina mused grabbing her phone and punching in Abbie’s number. It rang several times before Abbie’s weary voice replied.
          "What."
          "I love the monkey!"
          "What monkey? Oh right, yeah…"
          "Thanks for the enthusiasm."
          "It’s too early for enthusiasm."
          "It’s just after seven."
          "Not in Adelaide dickwit."
          "Oh yeah," Gina sniggered. "Well know that you’re the bestest friend ever Abigail and go back to sleep." She ended the call, put the phone back on the table and went back to sorting through her birthday wishes. There were cards from older relatives, all tacky with bouquets of flowers on them. Increasingly cheeky cards from friends back home and the most surprising was a rather sweet card with a cat on it from Paul’s parents. Gina was so touched she read it three times and then decided she was going to put it in her bag and carry it around all day.

          Paul arrived at Triple J feeling a little worse for wear. It’d been the final taping of Good News Week for the year the previous night and after the show they’d had a few drinks to celebrate. He knew things weren’t going to get much better as it was Mikey’s final day at the station, he’d been part of the place for so long there was no doubt going to be quite a celebration, even at 9am.
          He reached the studio and found Mikey lurking in the corridor.
          "Aren’t you supposed to be on air?" Paul mused, fishing for his phone in his bag.
          "I’m allowed a toilet break you know," Mikey chided. "Beside, it’s only the news that’s on."
          "Right," Paul nodded and put a hand on his friend’s arm. "Scared? Nervous? Slightly emotional."
          Mikey nodded blankly. "And mildly hungover."
          "You’re allowed to be," Paul soothed.
          "What? Hungover?" Mikey said with a forced laugh. They looked at each other a moment, they seemed to share a moment of understanding that didn’t need words and Mikey felt compelled to tell Paul how grateful he was to have him there.
          "You’re on in two minutes," Steve declared, poking his head out of the studio door.
          "Coming darling," Mikey teased and took a deep breath.
          "Go get ‘em bigman," Paul perked and slapped him on the back. "I’ve just gotta put in a call to Genie and I’ll be there."
          "Why, what have you done?" Mikey asked as he opened the studio door.
          "Nothing," Paul said innocently, yet Mikey still looked unconvinced. "It’s her birthday!"
          "I know, I have a card for her," Mikey shrugged and then went wide eyed. "You haven’t wished her happy birthday yet?"
          "I wasn’t in a fit state to…"
          "Your funeral," Mikey sighed, shaking his head, and closed the studio door.
          "…do anything," he finished and pouted at his phone a moment before dialing Gina’s number.

          Gina killed the engine and was pleased to get to work before her phone had started to ring. She unclipped her seat belt and grabbed her mobile from the depths of her bag.
          "Hello."
          "Hey beautiful, happy birthday."
          "Ah, I wondered when you’d remember."
          "I remembered," Paul said defensively. "I just couldn’t form words earlier."
          "A likely story," Gina teased, checking her watch. "Aren’t you supposed to be on the radio?"
          "Yes, which is why I’m trying to be quick."
          "Sorry to take up your precious time."
          "I didn’t mean it like that."
          "I know, neither did I."
          Paul laughed and checked the time on a clock on the far wall. "Anyway, I was thinking we should go out to dinner to celebrate, somewhere posh."
          "I like the way you think," Gina perked.
          "Good, I’ve already made the arrangements," Paul chided as he heard his name called. "I’ll call you later, love you."
          "You too," Gina sighed as she was greeted by the dial tone. Ah well, she couldn’t really be angry with him, he had made dinner reservations after all.

          A few minutes later Gina walked into the open plan office and was instantly set upon by Danny. He pulled her into an excited hug and kissed her cheek.
          "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, you’re dating a monkey and he left those for you," Danny sang rather stupidly and motioned to a bunch of flowers on Gina’s desk.
          "Oh," Gina said almost bashful as she inspected the bunch of bright blooms. She removed the small greeting card and read the message inside.

          Genie,
          This is to make up for the likely prospect that I’ll be too hungover to call you before work. I hope, despite being away from friends and family and having to work, that I can make the first birthday we celebrate together memorable.
          Forever at your mercy,
          Paul
          P.S. Hope the flowers are ok. As I’d had a few when I ordered them.

          "Aw," she cooed as she read the last bit which was directions to the restaurant he’d made reservations at.
          "And this is from me," Danny enthused, popping Gina’s little bubble, but she didn’t mind and took the gift bag he was offering her. She opened the card first, then wished she hadn’t as it started to scream ‘happy birthday’ to the entire room. She closed it quickly and fished out the other item in the bag. When unfurled it turned out to be a Crows ‘Back to Back Premiers’ t-shirt.
          "Thanks Dan," Gina beamed and wrapped him up in another hug. "That must have been so painful for you to buy. Since we knocked you out of the finals and all…"
          "Yeah, thankyou," Danny pouted. "Just enjoy it and we’ll move on."
          "Imagine we could win three in a row…" she continued. "How many premierships have the Swans won now?"
          Danny narrowed his eyes. "I have to interview the transport minister."
          "I’m just joshing," Gina laughed, giving him a playful punch.
          "Yes well it’s not very funny," Danny huffed. "Oh Amanda wants to see you."
          "Well, maybe next time you’ll support a better team," Gina chided, nudging Danny.
          "I sure hope you can run fast," he sneered, Gina squeaked and they took off like a couple of twelve year olds down the hall.

          "…No, I want the interview as planned thankyou," Amanda hissed down the phone as Danny and Gina bolted into her office, breathless and giggling. They chased each other around a chair as she ended her call. "Ritalin shots for both of you."
          "He started it," Gina giggled and fell into the chair. "Him and his crappy football team."
          "At least we don’t win by fluke," Danny huffed, sitting on Amanda’s desk and crossing his arms. Gina poked her tongue out and he gave her the finger.
          "Am I going to have to send one of you to the corner?" Amanda sighed leaning back in her chair. They both yelled and pointed to each other. "Daniel, leave."
          "I was planning to," he huffed and made a big show of getting to his feet. He headed for the door but stopped to ruffle Gina’s hair, in return she slapped his arse with a rolled up magazine and they both started giggling again as he left.
          "You two give me so much practice for dealing with my own children," Amanda mused and shook her head. "Happy birthday, how’s it going so far?"
          "Not bad, sappy cards from the folks, absurd gifts from friends," Gina replied.
          "And?"
          "I got a nice card from his parents."
          "Really? Well that’s promising," Amanda smiled. "What about the man himself?"
          "A gorgeous bunch of flowers, with a very sweet message in the card and he’s taking me to dinner."
          "That’s it?"
          "What were you expecting?"
          "Oh I don’t know, something lavish."
          "Mandy, you know I’m not with Paul because I expect him to buy me expensive presents."
          "I believe you," Amanda said innocently and started poking around under her desk. "Which is why I decided to combine your two favourite things," she added and handed Gina a cellophane covered basket. "Chocolate and sex with Paul."
          "You know me so well," Gina laughed casting her eyes over the items.
          "There’s an assortment of bubble baths, massage oils, body paint, lubricant and more," Amanda declared. "And it’s all chocolate flavoured or scented."
          "Wonderful," Gina beamed. "I want to go home now and play."
          "Wouldn’t we all honey," Amanda mused. "It’ll give you an excuse to spend more time together."
          "I’ll say," Gina agreed. "With the show over for the year we’ll have a few months to get familiar with this basket of goodies."
          "Familiar?" Amanda laughed. "You’ll need to restock."
          "You think," Gina said smiling wryly and then giggled. "Man, I’m going to have perverse thoughts all day."

          "How does it feel mate?" Paul asked as he and Mikey strolled from the Triple J radio building. "Free from the shackles of morning radio."
          "Empty," Mikey sighed. "I’ll still wake up at 3am."
          "Trust me, it passes," Paul nodded and patted his friend’s shoulder. "Anyway, we’ll be far too busy at Channel Ten to even think about radio."
          "Speak for yourself," Mikey chided. "Shall we keep a tally of how many times you get to sing over the next 12 months?"
          "I somehow don’t think my singing is what’s going to be tallied," Paul sighed raising an eyebrow.
          "Is that cynicism Mr McDermott?" Mikey mused, crossing his arms. "I thought you were happy we were going commercial?"
          "I’m not unhappy," Paul shrugged. "I just feel like I’ve sold my soul to Satan y’know. I mean are you really comfortable with being a network puppet?"
          "I think I’m too heavy to be a marionette," Mikey frowned and then smiled. "Look on the bright side, we’ll be earning a lot more."
          "Yeah, there is that," Paul nodded, clicking his tongue. "I just hope that it doesn’t come at a cost."
          "I think the only thing that might suffer is our sex lives since we’re going to be too knackered to root."
          Paul looked sincerely at Mikey and squeezed his shoulder. "I promise you Michael our sex life will never suffer."
          "You’re so buying the first round," Mikey mused, pushing him away. "So, a liquid lunch and then the party tonight?."
          "Sounds good to…what party?" Paul started and then looked at Mikey bewildered.
          "The annual GNW Christmas Break Up Party," Mikey perked. "Don’t tell me the star of the show bloody forgot?"
          "I told you my memory is shot," Paul groused. "Shit, fuck, and double fuck."
          "Gee, double fuck, must be serious," Mikey chuckled. "Oh it’s Gina’s birthday huh?"
          "Yeah," Paul announced in a way that indicated he thought Mikey was a complete idiot. "I’ve made dinner plans."
          "So put in an appearance before you take her to dinner," Mikey shrugged.
          Paul gritted his teeth and looked pained a moment before gasping loudly. "Looks like I’m gonna fucking have to."

          "I love party pies," Danny declared as he munched on a collection of sauce covered meat pies from a sagging paper plate.
          "I can tell," Gina mused, poking at the slice of chocolate birthday cake her colleagues had included in the small birthday party they threw between answering phones and typing articles. The gesture might have been overwhelming had Gina’s paranoia not taken over and her attention not been severely distracted by the strange looks she was getting. Eventually she managed to corner Amanda. "Why am I getting strange looks?"
          "Office gossip darling," Amanda whispered. "They all know who you’re dating, and they want a piece of you."
          "Of course, that would explain the fascination in my flowers and the fingers poking through the blooms looking for the card."
          "They’re a shallow bunch," Amanda sighed. "I wouldn’t worry, eat your coke."
          Gina looked rather dejectedly at her cake and put it on her desk, opting instead to pour herself another glass of cola. As she stood searching for an unused drinking vessel three female journalist she didn’t really know sauntered over.
          "So is it true?" asked the heavily made up blonde in the middle.
          "Is what true?" Gina asked blankly, still searching for a cup.
          "That you’re involved with Paul McDermott."
          "I don’t see what business it is of yours if I am or not."
          The blonde gave her a wry smile as the three women turned to walk away. Gina heard the blonde announce, "See I told you it was bullshit," and they giggled like schoolgirls. Looking down at her hand Gina found she was holding a clean glass but had lost her thirst. She abandoned it and instead escaped to the restrooms to take a few breaths before she attacked Blondie and her friends with assorted party foods.
          She’d been sitting in the cubicle a few moments when the door opened and two voices she didn’t know echoed off the tiled walls.
          "You know who she’s apparently dating right?"
          "As if, Gina ‘Miss Clueless 1998’."
          "First she let’s herself get fucked over by Chris ‘the Sleaze’ Kennedy who’s been with like everyone and then she doesn’t even try with Danny Brannigan. Who for god only knows what reason, is so obviously lusting after her."
          "I know and now she thinks she screwing Paul McDermott."
          "She’s so not, I know for a fact he’s dating that new chick-lit author."
          "I’ve heard that too."
          "Gina is such a loser, it’s sad really."
          "Like anyone famous would even look twice at her."
          The two voices broke into squawking laughter and left the room, letting the door slam behind them.
          "Well happy fucking birthday to me," Gina sniffed and grabbed a few sheets of toilet paper to blow her nose. She took several calming breaths, flushed the paper and marched out of the restrooms and back into the office. People were still congregating around the place and she pushed past them to collect her things.
          "You ok?" Amanda asked, her mouth full of Jatz cracker and cheese.
          "I’ve got some research to do," Gina mumbled as she threw her bag over her shoulder and bundled up her gifts.
          "Where you going?" Danny chimed in. "It’s your party."
          "I know, thankyou but I’ve got things to do," Gina said quickly as she picked up her flowers and hurried out of the room again.
          "She doesn’t look happy," Danny frowned before taking a bite out of his piece of cake.
          "No, I quite agree," Amanda breathed, eyes narrowed. "Excuse me while I go mingle."

          There’s a bear in there.
          And a chair as well.
          People with games.
          And stories to tell.
          Open wide, come inside it’s Play School

          By the time Paul had woken up and fully comprehended what was on television, the male host of the television show for preschoolers was singing a song about planting vegetables with various parts of the human anatomy. He’d fallen asleep after returning home from a rather lengthy celebration with Mikey and a few others.
          Paul pulled himself to his feet and started humming, ‘I can plant a cabbage with my elbow’ as he sauntered into his room to find something to wear especially for Gina’s birthday dinner. It took all of about three seconds, as he knew she loved him in pinstripe. He dropped the suit onto his bed next to her gift that he planned to present to her over dessert. He was quite proud of what he’d bought her actually as usually he spent considerable amounts of time debating over what to buy girlfriends. Most of them were happy with perfume, jewellery or sexy undies but Paul had felt that in order to prove to Gina that he was a good boyfriend he needed to get a gift that said more. It had to reflect both her personality and prove that he paid attention to the things she liked.
          He’d just fished out a pair of clean boxers when the phone rang. Paul reluctantly went back into the living room to answer it. It turned out to be Mikey who said he’d be there in an hour to pick him up. Paul promised to be ready before he hung up the phone and headed for the bathroom.
          "Gotta make myself pretty," he declared to the walls.

          Gina hadn’t been able to find the enthusiasm to go back to work and decided to finish her work from home and just e-mail it in. Luckily it hadn’t taken her long and she’d been left with some free time. Gina decided a bath was in order to alleviate some of the tension still lingering from the rather awful conversation she’d overheard at her party. She just kept reminding herself that it all paled in comparison to her fancy birthday dinner anyway.
          Feeling much more relaxed after her bath Gina changed into her only little black dress and black sandals. She toyed with her hair a bit before deciding to just leave it loose. By the time she’d put on a bit of eye make up and lipstick she managed to smile. Despite her awful day at work she was feeling rather excited and looking amazing (if she did say so herself). After one final preen, Gina collected her bag and keys and almost skipped to her car.
          It didn’t take her too long to find the restaurant, despite getting lost twice, and as she strolled into the luxurious looking foyer she felt a few nervous butterflies forming. Any nerves were cut short as she was greeted by one of the workers who asked if she had reservations. She told him they were under McDermott and she quickly found herself seated at a table that had the most amazing view of the Harbour.
          "Would you like a drink?" asked a waiter appearing almost immediately.
          "Sure, just water thanks," Gina managed to reply, feeling moderately overwhelmed.
          "Certainly madam," the waiter smiled and dashed off. Only to return a few seconds later with a large glass of water, complete with ice and a slice of lemon.
          Gina thanked him again and let out a shuddered sigh. Everything was perfect despite Paul not being there, but his lateness didn’t really come as a surprise either.

          "Skull, skull, skull, skull," chanted the room full of GNW employees, friends and family as Mikey, Paul and a few other men downed large glasses of beer.
          "Woohoo!" Paul cheered, placing his glass upside down on his head just a second before Mikey.
          "Best of five," Mikey groused, looking around for another drink.
          "I’ve done the beer drinking contest I should probably go now," Paul declared, putting his glass back on the bar.
          "Aw come on little fella, just five more minutes," Mikey pleaded. "Gina won’t expect you to be on time."
          "No man, this is a special evening," Paul sighed. "I have to go."
          "Fine, leave us," Mikey pouted. "Well drink all the alcohol ourselves."
          "Yeah, yeah," Paul chided as he tried to make his way through the crowds. He didn’t get far before he was dragged into conversation by Ted.
          "Paul, we need to talk about next year?"
          "Right now?"
          "Just five minutes of your time, that’s all I need."
          Paul looked at his watch, if he could escape in five minutes he’d only be 15 minutes late for dinner. "Shoot and make it quick," he ordered.

          Gina looked across the room at a rather antique looking clock on the wall. It was 8:30, Paul was an hour late and she was sick of drinking water.
          "Would you like to order?" asked the waiter who’d been the only person to talk to her all night.
          "Do you have any cake, chocolate cake?" Gina sighed poking a bit of lemon in what felt like her millionth glass of water.
          "I think we have some chocolate Bavarian," the waiter smiled. "Would that do?"
          "That would be fantastic," Gina nodded rather desperately.
          "I’ll bring it right over," the waiter said in a manner that was sweetly sympathetic. In fact, the mood Gina was in she would happily take the young man into the bathroom and boff him in a cubicle.

          "More tequila darling?" Mikey slurred holding an empty shot glass.
          "No, no, no…" Paul said shaking his head rather absurdly. "I have to go to dinner."
          "What time is it?" Mikey asked. "Surely you can spare a few more minutes."
          "Don’t know," Paul replied and pulled back his sleeve to check his watch. "It’s 11:35."
          "Oh," Mikey nodded.
          "OH JESUS FUCK!" Paul yelled, dropped his shot glass and raced from the room. He toppled out of the bar onto the pavement, got painfully back to his feet and fell into the back of a waiting taxi.
          He arrived at Gina’s in sheer blind panic. He was convinced the cab driver had deliberately timed the ride to that they’d catch every red light on the way. He staggered up the stairs and realised instantly he didn’t have his key. "Shit, shit, no," he babbled as he felt all his pockets. Giving up on the key he started to bang rather unceremoniously on the door. "GENIE, LEMME IN!" The door opened rather quickly and it took the few non-alcohol affected brain cells to keep him upright.
          "What," Gina hissed. She was in her pyjamas, with tear stained cheeks and cuddling the monkey from Abbie.
          "Happy birthday!" Paul winced, his suit rather disheveled.
          "It’s 12:05, you actually missed my birthday," Gina spat.
          "Oh shit, sorry," Paul swallowed. "I can explain…"
          "Really? It better be a fucking good explanation because I don’t see how organising dinner then making me sit there all dressed up for three hours looking like a total idiot and then having me fork out $100 on water and cheesecake can be explained in a way that won’t make me hurt you."
          "No…"
          "Not to mention while I’ve been bawling my eyes out feeling miserable and abandoned, you’ve obviously been having a good old time getting smashed."
          "Yeah but…"
          "Y’know you wanted to make my birthday memorable Paul and guess what, you succeeded with flying colours and a fucking elephant stamp," she stood glaring at him and Paul felt torn between absolutely, gut wrenchingly awful and wanting to sing ‘I Can Plant a Cabbage with my Elbow.’
          "I bought you presents," he whimpered. "But they’re at home."
          "I don’t want presents," Gina spat. "All I want, all I’ve wanted all day is just a hug."
          "Oh I can do that," Paul perked and went to wrap his arms around her but she pushed him away.
          "Don’t touch me you stink like a fucking brewery," Gina groused and stalked off into the bedroom.
          "Genie," Paul whined and followed her. "I’m sorry, I got stuck at the stupid, fucking, Christmas party."
          "Oh, well so long as you had a good time I guess its ok," Gina sarced as she climbed beneath the sheets.
          "I kept trying to leave," Paul pleaded, clumsily crawling onto the bed. "But the people, they just kept talking at me, it was all ‘rararara’ and I was like ‘have to leave’ but they just kept going, ‘rararara.’"
          "You could have called," Gina growled. "You could have at least done that."
          Paul looked at Gina’s puffy red eyes, and the hurt etched across her face and felt surprisingly sober. "Yeah I could have," he agreed pouting. "I ruined your birthday, what type of partner am I huh?"
          "One with a pissed off girlfriend," Gina countered, raising an eyebrow.
          Paul nodded slowly and went to get off the bed. However, his intoxicated state caused his balance to fail. He got caught in a sheet and fell backwards off the bed with his arms flailing, hitting the floor with a thump.
          Gina burst into giggles. "Are you ok?"
          "No," Paul grumbled. "Hey, I made you laugh. Does that mean I’m forgiven?" he added, sitting up and looking at her over the mattress.
          Gina who was grinning quickly put on a mock serious face. "No, Paul still very bad."