บท 32: Birthday
The brown-haired man sneaked into the room, his cautious footsteps barely making a sound on the polished floor. He had carefully scoped out the area beforehand, ensuring that no one was around to witness his clandestine entry. His keen eyes darted around, scanning for any signs of movement or surveillance. The dim light filtering through the curtains cast eerie shadows on the walls, adding to the tense atmosphere. He moved with utmost precision, every motion calculated to avoid detection.
Once inside, he kept to the shadows, using the furniture and drapes as cover. His breath was hushed, and he listened intently for any telltale signs of the target awakening. The adrenaline surged through his veins, sharpening his senses as he advanced further into the room. He made his way to the target, being mindful not to disturb anything in his path. The objective of his mission remained a well-guarded secret, known only to him. With each passing moment, his heart rate seemed to quicken, but he maintained his composure.
Readying himself, the man took a deep breath, shouting "Happy Birthday" at the top of his lungs, the words echoing through the room. As the jubilant sound filled the air, someone stirred in their slumber, slowly awakening from their deep sleep. The sudden outburst jolted them from their dreams, and they blinked their eyes open, trying to grasp the reality of the moment. Confused but now fully alert, they looked around to identify the source of the exuberant proclamation that had roused them from their peaceful rest.
"Dad?", the boy muttered groggily, "What are you doing here? And so early in the morning as well", the boy asked, looking at the clock in his room.
"Don't tell me you've already forgotten what day it is?", the man asked, joy evident in his tone.
"Is it the day I won my first competition?", the boy asked, unsure.
"No", the man argued, "November 23. Ring any bells?"
"Oh yeah", the boy muttered in realisation, "It's my birthday"
"Exactly!", the man shouted excitedly, "It's your birthday! So get up and come downstairs for breakfast".
The boy, who had stood up, suddenly stopped, "You cooked breakfast?".
"Desiree made it", the man replied, "But I helped! I contributed okay?", the man argued.
Yawning, the boy waved off the man's comments, "Just leave me alone".
"Okay. Okay. Okay", the man teased. Walking out of the room, the man paused at the door and turned to face the boy, "Happy birthday Zephyr", he said with a large smile on his face.
"Thanks, Dad", Zephyr replied, stretching his body.
[Time Skip]
Walking downstairs, Zephyr was met with the sight of Matt sitting on a chair, reading the newspaper while eating some pancakes. Looking up, Matt exclaimed, "Well well well. If it isn't the birthday boy. How are you?".
"Good", Zephyr replied, walking over to the table, "So what's for breakfast?"
"Happy Birthday!", Desiree exclaimed, flipping over some pancakes, "Matt told me that you really liked pancakes so I made some S'more Pancakes for you".
"S'more Pancakes?", Zephyr asked, having not heard of the term before.
"It's a pancake where you sprinkle mini marshmallows, crushed graham crackers, and chocolate chips into the pancake batter before cooking. Once cooked, you top it with more marshmallows, chocolate syrup, and a graham cracker square", Desiree answered, handing him a plate of said pancakes.
"Thanks", Zephyr said, not hesitating to take a big bite. "These taste really nice", Zephyr complimented.
"I'm glad", Desiree stated, "My Dad used to make these for my birthday when I was little and I wanted to do the same for you".
As he was eating, Zephyr gave Desiree a nod, which she received gratefully.
"Happy Birthday Zephy!", Bella screamed as she came running into the room and hugged Zephyr from behind.
"Thanks", Zephyr muttered, still chewing his food.
"Bella", Desiree complained.
"But Bella was so excited", Bella whimpered.
"I know you're excited", Desiree muttered in resignation, "But you have to learn to control yourself. Okay?"
Bella nodded her head obediently, still not letting go of Zephyr's back. After a few seconds, she let go and declared, "Bella's present is the best".
"Really?", Zephyr asked with a smile on his face.
"Yes", Bella announced, raising her chin, "Bella is awesome".
"Zephyr knows", Zephyr teasingly replied.
Hearing his answer, Bella crossed her arms and pouted, "Bella thinks Zephyr's being rude".
"No!", Zephyr exclaimed, "Zephyr's trying to copy Bella because Bella is really cool".
Nodding her head, Bella announced, "Bella is the coolest".
"Of course she is", Desiree interrupted, placing another plate of pancakes don't the table.
Feeling proud of herself, Bella raised her nose and sat down on a chair, taking a bite of the pancakes, "Bella likes the pancakes".
"Does Bella like them as much as Zephyr's cooking?", Zephyr asked.
"No way!", Bella shouted, "Zephy's food is the best".
"Awww", Zephyr muttered, patting Bella's head.
In contrast, Desiree clutched her chest, as if in great pain, "What am I going to do now. Bella doesn't like my cooking".
"Bella likes Mommy's cooking", Bella interrupted, "But Zephyr is better", she added, sticking her tongue out at Desiree.
Shaking her head at Bella's antics, Desiree turned her attention to Zephyr, asking, "You ready for today?"
"Yep", Zephyr replied, finishing the pancakes on his plate.
As Zephyr stood up, Matt asked, "What are going to do now?"
"I've got some homework due", Zephyr answered, shrugging his shoulders, "I guess I'll finish it off".
"Ok. You do that", Matt said, watching intently as Zephyr left the kitchen and returned to his room. Once the coast was clear, he turned his attention to Desiree and asked in a hushed voice, "Is everything ready?"
"Yep", Desiree replied, "I've sent all of the invites and prepared everything".
"Good", Matt remarked, nodding his head in satisfaction, "This has to be the best birthday party ever, especially after last year".
"What happened last year?", Bella asked, confused as to what was going on.
"Nothing", Matt answered.
"Nothing?", Bella questioned, tilting her head in confusion.
"Exactly", Matt dejectedly muttered, "We forgot it was his birthday and ended up getting him a really small cake. He didn't complain, but I know that Zephyr was disappointed".
"It's not your fault", Desiree comforted, placing her hand on Matt's shoulder, "We were really busy at the time. Me because my company was releasing some new medicine and you because there were some discrepancies in your company's finances".
"I know", Matt said, anguish evident in his voice, "But what sort of father forgets his own son's birthday?"
"Don't worry", Desiree replied, hugging Matt, "I know that Zephyr understands. He's mature for his age".
"That's exactly what makes it worse", Matt complained, "He's been so mature ever since her death. He does all his work. He doesn't complain about my absence. He didn't have friends. Did you know, until the competition with Alex, I didn't realise he was a genius? He's smarter than some university and college teachers. It makes me feel like I've failed as a parent".
Seeing his outburst, Desiree patted his hair, silently comforting him, "You haven't failed him as a parent honey. Some kids just grow up quicker than others and Zephyr's one of those".
"He's got so many things on his plate. He's got exams in less than 6 months and he's going to graduate Middle School. He also showed me the game he's been developing yesterday and it's on the verge of being done. If that wasn't enough, he's begun investing in stocks and shares and I know how stressful that sort of stuff is. And I didn't even notice", Matt ranted.
"Shush", Desiree shushed him, "If he didn't tell you then it's probably because he doesn't want you, his dad, to stress and worry. He's looking after you".
"But I'm supposed to look after him", Matt mumbled.
"And you have. But now, it's time for you to take a step back and let him do his thing. He'll fall and struggle, but he'll persevere and become stronger because of it", Desiree stated, calming him down. After a few minutes, the two separated. "All better now", Desiree asked.
"I guess", Matt replied. Giving her a quick peck on the lips, he whispered, "Thanks".
"No problem", Desiree voiced, "I've got to get everything ready so I need you to convince Zephyr to leave the house for 2 hours. Are you up for that?"
"Yes", Matt timidly answered.
"I can't hear you!", Desiree exclaimed.
"I said yes", Matt muttered.
"Did you say something?", Desiree questioned, a smile on her face.
"I said yes!", Matt exclaimed.
"That's exactly the enthusiasm I'm looking for", Desiree vocalized, "Now get up and give our son the best birthday he'll ever have". Nodding, Matt got up and left the room.
[Dunphy Residence]
"Have you got his present Phil?", Claire asked.
"Yep", Phil muttered, proud of himself, "State of the art and best gaming keyboard on the market".
"Is that really a good present?", Claire asked, unsure of Phil's choice.
"Of course", Phil remarked, "Alex told me that he's making his own game so that means he's someone who likes video games, so getting him a keyboard is a good present".
"I guess", Claire muttered, not fully convinced. As Alex walked into the kitchen, Claire asked, "Did you get your present for Zephyr?"
Startled, Alex asked, "How do you know that?"
"You've been acting really suspicious for the past two weeks. At first, I thought you did something bad, but then, when Desiree invited us, I realised that you were getting something for your boyfriend", Claire answered, "So did you get it?".
"Yes", Alex replied, nodding her head.
"Ok", Claire said, clapping her hand, "Tell Haley to hurry up. Desiree texted me that Matt took Zephyr out of the house so we've got a two-hour window before they come back".
Giving a nod, Alex rushed out of the kitchen, up the stairs and into the bedroom she shared with Haley.
[Time Skip]
"That was fun, wasn't it?", Matt asked as he walked alongside Zephyr.
"I guess", Zephyr replied, shrugging his shoulders.
"Did you not like the arcade?", Matt questioned, "You used to love it when you were younger?".
"I've grown up though", Zephyr countered, "I'm not a child anymore".
"I guess you aren't", Matt muttered under his breath.
"So where's the party?", Zephyr asked.
"W-what?", Matt questioned, shocked by his question.
"Where's the party?", Zephyr reiterated.
"I don't know what you're on about", Matt answered, looking away from Zephyr.
"You were desperate to get me out of the house on my birthday which was really suspicious", Zephyr stated, "I also heard some of your conversation with Desiree. You don't have to be a genius to connect the dots and realise what's going on".
Hearing this, Matt sighed, "I knew that I couldn't hide the truth, but I hoped that at least you wouldn't notice".
Seeing this, Zephyr took a deep breath, looking at the scenery they were passing, "I guess it's really hard to be a parent"
"I don't even know", Matt bitterly remarked, "You've always been a quiet kid so your mom and I never had to deal with the constant crying that most parents do. In school, your teachers always complained about your behaviour and how you never completed your work. At first, I thought it was because you didn't understand so you didn't bother, but it's only now that I understand that it was a call. A call for help. I should've been there for you, but I wasn't. Now, you're all grown up and in a few years, you won't even need me anymore".
Taking in what Matt said, Zephyr sighed, "You're wrong".
"What?", Matt asked.
"You're wrong. No matter how old you get, a child always longs for the love and affection of their parent", Zephyr remarked, "You might not have been there for me, but you tried, and that's enough for me".
"Hah", Matt muttered, releasing a deep breath, "Even now, you're still looking after me".
"If I don't, then who will?", Zephyr asked, a small smile on his face. Halting in his steps, he said, "We're here".
As he got his keys out, Matt turned and looked at Zephyr, asking, "Can you at least pretend that you didn't know?"
"Sure", Zephyr answered, observing as Matt opened the door. Walking in behind, the lights were suddenly turned on with a loud and collective scream of "Happy Birthday". Seeing this, a large smile appeared on Zephyr's face.
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