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The front door begins to open.
“Oh, Clara, I’m home!” A cheerful Caleb announces his arrival as he enters inside his shared cottage home.
He wanted to see his wonderful witch wife and greet her with an elated embrace!
A hug was needed from the woman he loved so dearly after a long day of not seeing her.
But where was she?
He received no answer when he called out her name; only dead silence was met.
Perhaps she was still snoozing away in their bed.
Caleb knew how much Clara cherished her beauty sleep.
It would be best for him to keep his voice low just in case.
He did not wish for her to awaken.
As the blonde began to make his way up the stairs, a very important question suddenly crossed his mind.
Where was Flapjack, or Syrup, for that matter?
He saw neither birdie outside nor inside.
Was he the only person present at home?
Once Caleb was in front of his room door, he reached for the knob and turned it.
Stepping inside, he saw a sight that truly blew his mind.
Something that he hadn't anticipated on seeing.
“SURPRISE!!!” A feminine voice exclaimed with great excitement.
It belonged to none other than Clara, who along with Flapjack and Syrup popped up from below the lukewarm floorboards as a ‘Happy Birthday, Caleb!’ banner unfurled from the ceiling amid a shower of confetti and balloons.
Flapjack flies over to his owner and promptly places a party hat on his head.
Syrup swoops in with a small present box in her beak, gently letting it fall into Caleb’s palm when he opened it.
“Happy birthday, my love!” The bubbly Clawthrone beamed, heading over to her husband and placing a sweet peck on his cheek.
Caleb was still surprised by the unexpected birthday bash, but he smiled nonetheless at the hat, present, and affection given to him.
“How’d you know today was my birthday?” he questioned playfully to his wife.
“Because,” Clara began with a light giggle before continuing. “I asked you earlier when you were born, and you told me today! I’ve been planning and preparing ever since!” she gleefully explained.
The brunette then pulls from behind her back an eight-layer cake on a dish that looks to have three different kinds of frosting and is topped with candles.
“We have cake!” she proudly proclaims before gesturing at her and Caleb’s bed, which was packed with presents. “Presents! Aaaannnnd…” Lastly, she gestures at the eyeball pinata that was hanging from a rope on the ceiling. “ENTERTAINMENT!” Clara grins wildly.
Her gracious grin and exciteable pose still remained despite the pinata awkwardly falling down from the rope.
Caleb couldn’t resist chuckling softly at this.
His eclair was truly adorable, the cutest cutie to ever cute, not to mention very sweet.
“Soooo, what do you think? Ready to get this party started, birthday boy?” Clara asked, eagerly anticipating her husband’s response.
Truth be told, Caleb didn’t celebrate birthdays at all.
Such celebrations were not part of Puritan culture, yet at the same time...
'Look at that smile,' Caleb told himself.
He had no desire to see it disappear.
It was evident that Clara had put her whole heart and soul into this party.
The more he looked at her, the more he saw her passion radiating from her eyes.
It reminded him a lot of his own.
Caleb smiles softly and nods to her. “Ready,” he said.
This event would be a lasting memory for him.
...
Clara: (To Caleb) My love, I feel like this party is missing someone, but I don’t know who. Hmm… (Her eyes light up as she emits a small gasp.) Oh, I know who! Your brother! Let’s go get him!
Caleb: (He sees Clara about to bolt out of the door and is quick to stand in front of it, blocking the entrance while holding out his hands horizontally. He is well-versed in how his brother would react if he saw this.) Wait! As the birthday boy, I would like to request that I have my party with only you, Flapjack, and Syrup, my love. It's probable that Philip is very busy, and I would hate to bother him.
Clara: … Okay then! (She proceeds to hug him.) Your wish is my command, birthday boy.
Caleb: (He returns the hug to his beloved, breathing a small sigh of relief).