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Michael was laying on his bed, surrounded by notes, and doing homework in his room, until he heard a knock from his door.
"Come in" he spoke, looking up from he's notes and homework to look at the door, to see who it was. Charlie opened the door, and poked her head in the room, her eyes landing on mike laying on the bed. "Hey Mike, you busy, I want to talk to you about something real quick". Michael looked back down at his almost, finished homework.
I'll finish it later.
He looks back up, to charlie "Okay sure, what do you want to talk about?". Charlie walks in the room while closing the door behind her. "you know, what's the date for Tomorrow right?". She looked at Michael questioningly.
Tomorrow?, Isn't it Friday?.
"Friday?" Michael answered hesitantly. Charlie stares at Michael in disbelief. "it's dad's birthday tomorrow". Michael stares at Charlie in horror and realisation, of what he had heard. "Oh crap is that tomorrow?!" Michael immediately got out of his bed, and stood up trying to get out of the room, only to be stopped by Charlie, blocking the door.
"Mike, calm down, dad doesn't really care if you forget his birthday, and I also have everything planned out already". Charlie explains with a reassuring smile. Michael looks at her sheepishly. "Sorry, I didn't get dad a gift". Charlie shakes her head. "It's fine, mike I already got a gift for dad, ill tell him, it's from all of us". Charlie told mike, reassuringly, while Michael hummed in response.
But I still want to give dad something.
Michael gets a realisation. "I can bake a cake, for dads surprise party!". Michael suggests to charlie. Charlie looks at Michael in surprise. "Since when did you know, how to bake?" Michael shrugged at Charlie's question. "I got bored, and i saw a book about baking, laying on the table, so yeah, can i bake dads cake". Charlie looks at Michael skepticaly, not sure about Michael's idea, or baking skills, but seeing Michael so sure, and determined, charlie gives in and sighs. "Okay, you can bake dad's cake, while me, and the twins set up the decorations, when he leaves for work tomorrow".
They already have the decorations?, and the twins remembered dad's birthday?.
Michael was about ask charlie, more about the plan. only to be interrupted by his door opening behind charlie. Elizabeth opened the door wide open, almost hitting charlie in the process. Charlie turns her body to see who it was, only to see a shocked Elizabeth. "Liz knock before you come into my room, you almost hit charlie" Michael scolded her lightly. Elizabeth looks guilty "Sorry charlie, dad said to call you guys down for dinner". Elizabeth explained, while walking into the room. Charlie looks back to Michael "let's talk about this Tomorrow" charlie suggests, "sure" Michael agrees. Elizabeth looks at Charlie "so mikey forgot dad's birthday didn't he?". Elizabeth asked giggling a bit, charlie chuckles, "he did". "What are you guys laughing about?". Henry's voice cuts In, startling, and making everyone in the room jump, and look at the door. Henry was standing in the hallway, looking into the room with a smile.
Dad can't find out, about the plan, the surprise will be ruined.
Both charlie and Michael had the same thought cross there mind. "Nothing important, right mike?". Charlie spoke up first, looking at Michael expectantly. "Yeah, it's nothing" Michael spoke nervously. Henry looks at them with skepticism, and turns to look at Elizabeth for an answer. Elizabeth just smiles at him innocently. Henry doesn't question it further. "Let's go downstairs, Evans already there waiting, and i don't want the food going cold". Henry walks down the hallway, and was heading downstairs. Elizabeth following after him. Charlie sighs in relief, and looks at Michael "close call". Michael nods in agreement "let's go before they start calling us again" Michael hummed in response. Michael walked out of his room first, charlie following soon after.
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Michael woke up with a yawn, and spread both his arms, and legs out, making a couple of popping noises, Michael lays there in comfortable silence for a moment. Until he remembers last night's, discussion. Michael groans, as he slowly stands up from his bed. Michael rubs his eyes, tiredly.
I need to go downstairs, and prepare breakfast for everyone.
Michael stands up, and groggily makes his way out of his room, while heading down the hall towards the stairs, The bathroom door opens, and Evan walks out closing the door behind him. "Hey Evan" Michael calls out to him, walking towards him. Evan turns to look at Michael "morning mikey" Evan said happily, "morning, did charlie told you the plan already?" Michael asked. Evan looks confused at Michael for a moment. "Oh!, dad's surprise party right?" Evan happily says, "Shh, dad's still in the house" Michael scolds quietly, "Sorry" Evan whispers, "where's dad right now?" Michael asked. "dad's in the kitchen" Evan answers, Michael just nods, and starts walking down the stairs, Evan following after him quietly.
What did charlie get for dad?, and what kind of cake does dad like?.
Michael was thinking, while walking to kitchen with Evan by his side, Evan soon leaves Michael's side, to go seat at the dining table. When Michael reached the kitchen, Henry is making breakfast with his back turned to Michael, humming a happy tune. "Morning dad" Michael spoke up from his spot. Henry gets startled a bit, but doesn't stop cooking. "Morning mike" Henry happily replied, continuing humming, and making breakfast for everyone, with his back turned.
Dad seems more happy than usual, even though dad is happy most of the time, but this feels different.
"Did something good happen at work?" Michael asked, trying to find out the reason for Henry's, more than usual delight. Henry turns around, looking at Michael, and smiling at him in confusion. "no, why?". Michael looks even more surprised, "no reason" Michael quickly says. Michael looks at what Henry made for breakfast. "Let me help you carry those". Michael gestured both his hands to the plates of food, on the side. "Thanks mike" Henry smiled, and gave Michael some of the plates, making Michael's hands both full, Michael head's out of the kitchen, and went to the dining table, where Evan was chatting away with a half awake charlie, Michael placed the plates on the table, making charlie and Evan look at him. "Morning mike" charlie said with yawn. "Morning charlie" Michael makes his way around the table, talking his seat next to charlie. "Evan was dad like that, since you woke up?" Michael whispers. Evan looked surprised but nodded "yeah" Evan said quietly. "what are you talking about?" Charlie cuts In, looking more awake than before. "Dad seems more happy than usual" Michael quietly says next to charlie. Charlie looks confused, and looks towards the kitchen were Henry was, and back to Michael with a realisation "do you think dad, found out about the plan?" Charlie spoke with worry. Michael stared at Charlie with wide eyes "not sure, do you think he overhead us talking last night?" Michael whispers. Charlie goes quiet."Is the plan ruined?" Evan whispers across them. "Not sure, let's hope not, maybe it's nothing" charlie tries to reason, michael sits in silence and contemplates.
Dad is a bit oblivious sometimes, but half the time he's sharp, like how he can tell when we were sad or about to be hurt, one time when Evan was chocking on his food while dad was upstairs, and he suddenly appeared a minute, seeing me panicking on what to do, and he saved evan. must be a weird parent thing.
Michael concluded. A drowsy Elizabeth walks towards the table, and takes her seat next to Evan. "Morning" Elizabeth said tiredly, and evan starts talking to her about school. While they both talk charlie gets a realisation, "Dad probably knows it's his birthday, and probably thinks we have something planned for him" charlie whispers to Michael. Michael looks at Charlie in shock, charlie looks towards the twins, "if dad asked, just act oblivious, and stupid" charlie said just quiet enough for everyone around the table to hear, "Okay" Evan whispers, Elizabeth who still sleepy was laying her head on the table, and just gives charlie a thumbs up. Everyone around the table, falls back into comfortable silence. Until Henry comes out of the kitchen with the rest of the food with a smile on his face. Henry places there breakfast down and takes his seat. While everyone was eating there breakfast, Henry kept looking and smiling at Michael, and charlie which only made both of them more anxious, but both Michael, and charlie keep a straight face, despite Henry's gaze. "so, do you guys have any plans for today?" Henry asked sounding excited "don't think so?" Charlie said in a confused tone, and continued eating her breakfast not looking at henry. Henry looked at her surprised, "really?, Evan, liz, you guys doing anything important today?" Henry asked Evan, and Elizabeth. Evan just shakes his head in response, "no" Elizabeth said simply, making Henry's smile turn into confusion "what about you mike?" Henry asked looking at Michael hopefully. Michael looks at Henry uncertainly "Nothing much, why?". Henry sighs at Michaels answer "no reason" Henry said with a smile, and going back to eating his breakfast happily.
Weird charlie always remembers my birthday, maybe she forgot this time?.... Oh well no point in dwelling on it, since they don't have plans, we can all go to the arcade later after i get off work.
Henry thought, feeling excited, going out with his kids later.
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Charlie was looking out of the living room window, watching Henry drive off to work. "Okay dad's gone, let's start setting up" charlie said. Making Evan, and Elizabeth head upstairs, while Michael headed towards the kitchen to start baking. When Michael reached the kitchen, he quickly took out the ingredients, from the cupboards, and fridge.
Okay let's start baking, don't mess up dad's cake, it has to be perfect.
Michael tells himself. While he was in the middle of making the batter, Michael can hear balloons being pumped outside of the kitchen, but he doesn't pay attention to it, and continues focusing on stiring the bowl. Charlie comes Inside the kitchen, walking towards Michael's side quietly, making Michael flinch, and dropping the cake batter, before charlie quickly catching it in time before it hit the floor.
He's here!?, No no we got away from him!, He can't be here!.
Michael's was shaking, curling around himslef on the floor, covering his head with both his hands, while breathing heavily, and sweating remembering what William did to him, feeling tears threatening to spill. "Michael you need to breath" charlie said gently, sitting next to Michael but wasn't touching him, Michael tries, and takes a deep breath in, "your doing good, now breath out" Michael breaths out slowly feeling a few tears rolling tears roll down his face. They keep breathing in, and out for a few minutes, until Michael slowly takes his hands off his head. "Sorry about that" Michael said, not looking at Charlie in the eyes "it's not your fault" charlie said reassuringly, they sit in silence for a moment. "maybe I'm just as crazy as he was" Michael said in a broken tone, looking like he was about to cry. Charlie looks at him in surprise. "Your not crazy, your hurt, and your nothing like him" charlie said in a firm tone. Michael turning his head, looking at Charlie "Really?" Charlie softly smiles at Michael "yeah, one you don't look like at him at all, two your incable of hurting anything, and three your more dumber than him" charlie said the last part with a joking tone, "Hey!" Michael says as he wipes his eyes, and lightly shoving charlie on her shoulder. "you feeling better?" Charlie asked with a worried tone. "Yeah thanks sis" Michael said feeling grateful towards charlie. "You still feeling up to baking?" Charlie asked, "yeah, I want to do it for dad" Michael said feeling determined.
Evan and liz should be done pumping the balloons soon, and the others might arrive soon, I need to finish decorating.
Charlie thought, standing up and holding her hand out for Michael to grab. Michael grabs Charlie's hand, and gets on his feet, "do you think dad was upset?" Michael asked, charlie looks at him, and shakes her head "that we forgot?, No, dad doesn't get upset about something like that, he probably was surprised though" charlie explains "I need to go back, to help out the twins" while heading out of the kitchen Michael stops her. "wait, charlie what kind of flavour does dad like?" Michael asked waiting for Charlie's answer. Charlie thought for a moment before she gave an answer, "He likes chocolate" charlie answered, and headed out of the kitchen "Thanks charlie" Michael yelled outloud. Michael turns he's body, and sees the bowl of cake batter, picking up where he left off, he starts stiring the bowl.
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It's been an hour, I'm almost done with the cake, how are the others doing?.
Michael was putting a chocolate frosting on the cake, only to be taken out of his thoughts when he heard the doorbell ring, hearing Elizabeth squeal loudly with joy. Michael stops in confusion, and heads out of the kitchen, to the living room. To see charlie talking to Mr and Mrs Fitzgerald both carrying a casserole. Elizabeth, and Susie were jumping up, and down in excitement. while fritz was talking with Evan excitedly on the couch.
What are they doing here?, and if there all here doesn't that mean...
Michael was taken out of his thoughts when he sees Jeremy coming through the front door, with three wrapped gifts, struggling to carry all of them, and place them down on the coffee table, Jeremy notices Michael staring, turning towards him giving him a goofy smile "Hey" Jeremy said smiling, Michael feels embarrassed, giving Jeremy a shy smile back "Hi" Michael cheeks were turning red, but he didn't notice, and stared at Jeremy. Jeremy and Michael stare at each other for a moment, until charlie clears her throat causing both Michael, and Jeremy to look back at everyone staring at them, Evan was smiling at Michael, while fritz was giving them a smirk. Susie looked at Jeremy knowingly, and grinned at him, while Elizabeth just looked at them both skepticaly. Mr Fitzgerald didn't notice, the moment Michael, and Jeremy were having, but Mrs Fitzgerald was looking at them both with a soft smile. With that Michael was brought back down to reality "What are you guys doing here?" Michael asked in confusion. "charlie called us, and said that your dad's birthday was coming up, and wanted to make a surprise party for him" Mrs Fitzgerald explained "And we also parked the car not to far, so he wouldn't know we were here" Mr Fitzgerald cuts In. Michael looks at Charlie in suprise, and amazement, charlie simply gives Michael a smirk "okay, lets finish setting up quick, dad will be here soon" charlie reminded everyone. Everyone quickly moving, and went to work, Mrs Fitzgerald was helping setting up the food they brought, and placed it on the table with Mr Fitzgerald, the kids were helping charlie along with the adults, while Michael went back to the kitchen to grab the paper plates, cups and utensils along with Jeremy. While in the kitchen, Michael was grabbing what they needed noticing Jeremy stealing glances at Michael, and quickly looking away when Michael looked back at him. "Hey can you hold this a sec, i need to grab somthing realy quick" Michael asked holding out plastic cups for Jeremy to grab Jeremy grabs it, but Michael freezes when he felt Jeremy's hand brushed against his. Jeremy stops, and looks at Michael in the eyes, Michael just stares at Jeremy awkwardly in response. Jeremy stares back at Michael giving him a nervous smile, and slowly pulls his hand away with the cups.
We've been dating for awhile now, but It's still awkward touching hands.
Jeremy thought feeling his face going red. Michael looks away from Jeremy, going back to grabbing what he needed from the cupboards, when he heard jeremy spoke from behind him "Sorry about that" Michael looks back at him in confusion "it's fine" Michael replied with awkwardly, Jeremy hummed in response fidgeting in his spot feeling, anxious being alone with Michael. "Found it let's go" Michael started walking out of the kitchen, Jeremy following close behind, when they reached the living room, evan hopped off the couch running towards Michael "Hey mikey, we wanted to talk with you"
Talk?, what do they want to talk about?.
Michael looked at the couch, were fritz was smiling at him innocently, Michael was walking toward fritz, Jeremy tried to following Michael only to be stopped by Evan "no, we only want to talk to mikey" evan said refusing to let jeremy join them, Michael looks at jeremy in confusion. Jeremy looks at evan, then to fritz who gave him a smug smile behind Michael's back, Jeremy squints his eyes on fritz skepticaly, michael turns around to fritz, only for him to see fritz revert back to smiling back at him.
What a brat, acting all innocent around Michael.
Jeremy thought, annoyed at fritz "michael don't listen to him okay" Jeremy said, feeling nervous of what, his brother will say to Michael, Jeremy leaves to avoid possible embarrassment, and to help out his parents at the table. Michael gets guided by Evan pulling at his hand eagerly, and both of them sitting down on the couch with fritz, with michael sitting in between of them. "So what do you guys want to talk about?" Michael asked curiously. Evan, and fritz look at each other, then Michael "do you like jeremy?" Fritz asked, while Evan just looks at Michael expectantly. Michael looks at fritz dumbfounded by his question.
That's his question!?, does he mean like him like as a friend?, or in a boyfriend kind of way?.
Michael gulps nervously "yeah he's a good guy" Michael says hopefully they'll accept that answer. Evan shakes his head "no like, like Him" Evan clarifies, making Michael sigh in defeat, and looks at both of them, feeling both his hands get sweaty "yeah....yeah I like him like that" Evan, and fritz go quiet, Michael feeling nervous as a moment of silence passes, "told you so, you owe me five bucks" fritz proudly said, evan looks at fritz in defeat, and crossing his arms, and pouts "but you guys can't tell anyone, got it" Michael cuts In, telling them in a serious tone. both of them looked at Michaels, fearful expression, finally understanding Michaels worry. "Okay mikey" Evan said morw quietly, with fritz just nodding sheepishly at Michael. "sorry" fritz said quietly to michael, in response michael softly smiles at them, and ruffles both their heads. "Dad's on the drive way, turn off the lights, and get in position!" Charlie yells making everyone getting into their position, while Michael ran, and turned the lights off, and quickly ran behind the couch, not knowing jeremy was hiding there, causing him to be startled when he felt a hand grab his left hand, "hey, its me" jeremy whispers, making michael feel embarrassed for holding Jeremy's hand.
We never held hands before, his hand, it feels nice, soft, and warm, like jeremy.
Michael was grateful for the darkness, thankful He could experience finally holding Jeremy's hand in his. Jeremy couldn't see Michael's face in the darkness, so he didn't know how he reacted holding hands, and was anxious finally holding Michael's hand.
Michael hands feel cold, and his grip on my hand was strong, hopefully he doesn't mind sweaty hands?, he's not pulling away?, so is he fine with it?, should I pull away?.
Jeremy was glad it was dark, Michael couldn't see his face, and the blushing mess Jeremy was.
Everyone was hiding in the dark in complete silence. After a moment everyone can hear footsteps approaching the front door.
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Henry was at the front door, and noticed the lack of lights coming out of the living room window, and found it questionable. He rang the door bell, waiting for one of his kids to open it. Charlie opens the door for Henry, "Hey dad how was work?" charlie said, henry was about to respond when he noticed how dark it was inside the house "charlie why are the lights off?" Henry asked in confusion while walking inside, "I'll tell you later, come on we made dinner already" making Henry more confused "what?" Charlie didn't respond, and made her way into the dark living room.
Why is it so quiet, where are the others?, why is it so dark?, why is charlie acting more weird than usual?.
"Charlie what happend?" Henry was getting more nervous by the silence, and darkness. Suddenly the lights turn back on, and everyone shouts in unison "Suprise!" Everyone shouted Henry was shocked by the noises, and sudden flash of lights, but noticed the Fitzgeralds were here, and the heavily decorated room with the balloons saying happy 37th birthday.
They remembered, my birthday?.
Evan, and Elizabeth run up to henry almost making him fall over, and wrapped there small hands around him hugging him "Happy birthday dad" Elizabeth said looking up, and smiling at henry, while Evan was giggling "do you like it?" Evan asked. Henry returned the hug holding them both close, and gives both of them a big smile "I love it", Henry says, looking at everyone around the room. Susie, and fritz were sitting down on the couch while, Mr and Mrs Fitzgerald were standing at the kitchen entrance side by side, Michael was still hiding behind the couch with jeremy, staring at eachother, with Jeremy giving Michael a nervous smile "you guys didn't need to do this" Henry said looking back up at the others in the room. "It's fine, we wanted to help out, right kids?" Mr Fitzgerald asked. "yeah, don't worry about mister Henry we get to have cake, and we get to hang out with evan, and lizzy" Susie said excitedly, fritz nods along with his sister. Henry laughs at Susie explanation "still, a simple cake or note would have been enough for me" Henry said moving more into the living room "speaking of cake, Michael baked you a cake dad" charlie said cutting in, Henry was surprised "really?" Henry was looking around the room for Michael, "where is Michael?" Henry asked, charlie looked around the room, and looks behind the couch, and sighs walking towards the couch looking behind it. charlie sees Michael along with Jeremy staring at eachother while holding hands with each other. Charlie coughs causing Michael, and Jeremy to look up at her. Jeremy Sheepishly smiles at charlie, charlie gives Jeremy an unimpressed looked, and looks at Michael, charlie sighs. Michael pulls his hand away from jeremy, already missing the warmth Jeremy's hand gave him. Both Michael, Jeremy stand up, everyone looking at the two flushed faced teens "what happend, you guys look sick?" Mr Fitzgerald asked sounding worried "no, dad were good' Jeremy said nervously, evan gave Michael a thumbs up, while fritz was trying to contain his laughter by covering his mouth with his hand. Susie was giggling along with Elizabeth, leaving Henry looking at them both in confusion. "So mike you baked, my birthday cake?" Henry asked, Michael still fresh with embarrassment, stuttered "ye.. yeah I did, ill go get it" Michael replied with quickly leaving the room, heading into the kitchen to grab the cake. "Let's go to the table, lets not make the food wait" Mrs Fitzgerald suggested "yes, I'm starving" jeremy says happy to finally eat. "yes please" Evan said excitedly "oh oh I'm sitting next to liz" susie says holding Elizabeths hand "can we eat ice cream later" Elizabeth asked looking up at henry "sure, after dinner" henry replied. Everyone heads to the dining table. Henry seeing the table filled with food, soda, and dessert the Fitzgeralds brought, made Henry feel hungry. Michael comes out of the kitchen with the chocolate cake in hand, and placed the cake in front of the table for everyone to see. Henry looked at the cake with happy birthday dad written in red frosting on the top of it, and looked at Michael proudly "Thanks mike" Henry said softly smiling at him "let's eat everyone". Henry was chatting away with Mr, and Mrs Fitzgerald about work. while everyone else ate around the table, Elizabeth was teasing fritz, while Susie was cheering Elizabeth on, and fritz getting more annoyed at both of them, while Evan was trying to calm all of them down while still trying to eat. Michael was eating across from jeremy, with Jeremy staring at Michael, and quickly looking away when Michael would try to look back, and they would repeat, charlie was sitting next to Michael watching everything unfold with amusement, only sending Jeremy a glare whenever he would look at her accidentally. Henry watches everything from the head of the table, while taking to the Mr, and Mrs Fitzgerald.
This is nice.
Henry thought, his eyes looking down at his new mug, with #1 best dad, his kids gave him. Henry breathing out a content sigh.
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After everyone was done eating, the kids were all on the couch watching the TV, while eating ice cream in peace. The three adults were still at the dining table talking the night away while eating dessert. Charlie was standing by the living room window, with her arms wrapped around herself watching Michael, and Jeremy sitting down next to each other, by the house steps. Jeremy was laying he's head on Michael shoulder, while Michael was sitting up, staring a head while holding Jeremy's right hand, "Man the cake you made was delicious" jeremy compliments "thanks". michael looks down at Jeremy, who was trying to stay awake with michael. Michael breaths out, enjoying listening to Jeremy's breathing. while overhearing the muffled noises coming from back inside the house. They both stayed there in comfortable silence until jeremy speaks up agian " dude you can bake, your smart, your kind, is there anything you don't have?" jeremy asked with a yawn making michael laugh, and blush at his answer "i don't have warm hands like yours" Michael jokingly says, making jeremy chuckle tiredly "your really amazing Michael, you know that" jeremy said smiling while looking into the distance. michael holds Jeremy's hand tighter "your amazing to you know" Michael said with a yawn "i know that, but I Mean, holding your hand, spending time with you, even just hanging out with you....i love all of it" jeremy said quietly feeling heat rise to his face. "Me too" Michael said feeling happy at Jeremy's admission. jeremy snuggles to Michael closer, and soon falling asleep leaning on Michael, Michael feeling happy, and tired rest his head ontop of Jeremy's head, smelling jeremys hair, while feeling blissful, and content just being with Jeremy right now. Michael soon falls asleep on the steps with Jeremy. charlie noticing them asleep was about to wake them up, only stopping when seeing both of them smiling in there sleep peacefully, charlie sighs, and goes back inside the house, a moment later comes back with a blanket wrapping around both of the on the steps.
I'll wake them up later, i can't believe I have to take care of Mikes idiot boyfriend too, couldnt he get a smarter one at least? ..... as long as Mike's happy I guess.
Charlie thought looking at her Little brother, leaning on his boyfriend sleeping on the steps.