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Something was off about today, and Milly was determined to figure out why.
First of all, no one had been where she expected them to be this morning. Knives hadn't met her for their sunrise walk, there had been a fresh stack of pancakes left for her downstairs instead of a smiling aproned Wolfwood, and Meryl hadn't even been at the table reading the paper. It was all very suspicious. Her not being able to find Vash was normal at least. She swore she could never figure out what exactly went through his head, and he certainly didn't have any sort of routine he stuck to.
What was even more strange was that as she went to do her morning chores–feed the animals, gather fresh eggs, weed and water the garden–she had found someone had gotten to it all first. Milly was nothing short of bewildered. Who had gotten up earlier than her of all people, and early enough to complete it all without her knowing? Her first thought was Meryl, but she was not one to wake up earlier than she had to. Milly had been met with enough grumpy early morning Meryl's during their insurance days for it to leave an impression. Knives could have done it, but it didn't make sense for him to miss their morning walk for it. When she thought about it, she can't actually remember a time he's ever missed their walk since it became routine. That left Wolfwood as her most likely option. She loves Vash dearly, but he was always way too busy doing literally anything else to do his own chores most of the time, much less hers on top of them. She decides to hunt Wolfwood down to get some answers.
The farm is surprisingly quiet and peaceful despite it not being long after this year's planting season. A soft breeze curls through her hair as Milly walks, and she hums softly as she goes. Not seeing any of her friends all morning is making her strangely nostalgic. It had been just over 2 years since Vash and Knives' final fight, and a little shorter than that since Milly had invited them all to live on her family's farm with her. A lot had changed since then. She could never have imagined just how perfectly they would all settle in here, just how quickly it would grow to be the place they all called home. Milly counted her blessings every day that she was able to be so close to her blood family as well as her chosen family, it really was everything she dreamed of.
She's lost in happy thoughts when she finally, finally stumbles upon someone. It's not Wolfwood like she’s after, but the one who followed him around like a lost puppy most days was close enough. Vash jumps what feels like ten feet in the air when he spots her, and is rubbing at the back of his head in embarrassment as she reaches him. She's interrupted him in the middle of digging through one of the farm's shacks it seems, though Milly couldn't quite remember what was in this particular one.
“Milly?! Oh, hey there…! What are you doing out here? I thought Meryl's note was supposed to keep you inside… ” he says, mumbling the last bit so much that Milly can't quite make it out.
“Good morning Mr. Vash! I'm looking for Mr. Wolfwood, I think he did my chores this morning so I wanted to thank him and ask why he chose to do so. Actually, I'm quite curious where anyone is this morning. Mr. Knives even missed our morning walk, which I'm sure you know he never does.”
“Oh yeah that's weird, isn't it! But nope, I haven't seen him. You should totally go look for him back at the house though!”
His words are stiff and he gives one of his forced laughs when he finishes speaking. Milly purses her lips, something really wasn't right.
“Mr. Vash I just came from there! He wasn't even in the kitchen when I came downstairs this morning, he had just left me some pancakes—which was awfully kind of him to do—but you’re practically his shadow! I thought for sure if you were here he couldn't be that far away.”
He gawks at her, “His shadow ? Milly if anyone's someone's shadow, it's Knives with you! Where is he now Milly, huh? Right behind you?”
It takes a second for his own words to fully process, but he quickly slaps a hand over his mouth, “I mean! It's totally normal that my brother is not with you right now! And that Wolfwood and Meryl weren't at the house this morning! I'm sure they'll be back soon, you should just go back there and relax since your chores are done already!”
She raises an eyebrow at him, “I hadn't said anything about Meryl, Mr. Vash.”
If she looked hard enough, she could probably see the sweat drops as they appeared on his face. She was confused at what had him acting so suspiciously, but it was very funny watching him try to act normal. She's about to ask him why he's acting so strange when he suddenly bursts out again.
“Well, it was great to see you, Milly! Please go back to the house and forget that this conversation ever happened okay thanks bye!”
The words tumble out of him like a cascading waterfall, and as soon as she blinks, he’s run off with his hands full of something she can't quite make out. Milly just stands there for a moment in the dust cloud he leaves behind.
This day just kept getting weirder.
-
She decides to ignore his suggestion to go home and relax of course, her curiosity getting the best of her.
Her wandering eventually leads her to the other side of the farm, near her parents house. It was the first, and is now the biggest house on the farm, having undergone many expansions throughout the years. Due to its current size, it was generally used as the gathering place for when the family got together for holidays, celebrations, or even just to have a big family dinner. Many of her fondest memories had been made in that house. She wondered when the next gathering there would be. She couldn't think of any holidays that were coming up, but it was just under a month until her fathers birthday. She had to get planning soon!
She decides to stop in and pay her father a visit, she hadn't been around the house lately, and it was always nice getting to spend time with him. As she's about to give the door a solid knock, it suddenly opens on its own, revealing a flustered looking Meryl.
“Meryl? What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing Milly! Did you not get my note?” she asks in a rush, coming fully out of the house and quickly shutting the door behind her.
“Note? What note?”
Meryl blinks at her, obviously confused.
“The note I left for you?”
She's interrupted as the door opens again and a curious Wolfwood pops his head out from behind it.
“Meryl, what got you running over here in such a rush-” he freezes as his eyes meet Milly, “Oh! Hey big girl, what are you doing here…?”
Milly huffs, “Why does everyone keep asking me that? Everyone else are the ones who keep showing up in unexpected places!”
Meryl and Wolfwood exchange glances.
“Would you excuse us for a moment?” Wolfwood asks, giving her his best suave smile. She pouts, but gives him a nod. He quickly drags Meryl inside and shuts the door. Milly presses her ear up against the wood, straining to see if she can hear what they’re saying.
“What is she doing here? Did she ignore your note?” comes the muffled voice of Wolfwood.
“No! She had no idea what I was even talking about! I swear I left it on…” Meryl trails off and pauses, before letting out a barely audible gasp, “ Oh my god Wolfwood I forgot the note. ”
“WHAT” he says, so loudly it makes Milly jump away from the door. She rubs at her ear, wow could Wolfwood rival Meryl's volume sometimes. She decides that's her punishment for eavesdropping and steps fully back to where they had left her to wait for them to finish. Luckily only another minute or two go by before the two of them come back out, quickly closing the door behind them again.
“So, you probably already noticed, but we did your chores this morning. My note was supposed to explain that to you… but I forgot to actually leave it out where you could find it. We wanted you to kick back and relax today! You really deserve it Milly, today especially.” Meryl explains, wincing a bit at the mention of the note.
Milly flushes a bit at the compliment, “Oh Meryl, that's really so sweet of you! But what's so special about today?”
The two exchange a glance yet again, looking a bit bewildered.
“...Do you really not remember, big girl?”
“No, is there something I'm forgetting? You're all acting so strange today!”
It's silent for a few moments before Wolfwood lets out a chuckle, shaking his head a bit.
“Of course you'd forget. You really are too selfless sometimes” he says, giving her a soft smile, “Could you do us a favor big girl? Go back to the house, and enjoy the sun for me for awhile. Meryl will come by to get you in a few hours, and then I promise everything will make sense. That sound good?”
Milly ponders the offer. The curiosity is eating her alive, but she trusts her friends more than anything. She gives in and agrees, and the smiles on their faces immediately make all the confusion she's gone through today worth it.
-
The suns are just beginning to fall below the horizon when Meryl comes to get her. The sky is painted with gorgeous colors, oranges and purples and blues streaking across the vast canvas above them. Milly loved sunsets.
When they arrive at her parents, Meryl flashes her a quick smile before opening the door and pushing her inside. She's plunged into darkness for a moment, before the lights flick on and she's greeted by the grinning faces of all the people dearest to her.
“SURPRISE!”
Milly gasps in happiness and her eyes sparkle.
It was her birthday. She had somehow forgotten her own birthday.
She laughs, filled with joy as the events of the day suddenly start to make sense. Meryl must have been so caught up in party planning, leaving Milly a note to get her to stay inside and ease her worries while they prepared must have slipped her mind. Everyone's disappearances must have been for this as well, and Vash's panicked suspicious behavior fit right in. She giggles at the ridiculousness of it all, what a perfect storm of chaos.
She can't even count how many people fill the living room and kitchen. She's surrounded by brothers and sisters, spouses, children, her friends. She can even see Knives hanging out at the very back of the room, not participating in any of the socializing, but present nonetheless. It somehow makes Milly's smile grow even wider.
She makes sure to go around the room and talk to everyone, catching up, telling stories. They dance, play games, and eat delicious food. The cake is even her favorite color. It's a perfect night.
After many family traditions and lots of celebrating and fun, people slowly start to trickle out to make their way back to their own homes, until even Milly's dad waves them goodnight as he goes upstairs. It leaves just her, Meryl, Vash, Wolfwood, and Knives in the living room, bellies full of cake and sacked out on the couch. Except Knives of course, who is standing just next to the couch, behind her and Vash.
Milly lets out a pleased sigh, “I can't believe you all did this for little old me. Thank you so much, this really was such a wonderful evening.”
Meryl reaches over Vash to give her hand a squeeze, “Oh Milly, you do so much for us. Nothing we ever do could truly repay you for that, but I hope you know just how cherished you are.”
“Yeah Milly! You're like, the strongest, coolest, and tallest girl I know. You're amazing!” Vash chimes in, making excited gestures.
Wolfwood leans into her line of sight from behind the both of them and flashes her a grin, “You really keep the world turning big girl, I'll take any chance I can get to make you smile.”
Milly can feel the heat of fresh tears well up behind her eyes. How blessed was she, truly, to have such people in her life. She felt like the luckiest, most loved girl in all of No Man's Land.
After a bit, Vash lets out a snicker, “Well, it wasn't exactly all our idea.”
Milly cocks her head at him, “Oh? Who's idea was it?”
They all stay quiet, only eyes turning to look up at the figure behind her. Wolfwood lets out a laugh disguised as a cough, and Milly can hear Knives grumble.
“...it just seemed like something you would enjoy.”
Her face breaks out into yet another blinding smile, a small tear finally breaking free and trailing down her cheek. She turns around and scoops him up in her arms, plopping him on the couch between her and his brother. He sputters as they seamlessly add him to their cuddle pile, the tips of his ears turning red in embarrassment. He eventually settles in comfortably between them, begrudgingly accepting his fate.
“I can't wait for my surprise birthday party next, guys. Can we have a doughnut cake?” Vash asks, completely serious.
“You idiot, that's not how surprises work. You don't just ask for one” Meryl sighs, giving his cheek an affectionate pinch.
“No. Absolutely not. I forbid you all from throwing us a surprise party.” Knives adds, reminding them all of the whole twin thing.
“Well then you don't get one! It'll just be for me!”
“Mr. Knives, what if I made sure it was cowboy themed?”
“...I would consider it.”
They all let out giggles and laughs at that, filling the room with sounds of peace and happiness. Milly breathes in the presences around her, closing her eyes and basking in the warmth of their love.
She really was home.