Ever since meeting their Dad the boys were ecstatic and they couldn’t wait for their birthday to get here. They had completed their aspirations and both had A’s in school so the entire family thought it would be nice if they made a big deal out of their birthday, they earned it. Harley was surprised that they were able to keep quiet about meeting their Dad for so long. But now that today was their birthday they were bursting at the seams with joy. Early that morning Harley went outside to spray the flowers down and surprisingly her Mom joined her. “Oh hey Mom. You don’t have to help me ya know. You can go in the house and relax.” Celine had a somber look on her face as she continued to spray the plants, “Harley...you know me and your father love you very much right? Even though we haven’t showed it that often we do. We just focused more on our jobs than you kids when we were younger.” Harley felt her heart tug because she knew where this was going, “Yes Mom, I know you guys do.” “It’s just that me and your father don’t have that much time left with you all. We’ve outlived my brothers and we’ve gotten the pleasure of spending time with our grandchildren. We both just want you to know that we think you are completely capable of running this legacy.” It was quiet for a few minutes as Harley let it all sink in. There were many times when she hated her parents for the way they treated her but knowing that they weren’t going to be around much longer still hurt. “Thank you Mom.” The day picked up speed full force, Harley had decorated the house for the boys birthday and was working on baking a cake, while her Mom was outside grilling steaks and baked potatoes for the birthday dinner. While Harley was in the kitchen she saw her Dad come in, still in his pajamas with the silliest smile on his face. “Hey Daddy. Why are you looking at me like that?” “I saw you and couldn’t help but realize what a strong, beautiful, independent woman you’ve become over the years.” “Awww hush Daddy.” “I’m being serious Harley. I was rough on you because you got mixed up with that Mason boy and he left you here pregnant all by yourself when you were just a kid yourself. But now look at these boys, they're about to grow up and they are smart as a whip. You raised those boys well hunny.” Harley leaned over and kissed her Dad on the cheek, she loved him even if he was mean and cold to her when she was younger. “I love you Daddy. Now how about you go outside and help Mom. The boys are out there with Yusun, Seiko, Holly and Alessandra and I don’t think Mom can keep up.” The party was about to begin and everyone they had invited was already here. The only person that was missing was Mason. Harley knew at the park he was apprehensive about coming but she hoped he wasn’t stupid enough to promise his boys he was going to come and then not follow through. She pulled out her phone and looked around to make sure she was alone. Harley didn’t want anyone hearing he was going to be here before he actually was. “Come on, come on. Pick up already!” “Harley. Sorry I’m late.” “Hey! You better be sorry. You’ve got the boys worried sick! They keep asking me where you’re at!” “Hey sweetie who are you talking to?” Harley nearly jumped out of her skin, “Mom! Uh, It’s, uh, the pizza guy asking if we still wanted that order.” “Well tell him to bring only two boxes now, for the kids.” “Yea. So only two boxes this time, and get here fast.” Everyone was out back enjoying the sunshine, and pool. Harley was pacing in the front corridor waiting for Mason. Finally she heard a knock on the front door and flew it open. “Oh thank god. I thought you weren’t going to come!” Mason handed her two boxes of pizza and winked, “I even covered for the pizza guy.” “Oh! You are such a dork you know that? Let me go set this down and get the boys. They’ve been waiting for you the entire day.” The first one to fly around the corner was Claudio. Mason had to act fast because Claudio launched himself at his Dad and he had to catch him. “Dad! You made it! I told Coheed you were going to make it! I told him!” Mason gave him a big hug and kissed his head, “Well is that so? Why would I miss my boys birthday huh? I have a big surprise for you both!” Coheed ran up and gave his Dad a hug next, “Well tell us what the present is Dad!” Claudio closed his eyes and balled his hands up, “Please please please be a new game system!” Mason chuckled and ruffled Claudio’s hair, “Nope. Even better. I’ve planned a camping trip for all of us to go on for a couple of days! We’ll be sleeping under the stars and we can explore the forest together and I can even teach you guys how to fish!” Before any of them could celebrate they heard loud footsteps and all the sudden Jensen rounded the corner and started yelling. “YOU. I knew I heard your voice! I would know that voice anywhere. What the hell do you think you’re doing in my house?!” Mason was taken aback by the abrupt change of the mood. Claudio was just as confused and looked shocked, “Grandpa! Please don’t yell at my Dad! He just wanted to come to our birthday!” Coheed piped up, “Yea Grandpa! Dad told us about how hard he tried to come back to us and Momma! Please don’t yell at him! He's finally here, don't scare him away!” Jensen’s shoulders slumped but Mason was already too pissed to control his anger. “What the hell is wrong with YOU old man? You never liked me being near your daughter just because I worked for someone who wanted to hurt you. Well guess what! Just to refresh your memory a little, this legacy wouldn’t be here anymore if it wasn’t for me. I spent YEARS working for those people just so I could come back to Harley. They didn’t even let me know I had kids until they were about to release me!” Harley reached out and grabbed Mason’s hand, in a calm voice she said, “Listen Daddy. I’m the heir of this legacy so I make the decisions. I’m not a little girl anymore and Mason has come back to me and our sons. I want him to be apart of their lives. I want him to be apart of my life. I’ve always loved him Daddy and you know that. I haven’t stopped loving him and it’s about time I make my own decisions, and my decision is that me, Mason, Coheed, and Claudio are all going to be a family whether you like it or not.” Jensen looked like he was about to cry. He couldn’t help it. He hated this boy for what he’d done to his daughter but he knew he couldn’t get in the way of something like this. He couldn’t get in the way of letting a family be together. Jensen sighed and put a hand on Mason’s shoulder, “Listen son. I’m sorry. The years of stress from work and dealing with people like you have gotten to me. Sometimes you forget that people can change. I’m not saying that I trust you, but I don’t have that much more ti-” All of the sudden Jensen fell to the ground and clutched his chest. Harley ran up to him, “Daddy?!” Jensen looked up one last time at his daughter and laid on the ground, motionless. Harley covered her mouth in shock, “Oh my god...Daddy?! Daddy!” The screaming from Harley caused the party guests to rush in and see what all the commotion was about, Celine let out a sob when she saw her husband on the floor and quickly covered her mouth. “Jensen...oh my god.” Delsin had rushed in and once he saw his Dad on the floor he wrapped his Mom in a tight hug. He looked behind him and yelled out to Callie to get Holly, the boys, and the other guests out of here. It was already too late for Coheed and Claudio. Their Grandpa wasn’t moving and they didn’t know what was wrong. They both burst into tears and ran up to their Mom. “Momma! What’s wrong with Grandpa? Why isn’t he moving?!” “Momma, wake him up! Wake Grandpa up!” The boys were escorted away by their Aunt Callie and the adults stood around shocked. Delsin was trying to be tough but he couldn’t stop the tears that kept coming out. He didn’t care that Mason was there. That was a problem for another time. Right now his father was lying down dead in the foyer. As usual when someone dies, eventually Grim comes to take their soul and leaves their ashes behind. This was the first time the boys had witnessed a family member passing away and it was tough on them. The party turned into a somber affair and even though people tried to make the boys feel better by throwing confetti and singing happy birthday when they blew out their candles, nothing worked. In their minds, it was officially the worst birthday ever. Coheed Belle Aspiration: Party Animal Traits: Hot-Headed, Dance Machine Claudio Belle
Aspiration: Musical Genius Traits: Music Lover, Bro
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