A/N Hello. This is a tribute to my mom who just had her 34th birthday. I figured this would be the kind of straight from the heart thing she would love so here goes.
Happy Birthday Mum
Today was Angeline Fowl's birthday. She was turning 38. Artemis Fowl Sr., her husband, had thrown her a huge suprise party. She had originally planned for them to all head out and see a famous opera singer, but, since no one else really cared for the idea, they all threw her a party at the Fowl Manor.
The place was both festive and immaculate. Imagine the best classic birthday ever and multiply it by 22. That was how amazing the place looked. There were streamers everywhere but nothing too gaudy, the decorations were top notch, and the cake (which at that moment was being stuffed into the faces of the twins) was delicious. Everyone had shown up. Brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, grandparents, great-grandparents, cousins, second cousins twice removed, everyone. Everyone, that is, except for her son Arty.
"Where is he?" Juliet hissed at her brother, Butler.
His eyes were scanning the crowd. "I don't know. He said he'd be here by now."
"Why aren't you with him anyway?" she snapped. Butler was Artemis's bodyguard and he very rarely was ever seen without him.
Artemis had specifically asked Butler to help set up the party and leave him to his own devices for the time being. Now the party had been going on for more than an hour and he still hadn't shown up.
"I can't believe he would do this to his own mother. I know he's not the most loving son around but it's her birthday for crying out loud."
They both looked over at Angeline. She was putting on a good act. She had been absolutely radiant when they had all jumped out at her, but now she seemed the slightest bit strained. She was talking and laughing and, to anyone else, appeared to be having a delightful time. However, the Butlers could see the way her eyes darted around the room every now and then, searching for someone.
"Time for presents!" they heard Angeline's slightly obnoxious sister shout. She dragged her over to the table stacked high with boxes and forced her into a chair.
"Which one do you want to open first?" asked her husband. At that, several people shouted out for their's to be opened. Her eyes were darting around again, this time with a sort of sad resignation.
"Open mine first," they heard a strong voice shout over the din. Everyone turned to it.
Artemis was standing in the door way and he looked terrible. He had dirt smudged all over his face, his best suit was ripped in several places, and he looked as if he were about to drop dead with exhaustion. Despite all this he was smiling triumphantly, a plain white envelope clenched in his fist.
Angeline looked happy but also concerned. "Arty, what happened?"
He waved a hand dismissively. "Nothing at all Mother." He forced his way through the crowd to her side. He held the envelope out expectantly.
She smiled and took it. Everyone watched eagerly as she ripped it open and pulled out a piece of red construction paper. She read over it, her eyes widening. Her eyes started to water and her smile stretched even wider.
Angeline threw her arms around her son. "Oh, thank you Arty, thank you so much."
Surprisingly, instead of freezing and just waiting for her to end it, Artemis returned the hug, sqeezing just as hard.
"Happy birthday, Mum," Artemis whispered.
Several people actually "aww'd" at this, for this was the first time they had ever seen Arty show emotion and both of the Butlers were beaming.
Artemis chuckled. "You have no idea what I had to do to get this."
She looked like she was about to ask, but then everyone heard a loud explosion that seemed to come from the entry hall.
"What was that?" asked Angeline, alarmed.
Artemis had paled considerably. "Gotta go, Mum." He gave her a quick kiss on her cheek and practically sprinted out of the room.
A/N I love you Mom. Happy Birthday. :)