Matthew and Francis walked out of the cinema. Matthew was buzzing from the film. He had been waiting for the film to come out ever since he read the book and saw the stage production. He loved every moment of the film. He couldn't believe Francis had got him the best seats as well. It was amazing. They couple walked out and down the street towards the night market. Matthew was enjoying himself so much and the night was still young. Their breakfast had been so cool. He got his favourite pancakes at the restaurant and Francis had arranged a special surprise there as well. He remembered years ago, they went for a holiday in Canada. The pancakes there were amazing but canadian maple syrup was surely the best in the whole world. Francis had gotten hold of some genuine canadian maple syrup for him. He loved putting it on his pancakes and insisted that Francis have some too. Francis had refused at first but had given in. Francis loved seeing his son so happy. It had been a long long time since he had enjoyed himself this much. Matthew tugged his hand as they neared the market place. They had sometimes seen the market in daylight, but it was nothing to the amazing sight of it at night.
The stalls swapped over in the evening as those who did the night shift moved in. All the stalls were decorated with different lights. Some of them hung chinese lanterns up painted in amazing ways. Other's had their own multicoloured treat. The stalls at night were also far more interesting than those of the day. Jewellery sparkled reflecting the many light's. There was a sweet cart that carried sweets from all around the world. There seemed to be a cart for anything you could possibly ever want. The smell off food was strong in the air. The sound of frying crackled in the night. Matthew loved walking round and looking at al the stores. Francis hug back a little to let Matthew explore on his own. Francis thought back to his own 1800th birthday. He quickly shook his head to rid him mind of those memories. His 1800th birthday was served as an apprentice, one era that brought back bad memories. He instead focussed his attention on keeping an eye on Matthew. He wasn't used to letting Matthew off the lead as it were. There were very few times Matthew ever went out by himself. He had asked him if he wanted to go out, but Matthew seemed content to stay with him. Francis did worry that Matthew never seemed to leave him, touching as it was. He did want Matthew to go out at least a little. He didn't want to lose him, but he didn't want him shut in all the time. Francis contemplated how comfortable he was with Matthew going off on his own. He was sure Matthew would be sensible and ease into exploring. A local club, then maybe a sleep over. He was sure Matthew wouldn't do anything drastic... though this was more due to his own fear of something terrible happening to him. He was still naïve of many things. Maybe after today, he could start letting Matthew go. Just not right now. Matthew was thinking similar things. He loved the stores, how different they seemed. He wondered what was out there in the wide world. What kind of world created treasures like this? He had wanted to start travelling for a long time now, but he was always to nervous to do so. He knew his father worried about his safety. He still remembered one time he had come home late from school and his father had worked himself up into a panic over nothing. Matthew had been waiting for this day. He had been planning a trip away. He had looked over maps and tickets. He had decide if he was going to go exploring, he might as well go head first in. He was planning to visit London and do a tourist trek. He knew where we was going to stay and what he was going to do. It was all safe and worked through. He was going to ease it in softly.
"So Matthew?" Francis asked looking at Matthew examine maps of the world. "Have you seen anything you like?" Matthew looked round and smiled up to him.
"I've seen many things Papa. Though I do not know what I want." He smiled. "Papa... you know you are always wanting me to go and explore?" He asked softly.
"Yes." Francis nodded, a little unsure where this was going.
"Well... I want to go exploring, by myself..." He looked down. "Is it okay if we buy stuff for the trip and for ones we can go on together?" Francis smiled softly, tilting Matthew's head so he could look at him.
"Matthew, you don't need to sound so scared." He comforted him. "I knew that some day you will want to explore the world."
"But Papa... aren't you worried that something may happen?" Matthew asked softly. Francis hugged his beloved son.
"I will be worried about you, but I will always worry about you, no matter how old you get." Francis smiled to him. "We can talk over details later. What would you like to get for your trip?" Matthew beamed to Francis. He pulled him into a tighter hug.
"Thank you Papa!" He cheered. "Come this way!" He pulled Francis' hand and took off running. Francis smiled, at last Matthew wanted to see the world. Sure Francis was as nervous as hell, but he knew that it had to happen sooner or later. At least this way round, he get's to make sure Matthew packs properly. Matthew's heart was beating quickly with excitement. He was really worried Francis would say that he couldn't go. He was overjoyed that Francis had agreed to him going and to help him shop. This was really going to be a great night.
Matthew and Francis arrived home a few hours later, both of them ladened with Matthew's new travel gear.
"You sure got a lot of stuff." Francis smiled weakly looking at all the stuff. Matthew looked at the piles they carried in.
"Well... I want to be ready for anything." Matthew said softly, blushing slightly.
"From the way you'll are packing..." Francis chuckled. "...it looks like you want to visit another country." Matthew froze as his father chuckled. Had he read his mind.
"Erm... Papa... where do you think I'll be going?" Matthew asked nervously. Francis looked too him now slightly concerned.
"Well..." Francis looked around at all the stuff. "...from the stuff you've brought and the kinda of clothes and jackets you got. You have the right equipment to really go anywhere."
"Papa... once all this is inside. Can I explain where I want to go and all the details of the trip?" Matthew asked unsure, but if he was going to have any chance it was better that his father sit down for the news.
"Sure." Francis smiled. "How much have you planned?" He asked trying to cover up the panic that was settling in.
"I've worked out everything." Matthew said softly. "Where I'm going, what I'm going to see, where I'm going to stay." He felt a little awkward that he'd been planning this behind his back. "I didn't know how you would react to me planning... so I kept it a secret."
"Were you going to tell me?" Francis asked understanding his sons worries. Matthew looked up quickly.
"I was always going to tell you." He said quickly. "I just didn't want you to think I was leaving you. You always seemed to panic while I was away... even just to the corner shop a few times. I didn't know how you would react." Matthew's voice lost it's volume as he neared the end of his speech. Francis smiled softly, he knew this must have been a brave thing for him to do. He was a little disappointed he didn't tell him sooner, but he was proud that Matthew could think he could plan this on his own. Matthew who had shut his eyes expecting a lecture from his father about his behaviour, opened his eyes in surprise as he felt his father pull him into a hug. "Y-Y-You're not mad?"
"How can I be?" Francis whispered hugging him. "My son is ready to go out and explore the world. I was worried you would never leave home or meet anyone. So I'm really proud of you."
"You mean it?" Matthew asked his face lighting up. Francis pulled back and smiled to Matthew.
"Of course I mean it." He smiled.
"Papa, could you look over the plans I've made? Just to make sure that I've not forgotten anything and..." Matthew chuckled. "...so you know where I am and you won't freak out." Francis chuckled ruffling his hair.
"I would love to see your plans." Francis chuckled. "But before we do that... you haven't seen your birthday cake yet."
"I completely forgot!" Matthew laughed, running round to sit in his seat. Francis smiled and left the room to get the cake. Francis struck the match and slowly lit the candle's on the cake. He was torn between emotions. Stuck between being overjoyed of Matthew's decision and absolutely terrified of what could happen to him. He shook away those thoughts and focused on just enjoying today. The cake that he had baked the night before was a slight experiment. While Matthew had been studying, he'd been baking cupcakes, testing out different mixtures. He had finally found a way of baking a cake that tasted of chocolate and maple syrup. Making sure it held together well and yet tasted amazing.
"You ready?" Francis asked flicking off the lights and picking up the cake.
"Ready!" He shouted through. His eyes lighting up as he saw the cake and all the candles. He was mesmerised by the flickering flames, his thoughts flying off to guess what kind of cake Francis had baked this year.
"Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday dear Matthew. Happy Birthday to you." Francis sang as he carried the cake in front of Matthew. Matthew beamed as Francis sang, he was almost wriggling in his seat as the cake was in front of him. "Make a wish." Francis chuckled as Matthew closed his eyes and scrunched up his face. A habit he had since he was a child. Matthew opened his eyes and blew all the candles out in one go. Francis cheered as he put the cake down on the table. Matthew was waiting eagerly as Francis cut him a slice. Matthew picked up the plate and sat down on his seat, waiting for Francis to sit next to him.
"Thank you!" Matthew smiled.
"You haven't even tried the cake yet." Francis chuckled. Matthew looked to the cake slice and took a whole mouthful. Francis could tell from the squeaks and the hug that followed that Matthew liked his cake. "I guess that is a yes." He chuckled. Matthew nodded quickly finishing off his piece. Francis chuckled and looked at the time. "Its nearly 8 am, you better be going off to bed soon."
"Awww." Matthew whined. Francis chuckled.
"We can look over the plans tomorrow night and if you want you can travel off then. I won't stop you unless there is a serious flaw in your planning." Francis smiled. "And there is your final birthday surprise on your bed." Matthew hugged Francis again.
"Thank you Papa. It's been an amazing 1800th birthday." Matthew whispered. Francis hugged him back.
"Now you get a good days sleep, you'll need it for all this travelling." He chuckled. Matthew nodded yawning. Francis chuckled as his son went upstairs, he stretched too knowing he was in for a long night.
Matthew was all ready for bed. As he walked into his bedroom he noticed a small envelope on his pillow. Opening it up, he read the kind words written on the letter inside. He smiled softly, tears coming to his eyes. He quickly folded it up again to read again tomorrow. For now he needed his sleep. As he lay down on his pillow, he tucked the precious letter beneath it. Closing his eyes, he drifted off to sleep.