When they returned to the cabin, they found it decorated in a fun, albeit unusual way. Streamers of red, white, and blue hung from the rafters, but only on one side of the cabin. On the other, there was a banner that said "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MATTHEW AND ALFRED." The furniture had been rearranged, although to what end, no one could say.
"Welcome home, boys," Francis said, climbing down from atop a chair. Matthew and Alfred wandered wide-eyed through the cabin.
"Wow!" said Alfred. "This is all for my birthday?"
"And Matthew's," said Francis. Matthew smiled appreciatively as Francis tossed his hair. "Of course, the side I decorated is so much nicer, so please take that as an expression of my parental doting on both of you. Arthur's side is, well, don't make him feel too bad about it."
"I heard that, frog!" came a voice from outside. Arthur marched in through the front door, carrying a basket of blueberries.
"Hi, Dad!" shouted Alfred, running to greet him. Matthew followed, although he wasn't quite sure if he could address Arthur as "Dad." Arthur knelt on the floor and swept both Alfred and Matthew into a hug. Peeking into the basket, Alfred asked what the blueberries were for.
"I'm going to make a birthday cake for you two," Arthur said, beaming with pride. "Aren't you lucky?" Francis shuddered.
"Er, Arthur?" he said, as though the basket of blueberries was a loaded musket. "Maybe you should put those down."
"Why? Why shouldn't I make a nice cake for my - Right! Stop that!"
Francis resumed a neutral expression and denied that he had been making faces.
"Perhaps you should be in charge of something else instead," Francis suggested. "Like music. Or games. Or anything but food."
"And why is that?" Arthur said pointedly. Francis only shook his head. Oblivious, Alfred ran in circles around the cabin. He jumped and batted at the streamers. As Matthew watched, he debated joining in.
"I don't care who does what," Matthew said. "I'm just happy we're all together for our birthdays."
"Yeah!" said Alfred. "And I want cake and presents." He stopped in his tracks.
"Can I have some food right now?" he asked Arthur and Francis. Before Arthur could say anything, Francis pushed ahead.
"Of course, Alfred," he said. "I will make you the most delicious lunch you have ever had in your life. Although, I am sure that the bar for that has been set quite low."
Clutching the basket of blueberries, Arthur grumbled. He refused to look up as Francis bustled around the kitchen, gathering ingredients.
"And you, Matthew?" Francis asked. Matthew shook his head. That's when he felt Arthur gently lay a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm not hungry either," Arthur said, glaring at Francis. "If you don't mind, little Matthew and I are going to take a walk together." In an instant, Matthew was flooded with feelings of confusion and joy and worry. He had never spent time alone with his other father. He was always a little bit scared meeting new people, especially adults, and yet this was an opportunity he didn't want to pass up. While Francis danced through the kitchen, making lunch, Alfred fearlessly followed close behind him. Matthew told himself that if Alfred wasn't nervous about Francis, then he didn't have to be nervous about Arthur. Putting his tiny hand in Arthur's, he walked with Arthur out the door.