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Disclaimer: I don't own the Kingdom Hearts franchise.

Enjoy the read.

XXI. Mother
490 / 500

"Seriously, what's with the kids?" Mrs. Skylers ranted on. "I've been calling them many times but they always keep it short! What attitude is that?"

"Perhaps they just don't have anything to say, that's all," replied her husband with a matter-of-fact tone.

"Really? Even when I asked how they're doing?" the mother blurted out again. "And here I thought inviting them to eat out was a good idea. We might as well cancel our reservation!"

"Brisa, relax, please. Today's not the day for you to think too much."

"You want to know what I think? They're hiding something. That's what."

Mr. Skylers was taken aback. Never had he expected that his wife would suspect—let alone accuse—their children of doing something behind their backs. "That… might be a little too far. Let's not—"

"Give me a sound explanation why they couldn't wait to hang up every time I called, then."

The ferocity with which the upset mother delivered her words really took the cake. Mr. Skylers could answer with nothing but wordlessness. In fact, the rest of their ride home was filled with silence, which was quite unnerving an experience.

After so long, they were finally back home. Once the car had come to a complete stop, the mother used the first chance she got to spring out and make her way toward the front door.

"I still think jumping at them throwing accusations isn't really a good idea," said the father, hoping that his wife would reconsider what she was about to do.

"And let them keep secrets?" his wife asked back while opening the door. "For your information, I don't appreciate—"

"Happy birthday, mom!"

As soon as she stepped in, the mother was greeted by popping sounds and a shower of confetti. The lights came to life, causing her to cringe at the sudden brightness. She was about to shove away her three children who had crowded around her, but then she opened her eyes…

… and was instantly touched by the sight.

The living room had been decorated. Balloons were everywhere, and there was a banner with congratulatory words extending across the room. What caught her attention, though, was what was on the table: a cake.

Everyone could tell that it was hastily, almost carelessly made. The surface was uneven, there was too much chocolate coating, and even the cake itself slanted toward one side. However, those signs meant it had been specially made by the boys themselves, for her and her alone.

"Sorry the cake's a mess… we can't bake," Ven grinned sheepishly. "But at least we tried, and—oof."

Before Ven could finish his sentence, his mother had hugged him, Roxas, and Sora. The father, who had been watching with a smile, joined, and they were all soon sharing one big, tender group embrace.

"My dear family…" she said, a drop of tear rolling down her face. "Thank you. I love you…"

"We love you too, mom…"

Post-note: Happy 4th of July for readers living in the US!