Thanks for the fabulous reviews, follows, and favorites! This chapter is the request of Darck Son, where we learn about more about Henley. It is also a request from Who, where another Horsemen celebrates a birthday.
Though this news won't mean the end of the world, I have decided to finish this story. I am going on an extensive retreat to the outdoors, and won't have much internet access. Rather than have you all wait several months, I'd rather finish the story before I go and give it a sense of closure. It was an extremely tough decision and I keep telling myself to take it back. To help with my conflicting emotions, I figured I would firmly state it in writing (which is what I'm doing now) and also set a deadline (so the last chapter will be 8/16/13).
However, to cheer some of you up (well, probably more to cheer myself up), there will be two chapters per day starting tomorrow!
Disclaimer: Don't own Henley Reeves or Now You See Me
Henley Reeves
Today was Henley's birthday, and unlike Jack who kept his birthday a secret, Henley told everyone the day before because she wanted to treat everyone to dinner that night.
"But Henley, it's your birthday. Don't you want to be lazy and have people serve you cake from your bed?" Merritt asked. Merritt was sitting on the couch with his feet up and was switching from channel to channel on the T.V.
Daniel looked at Henley. "You don't have to cook on your birthday. That'd be more work for you and you're supposed to relax on your birthday," Daniel scolded. He was leaning against the kitchen counter, drinking a soda.
"Or we could throw you a surprise… well, I guess it wouldn't be a surprise anymore now that I said that… never mind," Jack stated. Jack was on the floor, lying on his back trying to stare at the T.V. screen.
"But seriously," Merritt repeated, "It'll be just like your birthdays in childhood. Parents take care of everything, you just enjoy."
"Actually, it was just me and my dad. My mom died while giving birth to me," Henley admitted.
Daniel and Jack glared at Merritt for bringing up a sensitive topic.
"Oh Henley, I'm sorry. You don't have to say anything about it," Merritt said quickly.
"No, it's okay. I wanted to tell you guys eventually. And to be honest, I wasn't even that upset because I never really knew my mom. So, growing up it was just my dad and we were very close. He raised me up," Henley explained.
"You're daddy's little girl," Jack laughed.
Henley smiled fondly at the memories and laughed a little too.
"So… how did you become an escape artist?" Daniel asked carefully. He really did want to know, but never found the right time to bring it up. And now that she was offering to talk about it, Daniel wanted to find out.
"Well, the house that my dad and I lived in was very small, but it had a lot of secret rooms and passages. And I guess my love for finding another route to my room or discovering a secret door grew into my passion for being an escape artist," Henley replied after thinking a bit.
"That's great! And it's nice that your dad was in support of your dreams," Merritt added. However, he watched Henley's face drop and immediately knew that wasn't the case.
"Actually, my dad was very against it. Don't get me wrong. I know he loved me. But he hated the idea and would always try to dissuade me from it. However, at 18 I told him firmly. We had an argument and I left the house," Henley said sadly.
"Like me," Jack mumbled. He went over to Henley and rubbed her back comfortingly.
"But enough on the sadness and nostalgia," Henley said, trying to be optimistic. "I want to prepare a great meal for you guys to celebrate. Back in my childhood, I would cook my whole birthday meal and my dad, no matter how bad it tasted, would finish it all. But don't worry, I'm a great chef now," she stated.
And so, on the day of Henley's birthday, the Horsemen were very busy. Henley refused to let anyone come into the kitchen, so the other three Horsemen ate lunch at a restaurant outside without her.
And after they ate, they went around the mall looking for a suitable present. The three split up and agreed to meet back at the fountain in the courtyard to discuss what they thought would be a suitable present.
Two hours later, the three met again with some present ideas. Or, as they would soon realize, lame attempts at present ideas.
"Okay, so what did you guys find? All I could find was food," Jack asked. Turns out, the reason that Jack could only find food for Henley because he spent the two hours eating at the food court.
Daniel rolled his eyes, "I think we should get her something flashy like a diamond necklace."
Merritt and Jack looked at him.
"Daniel, do you know how much a diamond necklace will cost. No way Dylan is going to let us buy something like that with the Eye's money," Jack replied.
"Well, I think I have a winner," Merritt said dramatically. "We should get Henley… a fedora hat!"
Now, Jack and Daniel stared at him.
"A fedora? Really?" Jack shook his head.
"So, our choices are food, diamonds, or a hat. Great," Daniel muttered.
Merritt shrugged, "I see nothing wrong with a hat. It's stylish and trendy."
Jack ignored Merritt's defense and groaned.
Suddenly, Daniel jumped up onto his feet. "Get me a phonebook and Dylan on the phone," he demanded.
"What? Why?" Jack questioned.
Merritt used his mentalist tricks and realized what Daniel was going to do. "I have to admit, that's not a bad idea," Merritt commended. Merritt pulled out his cell phone and dialed for Dylan.
"What's not a bad idea?" Jack said, looking back and forth between the two magicians. "Why am I the only one left out of the plan?" he whined.
Meanwhile, Henley was back in the house, finishing up her cooking. For dinner, she made salads, roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, and a lemon chiffon cake. She quickly set up the plates and utensils.
Just as Henley was setting up the last bit, she heard her teammates enter the house.
"Wow, Henley. It smells so delicious. Is that your famous garlic mashed potatoes I smell?" Merritt yelled from the front door.
"Come in guys! You're just in time for my fabulous birthday dinner," Henley declared.
All of them quickly set their stuff down to come and eat. They sat down in the chairs and grinned anxiously.
"Okay, here you are!" Henley said excitedly. She brought over the salads first and set them down by each person. Then she brought over the chicken, fresh out of the oven.
Everyone happily dug into the meal. Henley was indeed a great chef.
At first, the group ate in comfortable silence for a while. Then, Daniel wiped his mouth and began to speak, "Henley, how's your birthday so far?"
"Great," Henley smiled. "I love spending time with you all and I'm very flattered that my cooking is well-liked."
"Is anything missing?" Jack asked.
Henley laughed, "No, I don't think so…"
Merritt caught on immediately and asked, "But?"
"Well," Henley sighed as she wiped her mouth. "I celebrated my birthday every year with my dad, so birthdays were a father-daughter time for us. Now, don't get me wrong. I love you all so much. But it'd be even better if my dad was here."
"So, if your dad came right now, would you be glad to see him?" Jack asked.
"Of course!" Henley said, offended that Jack would even have to ask.
"Well, that's great to hear. I think it's time we show you your birthday present. Now, be warned. It's nothing expensive," Merritt said.
"Nothing's about cost," Henley said encouragingly. "Are you sure you want me to have my present now? We're not even done eating!"
"Yes, the sooner the better. Daniel, go get the present," Jack demanded.
And for once, Daniel did as he was told without protesting. Daniel got up and went over to the front door.
"Why is Danny leaving?" Henley asked, confused.
"You'll see," Jack replied in a singsong voice.
A few minutes later, Daniel came back inside the house.
Henley looked closely and saw someone behind Daniel.
"Presenting," Jack began.
"The one and only," Merritt continued.
"Mr. Damion Reeves," Daniel finished. He moved out of the way to reveal Henley's dad from behind.
Henley covered her mouth with her hands. "Dad?" she whispered.
Her father grinned and held out his arms, "Come here Henley! Give your dad a hug that will make up for these lonely years without you."
Henley immediately got up out of her seat and ran over to her dad. She gave him a huge hug and didn't let go for several minutes.
"Aw…" Jack smiled.
"Dad, what are you doing here?" Henley asked him. She didn't stop hugging him, though.
"Your friends invited me over to your birthday with the approval of your boss, Dylan," her dad replied, laughing. He was so glad to see his baby girl again.
"Oh dad, I'm so sorry for leaving. I just couldn't give up being an escape artist. It's all those great memories of discovering new secret doors, passages, escapes, tunnels, and rooms in the house that I love so much. And that house is only treasurable because of you," Henley rambled. "Can you forgive me?"
"Of course Henley, dear. Honestly, I knew I couldn't keep you away from being an escape artist. I was just –" her dad paused, trying to articulate.
"He didn't want to see his little girl unsuccessful," Merritt suggested.
"And worried for his baby girl like any good parent," Jack grinned.
"So, he tried to push you in what he thought was the right direction," Daniel concluded.
"Right," her dad finished lamely.
"Aw, dad. Thanks. I love you," Henley replied.
"So, I hate to break up the reunion, but we still have a delicious meal and Henley's birthday to celebrate!" Jack exclaimed.
Everyone laughed and went to the kitchen to eat. They talked about lots of different things over dinner. And afterwards, Henley went to prepare the final touches to her dessert.
Jack and Merritt watched some TV to wait for the cake.
Daniel, on the other hand, walked over to Henley's father. "So Mr. Reeves sir," Daniel began nervously.
Her father laughed, "Call me Damion. What do you need?"
"Okay, Damion. So, I've known Henley for a long time now and she really means a lot to me," Daniel began slowly.
"Oh…" Henley's father replied, shifting his hands.
"And I really want to ask her… to be my girlfriend. But I wanted to get your approval first," Daniel finished quickly.
Her father didn't say anything and just looked at Daniel. After a while, he said calmly, "You know… Daniel, can I call you Daniel?"
"Of course, sir," Daniel replied and nodded vigorously.
"Daniel, such a nice ring to it. Anyways, Daniel, I don't know if Henley told you what I do?" Damion continued.
"No, sir," Daniel stated.
"I'm a lumberjack. Okay, a part-time lumberjack. But the point is that I cut down trees. Do you know what I use to cut down trees?" Henley's father said. He took a sip of tea from his cup and looked at Daniel.
"Uh… an axe sir?" Daniel guessed.
"That's right. I love my axe almost as much as I love Henley. My axe is a steel Estwing with a leather handle that I got when I first started cutting down trees. Do you know where I keep this axe?" Damion said whistfully.
"I… um… I guess your house?" Daniel answered.
"Nope. I keep it in the trunk of my car. In case there's a pesky tree threatening me in someway. I just take it out and exterminate whichever tree I need to exterminate," Henley's father replied. He made a gesture with his hands to demonstrate his axe.
Daniel shifted awkwardly in his chair. "Um… that's great sir. But what does it have to do with me getting your approval?" Daniel asked, a sudden spring of confidence and courage.
"It is related," Damion replied. "I can't stop you from asking my baby on a date, especially if she likes you back. However, if you become a problem to me or my beloved Henley, I will not hesitate to take my beloved axe and chop you up like a sushi roll. I happen to love sushi, don't you?"
Daniel gulped, "No sir. I don't like raw fish."
Henley's father looked at him. "Pity," he replied.
Suddenly, Henley came over and told them that she was cutting cake. Her father rose from the chair and patted Daniel on the back, "Nice talk we had." He then walked over to the kitchen.
Daniel sighed and tried to calm his nervous heart rate. Daniel wondered if he peed his pants a little.