Summary: It's a special girl's birthday!
Characters: Vlad, Jack, Jazz, Danny, and Dash
Written: January 2013
Note: Birthday gift for Ghost-Chicky (on tumblr), who wanted something cute for her amazing Family Breakfast AU.

Hugs and Gifts

"How's the birthday girl?" Vlad asked, crouching down before the young lady. She looked quite lovely in her black dress that reached down to her knees. It was accented with an aqua sash that matched the ribbon in her auburn hair.

Jazz, as of today age eight, was already showing signs of being as beautiful and elegant, not to mention intelligent, as her mother. She reached up, keeping her head bowed, as she pushed a lock of her hair, which was getting fairly long now, behind her ear. Her other hand hugged a book, much thicker than the books other children her age were likely reading, to her chest. Her birthday party would be starting shortly, but she looked like she was more interested in reading the book he bought her for her birthday present then interacting with her friends.

A squeal of glee tore his attention away from her for a moment. Jack wandered into the front room with their son high above his head. Danny wiggled his arms and legs, laughing and smiling. Jack gave him a small toss in the air and easily caught Danny as he dropped back down. There were times when Danny would accidentally activate his flight powers and remain floating over Jack, who would pretend to be completely shocked each time.

"Are you excited about the party?" Vlad asked as he turned his attention back to Jazz. Her aqua colored eyes were focused on Danny as she frowned.

"Mom invited everyone in my class," Jazz mumbled quietly. "But," she bit her lower lip, her brow wrinkling with worry, "what if no one comes?"

Vlad sighed and moved to sit on the couch. He wrapped an arm around the young girl's waist and drew her to him, lifting her onto his lap. "Jazz, why do you think no one would come to your birthday party? You are a sweet, kind girl, who is always caring toward others."

"They call her a nerd," Danny supplied, not so helpfully, as Jack caught him once again then lowered him to balance their son on his hip.

"Daniel," Jack said firmly with a severe frown that he only used when he wanted the children to know he wasn't happy about their behavior.

"What?" Danny blinked owlishly. "I didn't say I called her that."

Jazz hugged her book just a bit tighter to her chest. "It's not just that though." She frowned at Danny and Jack then twisted her head around to Vlad. "They call us freaks. Because our family isn't normal by what society has decided is the standard. One mother. One father. That's what their parents tell them, so they look at our family and they think there must be something wrong."

"But you know there's nothing wrong with it, right, Jazzypants?" Jack asked with a flash of hurt and sorrow in his eyes. None of them wanted their children to be the target of bullying because they happened to love two people equally. But the world wasn't perfect. People saw things that were different as something to hate. That hate was then learned by their children, and it continued to be passed down through the generations.

"I know. You, Dad, and Mom all love each very much. And you love Danny and me, and we love you too." The frown didn't leave Jazz's face. "But my classmates' parents don't like it. What if they don't want their children associating with me?"

Vlad hugged Jazz tightly. He had money and power, and he could probably threaten or bribe the children into playing with Jazz. But that wouldn't be real. Jazz deserved real friendship with people who truly cared for her.

"I wanna give Jazz her present!" Danny shouted, breaking up the tense silence. He squirmed in Jack's arms until his father set him down on his feet. Then he shot out of the room like a rocket. In a moment, he returned, hugging a big present to his chest as he waddled his way over to his sister. "Happy birthday, Jazz!" He extended his arms, holding out the present to her.

Jazz took the present and, much more carefully than other children her age would, unwrapped it. When she lifted the lid of the box, she gasped then pulled out the stuffed bear within it. It had a little lab coat and wild gray hair and a mustache under a big round nose.

"It's Bearbert!" Jazz exclaimed happily as she hugged it to her chest. After a moment, she hopped down from Vlad's lap and hugged her brother.

"Ew, cooties!" Danny complained, and Jazz laughed and planted a kiss on top of his head. Danny made a face, but it was broken up by a smile.

When the doorbell rang, Vlad had roll his eyes with a sigh. Jack apparently decided to change the doorbell to one that sounded like ghosts. Already on his feet, Jack was first to reach the door. Vlad followed at a more sedate pace with Jazz and Danny trailing behind him, which brought to his mind the image of baby ducklings following their parents. He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from chuckling softly at that thought.

"Look who it is, Jazzypants!" Jack said happily, holding the door open to reveal a small blond boy.

"Dad!" Jazz whined as her face reddened. She stayed close to Vlad but didn't hide behind him the way Danny was currently doing. "H-Hi, Dash." She shifted awkwardly, hold her arm at the elbow behind her back as her other hand curled around the fabric of her skirt.

"H-Hi," the boy stuttered, seeming equally awkward. "I just - It's your birthday. And I thought - Here!" He held out a small present that was crudely wrapped, as if the boy had done it himself.

Jazz stepped forward to accept the gift. "Are you going to stay for the party?"

The boy's dark blue eyes darted between Jack and Vlad, and he seemed rather intimidated by them. Then he nodded stiffly and stepped into the house. Jazz took his hand and led him into the front room, which was decorated with streamers. Vlad smiled, happy to see one friend, at least, came to the party, but he was going to keep an eye on that boy, who had a soft blush on his cheeks as he stood beside Jazz.


Lioness Deity: Thanks for all the reviews! =) Ah, sorry! D: I didn't really think about writing anything for Thanksgiving. orz

panfan87: They work in some weird way. XD;;

Linzerj: Thanks! Haha, I'll have to remember that sometime. XD I can imagine Sam and Tucker snickering while Danny tries to take care of Nimbus. Without his parents finding out. XD;;