(Happy Birthday, My Bestie)

*October 21st, 1920*

*1:00pm*

It was the afternoon as Tatiana was brushing her hair as she thought about the events of the day before as she had plans to reach out to Caroline and Adam.

"I know I said to my siblings that these two can't be changed but I still hoping that I could at least reach out to them" Tatiana thought to herself as she was done with the brushing while she putted her brush down and proceeded to leave the bathroom as she saw everyone else at the front door.

"Cousin Tatiana, Don't forget your batch of cookies okay? You've spent all day yesterday making them and it would be such a waste if you were to forget them" Irina advised Tatiana as the young woman grabbed the tray in which contained the cookies and handed them over to Tatiana.

"Thank you so much. I'll be sure to bring back the tray as well" Tatiana had spoken back with a smile on her face.

"Do you think that those kids will listen to her today? They sure seemed pretty set in their beliefs" Kazumi asked Bartok as he saw Tatiana and Irina talking for a small bit.

"I don't know if I'm being honest but Tatiana is a kind and pure soul. She is always trying to reach out to people for help so I think that this could cheer those kids up…" Bartok answered back as he felt a tap on his leg.

"Oh? Hey Yelena, What's going on?" Bartok asked her as he turned his direction towards her as Bartok saw her writing her response.

"Tatiana is like a motherly figure to everyone. I'm glad to become her friend and I have faith that she can reach out to those two kids" Yelena had written in her notebook as she showed it to Bartok with a warm smile on her face as this made him smile back.

"I know she'll do it! Tatiana always had that charm to her" Bartok answered back as he grabbed his coat and proceeded to put it down as he saw Anastasia, Kazumi, Maria, and Tatiana coming towards his way as he walked towards Tatiana's direction.

"Do you need any help in carrying the cookies or are you okay?" Bartok asked Tatiana as he awaited her response.

"I can handle it but Thank you very much for the offer. I truly appreciate it" Tatiana answered back as she gave Bartok a smile as everyone proceeded to make their way towards the door.

"Please be safe okay? I don't trust these pickpocket thieves so please be careful okay?" Felix advised everyone as he was met with nods of understandment from everyone.

"Everyone has been acting quite weird lately? Is everything okay?" Kaede asked everyone with a hint of concern in her voice as she crossed her arms while waiting for her answer.

"Everything is good! It's a little secret to what we're doing but I'm sure you will be most pleased!" Anastasia answered back as everyone else nodded their heads in agreement before she opened the door for everyone as Tatiana, Maria, Bartok, and Kazumi left the house.

"That's good to hear and stay safe as well okay?" Kaede advised Anastasia as she saw her closing the door behind her as there was silence in the room before it was interrupted by Olga.

"I guess I should remember to sort out those books in the study room…" Olga said to herself as she got up and proceeded to complete her task which further confused Kaede.

"I feel like everyone is hiding something from me. How odd" Kaede thought to herself as she continued to ponder on those thoughts.

*1:25pm*

Caroline and Adam were in the alleyway eating some chicken and bread in which they've used to buy with the stolen money from yesterday as the pair thought about the day before.

"Hey Adam, Do you think we'll see that Tatiana person? I have a feeling that she'll try to convince us to like them or something" Caroline asked her brother as she chuckled at the last part of her words before taking another bite from her chicken.

"I hope not. I just also refuse to believe that these rich scum would actually help us cause they mean it instead of pity and making themselves feel good for brownie points but I think we should just lay low for today okay?" Adam answered back before taking a bite from his bread as he heard some familiar voices which belonged to no other than Tatiana and co in which surprised him.

"Shit! It's those annoying pests! Can they just leave us alone?" Caroline uttered in disgust as she and Adam quickly became silent so that they wouldn't be heard due to them seeing what Tatiana and the others were up to.

"You and the others go to the bakery and get Kaede's cake, okay? I'll try to find the kids from yesterday and be sure to stay safe as well" Tatiana had spoken towards the others.

"That sounds good and If they cause you any trouble then please be sure to call for help okay?" Maria had advised her older sister as she was met with a nod of understatement from her.

"Don't worry, I'm sure they won't do anything okay. They seem pretty harmless as well" Tatiana had spoken back while Maria nodded back before she and the others briefly went their separate ways as Tatiana saw Maria and the others heading towards the bakery.

"Now then. Let's find those kids and make up to them. I hope I can bump into them today" Tatiana said to herself as she walked towards the north of her direction as she was hoping that Caroline and Adam were to come out while unknown to her was that the pair were watching her.

"It seems she has cookies with her? And who the hell is this Kaede person? She sure knows how to annoy us" Adam had spoken to Caroline in a slight tone of disgust as he was so wrapped into his thoughts that he failed to notice that Tatiana had caught them in their usual alleyway which surprised Caroline.

"A-Adam! S-She's coming! Let's run for it!" Caroline cried out to Adam as this seemed to snap him out of his stupor.

"O-Oh no! L-Let's run for it!" Adam called out to his sister as the pair attempted to run away however they failed to escape from Tatiana as she had called them by name.

"Caroline and Adam are your names right? Could we please have a discussion. I've baked cookies as well" Tatiana had spoken to the pair as this had stopped them in their tracks as Adam turned around and gave off a look of disappointment.

"What do you want? I told you to leave us alone! Why are you harassing us!" Adam had spoken to Tatiana in an annoyed tone of voice as he stood against one of the walls in the alleyway.

"I just wanted to apologize for yesterday. I thought about everything and It seems that I've made the situation about me and It's okay if you and Caroline don't forgive me.." Tatiana apologized to the pair as she was met with further coldness from the pair as Caroline stood in front of her.

"Get it through your thick skull! LEAVE US ALONE! PLEASE! We don't want your help! We don't want your cookies so leave us alone…" Caroline cried out to Tatiana as she held back tears as she turned away to walk away from the situation however Tatiana had noticed some bruises that were on Caroline's as this had caught her attention.

"Caroline? There is a bruise on your arm? Are you okay?" Tatiana asked her with a hint of concern in her voice as this made Caroline stop in her tracks.

"It's nothing. Leave me alone. I just fell down yesterday okay?" Caroline answered back in a low tone of voice as Adam stood in front of her.

"She just fell down so leave us alone okay? Why should you care about us anyways…" Adam had asked Tatiana as he awaited his answer which made Tatiana worry even more.

"You can tell me what happened, okay? I'm here for both of you okay?" Tatiana pressed on as her efforts were slowly getting to Caroline and Adam.

"Me and Adam get abused by our boss! THERE! Happy? I bet you want to laugh at our misery don't you…" Caroline snapped back as she let her tears flow down her face as this revelation shocked Tatiana as she remained still.

"He only hits us If we don't bring his share of the pay as well but I don't get why you are trying to be kind to us when you are the daughter of Nicholas II? I thought people like him were scum" Adam had spoken to Tatiana as he knelt down to hug Caroline who was still crying softly.

"My father wasn't the best Tsar and I'm sure he knew it during his final days as well but he has always taught us to spread goodwill and joy among men and to alway strive to be the best people" Tatiana had spoke back to Adam with a smile as she knelt down and gently placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Why? Why are you so kind to us? We're just peasants in your eyes. Nothing of value…" Caroline quietly said to herself as she continued to let the tears flow down from her eyes.

"Everyone and everything were created as equal and no matter who the person is, whatever it's their skin color, class, and other things. They deserve to be treated fairly and equal and I won't stand for ANYONE to hate on others for their background" Tatiana answered back as she turned over to get the batch of cookies before turning back over to face Adam and Caroline who appeared to be touched by her words.

"T-Thank you. We truly don't deserve this but Thank you for your kindness…" Caroline thanked Tatiana as she crawled over to Tatiana and proceeded to hug her as she cried softly in her arms as Tatiana returned the favor.

"You deserve all the good. You and Adam had a rough life and no one deserves to be beaten. No one deserves to suffer. God's love will always be upon you as well" Tatiana spoke back to Caroline as she looked up at Adam with a warm smile which caused him to blush and look away.

"I-I guess you ain't that bad after all but we can't even escape our boss so good luck with that!" Adam had spoken back while trying to hide a smile on his face.

"I've already discussed this with my Cousin but you and Caorline are invited to my friend's belated birthday party so it would be wonderful if you and her were to come" Tatiana had spoken back with a smile on her face as this caught him by surprise.

"W-Wait?! Party?! I-I mean we would like to but, our boss…" Adam had spoken back with a mixture of disappointment and excitement in his voice as he knew about his horrible anger.

"Don't worry. I WON'T allow him to harm you and Caroline. You and her are now like my little brother and sister so I will protect you with my LIFE" Tatiana spoke back as she suddenly heard huge footsteps from behind her which startled the trio.

"So you didn't bring my money eh? But you did bring a pretty lady! GOOD!" the voice called out as it belonged to a rather slim average man wearing a slightly fancy suit as he had a smile on his face.

"L-Louis! W-What…" Adam only uttered in shock as he stood frozen in fear as he quickly fell on his behind due to his legs shaking.

"Do NOT harm these children. I don't care what you do to me but please don't harm the children" Tatiana firmly spoke to Louis as she and him glared at each other which nearly made Kaede and Peter Ermakov's stare-off from a while back look like child's play.

"If you don't want Adam and Caroline to get hurt than It's best to do as I say, isn't that right you sweet thing?" Louis advised Tatiana as he let out a perverted smile which angered Adam.

"LEAVE HER THE HELL ALONE! I know that sick look from anywhere! I WON'T allow you to harm her!" Adam cried out as grabbed a rock and attempted to throw it at him however he was interrupted by Louis.

"If you try any more funny shit than I will bash her skull against the pavement, get it?!" Louis cried out as he attempted to grab Tatiana's head however he was quickly stopped by Kazumi.

"You were saying? Leave her and the kids alone!" Kazumi cried out to the man.

"I would like to see you try BITCH!" Louis cried out in anger as he quickly heard a snap from his arm as his screams could be heard a mile away.

*3:00pm*

"I guess you could say that Louis learned his lesson! But we gotta give Kaede her surprise okay?!" Anastasia had spoken to everyone as they shared a laugh together before she left the room to get Kaede who was waiting outside.

"I'm glad Tatiana was able to reach out to Caroline and Adam. It makes me happy…" Kaede thought to herself with a smile on her face as she saw Anastasia approaching her with a smile on her face.

"Are you ready for your surprise?" Anastasia asked Kaede which made her smile.

"Of course!" Kaede answered back with a smile as she closed her eyes while she reached out her hand so that Anastasia could grab it as she directed Kaede towards the front of Irina and Felix's home.

"Kaede has been so sweet to us for the last two years. I feel like we're a big and happy family. I only wish Mama, Papa, Mr Trupp, Doctor, Bokin, Miss Demidova, and Mr Kharitnov were here to celebrate it…" Anastasia thought to herself as reached her hand to the door and proceeded to open it.

"Kaede, Happy Birthday, my loving, kind, and most amazing bestie" Anastasia warmly said to Kaede as she was met with many cheers and surprises from everyone.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAEDE!" Everyone cried out in joy as the usual living room was filled with balloons, games, food, and a huge birthday cake in the process in which made Kaede feel appreciated and joyed.

"T-Thank you so much! I-I can't believe that everyone would show me such kindness.." Kaede had spoken to everyone as she was overwhelmed with emotions due to the sheer kindness that was displayed in front of her as she was hugged by Anastasia before being released from the hug.

"Happy Birthday, My Bestie. Let's enjoy this wonderful time together as a family!" Anastasia called out to Kaede with a warm smile on her face as everyone continued to have a wonderful time which brought their bond closer together as everyone had fun and amazement for the next two hours.

*5:25pm*

"Alright! Let's all take a picture together okay? I want everyone to make silly and funny faces okay?" Anastasia cried out to everyone as she gave a thumbs up to the cameraman who was dressed in black to take the picture.

"CHEESE!" Everyone cried out as the picture was finally taken as the photo revealed that Olga and Tatiana made scary faces while Maria and Alexei did goofy faces while putting up bunny ears on the back of each other's ears and it was followed by Yelena, Caroline and Adam smiling casually and lastly the photo showed Bartok, Kazumi, Felix, and Irina doing poses.

Anastasia and Kaede gave each other duckfaces indicating that their friendship is stronger than ever.