Chapter 53: Stripe's Birthday
Stripe woke up and yawned before sitting up. "Happy birthday dad!" Muffin and Socks said while Trixie brought her husband his breakfast in bed. "Thanks Muffy! Thanks Rock Socks!" Stripe said before looking at his wife. "And thank you Mrs Heeler," Stripe said in a teasing before kissing his wife. "Eww!" Muffin shouted before running off with her sister to the next room, followed by Socks. "Kids… remember when we were trying so hard to have them?" Stripe asked, now looking at Trixie. "We were lucky," Trixie said, kissing her husband on his cheek. "Alright so, your party starts at one, your dad is overseas but he said happy birthday and your mum is bringing your favorite Casserole, Bandit is bringing the sausages and burgers, Chilli is making salad, Rad is working unfortunately but of course he said happy birthday to his baby brother," Trixie said with a smile. Stripe rolled his eyes but chuckled at the same time knowing his older brother.
"Frisky is coming and she's bringing the drinks and our favorite and only nephew is making your cake," Trixie added. Stripe was a little surprised when he heard Trixie saying Thomas was making his cake. "Thomas is making my cake?" Stripe asked, sitting up and eating his food. "Yeah," Trixie replied. "I hope he doesn't feel pressured to do it, I know last year wasn't great timing," Stripe said looking down. "Stripe, Thomas loves you very much," Trixie said, placing her hand on her husband's hand. "I know he does, it's just I don't want him to be pressured since it's only been a year without his mum," Stripe said, still looking down. "I talked to Bandit, and he said Thomas is doing great and wants to give you a great birthday," Trixie said, kissing Stripe on his head. "Really he said that?" Stripe asked with a warm smile. Trixie nodded with a smile. "Okay I guess I shouldn't worry too much about him." Stripe said.
(Meanwhile)
At the kitchen of Bandit's house, Thomas had gathered all the ingredients he needed to do his uncle's favorite birthday cake. "Alright! I have everything I need for Uncle Stripe's cake," Thomas said to himself as he started making the cake. "What kind of cake are you making?" Bandit asked, walking into the kitchen. "A cricket field cake," Thomas answered. "Really? Need some help mate? I can do the wickets, the bails, the ball and the bat…" Bandit asked as he grabbed some juice from the fridge. "Nah, I got it dad," Thomas said as he started making the mix. "Alright mate just ask for help if you need it, there's no shame in asking for help, I know how hard making a cake is," Bandit said while drinking his juice and then leaving the kitchen. Thomas nodded as he continued to do his cake for his uncle. He was determined to that… especially since he didn't come to give him the proper appreciation last year.
Bluey and Bingo were making cards for their uncle in the playroom. "I hope uncle Stripe likes these cards," Bluey said while drawing. "Yeah! We're putting a lot of effort on them," Bingo added. "I'm sure he will love it sweetie," Chilli said while watching her daughters. "I'm also happy that Thomas is coming to Uncle Stripe's birthday party this year" Bingo said. "Yeah, last year he didn't want to come…" Bluey said. "Well, your brother was having a hard time and he didn't want to spoil your Uncle Stripe's special day" Chilli told. "Is this Thomas's first time being with Uncle Stripe for his birthday?" Bingo asked. "I think so…" Chilli replied. "Second time actually," Bandit said, coming into the room. "Really? I thought it was his first," Chilli said looking at her husband.
"When Thomas was four Stripe and Trixie came and spent it with Emily and I," Bandit explained. "Oh, and how did it go?" Chilli asked. "It was a good birthday, it was Trixie's first time in the states that time," Bandit explained. "I just hope Thomas doesn't have any pressure on giving my brother a good birthday since it was that long ago and we didn't spend time with him after his mother passed away, we all know how he gets when he tries to compensate," Bandit added. "Our son told Trixie he was fine and I believe him," Chilli said softly with a smile. "You're right babe, he should be fine," Bandit said with a smile.
"Really?!" Thomas shouted looking at his cake that was uneven when he took it out. "What did I do wrong?" Thomas said, looking at the ingredients. "How's it going mate?" Bandit asked, coming back into the kitchen. "I think I made the cake wrong," Thømas said looking at the cake. "It is uneven," Bandit said as he poked the cake. The cake then Deflated and flatten. "Dad… get out of the kitchen," Thomas said while looking at the deflated cake. "Son, I can help," Bandit said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Out!" Thomas said shooing his dad out of the kitchen. Once Bandit was out of the kitchen Thømas went back to making a new cake. Bandit went back to the playroom where his wife and daughters were. "How did the cake go?" Chilli asked. "It deflated when I touched it," Bandit said. "That bad huh?" Chilli asked with a chuckle. "Did dad ruin the cake?" Bluey asked, looking at her mother.
"No sweetie, sometimes making cakes from scratch takes time to make," Chilli said. "Tell me about it… that duck cake we did for Bingo's fifth anniversary… I thought I would not be able to do it right" Bandit said. "Done!" Bingo cheered with her Birthday card for her uncle. "So am I!" Bluey added. Suddenly Bandit's phone rang. "Oh, it's uncle Stripe, girls, I will put it on speaker," he said, proceeding to "Hey mate! Happy birthday!" Bandit said on the phone. "Happy Birthday Uncle Stripe!" The girls cheered loud enough to be heard by their uncle. "Happy birthday, Stripe!" Chilli said after her daughters. "Thanks everyone!" Stripe said on the phone. "What's going on mate?" Bandit said, turning off the speaker and putting the phone to his ear. "Just wanted to check in with you on my nephew," Stripe said curiously. "Oh! Well I deflated his first cake so he's making a new one, but in my defense, it was already uneven," Bandit replied.
Stripe rolled his eyes knowing his brother would do something like that. "Just tell my nephew there is no pressure in making my cake, I know he wants to make up for last year, but he just has to do his best," Stripe said while helping set up some things for his party. "No worries mate I got him," Bandit said with a smile. "Great! And don't deflate the new cake!" Stripe said poking fun at his older brother. "Haha so funny mate, we should be there in the next hour or so, depending how Thomas will be around your cake," Bandit said with a smile. "Great, see you then mate," Stripe said before hanging up the phone. "How's everything with the rest of the family?" Trixie asked, looking at her husband. "It's going great! Although Bandit deflated my cake Thomas made," Stripe said, rolling his eyes. Trixie shook her head and rolled her eyes. "Sounds like Bandit," Trixie said with a chuckle. "Definitely, I just hope Thomas doesn't get too discouraged by a deflated cake," Stripe said while setting up the table. "I'm sure he won't," Trixie said as walked up to her husband and kissed on his muzzle.
"I can't let a deflated cake discourage me!" Thomas exclaimed, while going like crazy making sure he was measuring the exact amount of ingredients for the dough. "Okay, it was already not the way I wanted, but this time, I will do it without fail, I have to… for uncle Stripe!" Thomas said, in a determined way. After a while… and a lot of struggle, Thomas was finally able to finish the cake he so wanted: the cake was completely leveled and it didn't had any signs of being burned or not cooked enough; with the decoration to turn it into a cricket field cake, Thomas was able to make the perfect frosting and apply it evenly, putting then the toppings, arranging them to create the field, and then putting then decorative wickets, bails and bat. After he was done, Thomas admired his work. "It's… perfect" he said. "What's perfect, son?" Bandit asked, as he entered in the kitchen, noticing then the cake.
"Wow… that's very impressive, son…" Bandit said, as he approached the cake. "No, dad, don't even come close," Thomas said, as he prevented his father from getting close to the cake. "Come on, son, it's not like I'm going to deflate it… again," Bandit replied. "I put all my efforts on this cake to make it perfect, I just can't let anything happen to it until the moment of uncle Stripe to blow up the candles," Thomas said, as he put the cake carefully in a baking tray. At that moment, Bluey and Bingo got in and noticed the cake. "Wow!" they all exclaimed, as they approached the balcony. "You baked that, big brother?" Bluey asked. "Sure did," Thomas replied, proudly. "It looks so yummy…" Bingo admired, while starting to get water on her mouth. She extended her hand to get to the cake, but Thomas reacted to that. "No!" Thomas exclaimed, blocking Bingo. Seeing the way he did it, that seemed to have hurt Bingo, Thomas was quick to think of something to prevent Bingo from crying. "Sorry, Bingo, but… why don't we wait for uncle Stripe to blow his candles before tasting the cake?" Thomas asked, as he went to cover the cake with a dome. "Oh… okay," Bingo said, recovering her smile.
"Girls, you better get your birthday cards for uncle Stripe, we're about to leave for your uncle's," Chilli said to the girls, by the entrance. "Okay, mum," the girls replied, as they run out of the kitchen, followed by their mother. "You know, you don't need to be so overzealous with the cake, your uncle will love it no matter what," Bandit told to Thomas, as he went to clean up the balcony. "I know, but… after last year…" Thomas started. "That was not your fault, Thomas, you already had…" Bandit began saying. "Yeah, I know, I had too much in my head, but that's what you and mom always say to make me feel better," Thomas said. "It doesn't make it any less true, Thomas, if what you want is to make up for last year, then focus on spending time with your uncle instead of focusing on a cake, trust me, that's all he needs and wants," Bandit replied, putting an hand on his son's shoulder. Despite knowing what his father was saying was true, Thomas couldn't help but thinking that give his uncle Stripe the best birthday cake ever, would be the best way for him to make up for last year.
The Heeler family soon left their house to go to Stripe's, with Thomas carrying the cake as if it was his most valuable possession. When they arrived and Bandit rang the bell, Trixie was the one to open it. "I was starting to think you wouldn't make it," she commented. "Well, we kind of got held off because of a baking situation," Bandit replied, making a sign to Thomas, as they got in and the girls run inside. "Thomas didn't stop until the cake was perfect," he continued. "Well, probably I wouldn't take too much time if a certain someone hadn't deflated the first cake," Thomas replied to his father in a teasing way. "Fair enough, but, in my defense, you had already considered it a failure," Bandit replied. "Don't tell me we are the last ones to arrive," Chilli asked. "Yes, but you're not so behind, don't worry," Trixie said
She turned to her nephew. "Thomas, dear, if you want, I can take the cake to the kitchen, while you go see your uncle," Trixie said. Despite knowing that's what he should do, Thomas simply couldn't help but let the cake out of his sight. "It's okay, aunt Trixie, I can do it," he replied. "Are you sure?" Trixie asked. "Yeah… it won't take long," Thomas said, as he proceeded to take the cake to the kitchen. Bandit and Chilli traded a look, both worried about their son. "Yeah, I better tell Stripe about it," Bandit said, as he came in to the living room where the party was being held. Seeing his brother, Bandit approached him. "Stripe! Happy birthday, mate!" he exclaimed. "Thanks, bro, I'm so happy to have you here," Stripe replied, noticing then on something. "Hey, where's Thomas?" he asked. "In the kitchen, taking care of your cake," Bandit replied. "Oh, I can't wait to see it," Stripe replied. "Yeah, about that… I think you better go talk with your nephew before he ends up losing the best of the party," Bandit adviced.
In Stripe's kitchen, Thomas placed the cake carefully on the balcony. "Great, so far so good," he said. He then heard hasty steps coming his way and he knew that could only be one of the kids, what was not good news for his cake… or rather his uncle Stripe's cake. When he saw Muffin coming in, running in her wild way, Thomas hasted to put himself in front of the cake so Muffin wouldn't see it, as he already knew his cousin's obsession for sweets. "Hi, Thomas," she told him. "Hi, Muffin, what are you doing here?" Thomas asked, as much casual as possible. "I live here, silly, the question is what are you doing here?" she said, starting to get suspicious. "Oh, you see… I was here to get something to eat," Thomas lied. "But there's a lot of food in the living room," Muffin replied. Before that, Thomas didn't know how to answer. Muffin's curiosity grew even bigger when she noticed that Thomas was hiding something. "What are you hiding?" she asked, as she started to head towards him. "Nothing…" he replied. "Tell me what you're hiding," Muffin insisted as she came closer. "I'm not hiding anything, I promise," Thomas said, as he kept hiding the cake the best way he could, while Muffin tried to take a peek.
"This is my house and my daddy's birthday party, I want to know what you're hiding there," Muffin demanded, in a way that Thomas could see was about to escalate to a full tantrum that he would not be able to control. "Hey, Muffy, if you don't hurry, your sister and cousins will eat all of your favorite treats," Stripe said, as he came in the kitchen. "Ah! Oh no!" Muffin exclaimed, as she quickly left the kitchen, much to Thomas' relief. "Thanks, uncle Stripe," Thomas thanked. "You welcome, mate, I thought you might need some help with Muffin around," Stripe commented. "You thought well… Oh, I almost forgot! Happy birthday, uncle Stripe!" Thomas exclaimed. "Thanks, mate, but you know what would make this birthday really happy?" Stripe asked. "A super awesome cake? Because I have that, right…" Thomas started, before Stripe interrupted him. "Spend it with my favorite nephew, come on, everyone is waiting," Stripe replied, while starting to pull his nephew out of the kitchen. "But the cake…" Thomas started, as he tried to fight his uncle's pulling, but unable to do it as he was stronger. "It will remain there we come to get it, now we're going to spend time together as an uncle and a nephew should," Stripe replied. Despite his fear of anything happening to the cake if he wasn't there, Thomas couldn't ignore that the idea of being with his uncle on his birthday party was actually what he wanted the most and put his worry aside to follow his uncle.
"Hi sweetie," Nana said to her grandson. "Hi grandma," Thomas said as he hugged his grandmother. "And happy birthday to my baby boy Stripy," Nana said with a smile giving her youngest son a kiss on his muzzle. "Thanks mum," Stripe said blushing. "I remember like it was yesterday that those were your first words mate," Stripe said looking at Thomas. "What were my first words?" Thomas asked. "You said Stripy mate," Bandit spoke up "really uncle Stripe was my first word?" Thomas asked with a smile. "Well not exactly that but close enough, you see mate your Dad set me up with babysitting you for the night and well… Trixie and I hadn't had The kids yet and everything was new to me," Stripe explained. "Hey! You turned out okay!" Bandit joked before drinking his soda. Stripe chuckled and shook his head. "But ever since then you've been Inseparable with your uncle mate," Bandit said with a smile.
Thomas smiled and looked at his uncle who then winked at him. Bandit started working on the burgers and sausages while Chilli started the salad. Thomas and Frisky started talking to each other. "So how's my uncle doing?" Thomas asked, looking at Frisky. "He's good," Frisky said with a smile. "Good! Have you two picked a date yet?" Thomas asked while taking a drink of his soda. "We're thinking in the fall some time and Thomas please don't feel like you need to be under pressure with you uncle, he'll love whatever you plan to do for him," Frisky said, placing her hand on Thomas's shoulder. "I know I just worry sometimes, if I don't get it right or not," Thomas said. "You'll do great," Frisky said with a smile. "Frisky, can you help set up this salad?" Chilli asked from the kitchen. "Sure thing Chilli," Frisky said. "Go spend time with your uncle," Frisky said softly before going to the kitchen.
Thomas then goes down by the grill where his dad and Uncle were cooking. Thomas then surprises his uncle by jumping on his uncle's back. "Thanks mate I love you too," Stripe said surprised. Thomas laughed and stepped down from his uncle. "Not as young as I used to be mate, you're getting heavy," Stripe said looking at his nephew. "Says the dog who need help picking up boxes to go to collage," Bandit said with a sly look. "Hey! They were heavy!" Stripe said, crossing his arms. "Big brothers are always stronger than little brothers," Bandit said with a smirk. "Then Uncle Rad is stronger than you dad?" Thomas asked while crossing his arms. "Well… I mean… no…" Bandit said with pride. "Says the dog who had to be carried in front of his future wife after falling off his skateboard," Stripe shot back. "Hey! I-I fell with style!" Bandit protested.
"When did this happen?" Thømas asked. "When we're teenagers mate, your dad was skating out in the Cul-de-sac next to Wendy's house and that's where your mum was staying for the student exchange program and your dad fell off his skateboard in front of her and Your Uncle Rad came to his rescue," Stripe explained. "Came to his rescue," Bandit mumbled under his breath. "Come on dad, don't be so sore about it," Thomas said, patting his dad on the back. "Maybe we should talk about Amy Parker," Bandit teased with a sly look. "No! Please don't mate!" Stripe begged. "Amy Parker?" Thomas asked, looking at his Uncle. "Whose Amy Parker?" Trixie asked from the deck. "No one!" Stripe said quickly "oh okay!" Trixie said before going back to what she was doing with Chilli. "You swore you wouldn't tell!" Stripe said to Bandit. Bandit laughed as he turned over the burgers. "Since it's your birthday mate I won't say a word," Bandit said while cooking. "Alright then, I'm not sure about Amy Parker or if I even want to know about her," Thomas said with a light chuckle.
"Let's just say your Uncle Stripe had a… awkward love life as an early teenager and before that a cute little crush mate," Bandit explained. "Bandit!" Stripe said, getting embarrassed. "Alright, alright, I won't say anymore," Bandit said with a smile. "Don't worry Uncle Stripe I won't tell," Thomas said looking at his uncle with a smile. "And that's why your my favorite nephew," Stripe said, placing his arm around his nephew's shoulder.
For the moment Thomas felt relaxed being around his father and uncle. "Hey mate, can you grab the burger sauce from the kitchen? I forgot it," Bandit said while adding more burgers to the grill. "Sure thing dad," Thomas said as he went to the kitchen. "I'm glad I could get him away from that cake," Stripe said while watching his nephew head to the kitchen. "He tries so hard for you mate," Bandit said while flipping the burgers and turning the sausages. "I wish he wouldn't, he knows I love him and that he should just try his best," Stripe said.
"Your favorite uncle mate, you out beat Prince and Rad, although Rad wasn't around as long you still out beat our older brother mate," Bandit explained. Stripe felt the pressure of being Thomas's favorite and didn't know how to feel about it. "You would think he would want Prince as his favorite," Stripe said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Nope he chose you mate," Bandit said with a smile. Stripe then smiled warmly thinking of all the good things he did for his nephew and the good things Thomas has done for him.
Thomas then walked into the kitchen about to get the burger sauce for his dad to finish the burgers until he heard a loud Commotion coming from the hallway. "Muffin wait!" Bluey said, chasing after Muffin. "It's all mine!" Muffin shouted with a bag of candy in her hand while running towards the kitchen. Thomas noticed they were running towards the table that the cake was on. "Guys slow down!" Thømas shouted, now worried for the cake. Muffin then took a hard right away from table but Bluey slipped on one of Muffin's toys and slammed into the table. "No!" Thomas said, trying to go forward for the cake to save it. Unfortunately even if it felt like time was slowing down the teenage blue Heeler mix wasn't fast enough to save the cake. "Crash!" The cake landed on the ground and went everywhere. "What on earth?!" Trixie came into the kitchen with Chilli, Nana and Frisky. "What happened?!" Chilli asked worriedly.
"M-Muffin had all the candy and wouldn't share and I went after her and then…" Bluey stopped herself and looked at her brother who was in shock after the cake that he worked so hard on was now all over the floor. "Thomas… I'm sorry," Bluey said, tearing up. "What happened here?" Bandit and Stripe asked while coming into the house. Thomas felt so much anger inside of him that it made his blood boil. "Sweetheart?" Nana asked as she walked forward and placed her hands on her grandson's shoulder. "B-Bluey M-Muffin how could you," Thomas said letting his anger go with tears running down his muzzle. "Thomas, We're sorry," Muffin said looking down with sadness. Thomas started crying and then left the room before he said something he would regret. Chilli helped Bluey up and looked at Bandit giving him a sign to talk to their son. Bandit nodded about to step forward but then Stripe stepped up. "I got this," Stripe whispered to his brother.
Bandit was surprised by this but nodded knowing his brother was the right dog to talk to his son. Thomas went to a guest room and laid down on the bed and cried to himself quietly. "Thomas? Mate? Are you okay?" Stripe asked, coming into the room. Thomas started to hyperventilate. "I… Just…. try… so… hard… to… make.. that… cake… for… you… Uncle… Stripe…" Thomas said while crying. "Mate it's just a cake," Stripe said sitting down on the bed. "It's more than that!" Thomas said now looking at his uncle. "How so, mate?" Stripe asked, wiping his nephew's tears away. "I just wanted to give you a great birthday, I never missed up on a birthday of yours until last year and I wanted to make this one better," Thomas said before hugging Stripe tightly and crying into his uncle's fur. "Mate, you made every birthday special and last year wasn't your fault and you know that," Stripe said, hugging his nephew back.
"I just don't want to disappoint you," Thomas said, calming down while being in his uncle's arms. "Thomas you could never disappoint me, I love you very much mate, this whole family loves you very much," Stripe while tearing up himself. Thomas then breaks the hug and looks at his uncle. "I love you too uncle Stripe so much," Thomas said now fully calmed down. "No cake will make me happy as long as I have you in my life mate," Stripe said with a smile. Thomas nodded and then laughed. "What's so funny?" Stripe asked now curious of what was so funny. "Dad deflated the first one and looking back at it, it was pretty funny how it deflated," Thomas said now laughing hard. Stripe smiled and started laughing himself about the first cake his brother deflated . "You see mate! It can be funny and I bet you weren't expecting this second to fly," Stripe said.
Thomas even laughed at that one. "Yeah, I was expecting that one either," Thomas said, laughing more. "Alright mate, are you better?" Stripe asked. Thomas stopped laughing and nodded with a light smile. "I should apologize to Bluey and Muffin, I don't blame them," Thomas said as he sat up from the bed. "Okay mate," Stripe said, placing his hand on his nephew's shoulder. Bluey and Muffin helped clean up the cake while Trixie and Chilli finished up at the table. Thomas and Stripe came out. "Mate, are you okay?" Bandit asked worried for his son. "I'm okay dad, can I talk to Bluey and Muffin?" Thomas asked, looking at his father. "Yes mate, they're over there," Bandit said pointing at the mess of the cake that was almost cleaned up.
Thomas nodded and walked over to his sister and cousin. "Bluey? Muffin?" Thomas said softly. "Thomas we're so sorry," Bluey said looking down with a tear. "Yeah, we're sorry," Muffin said. Thomas then got down to their level and looked at them. "It's okay girls I was under too much pressure trying to please uncle Stripe after he only just wanted me to be here and celebrate his birthday and I shouldn't have taken it out on you two, can you two forgive me?" Thomas asked. Muffin and Bluey then perked up and both hugged him tightly. "We love you Thomas," Bluey said with a smile while wagging her tail. "Yeah! Love you lots!" Muffin said while wagging her tail. Bandit smiled and then looked at his little brother. "You did a good Stripe, I'm proud of you mate," Bandit said, putting his arm around his brother's shoulder. Stripe smiled softly at his older brother. "Thanks mate," Stripe replied.
"Thomas honey?" Trixie said, getting his attention. "Yes aunt Trixie?" Thomad said, looking at his aunt. "We have cake mix here, will a third time be a charm?" Trixie asked with a light smile. Thomas smiled at that. "Yeah it will be, but I want all four girls to help me," Thomas said with a chuckle. "Great!" Trixie cheered. "Hooray!" Bluey and Muffin cheered. "I'll get Bingo and Socks," Chilli said while going to get them. "I'll get everything out," Trixie said "can we help?" Nana asked with Frisky by her side. "Of course!" Thomas said. "Birthday boy! Out! this has to be a surprise!" Bandit said while taking his brother outside to the grill.
After some time working on the new cake and finishing it. The family had dinner and then it was time to show the new cake. Everyone sang Happy birthday to Stripe and showed his new cake to him. With Thomas's artistic skills from his mother, Thomas had made Stripe a touch football cake with Stripe in the middle with the football. Stripe teared up knowing this was from his family and they all worked on this cake for him. "Make a wish uncle Stripe," Thomas said placing his hand on his uncles shoulder. Stripe nodded and blew out his candles.
Kodiwolf321 A/N: hello everyone! Sorry for the little wait for this but this needed to special and Stripe is my second favorite character besides Bandit being my first favorite character. Would love to have Rad as my third favorite Heeler brother, I hope they show more of Rad soon since he's the oldest and needs more Screen time along with Bob too I want to see more of Bob and Rad lol alright mates I'll see you soon with the next chapter of "When Loves Around" yes I'm switching gears and giving more attention to the prequel and the little spin off that features Prince. Also! Follow my Instagram! At kodiwolf321 and I have pictures of what Thomas looks like there! So if you want to see what he looks like and see updates of where I am at with chapters or just random fun things then go ahead and give me a follow! Alright I'm done guys see you soon!