Charlie was anxiously squirming in his seat, tapping his foot on the floor. Wasn't it supposed to be here yet? It usually was by ten; it was almost four minutes late! Where was it?
"Charlie," Casey said, trying to get his attention. Unfortunately for his mom, he was kinda spacey today. "Charlie."
"Huh?" Charlie looked up, staring at her dumbly, causing his mom to sigh with exasperation. Across from him at the table, Gordon regarded him with amusement.
"Do I dare ask what's on your mind?" Casey said, brow raised.
"Nothing," Charlie tried to pull off being nonchalant. He didn't think he was all that convincing.
"Nothing?" Casey repeated in disbelief. "You really want me to believe that?"
I hope you will
Before Charlie could some up with yet another stupid response, he heard the muffled noise of the mail truck going by. He jumped to his feet. "I got it!"
"Sweetheart, I can-"
"No," Charlie blurted out, wincing inwardly when he realized the probably came off too strong. "I...I mean, no. No, Mom. It's cool. I've got it. You stay here with Gordon. Talk. Socialize." He gave them a much too wide smile as he went out the door. He didn't hear what his parents said to each other.
"That boy is definitely up to something," Casey shook her head.
"What was your first clue?" Gordon smirked at her.
Outside, Charlie rushed to the mailbox. There was an assortment of things inside but he had his eyes solely on one thing and one thing only. His breath hitched when he found a large envelope with his name on the front. Glancing behind to ensure that no one was around, he carefully opened the seal.
Charlie had been to the law firm where Gordon worked on a few prior occasions. He'd talked to a few of the people there which helped him to stealthily plan his present for his step dad's upcoming thirty-third birthday. He put in his request and then all that was left to do was wait an agonizing week to find out the answer. If his request was granted, then he would be sent the adoption papers for Gordon to fill out.
His eyes scanned over the front paper, feeling his heart leap when he saw the forms that were behind it. He could feel his lips curving into a genuine grin. This was it. It was the turning point. By all accounts, sure, maybe a piece of paper didn't mean much in the long run, but Charlie desired for Gordon to be acknowledged as his parent legally.
He never told anybody about his plan. It was meant to be a secret, a complete and total surprise. He didn't want to risk word getting back to his step dad. He didn't even tell Adam and he usually told his best friend everything.
Gordon's birthday was in a couple of days. While not the first birthday he would be spending with Charlie and Casey, it was his first birthday as a husband and step father. Charlie knew he wasn't expecting much of anything, having told them that they didn't have to do anything, that them being there was enough of a present for him. Charlie and mom refused to listen to that; they'd been planning a little party for him, just for the three of them to celebrate. Charlie had briefly considered inviting the other Ducks, but this was a special occasion, in more ways than one.
He hid the envelope inside his shirt, careful with the way he walked so it didn't fall to the ground. Inside the house, he dropped off the rest of the mail on the dining room table before he went to take the forms to his room.
/
"Is he back yet, Charlie?" Casey called. She was setting up the last bit of decorations and ensuring the food was still hot just before he was due to be home from work. He'd called her as he was leaving, as he did every day, to which she'd made up some excuse about having to do laundry so she couldn't talk long.
"Not-oh, yeah," Charlie was keeping watch for his step dad. His van just pulled up. "He's here, Mom!"
"Distract for a few minutes," Casey told him. "I've got to put the candles on the cake."
"Okay," Charlie jumped to his feet and met his step dad outside. He was taking his briefcase out of the passenger's side, looking tired. "Hi Gordon!"
Gordon gave him a smile. "Hi Charlie."
"How was your day?" Charlie leaned on the van.
"Fine," Gordon shrugged.
"Just fine?"
Gordon squinted at him, as if to analyze. "Yes." He started to walk, stopping abruptly when Charlie got in his way. "Charlie," he frowned, tone boarding on scolding.
"Come on, Gordon," Charlie coaxed, "it's nice out. Stay out here for a few minutes."
"Maybe later. I'd rather sit down," Gordon tried again but he was blocked. He narrowed his eyes.
Charlie ducked his head, sounding purposely disappointed. "Oh."
That brief irritation vanished from Gordon's face. "What's wrong?"
"Well," Charlie rubbed at his forearm, complimenting himself on his acting skills, "I...I just wanted to talk about something and I don't want Mom to hear."
Gordon set his briefcase on the hood of the van. He seemed concerned. Charlie should probably feel the tiniest bit guilty for this but he didn't. "Of course, Charlie," he said. "What's up?"
"Well-" Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his mom walk past the window. That was supposed to be their little signal. "And you know what? I'm all better. Let's go inside!" He grabbed Gordon by the arm, pulling him along. His step dad only just got his briefcase in time.
"Charlie!"
They stopped at the door. Gordon shot him a look. Charlie put his hands over his step dad's eyes.
"What are you doing?"
"Chill, dude," Charlie got the door opened and gently ushered Gordon in. "Just walk with me."
"I don't like this."
"You will."
"I doubt it," Gordon said stubbornly. "Honestly, what are you up to now-" Charlie took his hands away, watching as Gordon trailed off, looking stunned. "What-"
Casey smiled broadly at him, coming over to kiss his cheek. "Happy birthday, sweetheart."
He allowed himself to be taken to the table. "You didn't have to do this," Gordon protested.
"Told you he'd say that," Charlie snorted.
"Because it's true-" Gordon cupped Casey's cheek. He pressed his lips to hers. "Thank you," he murmured, their faces inches away from each other.
"You can thank me too, but you don't have to kiss me," Charlie quipped.
Casey tried not to laugh, throwing a dish towel at him. "You're awful."
"Awfully amazing," he disagreed. "Hey, I made the cake."
"And then I remade it when you use salt instead of sugar."
"I still made it in spirit," he insisted.
"Thank you both," Gordon was touched by the gesture.
Casey pushed the cake towards him. "It's your favorite."
"I never understood why people always said stuff like," Charlie mused from where he stood. "Would you really bake someone their least favorite cake on their birthday?" He spluttered when another towel came straight for his face. He glared playfully at his mom but it turns out she was innocent. "That was mean," he grumbled to Gordon.
"Actually, it was well deserved," Gordon winked.
"Pretty sure it's child abuse."
"Child abuse, huh?"
"I could've inhaled that towel and suffocated and then you would've been arrested again and sent to prison and your career would've been over and poor Mom would be living off tuna for the rest of her life. Is that what you want?" Charlie was struggling to keep a straight face.
"Why tuna?" Casey wondered.
"You'd be too distraught to fix anything else."
"Ah," Casey said. "No offense, Charlie, but I wouldn't be that distraught. I'd order a pizza every once and a while."
Gordon snickered, arms going around her waist.
Charlie shook his head, looking sorrowful. "Betrayed by my own mother."
"You can feel betrayed while you get some plates," Casey teased.
"Alright, sure. I gotta do everything around here anyway," Charlie said dramatically.
"He's full of himself tonight, isn't he?" Gordon smirked.
"You're telling me," Casey agreed.
Charlie rolled his eyes good-naturedly at his parents. "Here. Would you like me to scrub the toilets upstairs while I'm at it?"
"You can wait until after cake," Casey joked. She made a few slices into the cake and gave one to each of them. Charlie ate his, his mind not there, but a few minutes from now. When he would give Gordon one of his gifts-those papers. It wasn't too soon was it? His parents had married less than a year ago and while Charlie looked to Gordon as his dad all but legally-and Gordon obviously felt similarly about him-maybe he should have waited? Maybe Gordon should have started the process himself.
"This is great," Gordon savored the chocolate frosting. That was something he'd learned about step dad once they stared to live together; Gordon had a sweet tooth, especially for chocolate.
"I'm glad you like it," Casey's hand was on the back of his head, lightly scratching.
"I love it." The two of them shared another kiss. "Although I think this is sweeter," he said, going in for another.
Casey giggled. "That's so cheesy, Gordon."
"Only the best for you."
Charlie didn't mind seeing his parents being affectionate, unlike his friends. Well, most of the time. But he had to give them a hard time anyway. "Trying to eat here."
Gordon shrugged. "The living room's empty."
"Mom! Gordon's being mean to me!"
"Tough," She said unsympathetically.
"No ganging up on me," He faked a whine.
"I don't feel bad, do you, dear?" Casey asked Gordon.
"Not at all."
"I won't give you your gift," Charlie threatened.
"I don't need it," Gordon was doing that thing where he stared into Casey's eyes lovingly. His hand was under her chin, thumb caressing her cheek. "I've got my present right here."
"Gordon, stop," Casey's cheeks went pink. She swatted at Gordon's leg lightly.
"Eww," Charlie mumbled.
"Charlie, why don't you get Gordon's presents for him?" Casey suggested.
"Okay," Charlie went to do just that. He put them all on the table while his mom cleared the table. When he put the last of what was hidden in the coat closet that they didn't use, he paused. "Can...can I give Gordon one of mine first?"
"Sure, go ahead," Casey didn't mind.
"Which one do you want me to open?" Gordon asked.
"Actually," Charlie started, "it's upstairs. Hang on." He went up to his room, taking the envelope that he'd wrapped up and placed in a secret spot. For a second, he stood there. Holding it. Taking a deep breath.
He went back down.
"Here," He gave it to his step dad, feeling his heart beat faster. "Hope you like it."
"You know I will," Gordon smiled warmly at him. Casey sat back down beside him. Charlie watched them, a bit of anxiety creeping up as the wrapping paper came off. His step dad's eyebrow quirked when he saw the envelope. He broke the seal, taking out the papers that were inside.
Here goes nothing
Gordon went very still. "Is this what I think it is?" He asked quietly.
"What is it?" Casey asked with interest. She took a peek, putting her hand over her mouth.
Charlie didn't respond verbally. He only looked at Gordon hopefully.
"Are...are you sure?" Gordon said softly.
"More than anything. I know it's just paper and we're already a family but I love you, Gordon and I want you to really be my dad," Charlie said earnestly.
They both got up to give each other a hug. Charlie dropped his head on Gordon's shoulder, feeling his step dad's arms wrap around him, holding him tight. "I love you too, Charlie," Gordon muttered, voice suspiciously tight, as if he were holding back his emotions. "Of course I'll adopt you."
Casey had tears in her eyes. She sniffled, her hand having gone down on her heart. "Oh, Charlie."
They broke apart; both of them had moistened eyes and neither cared.
As Charlie sat with his parents, they got through the rest of the gifts and went back for seconds on the cake. They laughed and talked for hours. At one point, he glanced at them, a sense of peace filling him.
His dream of having a true family had come true-with or without the papers.
It's not flesh and blood but the heart that makes us father and son."
— Johann Schiller