"I don't suppose I could convince you to keep this to yourself, huh?"
Ed's eyes were alit with mischief but something in his tone must have gotten through to her because she was quiet for a long minute.
"Jet-person doesn't like his birthday?" She asked finally, a concerned frown on her face.
He sighed. "It's not that exactly. It's just... There's no need for a fuss."
Edward considered this as she followed Jet up the stairs to the bridge. Spike and Faye were visible from the windows, smoking on the deck. Ein pranced around by their feet.
"No presents? No songs? No cake?" She persisted.
Jet shook his head. "No need, Ed. See, most folks are always wanting. More money, more power, more from others. The way I figure it, I've already got all I need. And, do you know what the best things are anyway, Ed?"
She shook her entire body with the force of her head shake.
"Well, the best things in life aren't things. It's... Having dinner with your family. Having a smoke with your friend," He gestured to the pair outside. "It's getting to spend time with folks you care about."
"Ohhhh. Like Faye's belonging. Or how Ein protects Spike-person from bad dreams."
"Exactly. Presents aren't important - presence is." Jet emphasized.
Ed made a thoughtful sound and went to press her face against the window. She tapped on the glass until Spike noticed her and put his hand on Faye's shoulder to indicate to her to turn around. Ein looked up also. With their attention on her now, Ed began making a series of faces through the glass. Her breath huffed steam against the surface and with delight she pulled back to draw a heart before it faded.
Below, Spike was shaking his head with a smile and Faye, rolling her eyes, still blew her a kiss.
Turning back to Jet, Ed grinned hugely. "Ed hasn't said a thing to the others. But... Kind of funny how they chose today to be chill like cucumbers. No stress, no mess."
Jet chuckled. "You're right, kid. Their presence isn't always a gift, that's for sure. But..." He fixed her with a stern look. "And don't go blabbing this around either... But it's good having you all on board. Even when they make me shout or when you flood the bonsai room."
Ed laughed. "Ed was just making it rain!"
It seemed useless to tell her that bonsai trees didn't need that much water, and anyway she'd been trying to help. Though he certainly hadn't let her help with the plants since then. It seemed so long ago now since he'd met back up with Fad, finally learned the truth, and had made his peace with that bit of his past.
Fad had known his birthday. Alisa had too. Fad would take him out for a drink, and Alisa would get him something useful. Neither was a part of his life any longer. For that matter, who knew how long any of these strays would linger on the ship.
Sharing inconsequential details like birthdays was unimportant.
They shared plenty on this ship as it was.
"You know, Ed ... there is cake, actually." Jet confided as he reached into the small compartment by the pilot chair. "I picked some up at the market earlier. Just a slice, since I couldn't afford a whole cake and real food too." He set the container on a nearby flat surface.
Ed was staring at the box with wide eyes and a mouth all set to drool.
"Those two don't need any sweets, and chocolate is no good for dogs, but... Well, I'll share with you if it buys your silence about this whole birthday business."
"Bribing Ed?" She said with a giggle. "Now Ed is truly a member of the Bebop,"
Bemused at her logic, Jet offered her the cake first. "Of course you're a member of the team, kid."
"Family," She replied through a mouthful of cake. "Bebop is family." She grinned at him. "Happy birthday, Jet-papa-person."