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"You and Natalie? Working together?" Charlie groaned over the phone.

"She and I talked yesterday. Natalie's on our side buddy. So...will you be able return by Dad's birthday?"

"I don't know" my brother sighed, and I felt disappointed, not that I had any right to complain. How many times had I missed Dad's birthday because of work? More than I'd care to admit. "Are you and Natalie friends now?"

"I wouldn't go that far"

"Okay..."

"Any ideas?"

"How about dinner with just me, you and Dad?" he suggested wistfully.

"Charlie!" I scolded.

"We should take him to hooters" he joked, but then got thoughtful. "We could rent a golf course for the day, have it to ourselves?"

"How much is that gonna run?" I doubted my ability to afford even a fraction of the cost.

"Depends on the size of it." he said. "Maybe we could rent a small one, and even invite some of his friends?"

"Got anything else?" My love for Dad wasn't going to double my bank account.

Charlie gave me a couple more suggestions and he had to go. Then, I called Natalie, gave an excuse for Charlie not coming, and arranged a time to meet her for lunch.

Around twelve thirty we met at a sushi place, her treat.

"So uh...what kinda ideas do you have?" she asked as we were seated.

"I was thinking maybe a small party at one of his favorite restaurants" I suggested.

"I like that..." She agreed. "We could get a band to play his favorite music to surprise him the morning of his birthday, as a precursor to the rest of the day. Could you take a vacation day or something?"

"Sure. I've got a few saved up." I said. "But I'm not too sure about the band thing"

"Really?"

"My grandfather did that for Dad once when me and Charlie were kids, and it didn't go over very well"

"What happened?"

"Dad got mad because the band came around eight in the morning and it was Saturday. Charlie was annoyed about not being able to hear the cartoons he was watching." I explained and looked at what kind of sushi the place had.

Over lunch, we nailed down the details of the party, who we were gonna invite, and at which restaurant. Then, she and I went back to our jobs.

Back at the office, I thought about what to get Dad. It didn't help that in recent years for either his birthday or father's day, I had already bought him golf clubs and fishing stuff. Then I had an idea! There were these expensive German knives that I heard cut like butter, the brand was Wurstof. An ex girlfriend of mine had a set. Happily, I went online and ordered them, though a part of me still cringed at the cost.

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Charlie arrived two days before Dad's birthday. By the bags under his eyes, and unshaven face, I could tell that he put in an all nighter or two to pull this off. I picked him up at the airport. Larry had taken him.

"Look who the cat dragged in!" I teased.

"Have you gotten Dad something yet?" he asked as we waited for his luggage.

"Expensive German made knives." I told him.

"I got him and Natalie tickets for a cruise, this summer. They've got a suite, with a large balcony to admire the view."

As usual, Charlie topped me in the present giving department. "Where does it go?"

" Alaska, among other places." Charlie quickly grabbed one of his suitcases. I got one of his other ones.

"Sounds great buddy!"

"I've did some thinking about Natalie on the flight here"

"And?"

"She's not worth alienating Dad" he saw the last of his luggage. "And he really seems happier with her."

"Glad to hear that, buddy"

"And if they break up before the cruise, you and I could go" He joked.

"Yeah...we'd be the youngest guys there!" I chuckled.

With that, I took him home.

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The party was a great success! Dad loved the food, and the presents! It was wonderful to see him happy. I may not approve of his relationship with Natalie, but I've come to accept it.

The End

A/n:Thanks for sticking around and reading until the end. Sorry if you felt that I went around in circles on this fic.