Soooo, this isn't dead. I just, I dunno.

Chapter 16

Ruby's Birthday

Montehue's POV

I continued training with Zhalia while Dante babysat Ruby. She didn't like all the people in the house. Well, she didn't like how they could pop up anywhere. Sometimes, Tersly came and helped Dante.

A few weeks went by and Zhalia decided I was good enough to teach Ruby and we went home and I taught her. She was much faster than I was. She liked to play with her reflection in the mirror and play tricks on us.

I was reading the paper when she handed me something. It was a list, "What's this for?"

"It's my birthday list." She told me.

"When's your birthday?" I asked.

"Next month." She replied.

"Ok. You can go play now." I said and she left, "Tersly!"

"What is it?" He popped his head out of our room.

"Ruby's birthday is next month." I told him.

"We haven't gotten her anything." He fretted.

"She gave me her list." I held it out. He read it.

"I'll go order what I can." He started to go back.

"Maybe… I should buy her gifts." I thought.

"What, wh- Because you're her father, right?" He frowned.

"Ters, please. I'll let you buy a couple, ok?" I looked at him.

"Fine." He huffed.

"I didn't mean it like that." I frowned.

He drew a breath, "Monty, she's my daughter too."

"I know, I just… It's difficult." I looked away.

"I know it's hard, but I don't want to keep living like this. I want us to be a family. It's not like it was 10 years ago." He looked at me.

"But it's still pretty bad." I said.

"We need to show Ruby we're proud of who we are." Ters sat on the couch.

"I know…" I sighed.

"We don't have to do anything right now." He walked over and kissed my cheek.

"What are we going to do for Rubes' birthday?" I asked.

"Um, we need a cake and balloons and… I think we need to go shopping." Tersly thought.

"Alright." I kissed him.

We went shopping and got things for Ruby's party. Then we made a list of who to invite. There were a lot of people that couldn't come. But she wanted Dante to come. So I called and made sure he knew that Ruby wanted him to come to her birthday party.

It was July 14 and we had everything ready. I heard a knock on the door and answered it. It was Dante and the team. They had presents.

"Um… Come in." I let them in.

"We're not staying long, big guy." Zhalia said in her cold way.

"I wanna." Lok whined.

"Ruby's not ready yet." Sophie told him.

I felt Ruby hiding behind me. "Ruby, they got you presents. Say thank you."

"Thank you." She whispered.

"Good girl." I kissed her forehead.

"Hi." Dante waved.

Ruby awkwardly scooted over to Dante and clung to him. He smiled and patted her on the head. The others left and Ruby relaxed and wanted to play the games we got her. Dante played along.

"Next year will be better. She'll have friends then." I whispered to Dante as Tersly was taking pictures of her.

"Yeah, this is kinda weird." He agreed.

"Dad!" Ruby whined.

"I'm looking." I told her.

"No, you're not." She said.

Dante laughed.

She opened her presents and liked them. Tersly took so many pictures. She just wanted to play with her new things. I got them open and then we had cake. Dante had to get going around then so we said goodbye. Ruby pouted, but he said he would come back. They hugged again and he left. We cleaned up while Ruby played with her new toys. I think it was a success.

Montehue's POV End