Hi all, here is the third chapter. This is Luca's 8th birthday told from her point of view .And that's enough from me; let's get on with the story.
"Happy Birthday!" Come the voices of Mako and Raleigh over me. I bolt upright, startled.
"You scared me!" I say, pointing an accusing finger at them.
"But it's your birthday." Mako said.
"And you know what that means! Karaoke for me!" Raleigh says. Oh no! His singing is terrible!
"No, Raleigh, please!" I beg him.
"Happy birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Luca!
Happy Birthday too yooouuuuuu!" I dive back under the covers, sure that some angry pilot who had been disturbed by the noise was going to come knocking. He was singing loud enough for the whole base, no the whole of Hong Kong, no the whole WORLD to hear him!
"Did I embarrass you?"
"Yes." I say into the covers. "You are going to make Marshall Hopcroft angry Raleigh. Last time you did karaoke he put you on extra monitor duty for a week!"
"Mr Hoppy can put a sock in it for all I care." Mako raised an eyebrow but said nothing. "I can't walk down the hall and into the mess hall without that old cross-eyed stick punishing me."
"Raleigh, that 'old cross-eyed' stick is the court Marshall and pays for the repairs for Gipsy and gives us lodging. I suggest that you show him at least some respect?" Mako said. Personally I thought Raleigh was right and I know that Mako agrees with him, but I can understand why she argues. Raleigh is too much of a smart mouth for his own good. "Now, who wants a present?"
"Me!" I jumped up out of the bed. "Please Mako?" Raleigh laughed and patted my hair.
"Ok then." Mako handed me a box. I hoped against hope it was the Cherno Alpha play set figure. I had been wanting it forever! I held my breath as I tore the corner gently. Then, unable to bear it anymore I tore the wrapping off. What I saw stunned me. Then had gotten me a deluxe edition that didn't have just Cherno, it had Gipsy too and mini figures of Mako, Raleigh and my parents.
"Do you like it?" Mako asked hopefully. When I said nothing she went on, "I mean, I know it's a bit smaller than the one you wanted but we thought that…"
"I LOVE it!" I threw my arms around her and then Raleigh. "Now I can play with my favorite Jaegars all day!" Raleigh and Mako beamed from ear to ear. I looked at them and said, "спасибо Mako, спасибо Raleigh. Raleigh looked at his watch.
"Time for breakfast. Are you hungry?" he asked.
"Yes!" Raleigh throws me over his shoulders and runs off towards the mess hall with Mako close behind. "But Raleigh, I'm still in my pyjamas! If Marshall Hopcroft sees he…"
"Can put a sock in it. It's your birthday." Sure enough as we rounded the corner there was Marshall Hopcroft. I bite my tongue to keep from saying 'I told you so'
"Ranger Beckett! What are you doing?" he demands.
"Giving a lady a carry, Marshall." I sigh and Mako does too. His smart-mouth will get him into huge trouble one of these days.
"You are violating the dress code and behaving in an immature way! Put on your uniform! You too, Ranger Mori!" Mako blushes.
"Aww Marshall is that code language for 'You have good style and know how to have fun, Ranger Beckett?'" The Marshall goes red and splutters indignantly. "In that case, thank you Marshall. Have a nice day." And he runs off with me, leaving the Marshall behind.
"Raleigh Beckett what was that?" Mako demands as she catches up
"He got what was coming to him. And admit it; the look on his face was funny!" Mako opens her mouth to say something, but at that moment we walk into the mess hall and are immediately bombarded.
"Happy Birthday Luca!"
"Get anything good?"
"Raleigh embarrass you with his bad singing again?" Raleigh answers with an indignant "I do not sing badly!" It continues like this until the bell goes for breakfast.
Breakfast is my favorite. Bacon, Eggs, Mushrooms, Tomatoes and Sausages. I wolf it down like I haven't eaten for weeks, and then go back for more. Mako only eats one helping with leftovers but by the time I finish Raleigh is finishing his third helping and reaches for Mako's leftovers. Mako slaps his hand.
"And you Ranger Beckett, keep wondering why your jeans don't fit." She scolds him.
"Because they order me sizes that are too blooming small!" he retorts.
"And you wonder why that is hmm?" He glares at her and we both laugh. He eventually laughs too, but then the intercom comes on.
"Raleigh and Mako to Gipsy Danger please, Category 4 approaching." And just like that, the fun is over. They hug me, tell me they will be back soon and then leave. And like always, all I can do is run up to command, watch them fight and hope they come back.