"You promised Dad." I say while holding his hand. "You said you'd take Law out while Mom and I decorate. You can't just break a promise!"
"Azalea, I know, I know, I'll wake up and I'll take your brother with me to work."Dad says while sighing heavily. "I won't forget."
Mom chuckles. "She has you and her brother wrapped around her finger." I look up at Mom as Dad lifts me up and places me on his hip.
"Come on time for bed Azalea, let's get you tucked in and tomorrow you and mommy can decorate while I enjoy a wonderful day at work with Law." Dad says while wriggling his eyebrows. I hold on tightly to dad as he runs up the stairs, giggling and laughing as he then twists and turns down the hall to my room. As he lays me on my bed I grin up at him, happily getting under the covers. "We better get some sleep, we'll have a busy day huh?" He says kissing my forehead. "Night Azalea."
"Night daddy." I mumble yawning, closing my eyes as dad leaves my door cracked, I listen for him and mommy as they walk down the hall to their room talking about tomorrow.
...
Dad takes me Law's room and slams the door open. "Heya son!" Walking into the room he sets me on the bed next to Nii-chan.
Law looks over his book and gave Dad and unamused look. "Yeah dad?"
Dad gives him a funny look before ruffling his hair. "Son...dearest son. I'm taking you work today because it can be a learning experience, but in reality it's just a distraction so your Mother and little Azalea can set up your surp-ah!" I punch Dad in the chest to stop him from talking.
Law raises an eyebrow. "Okay...?" I shot a glare at Dad and slide down to the floor.
"Mama wants you and Dad to go bonding." Using my voice casual tone with a hint of irritation.
"Uh...huh" Law simply states. He continues reading until Dad grabs Law's arm. "Alright, alright I'll get dressed!" He says with a light laugh in his tone, though I'm not sure anyone else can tell it is there.
Down stairs they're gathering their lunches from mom and making sure they have everything. "Bye Ni-chan, have fun and learn lots with dad!" I say giving him one last hug before he leaves.
"You heard the little miss. Let's go!" Dad shouts with enthusiasm.
"Wha..wait!" Nii-chan pleas, sadly it fell on deaf ears. I boredly wave goodbye to them as mom gently patted my head while watching dad drag Law away. Dad's laughter ringing loud outside, I sometimes wonder how Law and I got our personality considering that both Mom and Dad were a little on the loud and crazy side.
Walking around the house I look around for mommy, she's disappeared like she tends to do. I finally found Mom in the kitchen writing a list. " Hopefully your father doesn't break him." She says in a not so concern voice. I just hum in response. "Here is what we need, some bread, milk, and of course we'll need cake flour, and some unsweetened cocoa powder. We already have balloons and other decorations in the hall closet." Before Mom continues, the doorbell rang. I open the door to see Sachi and Penguin standing with goofy smiles.
"Hi!" they both said. "It's Law"s birthday isn't it?" Sachi states with a goofy grin on their faces, and gifts in their hands.
"Yes, that's why I need you two to come and help decorate." I say starting to feel a little stress.
"Okay!" they zoom past me and into the kitchen. I sigh and shut the door, since we've met them, they've definitely become part of the family.
I walk back to the kitchen and see Mom with her purse in hand. " I'm heading to the Bakery and Dairy store to pick up some items. I'll trust that you three will not to destroy the house while I'm gone." she gives us her 'sweet' smile, meaning 'Break anything and I'll kill you'. "The tape and scissors are on the table, the step stool is in the laundry room, use it. Be safe. Bye!" She leaves us to our possible disaster.
I order the boys to blow the balloons up while I search for Law's present. I finally finish the hat and was just putting a few details in. I want this day to be perfect for Nii-chan. Setting the hat in a small box with some tissue paper I grin happily at my work.
"Azalea, do you think these are enough?" They ask moments later, turning I see most of the balloons on the floor everywhere, nodding my head I place the top on and set it on the table with the other gifts from mom and dad, Penguin and Sachi's too. "So what next then? Your mom will probably just be getting into town."
"Sachi you get the stool from the laundry room, Penguin and I'll get the tape and start putting the balloons where we can reach." I command taking Penguin's hand and tugging on it.
"Can't we switch?" Sachi whines, Penguin quickly shakes his head happily. "Fine." He mutters under his breath and heads off quickly. "But next time it'll be my turn!" He yells at his friend.
...
Decorating while avoiding breaking anything the three of us create our system, since Sachi is tallest he's on the stool, I hand Penguin a balloon and he places a piece of tape on, and then up to Sachi is goes. Moving to different rooms we're nearly done by the time mom gets home.
"Busy bees, I'll meet you in the kitchen for a bit of lunch when you're all done." She says smiling at us happily. "You got upstairs?"
"First part of the house we decided to do." Penguin says while concentrating on cutting a piece of tape off, then taking the red balloon he sticks it on and passes it to Sachi.
"Yeah, then Azalea took charge and we started working really fast." Sachi says taking the decoration and sticking it up on the light fixture. "This is the last room."
"Well take your time, I'll get started on lunch." She calls as she walks off, adding the last few touches we all clean up before heading to the kitchen. "Alright, I was thinking that ham sandwiches and then I'll start on the cake.
Nodding our heads we take our seats at the table. "Mom do you think Law will like the party?"
"Honey, it's your brother. If you're involved he'll love it." She says comfortingly as she sets three plates down. "Now eat up you three, Azalea, nap after." I frown at this, but nod my head, no point in arguing with mom. "You'll be grumpy at the party if you don't, Law is enough grumpy on his own." She explains kissing the top of my head. "Right boys?"
"Right!" They both declare happily. "Azalea, we'll take one too." Sachi says smiling.
Mom chuckles before heading back to the counter, putting everything up, I watch mom as she makes us sandwiches, she carefully cuts mine in half, triangles, the boys get rectangles, just like Nii-chan does.
"So where is Law?" Sachi asks as mom brings the cutting board over and slides our sandwiches onto our plates. "I haven't seen him all day."
"With Mr. Trafalgar, he's observing him today." Mom answers with a coy smile. "Though he might be driving him nuts, you know Law." She says chuckling as she starts setting up to make the cake.
"Dad wouldn't spill the beans to Law, right mom?" I ask while eating happily.
Mom shrugs her shoulders. "We can only hope, but your father knows you're looking forward to surprising Law. I wouldn't worry too much sweetie." She says with a smile. As we finish our lunch mom walks us up stairs, putting the boys up in Law's room, and then taking me to mine.
Sitting on my bed I look up at mom. "Don't worry I'll wake you up before your dad and Law get here, I promise." I grin at my mother, laying down I close my eyes to sleep, though I'm too excited to just fall asleep. Thinking about how happy Law will be to see us all I roll around in my bed happily.
...
Looking up at mom confused I roll back over to sleep some more. "Your brother is on his way home, I think you need to get ready for the party, changed into your dress and we need to brush out your hair Azalea."
Heaving myself up I hold my arms out and wrap them around mom's neck, she lifts me up and carries me to the closet, she pulls my navy blue dress off the hanger. Setting me on the ground she tugs my dress off and slips the new one over my head. "Now, how do you want your hair?"
"Just down." I tell her yawning as I adjust the hem of my dress at my knees. "Did the others nap too?" I ask frowning as I try to pat my hair down.
"They did, and they're just as refreshed as you are." Mom says chuckling as she picks my brush off my dresser. "So let's get you down stairs and then we'll be all set to greet your favorite brother."
"I only have just the one, mom." I say smiling as she pokes my nose. "How long until Nii-chan gets here?" I ask excitedly.
"He'll be here in a few minutes, stay still, I'm going to put a ribbon in your hair." She says patting my shoulders a bit forcefully. Resisting the urge to fidget like Law would, mom pushes my hair back a bit as she ties the ribbon. "There we go, you look like a beautiful lady."
"Nii-chan says I shouldn't be pretty." I tell Mom matter-of-factly. "So if Nii-chan says I shouldn't, then I shouldn't."
"Trafalgar Azalea, you will be a beautiful swan in a lake of ugly ducks, your brother is too afraid of losing you." Mom says hitting my head a softly. "Now go and wow your friends."
I give mom a funny look, ugly ducks, swans? I thought we were talking about people, nodding my head I walk down stairs, slipping on my black dress shoes on. Down stairs I meet Sachi and Penguin in the living room.
"Now boys, isn't Azalea beautiful?" Mom asks while adjusting my ribbon.
Nervously the boys nod their heads. "Very, but don't tell Cap'n we said that."
Mom chuckles. Hearing the door open, I take off to the door with Penguin and Sachi following behind.
Law is inspecting the balloons in the entry hall, looking up from the red balloon and at me he quirks an eyebrow. "Azalea?"
"Happy Birthday!" I shout with Sachi and Penguin.
Smirking at us he nods his head. "Thank you, I see you guys were busy today." He says looking around. Dad pushes Law over to us, Nii-chan quickly wraps his arms around me and mumbles "Just this one in front of them." He says kissing the side of my head.
"We did good then?" I ask him squeezing my arms around him tightly.
Nodding his head he steps back and ruffles Sachi's hair and pats Penguin on the shoulder. "You guys did good." He says smiling happily.
Mom gasps, turning to look at her I send her a questioning look. "Trafalgar Law, I knew you had a gentlemanly smile!" She yells as she kneels over and pinches his cheeks. "We better see it more young man."
"Honey, I think we're lucky enough to see it today, no need to rip his face off." Dad jokes as he ruffles Nii-chan's hair.
"Dad, mom, stop." He mutters frowning and trying to wave their hands off, Sachi, Penguin and I stifle laughs, better not to poke an embarrassed Law.
After a light dinner, and some delicious cake Law opens his gifts from everyone. Nii-chan holds the last box up and smiles at me. "I hope I'll like it." He teases me as he takes the lid off and moves the tissue paper out of the way. Lifting the hat out of the box he grins at me. "Azalea, I love it." He declares sitting the hat on his head.
"It looks good on you Cap'n." Penguin says while nodding his head.
Mom smiles at me and pats my shoulder happily. "I told you he'd be happy." She whispers in my ear as Law adjusts the hat on his head.
"Happy 10th Birthday Cap'n!" Sachi, Penguin and I shout happily.