Chapter 15
Roughly a year had passed and now it was time for the twins' birthday. They made it to 7 years old and this year they're gonna celebrate it with grandpa at the hospital. The family only had a small breakfast since no one can compete with grandpa's birthday breakfast but they tried with what they had. On the way to the car, the parents got the presents ready. 10 altogether meaning each twin gets 5 presents from the parents, older sister, and grandparents. Soon enough they made it to the hospital, with cake and presents in hand, and made it to grandpa's hospital room. He saw them and he was more than happy. "There's the birthday twins! Took you long enough." He said.
Tom said, "Sorry we're late, dad. Last minute task for today."
Beth said, "They waited until the last minute to get a birthday cake.."
Sarah said, "But we got one and that's all it counts. Besides it's a state shape, Florida" She puts the cake on the eating table.
Grandpa opened the box and looked inside and said, "No it's not." He quickly covered it. "We're not using this cake."
Tom walked up to him. "Why not dad?" He opened the box, eyes went wide, and closed the box. He looked at his wife. "Honey, a lot of single girls are gonna be pissed that you took their cake."
Sarah asked, "What are you talking about?" Tom opened the window. "Tom!"
Tom said, "Trust me." He tossed the cake out of the window. "The twins are too young for a cake like that."
Outside the hospital, the cake landed in an EMT's hands having lunch near the open emergency truck. He caught it, looked up, and opened the box. "Happy birthday to me." He closed the box and took it to his car.
Sarah said angrily, "Thanks a lot, Tom. You just tossed out a $25 cake."
Grandpa changed the subject. "Forget about the cake. Let's move on to presents. There's always the birthday dinner anyway."
Tom was confused. "Birthday dinner?" Omi covered her face in disappointment.
Mary asked, "Before this party goes to hell can we get this over with?"
Max asked, "Please?"
Beth said, "I'm with the twins on this one." She put the twins on Grandpa's bed making sure not to mess up all the tubs. "Which set first?"
Max and Mary said, "Yours please Beth."
Beth smiled. "Ok." She pulled out of the bag 2 presents. "Here you go." She handed them to the twins.
Max opened his first. "Sweet! A Pokémon game and a Nintendo!"
Beth said, "Sorry it's not Pokémon Snap. You would've loved that game."
Max said, "It's ok. This is perfect."
Mary then opened hers. "Cool! The mandala yarn collection!"
Beth said, "I noticed you went through your hall very fast since last year so I got you more."
Max and Mary said, "Thank you."
Then Tom got his presents out. "Here are mine."
Mary and Max opened theirs. They were cards and when they opened them, they saw small papers. "Coupons for the dentist?" They asked.
Grandpa said, "Tom, they're eight years old. They haven't even lost all their baby teeth yet." He looked at the papers.
Tom said, "Well we have to get ahead for braces so..." He took the coupons away and put them in his pocket.
Sarah got hers out. "I think these you will like the most."
Mary opened hers and saw books. "Wow! Redwall galore!" She looked at all the books. "All 22?!"
Sarah said, "Well other than the big book, I saw how much you like the old TV series, so I got you all the books. I even put little numbers in the book covers so you know which to read first."
Max opened his. "Legos! This is awesome!"
Tom muttered to his wife. "Do you wanna destroy my feet?" he asked.
Sarah asked, "Do you wanna destroy their teeth?"
Then Omi got hers. "Happy birthday!"
Max opened his. "Wow. Is this?"
Omi answered, "It's my old advent calendar for December. My mother gave me this when I was your age and now it's yours."
Max said, "Thank you." He looked at all the numbers and the small numbers and started to open the doors.
Mary opened her present and it was a sewing book. "Now I have all three!" She said with a smile.
Omi said, "I love your crafts. So I hope to add this to your collection. Would you like to try embroidery?"
Mary said, "Like Aunt Dorothy said 'Strings too thick, needle holes too small'. I had a small set before and always had a hard time with it. But this book I like."
Then Omi got out 2 presents and gave them to Grandpa. "Now here's one from me." He gave Max his present first.
Max opened his first and it was a model set. "Wow. I can make actual planes with these?"
Grandpa said, "Yep, but you will not make this stuff alone. Sometimes it can be a little tricky following the directions." He turned the box around to see all the planes Max can make from the set. "It's best to follow the back of the box to see which parts go where. I can already see you Frankensteining the parts to make your own version of a plane." Max laughed.
Then Grandpa gave Mary her present. It was in a box with pink wrapping paper and a light blue bow. She was about to open it but Grandpa stopped her. "Why did you stop me grandpa?" she asked.
Grandpa asked, "Remember when I gave you the book, I said there was another present?" Mary nodded. "Well, that's what this is. I and your grandmother made this and the deal is that you wait until either your 21st Christmas OR when you finish the trio. Promise me you'll wait until either or happens."
Mary said, "I promise. Under one condition though."
Grandpa said, "Name it."
Mary asked, "Can we dance to 'Moon River' one day? I would really like that. I also hope that song is in the box."
Grandpa smiled. "We can do that and to respond to the next question: spoilers." Then he stood up and got out of bed.
Tom was surprised. "Dad?!"
Grandpa said, "My granddaughter wants to dance with me and I'll grant it. Who has their smartphone out?"
Beth said, "I got it." She pulled it out.
Grandpa fixed his rob. "Good. Now, look for 'Moon River'. I heard the one from a video game did it the best. Just play it twice for me. It's a short song."
Beth said, "Sure thing."
Grandpa said, "Now. Who's gonna hold the IV pole?"
Sarah took hold of it. "I will dad. I'll make sure it doesn't get tangled."
Grandpa said, "Thanks." He turned to Mary who put her presents on the bed. "May I have this dance?"
Mary smiled. "Yes sir." She said politely. They held each other as Beth got the music ready and pled it on high volume.
🎶Moon river, wider than a mile I'm crossing you in style someday Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker Wherever you're going, I'm going your way🎶
🎶Two drifters, off to see the world There's such a lot of world to see We're after the same rainbow's end, waiting, round the bend My Huckleberry Friend, Moon River, and me🎶
🎶Moon river, wider than a mile I'm crossing you in style someday Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker Wherever you're going, I'm going your way🎶
🎶Two drifters, off to see the world There's such a lot of world to see We're after that same rainbow's end, waiting, round the bend My Huckleberry Friend, Moon River, and me🎶
As they danced, Mary rested her head on his chest as Grandpa gently petted her hair. "You're the strongest and the purest girl I know. I hope you continue to fly. Wings or no wing."
Mary said, "I will Grandpa."
🎶Moon river, wider than a mile I'm crossing you in style someday Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker Wherever you're going, I'm going your way🎶
🎶Two drifters, off to see the world There's such a lot of world to see We're after the same rainbow's end, waiting, round the bend My Huckleberry Friend, Moon River, and me🎶
🎶Moon river, wider than a mile I'm crossing you in style someday Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker Wherever you're going, I'm going your way🎶
🎶Two drifters, off to see the world There's such a lot of world to see We're after that same rainbow's end, waiting, round the bend My Huckleberry Friend, Moon River, and me🎶
The family teared up a bit as they danced. Max and Omi held each other as they watched the 2. Though things are gonna change Max and especially Mary are gonna try their best to be positive, even if times are tough.
