On July 4th, Jackson woke up. He was turning 10 in four days and he couldn't be more excited. Today, however, was Freedom Fest, San Antonio's biggest 4th of July celebration, and he was going to be highlighting it with Clover. They had become a musical duo.
Since Aria's passing, Luke felt indifferent and same with Chalice. They were raising Desmond now, and were going to do better with him than they did with Aria. They knew it was a mistake putting Aria on ANH. They knew that a victory in that show, according to her, was grounds for lots of super entitled behavior and other things. That led Aria to be sent to a mental hospital, then Aria sacrificed her soul to the devil just so Edwin could live.
And as for Edwin, he was happy to be alive. Well, happy by his standards, anyway. His parents were ecstatic to see him alive. So, on Edwin's 9th birthday, they gave him a cell phone to use for emergencies and to keep track of his whereabouts. They weren't going to make any more mistakes. They also weren't going to make Edwin be like them. They will allow him to live his own life. Safely.
Leni was making Tina some breakfast since it was her half-birthday.
"Thanks, Leni." Tina says.
Charity was rushing about,grabbing her own breakfast. Freedom Fest was not only a big deal, but a lot of work as well.
"I can't be at your party, Tina. This is an important day!" Charity says before rushing out the door and heading to her office in town.
Tina sighed.
"Being mayor keeps her busy, Tina. It's not that she doesn't want to celebrate your half birthday. She's just trying to put Freedom Fest together. She doesn't want a repeat of last year." Luna says, feeling ashamed. "And she just wants things to be a lot better than last year, too."
"I understand. I just want her to make time for me at least once, you know?" Tina says.
"She'll make time for you. Trust me." Luna says.
"Okay." Tina says, being more reasonable. "Sorry that I haven't been around much."
"It's okay, we all know you're working for Jessica's college fund." Leni says.
"It would seem a lot has happened." Tina says.
"Yeah, so much has changed now." Luna says. "Luke is being a better parent while he raises his son with Chalice, Lucy and Cuphead are taking better care of Edwin, and Margo and Mugman are excited to see Jackson getting better every day."
With Lucy, she was making breakfast. Edwin was writing poems at the table. He was dressed in a navy and white striped t-shirt, black jeans, white fingerless gloves, and dark gray shoes. The liquid contained within him varied with his mood.
"Okay, breakfast should be done." Lucy says.
Edwin eats his eggs and blackberry waffles. "The berries, black like my soul, black like the deepest hole…" Edwin says, trying to get inspiration for a new poem as he writes that down in his book.
With Jackson, he stares at himself in the mirror, a smile on his face.
"I'm ready!" Jackson says.
"We can see that!" Mugman says. Jackson soon heads out with his parents.
With Luke, he was with his mom in her office, helping her with Freedom Fest stuff.
"Thanks for the help, my sweet treasure." Charity says. "I don't know how I could get anything done without you."
"Don't mention it, Mom. San Antonio deserves one heck of a 4th of July celebration. And this is going to be the biggest and best one yet!" Luke says.
With Edwin, he was heading to the festival grounds with his parents.
Clover sees him and smiles. "Hi, Edwin." She says.
Edwin just sighed. "Hello." He says.
Clover smiled as she looked around the festival.
Later, Luke and Chalice show up with Desmond.
Jackson smiled when he saw Luke. "Uncle Luke!" He says.
"Hey, kiddo!" Luke says. "Are you getting excited for your big 1-0?" Jackson nods, excited.
"What are you going to do for your big birthday?" Luke asked.
"A big party! At the trampoline park!" Jackson says.
"Awesome!" Luke says. "I hope I'm invited!"
"You are!" Jackson says. "Everyone is invited! Even Uncle Cuphead!"
Luke smiled. And so did Cuphead.
After a while, Jackson performed "Set It All Free" with Clover. Fans cheered for them as they performed.
Luke was thinking about having a multiversal birthday this year. But he also thought about other things. Besides, the multiverse was really dangerous, and he was only turning 28.
"Okay, I'm sure Mom will show up." Leni tells Tina at her party.
Charity showed up, only because she had promised to. But Tina was aware she couldn't stay for long.
"Thanks, Mom." Tina says.
"You're welcome." Charity says.
Charity stayed for a bit before heading back to the festival.
Later, Savannah shows Tina the cake she baked. It said "Happy half-birthday, Tina!"
"I love it." Tina says as the fireworks went off.
"It's only 5 more months till the most important day." Tina sighed, wondering why Luke always goes so big on his birthdays, like more than others.
Luke was holding a sleeping Jackson as the fireworks lit up the sky. Chalice was holding Desmond.
"Jackson's tenth birthday has to be perfect." Mugman says, looking at his sleeping son as he snuggles against Luke. Mugman admits Jackson looked cute when he was asleep, reminding himself of when he was Jackson's age.
"Mugsy, sweetness, of course it will be perfect." Margo says. "And even if it isn't, what will matter is that our son will be happy."
Yes, Luke is no longer the focus for most chapters.