Chapter 12: Happy Birthday

Despite the loss against the Ducks, nothing seemed to keep Teddi and the other Don't Bothers down. Everyone was relieved that after Sofi talked with her parents, they relented and told her that if being on the Don't Bothers made her happier so she could play with her friends, they'd allow it.

Sofi had been so fired up, that by the time they had their next Tuesday night practice, she and Billy had recruited the Capek brothers, exchange students from the Czech Republic who hardly spoke any English, but were incredible speedsters and puck handlers; Charlie had even devised a new line nickname for the Capek brothers and Sam: The Daredevil line, because the three were incredibly fast and willing to take risks that the others were not; Sam was truly living up to Orion's speech about confidence, how you couldn't be afraid of trying something else and adapting. Sam was probably the most adaptable out of everyone, and when he was put together with the Capek brothers, the three were like racehorses speeding across the ice; they had a way of communicating without needing to speak at all. They could just read each other so well that verbal communication was almost unnecessary.

But in the midst of the kids celebrating their two newest teammates and preparing for their game against the Hawks in almost one more week, Charlie had two major events he was preparing for: Gordon's sober birthday and Teddi's twelfth birthday, which happened around the same time. Gordon decided to get sober again shortly before Charlie told him that he and Cheryl were thinking about starting a family, and Charlie insisted Gordon get clean before he and Cheryl attempted getting pregnant, because his conditions were that Gordon stop drinking and that he stayed in contact with the Ducks who would be there to help him through it.

Almost two or three months after Gordon started his AA meetings, Charlie revealed to him that he and Cheryl would need to search for a larger house, because there was no way the four of them could all fit in a two-bedroom apartment together. Gordon had put it together and could only blink back proud tears. But Charlie couldn't be prouder of the man he loved like a father getting help, and the day Teddi was born was the day after he'd picked up his one-year sobriety chip.

Which was why, on Saturday morning, Charlie had canceled the Don't Bothers practice that would've taken place later in the day. It would take everything within him to keep everything a surprise because, for the past month, he'd been planning the surprise party he'd throw for both Gordon and Teddi, marking Teddi's twelfth birthday and Gordon's sober birthday.

Standing in the kitchen, he flipped several chocolate chip pancakes, watched the bacon closely, and kept his eye on the cinnamon toast. It was a tradition every year that he made Teddi cinnamon toast for her birthday. He also had her birthday gift wrapped and set on the table; he decided he'd give her a wristwatch, and not just any watch; it was the one that belonged to Charlie.

When Charlie had turned thirteen while Bombay was home for a home game day, his coach had pulled him aside, took him to dinner, and gave him his late father's wristwatch, explaining it was a year a young man should be given something to symbolize that, something that represented a young man earning more responsibilities.

Of course, Charlie knew Teddi was only one year away from turning thirteen. Still, the age of twelve was also a year where things began to change, a symbol of her starting to mature and develop into a young woman, and as far as Charlie was concerned, it only felt right to continue the tradition Gordon had passed on to him about giving his daughter the gold wristwatch – the very watch that Gordon had given to him that he almost always wore; for him to take that watch off, it almost felt wrong, but he also knew that giving it to Teddi was just right. At first, she'd been thought to be a boy, hence why she got named Theodora – if she'd been a boy, Charlie would have called her Theodore Gordon. He could still remember what Bombay had said the day of his thirteenth birthday, when he'd explained the meaning behind receiving such an heirloom.

"I want you to remember that every time you put it on. You are my son, Charlie."

Charlie could hardly hold back tears the day that happened as Gordon put the watch around his wrist. That was also the first time Charlie told Bombay, "I love you." But that had also been around the time that Charlie realized the intensifying tension between himself and his stepdad, how he'd already begun seeing Gordon like a dad rather than his stepdad, and that began the deterioration of Casey and John's marriage; the fighting, the jealousies, the sneers from John, his controlling nature, how he'd refuse to bond with Charlie because he didn't love Charlie as his son, yet he'd sneer with contempt when Charlie insisted on spending Father's Day with Gordon – that had been the last straw, Father's Day, the Father's Day before he went to Eden Hall. That was also the day Charlie decided he'd stand up for himself and tell John Irvine what he thought. He remembered it like it was yesterday, and he shivered at the memory, how John had flat-out insulted Gordon right in front of Charlie the day after Father's Day, and just thinking about John's hateful words was enough to make his blood boil.

"You'd rather spend the day with that washed-up, minor-league reject than the guy that gives you and your mother everything, you stupid brat! Show me some respect!"

Hearing that alone made Charlie angrier than he'd ever felt in his life. He remembered how he spat in John's face, how he snapped, "Coach Bombay has done more for me in four years than you've done for two, you rotten son of a bitch! So, if you wanna talk crap about me and treat me like I don't matter to you, that's fine. But if you ever even make one more disparaging comment about my father – my real father – then I swear to God, the next time I see you, you'll be in a hospital bed, you understand me?"

John ended up leaving a week later. A couple of months later, Gordon revealed he wouldn't be coaching the Ducks and that the Ducks would be getting Ted Orion. After John had dumped him and his mother, Gordon left, and it hurt, like someone stabbed him in the heart. After Gordon lost his coaching job, Charlie decided he'd never let his true father run away again.

Charlie sighed. He nearly smiled. If suffering through two years with a stepfather who never cared for him would lead him to this: having Gordon and Orion constantly there for him and filling the role of two different father figures who helped him mature and grow into the man he was, he'd do it all over again and never change a thing.

Gordon's gift also rested on the table; Charlie had decided the most appropriate gift for Gordon's sober birthday would be sparkling, liquor-free cider, a custom black bracelet, and a note that said "One Day At A Time – 13 Years Sober." He'd even written Gordon the most personal letter he ever could've written anyone, and he knew there would be a lot of tears when Gordon opened it later at the party. When it came to all the kids he coached, Gordan had grown soft, and Charlie knew that was mainly because of him.

The party wouldn't be until five o'clock; Charlie had decided to pay Goldberg double so they could have the entire dining area in 33 Sports Pub to themselves and invited all of the Don't Bothers. Goldberg had told him that for the night, the restaurant would be serving up all of Teddi and Gordon's favorites that 33 Sports Pub had to offer: spaghetti and meatballs, turkey burger sliders, roasted duck, pastrami sandwiches, coleslaw, latkes with applesauce, and potato salad. Charlie had even bought two separate cakes: double chocolate for Gordon and vanilla with vanilla custard filling mixed with fresh raspberries and white chocolate frosting for Teddi, arguing that these two birthdays were probably the most important they were ever celebrating. It was a celebration of Teddi putting the Don't Bothers together along with Evan just as much as it was a celebration of Gordon's sober birthday and Teddi turning twelve.

The only issue was keeping Teddi and Gordon distracted until they needed to go, so he recruited help from Ted to keep Gordon and Teddi as occupied as possible; the Wild had a home game in the afternoon, and Ted had surprised Gordon, Teddi, and Henry with front-row seats, because it was the Wild versus the Anaheim Ducks. And given the Ducks had consistently horrible seasons year after year, the Wild was a shoo-in to win. And because Ted at one point played for the North Stars before they relocated to Dallas, Texas, he had the NHL connections to get Teddi the opportunity to tour the locker room and introduce her to the players.

He hardly heard Orion's car parking outside, but he already left the door open for Orion to enter his house. As he plated up the pancakes, he heard Orion enter, holding a bag containing Teddi's birthday gift and something for Gordon.

"You know, you really shouldn't keep your door unlocked, Conway. I thought Gordon and I taught you better than that," Orion teased, placing Teddi's present on the table.

Charlie rolled his eyes. "I told you I would be anyway. Besides, you know why I need you here. You, Gordon, Teddi, and Henry have a game to watch after breakfast. After the game, you get them ready to go. I only told him we'd go to dinner with my mom, Teddi, Henry, and you. At least, that's what he thinks."

Orion smiled. "How'd you pull off this surprise?"

"Honestly? I haven't got a clue, Ted. I'm just surprised Goldberg's kept his mouth shut since it's at his place. Averman, too."

"So, who else is coming to this party?"

"I contacted some of the other Ducks; they couldn't make it. They're too busy with their teams' seasons. But Ken said there's a possibility he'd come by since he'll be there at the game today. The Duncan siblings are at an away dance tournament. Peter said he might stop by later. And, of course, the rest of the Don't Bothers. And somehow, Averman's son got invited; I don't know who invited him, but he's a friend of the family, so I can't say no, either. Luckily, Goldberg's making so much food, we might need to take some home later. We'll have leftovers for two days."

Ted nodded, smiling a little wider. But they were interrupted by the buzzing noise of Orion's phone on vibrate.

"I'm surprised you got an updated phone, Ted."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because you're old-school, that's why. I'm just shocked you know how to text message in your old age."

Ted rolled his eyes, pulling his phone out to read the text message. "Bombay will be here in five minutes. So you better make those gifts disappear."

Charlie nodded, grabbing Orion's card and his gift and shoving them into the pantry cupboard. And as promised, within five minutes, Gordon entered the house bearing his own birthday gift for Teddi, grinning; he was dressed in a sweatshirt with the original Mighty Ducks of Anaheim logo on it.

"Hey, Coach. You do know what game you're going to, right? Those Wild fans will kill you when they see that the Minnesota Miracle Man is wearing a Ducks shirt," Charlie joked.

"They know that team was modeled after my Ducks," Gordon said lightly. "They won't care either way. Anyway, is the birthday girl still asleep?"

"You know her. She's not a morning person. And Henry's still asleep, too."

"I think she gets that from you," Gordon joked.

"I'm a morning person," Charlie argued.

"No, remember when I woke you up to spend the day with me after Hans' funeral?"

"You set my alarm to six in the morning and flipped my mattress!"

"Well, don't mind if I do. I'll wake her up." Gordon raced up the stairs just as Casey came down, her hair still damp from the shower.

"Gordon, get Teddi up! You guys have to eat, or you're gonna be late," Casey called after him.

"I'm doing that!" Within seconds, Charlie heard the loud thud of Teddi falling off her mattress, and soon came the racket of a pillow fight between Gordon, Teddi, and Henry. Charlie couldn't help grinning, amused, as he set the table; Teddi came pounding down the stairs, hair still unbrushed and tangled in a sloppy ponytail, and she was still dressed in her pajamas – a pair of yellow and black flannel shorts and her Don't Bothers hoodie.

"Hey, Dad. Did you see my old USA Ducks long-sleeve anywhere?" she asked as Gordon and Henry came up behind her.

"Yeah, I ironed it last night. It should be downstairs in the laundry room," Charlie replied. "But eat your breakfast first." He pushed her into her chair before grabbing the chocolate milk from the refrigerator. Teddi happily grabbed the cinnamon toast and a pancake before reaching for the bacon. But before she could eat, Charlie pushed his gift forward.

"Dad, I thought we usually open gifts after dinner," she said.

"I thought I'd like to try something different this year," her dad replied. "Now open it."

Teddi sighed as Charlie, Gordon, Henry, and Orion all looked at her expectantly. She reached for the one from her dad first, noticing at first glance the bag was her favorite color – green. Charlie knew better than to get her the stereotypical pink gift bag; of course, he'd done that when she was younger, but he knew her well enough by now to know that green, blue, and purple were her favorite colors, and that she'd never be caught dressing like a princess, either, even though she credited her sense of style to her Aunt Connie and Aunt Julie, whom Charlie had charged with taking his daughter shopping after Cheryl died. He'd never understood female fashion sense, and he was glad that even though his wife had died a year ago, Teddi had two loving aunt figures who spoiled her with shopping trips.

Teddi opened the bag, and Charlie guessed she saw the velvet box because her face went deep red. "Dad! I –"

"Honey, it's all right. Really. I've wanted you to have it for a while," Charlie reassured her. It wasn't the first time Teddi expressed guilt over Charlie spending so much on her. He knew his finances were tight due to his teacher's salary, but they had enough to keep going between himself and his mom and the settlement they'd gotten from Cheryl's car accident, along with whatever money she'd left for them. Besides, it wasn't like he'd spent a dime on Teddi's gift.

"But I'd never want you to spend this much."

"I didn't spend a dime. Open it."

Charlie watched with anticipation as his daughter picked up the box and slowly opened it. Once she saw what was inside, Charlie heard her gasp in surprise as she picked up the gold watch; it still had its luster and gleamed underneath the kitchen lights like a star in the night sky, just as Charlie remembered it years ago when he'd turned thirteen.

"Dad . . . I – Isn't this yours?" Teddi whispered.

"It was my dad's first," Gordon told her, sitting beside her. "I gave that to your dad when he turned thirteen. I hadn't been able to wear it for years because when I was a little younger than you, my father passed away. I figured if anyone should have it, it should be Charlie. And now, it's yours. And yes, he's got my full permission to give it to you. And when you get older, you'll give it to your first child." He flashed her his usual half-smile.

Teddi seemed speechless as Gordon helped her slip it on. It was a bit bulky on her delicate wrist, but she hardly seemed to care as her eyes grew misty. The tears filled them but not quite spilled as she blinked. Still, the tears gathered on her lashes.

"Gordon told me that it was time I got it because thirteen is when you start earning more responsibilities and gaining more maturity. You may be a year away from thirteen, but you've done a lot to earn that watch. You put a team together, you and Evan are co-captaining, and you've gained so much confidence, and I've seen you mature so much in the past month or so. So, it's all yours," Charlie assured her gently, and he was stopped before he could say more by Teddi grabbing him in a bone-crushing hug around his waist.

"Thanks," she mumbled.

Charlie chuckled as he slowly returned to embrace, one hand cupping the back of her head and the other winding around her shoulders tightly. He kissed her softly on the top of her head and ruffled her hair. He wasn't sure how long they stayed locked in the embrace, but Gordon passed his gift bag to Teddi when Charlie finally pulled away.

"Open mine next."

Teddi nodded, wiping her eyes and turning to her surrogate grandpa. She took the gift bag from him and seemed happy to see not only a fifty-dollar Starbucks gift card in there (she loved those frozen coffee drinks so much, she was practically addicted to them) but also a ring dangling on a chain, something both she and Charlie recognized instantly. Charlie's eyes widened as soon as he saw it.

"Cheryl's wedding band?" he breathed, feeling his eyes sting tearfully.

"A replica," Gordon said. "I remember how upset you both were when she lost the real one."

"During my fifth-grade field trip to the zoo." Teddi's cheeks were streaked with more tears at this point as she put it on her neck.

"You both cried about it for a week after that happened," Gordon chuckled.

"I didn't! It only lasted three days!" Charlie defended.

Gordon rolled his eyes lightly as Orion grinned and pushed his own large gift bag forward.

"I'm afraid mine's a little more practical."

Teddi smiled as she reached inside the bag and saw a card and a box wrapped in thick wrapping paper. She tore into it, and as soon as she opened the box, she saw a brand-new pair of suede ice skates. Charlie felt his breath hitch in his throat.

Teddi's pair was very beaten up, and he'd been meaning to replace them for a while. Knowing Orion had spent probably a good amount of his coaching salary on a brand-new pair of skates was almost too much for both of them; Charlie recalled how he'd seldom gotten anything new growing up because his mom couldn't afford much; she couldn't even buy him toys or videogames for his birthday or Christmas, much less good hockey gear, so to see his daughter get a brand-new pair of ice skates, it was enough to make him start crying as he smiled at Ted weakly, who walked around the table and embraced his former J.V. player.

"She deserves it," Charlie heard Ted whispering. "She needed it. I've seen the pair she used; they looked small. I wanted to make sure she got what she needed."

"Thank you," Charlie choked out, returning the hug just as fiercely.

The hockey game had been some of the most fun Teddi had ever had.

As it turned out, the odds favored the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim; they raked a score against the Wild, making the game three to two. What made it even greater was Gordon flagging down the assistant coach, Ken Wu, who'd been one of the USA Ducks. Gordon and Ted had enthusiastically introduced Teddi and her brother to Wu, whom neither had met yet because of how busy he'd been, between coaching and wanting to spend as much of his free time with his family in San Francisco. But they'd heard so much about Wu, the kids felt they already knew him, having grown up seeing many photos of him from their dad's photo album.

After the game was over and the interviews wrapped, Teddi had enthusiastically asked Ken if he could still do the old tricks he used to when he'd played with the USA Mighty Ducks. Ken had been more than happy to show off and display that he still had it, doing impressive maneuvers and triple axels across the ice, and when Teddi and Henry had asked for his autograph, he obliged.

Afterward, Ted had corralled them all back to the Conway house, where her dad was nowhere to be found. But Ted ushered Teddi, Henry, and Gordon to go and get changed so they could head to Goldberg's restaurant for dinner.

Teddi was more than happy to change out of her Ducks long-sleeve and into one of her knee-length khaki skirts that tied into a bow at her hip and a long-sleeved, emerald-green sweater; she pulled her hair back with a headband and kept it long and flowing down her back before applying some mascara to her eyelashes and dabbing her lips with lip gloss. The replica of her mother's wedding band hung around her neck, and Gordon's father's wristwatch stayed on her wrist. After getting her shoes on, she happily skipped down the stairs, humming to herself as Ted grinned at her. She was soon followed by Gordon, who'd changed into a fresh shirt. Henry, on the other hand, stayed in the jeans and t-shirt he'd been wearing during the game.

Ted kept looking at the time on his watch. When it finally reached four-thirty, he said, "We should get going." With that, he ushered them out of the house and got them in his SUV. He turned the radio on just for something to do. Teddi could tell he wasn't paying attention to whatever song was playing, though she did recognize the song playing: Bowling For Soup's "High School Never Ends."

When they were outside #33 Sports Pub, Teddi noticed the limited number of cars outside, which was odd. Normally, Goldberg's place would be jam-packed with vehicles every weekend because people would be sitting around watching the hockey games that aired; it especially got packed during March Madness. For it to have so few vehicles outside, she was confused. Even Gordon was confused.

Still, they followed Orion to the pub's front doors, and as soon as the doors opened, they were greeted by the sight of the original Ducks, the Don't Bothers, Coach Alex, her dad, and Nana. She could barely contain the gasp released from her throat as her dad winked at her, grinning softly, and she noticed one of the tables in the back of the room piled high with gifts. She turned her gaze to Gordon, who looked just as surprised as she did. Of course, she knew that the day she'd been born had also been the day that Gordon gave up drinking, but she hadn't anticipated a joint celebration, let alone some sort of surprise party surrounding it.

"I . . . I didn't see this coming!" she said.

"I didn't either. I'm as clueless as you," Gordon said, shaking his head at her while Orion and Henry both shared knowing smiles with Charlie, and Teddi's eyes widened in the realization that her dad had been planning this for a while; she knew from the spark in his blue eyes, the way how he grinned at her as if silently asking whether she was surprised. That knowing look on her dad's face caused her to race across the room and jump on him in a bear hug.

Gordon crossed the room in two strides toward her nana and pressed a loving kiss against her cheek before embracing her. Teddi heard her grandma whispering, "This party is yours, too," Teddi could've sworn she saw Gordon's eyes grow suspiciously misty when he heard that. Still, he masked that well as he leaned over and kissed Nana Casey on the lips, which caused several of the OG Ducks, as well as Alex, to wolf-whistle, and Peter Mark, as well as Les and Owen Averman, to groan loudly, annoyed.

"Would you guys cut that out?" whined Nick. "We're about to eat over here!"

"Then shut up and eat," Teddi snarked at him, rolling her eyes as she smiled at the happiness between Gordon and her grandmother, who pulled away; even though they were no longer kissing, the way they stared at each more made Teddi realize they'd never stopped loving one another, even though they'd spent so many years apart. Alex looked at the pair smugly; she'd always known there'd been something regardless of how hard Gordon and Casey tried ignoring it, and she'd advocated for them to get back together.

"All right, people, let's get this party started!" Charlie announced.

"But before we do, I just want to say this," Teddi said, causing everyone to turn their attention to her. "Thank you all for coming to my birthday and Coach Bombay's thirteen-year sober date. I'm happy and proud to share this day with one of the first men I have ever loved."

Everyone chorused "Awes" as Gordon broke away from her grandmother to stride across the room and hug her tightly, and Teddi felt her eyes burn tearfully as he continued holding her before he broke away, kissing her on the top of the head as he turned to address everyone else there.

"She's right," he said. "I say if it hadn't been for her, I wouldn't be clean all these years. But part of the deal Charlie made with me was that if I wanted to be in his life and have a relationship with his family, I needed to stop drinking. A couple of months into my treatment plan, Charlie and Cheryl announced they were having a baby. And the day this girl was born, when Charlie first had me hold her, I knew I wouldn't stop, because I'd never let her, or my son, down." Gordon nodded in Charlie's direction when he said, "My son," and it caused Charlie's eyes to fill as everyone applauded loudly, and Ted nodded, grinning slightly.

"I couldn't have said it better." Charlie's voice cracked slightly as he grinned weakly, and with that, the celebration began.

Gordon went outside for fresh air at some point during the party, nursing a glass of Diet Coke. While the city's lights blocked out the stars, the moon shone down brightly. He couldn't keep the grin off his face as he leaned against the glass window.

Some part of him still couldn't fathom that he'd been sober for thirteen years. But he also knew he'd been serious when he told Charlie that he wanted to be in Teddi's life. He couldn't picture a life without Teddi and Henry, or any of the Don't Bothers. Within his couple of weeks being around the Don't Bothers, he'd developed kindred spirits with Evan, Logan, and Maya; Maya reminded him so much of Connie when she was that age, and he knew Evan already kind of saw him and Charlie as surrogate fathers. Even Logan felt Gordon filled something for him that he didn't get at home.

Although he couldn't coach the Don't Bothers, helping them felt fulfilling. It gave him a sense of purpose, something he'd nearly lost after he got fired from coaching college hockey.

Speaking of purpose, Charlie had always been that for him. After learning Charlie's dad hadn't been around when the boy was eleven, he took it upon himself to fill that role as best he could. And while he hadn't had any children at that point, there was something about Charlie that was so pure. Maybe it was his fierce loyalty and determination. Or his bravery. Or how forgiving and kind he was. But there had always been a special connection between them, one that he was glad for.

He barely noticed he was no longer alone until he heard the said boy saying, "Hey."

Gordon turned toward Charlie. He was far from the boy he'd first met years ago in Peewees. "Thanks for all this."

"It's not a problem," Charlie shrugged. "Besides, it's Teddi's last birthday before she becomes a teenager. And it'll be thirteen years next year since you chose sobriety. I'm proud of you. Really."

Gordon nodded, managing a weak smile. He didn't think he'd ever get used to hearing Charlie say he was proud. That was when he noticed a small, black bag in Charlie's hands. "Charlie, you didn't have to."

"I wanted to," Charlie insisted. "Open it."

Gordon sighed; he knew Charlie would be persistent until he did. He dug into the bag, finding a piece of paper folded over along with a black, leather bracelet that indicated his thirteen-year sobriety. But when he opened the letter, he noticed Charlie's handwriting and barely began reading the note when he felt the tears press behind his eyes, which he unsuccessfully swallowed back.

Dear Dad,

I wanted to give you this as a sign of your choice to get clean thirteen years ago. Over my years of knowing you, I've grown to see how determined, strong, and dedicated you really are. You, Mom, and Coach Orion have helped shape me into the man that I am today, and if it weren't for you or Orion, I never would've known what it meant to be a father. I cannot think of a better role model and grandfather for my children than you, and I know if you continue down this path, you'll live the healthiest, most extended life possible. You've shown me anything is possible if I just believe in myself, so there's no doubt in my mind that you can and you will stay clean. I love you, and happy birthday. Here's to many more years of sobriety.

And remember: Even when the night is dark, and you lose your way, ducks fly together. –

Charlie

"Thank you." Gordon grabbed Charlie into a tight hug. "I love you, too."