Chapter 7: Birthday Boy

It's been two months since Shaun had shown up in this world and despite having a rough start he has been enjoying his time. He made friends with the rest of Bluey's class and isn't as shy as he used to be. Bandit and Chilli have treated him like he was their son and Shaun treats Bluey and Bingo like they were his sisters. Shaun opens his eyes and stretches, ready to start the day. Today is his birthday and while he is excited to turn 9 years old, he's sad because this will be his first birthday without his human mother or Step-uncle. Shaun lays in bed and thinks about his 6th birthday.

(Flashback, 3 years ago)

Shaun's mother, Amy, is sleeping peacefully in her bed until she feels someone climbing onto her.

"Mom!" Shaun says staring at his mother.

Amy yawns and opens her eyes and looks at her son. "Oh, good morning, what time is it?" She looks over to the clock next to her which reads 7:32 am. "Oops I overslept a bit, didn't I?"

"Yeah, but it's okay but get up! It's my birthday!" Shaun said, trying to pull his mom out of bed.

"No that isn't until tomorrow, good night." Amy said while pretending to fall back asleep.

"Mom come on!" Shaun said pulling his mother's arm.

"Okay okay, I'm up." Amy laughed and got out of bed.

Amy cooked toast for her and Shaun for breakfast and a few hours later Radley showed up. It was time to open his presents, Amy got him a sketchbook and Rad got him a few CDs and a CD player. After thanking his mom and uncle it was time to eat cake, Amy made him a chocolate mint cake with six candles on top. She placed it on the dining table and Shaun blew the candles out.

"What did you wish for sweetie?" Amy asked him.

"Yeah mate, what is it?" Rad also asked.

"I wished for more birthdays with you all!" he said happily.

"Aw that's sweet" Amy said hugging Shaun.

(The present)

Shaun wipes a tear from his eye before hearing a knock on the door.

"Hey mate are you okay? I thought I heard you crying." Bandit said through the door.

"Yeah, I'm okay dad, just remembered something." He replied.

Shaun gets out of bed, stretches and heads out of the room to join the family for Brekkie. Chilli is making toast, and the girls are sitting down enjoying it. Chilli sees him and smiles at Shaun.

"Hi Sweetie, did you have a good sleep?" she asks him."

"Yeah Mom, I slept alright" He replies not looking at her.

Chilli notices his behaviour and knows something is up.

"Hey Shaun? Are you feeling okay?" She said worried for him.

Shaun waited a bit before answering. "No, today is my birthday but it's the first one without my real mom." He explained looking down.

Chilli feels sad for making him tell her and gives him a big hug, Bluey and Bingo join in too.

"You never mentioned your birthday was coming up!" Bingo said to Shaun.

"Well, it's been a crazy couple of months for me." Shaun explained

"We gotta get you something!" Bluey said wagging her tail.

"Oh, you don't have-" Before Shaun could finish his sentence, Bandit entered the room.

"Did I hear it was your birthday? Happy birthday kiddo!" Bandit said to Shaun.

Shaun looked at him and smiled while wagging his tail. "Thanks, Dad."

After they all finished their toast, Chilli asked Bandit in private to watch the kids while she went to the store to pick out a cake and a present for Shaun. He agreed and played games with them all to pass the time. After an hour Chilli returns home with a large, covered box and a striped paper bag. Bandit and the kids went up to see her.

"Ooo what's that? Asked Bingo.

"You'll find out, wait here Shaun." She said smiling.

Bandit, Chilli, Bluey, and Bingo all went into the other room as Shaun waited. Soon after Bandit called him. Shaun walked into the room, and everyone yelled Happy birthday to Shaun. He smiled and wagged his tail as everyone handed him presents. Bluey and Bingo made cards for him in secret while they were playing that were signed by Bandit and Chilli. Chilli then gave him the paper bag and Shaun was surprised by what was in it. It was a sketchbook.

"I figured you might want to draw and maybe I can teach you some things too". Chilli said scratching the back of her head.

Bandit opened the covered box and revealed a chocolate mint cake with nine candles on it.

"Happy birthday kiddo, sorry if it was a bit rushed." Bandit said.

"It's no worries, but mom? How did you pick out the sketchbook and cake?" Asked Shaun.

"Oh I don't know, I just saw them and something in me said I had to get those, why?" Chilli replied a little confused.

"It's just that... It's the same things I got from my real mom on my 6th birthday." He explained still looking at the cake and sketchbook.

"Come Shaun, blow out your candles!" Bingo interrupted.

Shaun snapped out of his thoughts. He closed his eyes and blew out his candles.

"What did you wish for Shaun?" Bluey asked.

"If I tell you then it won't come true!" Shaun replied. He looked around at everyone and smiled. "Thanks everyone for the best birthday ever. I love you all so much."

Everyone smiled and wagged their tails, and the rest of the day was spent having fun playing games and eating the birthday cake. When it was time for bed Shaun went to sleep peacefully, He wished his step-uncle Rad was there to celebrate with him, but Shaun hoped to one day see him again somehow.