Working A Job On Your Birthday:

(Time to glance at Future Zeke! Yo, Klonoa, your comment from the last chapter put things into perspective and yeah I agree with you. 5 years is WAY too long a time skip, although I think maybe they're could be an in-between moment in the movie. I do think maybe Diane should've helped them out with finding jobs, too, but we'll see. Anyways, enjoy!)

Zeke was excited, his birthday was today! He was turning 15. He believed 15 was the true mark of becoming a teenager, and he was anxious and excited about these years.

"God, thank You that I'm here to 15. I hope that I can continue to grow and be humble and repentant for You. In Jesus Name, Amen." He prayed before he started the day

He heard a few buzzes from his phone.

(Text)

Akio: Guys, it's Zeke's anniversary of coming from his mom's belly! Happy Birthday, Von Genbu!

Marshall: Happy Birthday, Zeke!

Liv: Happy B-Day! Strike the piñata with a vengeance for me! XD

Ari: Happy Birthday, Wolfy!

Zeke: Thanks, you guys! So, you guys wanna party at Jitters tonight? Me and Ari could convince our boss for us to have it.

Liv: I would, but I'll be having a photography session today. T-T

Zeke: No sweat, Liv. We can party over the weekend! I can ask my mom to book it at the trampoline place!

Akio: Good idea! Then, we can throw those toy balls at you! :D

Zeke: Sounds like fun! Anyways, I gotta get to work! See ya! (・・)

(End of Text)

Zeke went and put on a rainbow polka dot black hoodie. "Perfect for the rain." Zeke thought to himself, walking into the living room. "Happy Birthday, honey!" Diane said, hugging her son and kissing him on the forehead. "Mom, come on! I got work…" Zeke said, now embarrassed.

"You can be a little late. I just…I know it's been four years, but honestly baby, you've grown so big." Diane said, "I've still got tons of growing to do…In dee art world!" Zeke said, "Thanks, Mom. I'll see you after work." Zeke walked through the door. "I hope Dad'll come." Zeke thought to himself. "We'll be having a party tonight, right? Just the fam?" Zeke asked.

"I sent the invites to the others, but you gotta understand, Zekey…" Diane then tried to explain. "I know, Mom. They gotta find jobs. That's why I gotta get to work myself. I'll see you later." Zeke said, taking the car and driving to work.

(At his job)

Jitters…A cafe for luxury. It was perfect for hookups, holiday brews, and nice calm jazz. Jitters was a fun job, albeit stressful with certain customers. Zeke got a job as a barista and he knew how hard it was to find work because of his record.

He knew going in that this wasn't going to be easy to start his life clean, but he's glad that he managed to get this job.

"Maybe I should talk to Dakarai about letting Dad have a job here." Zeke thought to himself, walking in. "Ah, Wolfy, you're here! Was worried Mr. Birthday Boy wasn't gonna show up." Ari had said. "I literally TOLD you I was on my way." Zeke had said, giggling.

"Anyways, I'll wash up real quick." Zeke ran to the restroom to wash his hands before using the tools.

(Later)

Dakarai had came from the office and helped gather some orders. "All right, that's one Colombian Narino, with a side of almond brownies." Zeke said, "Was there anything else on the order?" He then asked. "I believe that should be all, thank you." The customer had said.

"Way to improve your performance, EZ." Dakarai had said to his young coworker. "Just trying to help any way I can, sir. But in other business, do you think you could teach me how to draw with each brew?" Zeke had asked. "Maybe when you reach a respectable level, EZ. But don't be messing around, we have another order." Zeke nodded his head and got ready.

"Hi, welcome and a nice mucho gracias for choosing Jitters, what can I—" Zeke looked up and saw his dad standing right in front of him. "Workin' hard, kiddo?" Wolf had asked, Zeke smiled. "Hi Dad, anyways, what can I get for you?" He asked, "Here, I'll take a classic roast iced." Wolf said, Zeke smiled writing it down on a note. "All right, can I get you anything else, g?" Zeke then said.

"Here, I guess I'll take a sponge cake." Wolf said, "You have your break yet? After my order, you wanna sit down with me at a table?" Wolf asked. Zeke's eyes lit up, "Sure! Okay, give me one sec, Dad. Oh, b-t-dubs! My boss says I can't give family members discounts." Zeke pointed out, heading into the kitchen. Wolf just chuckled, proudly. His boy had his first job, and he was learning something great.

Zeke then got to work on making the order, "Ari, I see a couple of customers coming up, can you take it?" Ari was currently at the oven, "No, so that means…

"Francis, you're needed at the register!" Zeke and Ari said, "Coming. Hi, welcome to Jitters, what can I get you?" Francis said, charmingly. A gosling coworker came by and looked on in annoyance, "I don't get how he can be at the register, but I cannot." The young gosling said. "I think you need to get better at introducing yourself, Bill." Ari said. "Y-Yes, by my mother believes other languages is a must if no one speaks English." Bill had said, adding cream and coffee. "Your mom sounds awesome!" Zeke said, "Yeah, she is." Bill said, "Okay, that's the sponge cake…" Zeke had finished the cake, while Ari had finished the brew. "Okay, order for a Mason Wolf!" Zeke said, ringing a bell. "Uh…Dakarai, I'm gonna take my lunch break." Zeke said, "10 minutes, EZ." Dakarai had said.

(On break)

Zeke had sat down at the table near his dad. "I guess your mom was the first to say "Happy Birthday"? Wolf asked, "No, surprisingly my friends made the first move." Zeke said, "Oh-hahaha! That's fun!" Wolf smiled, happily. "Happy Birthday, my precious baby bunny!" Wolf said, patting his head. Zeke blushed embarrassed, "Dad, I'm 15!" Zeke said, while his dad folded his arms. "Who says…?" Wolf asked, smirking. "Um…Time? Dad, I'm not a baby anymore, you don't need to coddle me." Zeke said.

"I know, I know. But still, it ain't fair you get to grow up, sometimes. I'm gonna miss holding you, and tucking you in…" Wolf explained, sentimentally. "Sorry Dad, even baby rabbits turn into adult rabbits." Zeke patted his dad's shoulder.

Wolf chuckled, "Yeah yeah, I get it. I mean, you managed to beat me to getting a job first." Wolf said, looking to his side. "So…the interview didn't go well?" Zeke asked. "Yeah, shoplifting the store you applied to will do that to ya." Wolf tried to laugh it off. "I can see if I can talk to Dakarai…He's an understanding—" Zeke tried offer his Dad a position, "No, Zekey, it's fine. I don't wanna stifle you." Wolf said, "You JUST said you want me to still be a baby." Zeke called him out.

"I know I do, but now that you're older, I know you'll probably wanna branch out a little." Wolf said, Zeke looked a little unsure if that would be true or not.

Sure, he hasn't really been talking to Dad and the others, but surely that was because they weren't finding jobs? "O-Oh, my break's over. Y-You can stay, Dad, but I gotta get back to work." Zeke said, getting up. "Okay, kiddo." Wolf said, watching as his son returned to behind the counter. "My little baby bunny's all grown up now…" Wolf felt a few tears coming in. A sense of pride overtook him, and he smiled.

(Later)

Zeke drove the car back to the house, he was hoping to just relax, but there was still the party to consider. "Okay, come on, wake yourself up, Zeke." He gently hit himself to get rid of his drowsiness.

He tried to look for the house key in his pocket. "Come on, don't tell me I left it again…" Zeke then pulled out some lock-picking tools to try and open the front door.

When he finally got it open, he saw his family was inside with a cookie cake! "Happy Birthday!" They shouted at him. Zeke smiled, happily. "You're really here!" Zeke ran in and hugged his family.

"Oh, kiddo, we weren't gonna miss your birthday." Shark said, happily patting his nephew. "By the way, how's the painting going?" He then asked, "It's going good, I can't wait for you to see it!" Zeke said, happily.

"Yeah, I need to make fun of you because of puberty." Webs had said, "Eww! Aunt Webs!" Zeke said, now disgusted. "I'm just teasing, buddy!" Webs hugged him as she said.

"Sobrino, you keep getting taller, I don't like it!" Piranha had said, folding his arms, "Sorry, Tío Pepe." Snake had chuckled, "I'm here for my tools, I left 'em here last time I was over…and maybe your birthday, too." Snake patted his nephew's shoulder.

Zeke pulled the lock picks out of his pocket, "Had to use one to get through the door, is that all right?" Zeke asked. Snake just smiled, "Hahah! I taught ya well, kid!" Snake shook his nephew during their hug, excitedly.

"Come on, I gotta get a squeeze." Diane said, "Happy Birthday, sweetheart." Zeke hugged back and smiled. "Thanks, Mom." He said,"Finally it's my turn. I couldn't hug you before, 'cause I was worried you'd get in trouble at work." Wolf gave a tight squeeze, "Dad, too tight!" Zeke said, patting his dad's back. "I'm sorry, I've missed you, kiddo! When ya gotta hug, ya gotta hug." Wolf said.

Zeke giggled, "So, Mom…could you…?" Zeke was hesitant to ask. "Yes, I did. Tell your friends the party will be on Saturday." Zeke smiled, exhilarated. "Thanks, Mom! That's gonna be so cool!" He said, "All right, we having cake or what?" Webs said, "I get first slice!" Piranha said, "Not a chance!" Shark said, "Aww, Fin-Bro…" Piranha whined.

Zeke was happy and believed this was a good birthday God blessed him with. He wasn't living as easy as he thought it would, but he's glad that his family are still here, even if it's not the same as it was before.

It might just be they need to readjust. Whatever the case, Zeke was gonna be happy that they're here for his birthday.