Chapter 29: Banjo's Birthday
Grace woke up from her peaceful living sleep, she yawned and rubbed her eyes before glancing to her handsome mate who was sleeping peacefully, she smiled and kissed his cheek which caused him to smile and roll over his sleep.
Today was a special day for Banjo, it is his 21st birthday. His birthday is in the Amazon. Grace wanted to make it special. She slipped out of the nest to be greeted by her kids who had agreed to distract their father while she and the others planned everything.
"Kids, I need you four to keep daddy distracted while I get everything ready. Do you guys think you can do this?" Grace asked her children.
"Yes we can." Belle, Crystal, Junior, and Max said.
Grace smiled at her children. She flew through the Amazon until she arrived in the middle of the grove where Rafael, Eva, Nico, Pedro, Lillian, Sofia, Luiz, Blaze, Daniel, Blu, Jewel, Bia, Carla, Tiago, Eduardo, Roberto, Liz, Rosalia, Maria, Mimi, Peter, Susan, Jenny, Garth, Holly, Lily, Alex, Cadence, Eddie, Nightfly, Tomada Junior, Sorrel, Tomada, Bobbie, Lisa, Mary, Nate, Clive, Bridget, Rapper, Ricardo, Fluffy, Paradise, Angel, Bob, Rico, Ricky, Tony, and Lola are at. Grace told them to meet her there.
"Good morning everyone." Grace greeted them.
"Good morning Grace." Everyone greeted back.
"I need your help with something." Grace said.
"What is it Gracie?" Garth asked her.
"Today is Banjo's 21st birthday. I want to make it special for him." Grace said.
"Sure, do you got any plans sweetie?" Peter asked her.
"Yes I plan to throw him a surprise birthday party." Grace said.
"That's a great idea." Jewel said.
"Rafael, Nico, Pedro, Lillian, Sofia, Rico, and Ricky. Can you guys set up the music for tonight?" Grace asked them.
"We are on it hot wing." Pedro said.
"Don't worry Grace, we will make Banjo has a swell time baby girl." Nico said.
"Fluffy, Paradise, Angel, and Bob. I want you all to set up the food and drinks." Grace said.
"Yes Grace. You can count on us." Paradise said.
"Good to hear." Grace said.
"Jewel, Mom, Mimi, and Jenny. Can you four and your friends do the decorations? I want Banjo to remember this day for the rest of his life." Grace said.
"We are on it." Mimi said.
"Daddy, the tribe know Banjo very well. Can you tell the tribe is Banjo's birthday?" Grace asked her father.
"Yes sweetie." Peter said.
"Thank you daddy." Grace said.
"You're welcome." Peter said. He and Grace hugged each other.
"The rest of you guys can do the banner and said Happy 21st Birthday Banjo." Grace said.
"Good plan Grace. My brother will love all this." Blu said.
"Roberto, can you help us set the food and drink. We don't about the Amazon very well." Fluffy said.
"Of course. Follow me." Roberto said.
The parakeets follow Roberto.
Grace went back to the hollow to see if her husband Banjo is up. At the hollow Banjo woke up from his nap. His four children came to him.
Happy Birthday Dad." Belle, Crystal, Junior, and Max said. The children hugged their father Banjo. Banjo hugged his kids back.
"Awwww thanks kids. You are so sweet." Banjo said. He kiss each of them on their heads.
Grace came with mangoes for breakfast.
"Happy birthday my love-hawk." Grace said.
"Thank you honey." Banjo said. She give Banjo mangos and she give the kids mangoes too.
"You're welcome." Grace said.
Banjo and his family ate the mangoes.
"Let's spend the day together as a family." Grace said.
"Indeed." Banjo said.
After they finished breakfast Banjo and Grace engaged in a quick preening session before they decided to go and visit at Linda, Tulio, Fernando sanctuary. Grace decided to take a more scenic route to the outpost to avoid the main grove which was being prepared for the party this afternoon.
While Banjo is out with his family. Roberto, Fluffy, Paradise, Angel, and Bob had been doing fruit trees trying to get enough fruit for the party this evening.
"Man, gathering food for one party would be such a big task." Bob said.
"Tell me about it. I know gathering food is a big task but this is for Banjo's birthday so we have to make sure it's fully perfect." Roberto said grabbing a mango in his mouth before they headed back to the main grove where Jewel, Susan, Mimi, andJenny was busy setting up decorations with their friends.
"Okay make sure you find plenty of blue flowers for the whole grove." Mii said to a couple of females who nodded and took off to the flower grove to collect and add many blue flowers as they could find.
Mimi turned to the tables which was being prepared, all of them had to have a small brunch of mixed flowers in the centre with a ring of exotic vine surrounding them. She walked around each of them and adjusting them all which looked slightly off before her friends returned with plenty of blue flowers in little pouches they had crafted themselves. Mimi checked all the flowers and it was perfect.
"This blue flowers are beautiful. Banjo is going to love all this." Mimi said.
Blu, Jewel, Bia, Carla, Tiago, Nico, Pedro, Rico, Ricky, Rafael, Eva, Alex, Cadence, Eddie, Nightfly, Tomada Junior, Sorrel, Tomada, Bobbie, Lisa, Mary, Nate, Clive, Bridget, Rapper, Ricardo, Tony, Lola, Blaze, and Luiz had just finished designing the banner and write on it Happy 21st Birthday Banjo and used vines to tie them around the branches to keep it held up. Once it was secured in place, the team admire their work.
"Now that's a banner." Nico praised himself as he high five the whole team that made the banner.
"Look great guys. I love it." Roberto said. He and a few others were finished getting food organizing and decide to relax for a while until it was time.
"We got the food and drinks ready for the party." Garth said.
"Roberto, thank you and your friends for helping us." Angel said.
"Yeah we learn more about the Amazon thanks to you." Fluffy said.
Meanwhile
Banjo and his family are spending time with Linda, Tulio, and Fernando out at the sanctuary's outpost.
"Happy birthday Banjo. You are now a grown bird. Seems like yesterday you were just a chick." Linda said to her former companion.
"I hope you enjoy the rest of the day my feathered friend." Tulio said.
Banjo made a cheerful squawk.
"You are a 21 year old bird. You are getting older." Fernando said.
Banjo smiled at his human friends. Before he and his family took off to the Amazonand headed back into the sanctuary.
Next, they went to the snake territory where they enjoyed a relaxing tour with their snake friend Penny about that many traditions that take place in the grove, they even watched the ceremony which celebrated the founding of the grove.
Banjo smiled as he wrapped a wing around Grace while their kids played in the water.
"Are you enjoying your birthday my love?" Grace asked her mate.
"Yes I am been a lovely day. " Banjo said.
"Good to hear. " Grace said.
Grace glanced up at the sky which was starting to get dark so she decided it was time to head to the main grove.
"I think we should bathe before we head back. I have a surprise for you when we get back to the main grove." Grace said.
"A surprise. I wonder what it is?" Banjo wondered.
It wasn't long before the six blue macaws finished their bath. Banjo and Grace got out of the bath and shook themselves before they preened themselves throughly making sure there were no bad feathers.
"Banjo you look handsome." Grace said.
"Thank you, you look is the surprise for me?" Banjo said.
"Banjo you are so sweet. You will see when we get back to the tribe." Grace said.
Banjo and his family fly to the tribe home.
Banjo landed at the edge of the grove where Grace and the kids were waiting before she placed her wing over his eye's and slowly guided him forward. "Grace, what's going on?" Banjo asked her and Grace giggled as she carried on guiding him until they arrived at the center of the grove where the whole tribe was waiting.
"Ok Banjo are you ready?" She asked to which he replied with a nod removing her wing from his eyes. Banjo gasped in shock seeing the whole tribe in front of him as they cheered: "Surprise Happy Birthday Banjo." Daniel, Alex, Rapper, and Ricardo blowing a party blower.
The music played Celebration By Kool & The Gang. Banjo was surprised but smiled happily as he received wing shakes from several birds before being brought into a hug by Mimi. "Happy birthday Banjo, you are now 21. I can't believe it. You are now growing up." She said and Banjo smiled grow wider, he hug Mimi back. He is pulled by a hug by Peter and Susan.
"Happy birthday Banjo, my son-in-law is now 21. You took care of our daughter in the city Rio." Susan said.
"Yeah we love you so much. You were the amazing son-in-law we ever had." Peter said. Banjo smiled even more. He hug his parents-in-law. Now he is being pulled into a hug by Blu and his family.
"Happy birthday brother. You are the oldest. I remember our times when we lived in Minnesota with Linda." Blu said.
"You are the best brother-in-law I ever had. Enjoy your day." Jewel said.
"Happy birthday Uncle Banjo." Bia, Carla, and Tiago hug Banjo. Banjo hug Blu and his family.
Banjo is pulled into a hug by Jenny. "Happy birthday Banjo, you are now 21 and that is a milestone. You won my niece Grace heart. I love you so much." Banjo hug his aunt-in-law back and Jenny hug him back. He is being hug by Roberto.
"Banjo, happy birthday bro. Have a good day and enjoy your party." Roberto said before releasing Banjo from the hug then Roberto hug Banjo and Banjo hug him back. "Thank you Robeto." Banjo said.
"You're welcome bro." Roberto said.
Banjo is amazed and now he is being hug by Garth.
"Banjo. Happy birthday buddy. I can't believe you are now 21. Enjoy your day." Garth said. Banjo hug him back.
"Thank you Garth. Who told the tribe it was my birthday?" Banjo asked him.
"You're welcome. Grace was the one that organized all of this for you and she wanted to make your birthday special." Garth answered him.
"I wanted to make it special for you. I hope you like it." Grace said.
"Like it. I love it." Banjo said and he hugs Grace. Grace hugs him back.
"Thank you very much honey for making my birthday special." Banjo said.
"You're welcome my love." Grace said.
Banjo looked around in confusion before a light shone on the couple, blinding them slightly after they regained their vision they saw Nico, Pedro, Lillian, Sofia, Rico, and Ricky fly in front of them before they addressed the whole crowd.
"Alright everybody listen up. You all know Banjo the hero of the Amazon with Blu." Nico addressed to everyone to which the whole crowd cheered.
"Before we begin the party. Grace wants to say a few words." Nico said.
"Friends, Family, and Spix Macaw Tribe, we are gathered here to celebrate the birthday of our beloved blue macaw and hero of the Amazon my husband Banjo Alan Gunderson." The Spix Macaw Tribe smiled at that comment and everyone clapped and cheered while Banjo just blushed bashfully before Grace continued her speech. "You are the amazing husband to me and an amazing father to the children. You take care of us and love us. You helped other birds in the Amazon when they need help. I love you so much Banjo." Grace said.
Everyone clapped in round of applause. Tomada Junior cried in tears at that beautiful speech.
"Let's show him and his mate some love." Nico cheered before he, Pedro, Lillian, Sofia, Rico, and Ricky flew over to the small stage where the birds size piano, hohner hohnica, violin, guitar, ukulele, and trumpet had been set up before they began to play a smooth and romantic song.
Ooh, good lovin'
The girl's got plenty good lovin'
Ask me how I know
And I'll tell you so
She used ta be my girl
I, I respect her
When she was mine
I used to neglect her
Oh, she wanted more
Than I could give
But as long as I live
She'll be my girl
Banjo smiled at this song before offering his wing out to Grace. He remembered this song when he and Grace got married in Rio. He asked his wife to dance with him. She smiled and grapsed his wing before slowly spinning into his wings and they started to slowly dance in circles.
She, she used ta be my girl
She used ta be my girl
She had a charming personality
The girl was so right for me
She's my girl
And if I had the chance
Lord knows I'd take her back
As a matter of fact
Right away like today
Not only good lookin'
The girl was so smart
You can't beat her cookin'
Oh, ask me how I know
And I'll tell you so
She used ta be my girl, ooh
Deep down inside
I still love her
I place no one above her
She's warm and sensitive
For as long as I live
She'll be my girl
Banjo and Grace continued to dance, executing every movement perfectly, everyone including Peter were amazed at how well his daughter and son-in-law danced together.
And if I had the chance
I'd take her back
Lord knows, as a matter of fact
Right away like today, ooh
Good lovin'
The girl's got plenty good lovin'
Ask me how I know
And I'll tell you so
She used ta be my girl, my girl
She used ta be, she used ta be my girl
She used ta be my girl (I wouldn't lie about a thing like that)
She used ta be my girl
She used ta be my girl (I know you don't believe me)
She used ta be my girl (But she really did)
She used ta be my girl
She used ta be my girl
She used ta be my girl
Banjo and Grace danced together until the song ended. Everyone clapped in round of applause. Everyone danced when the party music is playing. Blu is dancing with his wife Jewel, Rafael is dancing with his wife Eva, Tony is dancing with his wife Lola, Tomada is dancing with his wife Sorrel, Erick is dancing with his new girlfriend Bobbie, Nightfly danced with his girlfriend Bia, Tomada Junior danced with his girlfriend Carla, Tiago danced with his girlfriend Lisa, Alex danced with his wife Lily, Roberto danced with his wife Liz, Garth danced with his wife Holly, Nate danced with his girlfriend Belle, Clive danced with his girlfriend Crystal, Junior danced with his girlfriend Maria, and Max danced with his girlfriend Bridget. The other couples and everyone danced as well.
Banjo and Grace arrived home completely exhausted after an amazing party. Mimi had agreed to look after Tiago, Carla, Max, Crystal, and Junior while Bia spends the night at Nightfly's hollow and Belle spends the night at Nate's hollow.
His jaw dropped slightly as he saw how beautiful she looked. She had preened her whole body so throughly her whole body sparkled like a coat of sapphire. Her eyelids were tinted lavender making them glow with a purple hue. She winks at Banjo.
"Like your surprise my handsome Banjo?" Grace asked him.
"Yes I do. Grace, you look sexy." Banjo said.
Grace pushed her body into Banjo's causing him to move backwards before he fell onto his back in the nest with Grace on top of him as they continued to kiss, moaning each other's names in pleasure. The two blue macaws stared at the lovebirds.
"Should we reveal ourselves?" Gina asked her boyfriend Ryan.
"No let them enjoy their moment." Ryan said.
The two blue macaws left to go to the hollow.
That's the end of chapter of 29 and Happy Birthday to my OC, Banjo.