CHAPTER SIXTEEN

"Calm down little banshee. God! It's your birthday today, can't you at least let this go. You're 20, fucking 20". Daniel yelled as he ducked by the cushion when she threw a small pillow at him

"Language Daniel ''. Monica who was still in the kitchen -making breakfast and had witnessed their daily argument but refused to interfere- said sternly. Lately it's been hard making both he and Dora stop swearing especially since she turned 18.

Throughout her 18th birthday she had kept swearing at every little thing just to annoy her parents. Then at night, she had given them each a present, to thank them for their love and care. And just as she was about going to bed, she shouted "I fucking love you both mum and dad. You both live in my damn mind always" and ran up to her room grinning. Only karma got her as she tripped on the last stair and twisted her ankle, which their dad had to repair. Something he did with so much happiness while making her pay for her constant swearing and being careful not to give her too much pain. Though Dora been Dora still had the last say, because just as everyone left her room that night to theirs, she shouted once again "who doesn't just love a fucking family like mine". Then shut the door with a grin though a light thud and a groan was heard seconds later making the other three laugh out loud and she groaned more

"And you're 25, act like it and stop ruffling my hair". She retorted

"Never. Besides, your hair looks better ruffled". He grinned earning him a glare

"Grow up you both will you". Monica said from the open kitchen as she finished making breakfast "now come and help me lay the dining table".

"It's my birthday, I ought to be pampered". Dora whined flopping down unto the sofa exhausted from chasing Daniel

"Oh come on. Stop using your birthday as an excuse. Just say you're lazy and everyone will agree". Daniel stuck his tongue out

"Shut up". Dora rolled her eyes

"No way!".

"Shut up". Dora narrowed her eyes

"No way".

"God! You're annoying".

"Ouch! You hurt me Dora. I thought I was your favorite brother?"

"Favorite? Mum, are you hiding another brother of mine I have no idea about or wait.." Dora paused eyes going wide "are you pregnant? Oh my God I'm going to be a sister". She jumped off the sofa and began jumping around grinning

"You're already a sister, Dora, a younger sister. Forgetting me already?". Daniel pursed his lips

"There's no little one Dora. Quit jumping around". Monica rolled her eyes already laying out the dining table herself

Dora suddenly stopped at the announcement, her happiness now glum "so I'm not getting any younger siblings at all. That means I can't do away with Daniel''. She cried flopping unto the sofa again

"Who's not getting a younger sibling?". A voice call out as the front door opened and Eric walked in, coming back from his usual jogging

"Dad!". Dora screamed running into his arms which held a few shopping bags

"Hey birthday girl. How is the princess doing". Eric smiled hugging her with the bags still in hands

"I'm not getting a younger sibling dad". Dora sniffled in his chest

"Huh? Were you supposed to get one before? Monica?". A confused Eric stared at Monica who shook her head at her daughter's antics

"Ask your son. Don't pull me in this". She sighed placing the last dish onto the dinning table as she gestured to Daniel who had come to assist her

"Daniel?". Eric asked confused his gaze now on Daniel who only raised his hands in surrender

"I know nothing, ask your daughter".

"Dora?"

"Yes dad?". Dora pouted looking up at him as she peeled herself from him

"I don't want to know anymore". Eric shook his head as he stared at his family

"I love you papa". Dora called Eric the name she uses whenever she's at wrong or wants something

Shaking his head once again this time at his daughter, he couldn't help the smile that made its way to his lips "I love you more. Happy birthday". He kissed the top of her head "now help me with these bags, they're killing my hands already". He groaned in relieve as she took some from him

"What's all these bags for honey?". Monica came towards them after they dropped them on the sofa

"Met with Philip on my way back from jogging. He said he was going to get something for Violet, something about her wish list. So I decided to tag along remembering Dora once told me something like that, and well here we are

"You remembered?". Dora asked with misty eyes as she stared at the bags

"Ofcourse, I never forget what my little girl says". Eric grinned. Dora couldn't help but jumped into his arms once more as she mumbled her thanks

"Yet you forget me all the time". Daniel complained already seated by the dining table

"Don't be a jealous baby Daniel". Dora stuck out her tongue which he reciprocated

"Goodness! You both are no longer kids, behave! And Eric please go and have your shower and then come and have your breakfast". Monica said with a sigh. Her family could sometimes drive her crazy

"Yes, your precious one". Eric bowed before going up stairs to their room

"And Dora go wash your hands and come have breakfast".

"Yes, your highness". Dora curtsied and walked into the kitchen towards the sink

"Drama queens". Monica shook her head at her husband and daughter antics "God Daniel, keep your paws away from my food". She suddenly exclaimed upon turning around

Startled by her voice, Daniel dropped the spoon which was filled with food and halfway to his mouth on the floor

"Goodness Daniel! What are you? 5? You'd better go get the broom and clean this mess. God I feel like I'm surrounded by kids". Monica exclaimed exasperated

"You startled me mum". Daniel mumbled defensively just as Dora yelled from the kitchen " you actually are mum, at least I'm still a kid"

"Are you saying I'm at fault". She narrowed her eyes at him, hands on her hips

"Yh, are you saying my mum here is at fault?". Dora smirked coming out of the kitchen and walked towards Monica

Daniel glared at her before turning his gaze to his mother and sighed "I just wanted a taste".

"Yet look at the mess you did". Dora retorted

"Shut up Dora". Daniel glared at her but instead she only narrowed her eyes back

"Make me"

The trio stayed like that for a while, both kids glaring at each other and Monica staring at the mess. "Should I really be considering another kid after you both?". Monica voiced out making both kids stare at her wide eyes just as Eric came back, now refreshed and changed in a new pair of cloth

"Who's considering another kid?". Eric asked, confused. Then noticed the looks on his family's face "forget I asked". He immediately added making them all burst into a fit of laughter

"You always come at the wrong time dad". Dora grinned as they all settled down to eat after Daniel had cleaned the mess

"That's what got me your mum". Eric winked Monica who blushed while the kids gasped at the revelation

"Oh my God! Now I'm interested". Dora grinned ears perked for a story

"That another time, birthday girl". Monica put her eagerness off

"As the birthday girl you should honor my wish. I can only be 20 once in a lifetime". Dora urged and even Daniel nodded in agreement, both eager for some story

"Well, right on the sofa are plenty of your wishes". Eric gestured to the sofa a smirk on his face

"Nobody loves me". Dora sighed ruefully sniffling

"Well that means I can have your food right?" Daniel grinned only to earn a pinch on his arm

"Ouch what was that for?". He exclaimed shocked as he rubbed his arms

"Sharing love dear brother".

"If thats love sharing, then thank you but you can keep it all to yourself"

"Whatever". She stuck her tongue out and he did the same

"God! Let's eat already, the food is getting cold". Monica said putting an end to their banter

"It's his fault"

"It's hers"

"I don't care who's it is, I'm hungry so let's eat"

"Am I really not getting a sibling?". Dora suddenly asked after they started eating "forget I asked". She muttered upon seeing her mother's narrowed eyes

"But hey, I know how we can get a little one". She suddenly brightened up "get Daniel married". She grinned like it was the most obvious thing to say

Daniel, who was about to drink water, began choking on his first sip "what...the..hell!". He said between coughs and wheezing

"What? Don't you want kids?". Dora asked innocently as she put a spoonful of food into her mouth

"Where did that come from"

"Just answer me. Do you or do you not?"

"I've never thought about it"

"Liar, I remember that day you said you want kids of your own, little you who would be annoying me as they draw weird things on my face"

"That was years ago, we were both little. How can you remember that?"

"I never forget things easily. Retentive memory, remember?". Dora flipped her hair

"Whatever, just eat and stop bugging me".

"Now where's the fun in that, besides I'm eating". Dora said but Daniel ignored her

"You know not talking to a birthday girl on her birthday is a bad omen"

"No it's not"

"Yes it is"

"No, you just made that up"

"Of Course not. I….". And both kids kept the banter still they had their breakfast and after while their parents only watched them with a small smile on their face, not reprimanding them