023

The cookie from Georgina's fingers fell once Aaron told her his birthday.

He blinked at her in confusion and popped the piece of chocolate he was holding into his mouth. Aaron proceeded to chew, staring at his companion thoughtfully as she sat there in her seat, practically frozen.

They were having lunch together in a quaint little restaurant, the weather having picked up because of the coming Christmas, which was roughly around a week or so away. Aaron had discarded his mittens to be able to feel the warmth from the English tea he ordered, clad in a thick brown coat and winter boots. Georgina had tied her hair to a loose ponytail, a cute little headband keeping her baby hairs away from her face. She was in a red festive coat with ankle-length boots that had heels around two inches. While she didn't have mittens, she did take off her beanie and so her hair was released from its confines, messier than ever and resembling a bird's nest. Aaron was tempted to comment on it but knew that he would get a punch to the shoulder for saying something so blatantly obvious so he kept his mouth shut in favor of his safety.

Aaron cocked his head to the side, confused.

"Why do you look so shocked?"

Georgina blinked and frowned at him.

"Um... maybe 'cause you didn't tell me your birthday?" she said, tone laced with sarcasm. She huffed and cut a piece of her strawberry shortcake—her dessert. "Dude seriously were you just going to let your birthday pass without us knowing? And it's close to Christmas too."

Aaron's lips formed an amused smile as he picked another chocolate off his plate, examining it. Then his gaze went to Georgina and he smiled.

"I wasn't exactly keeping it from you," he said. "But I guess it just slipped my mind and I didn't see any reason to tell you. My apologies."

Georgina frowned and pouted at him, growling lightly. Then she shrugged, the expression replaced with a bright and cheery grin.

"Ah well I guess you didn't mean to forget or somethin' so maybe I'll let cha off easy."

"Thank you."

~~

Donna bounded through the double library doors screaming, "UNCLE!"

The other people who were in there silently reading jumped violently and threw her dirty glares, Donna shrinking at their gazes and whispering instead, "Uncle Aaron!"

Aaron was by her side in an instant, round reading glasses perched on his nose and staring down at his niece with fire in his eyes. Donna flinched and clapped her palms together, bowing and whimpering.

"This is a library, am I correct?" Aaron said in a sweet voice, Donna gritting her teeth and nodding. "This place should have silence, am I correct?" Again, Donna nodded. "Then why, pray tell, are you shouting at the top of your lungs when you are in this sacred place?"

Donna raised her head and said urgently, "Sorry about that Uncle really. But I gotta tell you something really really important."

Aaron squinted at her to gauge her sincerity and saw no funny business. He gestured with his head for them to talk outside, Donna nodding in understanding and going out the library the same way she came in. Then he turned to his customers and smiled politely.

"My deepest apologies for the commotion, folks. Please, continue." He headed out and found his niece waiting, toeing the cracks on the ground with her shoe. "What is the meaning of this, Donna? I understand you might need me for something urgent but please, it is also my working hours."

"Yeah but shouldn't you be closing up shop around this time? How're we gonna celebrate your birthday if you're working?"

Aaron blinked. "My birthday?" He blinked again. "It's today?!"

Donna rolled her eyes. "Sheesh Uncle I knew you were gonna forget. December the nineteenth, right?"

"Yes you're absolutely right. But first—" he headed toward his library—"I have to close now."

"Good idea. I'll just be here."

Soon the pair was running through the streets, Donna in the lead with Aaron following behind. He bumped into countless people and objects, automatically blurting out his apologies as he darted on, struggling to keep his niece in sight.

"Donna where are we even going?"

"We're close, Uncle! C'mon!"

He vaguely registered the streets and shops were becoming familiar but he couldn't pinpoint where he saw this from before. After a few more minutes where his chest heaved for air and sweat matted his palms and forehead Donna cheered out and said with a huge smile, "We're here!"

As Aaron breathed in, he saw indeed that they were in a place very familiar: the Diaz household.

Donna urged him to follow so he did, the girl opening the door and multiple voices shouting at once, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AARON!"

Then there were some party poppers and cheers and yells of joy, Aaron blinking in stupor as he registered the people inside. Of course there was Georgina, Connor, and Veronica but there was also his cousins and a few friends, his own father, and his sister Kiana laughing as she talked to a guest. Their eyes met and his sister's eyes softened, raising the drink she held in his honor. He flushed crimson, nodding to show his acknowledgement.

Georgina bounced over to him and clapped her hands gleefully, throwing a short arm around him. He saw her eyes flash with irritation for a moment at their height differences, Aaron chuckling and giving her reprieve by stooping lower, Georgina shooting him a grin of thanks before she looked to the crowd.

"Everyone, we wanna start off by saying thanks for getting the time to stop by and celebrate this boy's big day, yeah? It was a little hard contacting ya'll but of course Aaron deserves to have the people he loves around him. Can I get a hear, hear?"

"Hear hear!" they all cheered.

Georgina giggled and continued on, "Well first things first: we're gonna have a big dinner and then we're gonna give our presents. With all that, we're gonna crowd around the birthday boy, sing him the 'Happy Birthday' song, and we'll watch him blow out the candles. Sounds good?"

"Yeah!"

"All right let's get this party started!"

Aaron was whisked away from Georgina by his cousins from his mother's side, all eager to talk to him and catch up. Aaron was also happy to be able to see them again, exchanging talk and swapping stories from their time apart. After that he left to go and drink with his relatives from his father's side, his father even joining in to play a couple rounds of poker.

"Bah you beat me again, son!" his father said, chuckling and clapping him on the back.

Aaron laughed and said, "I learned from the best. I thought I rusted out because I haven't been playing anymore."

"You've still got it, eh Ron?"

Aaron looked up to be met with the twinkling brown eyes of his sister, her brown hair the same shade as his flowing about her as they stared at each other upside down. He grinned.

"Hi Kiki. Good to see life's been treating you well."

Kiana smiled, laughing and pulling him with her. Aaron hastily excused themselves, their father and relatives laughing at the siblings.

After being granted permission by Veronica to use the upstairs for their conversation, Aaron led Kiana to the top of the stairs, letting go of her hand. Both siblings stood there in silence, the noise of the party becoming background noise.

He looked at her and noted how she had filled out in her cheeks and limbs, which was good. Aaron always thought his sister was too thin and it was good to see her having more fat and figure. She inherited the brown eyes of their father while their hair color was from their mother. Soon she faced him and his heart jumped in surprise and anticipation.

"Happy birthday, Ron," she said in her soft voice, Aaron relaxing as he smiled.

"Thank you, Kiki." Then he cleared his throat. "I'm surprised to see both you and Dad here."

She giggled. "Actually, I was staying with him. I didn't get around to telling you so sorry 'bout that.

"And about Mom?" He stiffened at that, not sure what to say or do. "Of course if she were here she'd give you the biggest hug. Ron, look at me." Her voice, though commanding, wasn't harsh and he couldn't disobey so he raised his eyes, taken aback at the warmth his sister's eyes held. "Dad and I are serious about her death not being your fault. I know you're still grieving and knowing you, you tend to blame yourself for situations out of our control." She reached out a hand to grasp his and squeeze once. "Don't beat yourself up and let the past drag you down. Forgive yourself."

Tears welled in his eyes and he wiped them away with his free hand, switching their hand positions so he held hers instead. He gave two squeezes to show his appreciation. Kiana smiled back.

"Oh by the way, how did you and Dad get here?"

Kiana hummed and said, "A woman named Georgina was the one who invited us and made sure we found the right address. She's a good person. You're lucky you have her."

He felt himself smile, mentally reminding himself to personally thank Georgina for all her efforts.

Kiana then grinned mischievously, worrying Aaron. Oh no, what's on her mind?

"Is she your girlfriend? Sweet choice."

Aaron blushed and said, "No she's not."

"Huh? Your face says otherwise though," teased Kiana as she headed downstairs.

"Kiki you absolute tease! Don't spread rumors!" Aaron called behind her, only receiving a wave then she was gone. He huffed, not knowing what to do with her and praying that she didn't go around saying that he and George were a couple.

Outside to take a break from all the festivities, he found another person with him. Upon realizing who it was, he sped up to be by her side and said sincerely, "Thank you."

The person turned and gave him a smile. "No problem, champ. And mind ya, I wasn't the only one who did all the work."

"Yes I know but I have a feeling you were the one who spearheaded the birthday party so much of my thanks goes to you, George."

Georgina smiled and punched his shoulder in friendly terms, Aaron wincing and her apologizing that she hit too hard. They stood side by side in companionable silence, looking at the dark sky.

He saw her inhale deeply, hold it for a few seconds, and let out the breath through her mouth.

"Ahh this is nice. You like the party?"

"Yes. You invited my relatives and even took the time to ensure my immediate family members came here safely. That's too much from you."

Georgina faced her body towards his. She grinned albeit sadly.

"I'd do anything to get my parents back. And if seeing you reunited with your family is something, then that's something for me too."

His heart swelled with much affection for this woman, taking her hand and squeezing it. Georgina stared at their joined hands before her gaze went to his face, smiling that smile of hers that always brightened his days.

"Happy birthday, Lance."

"Thank you, George."