Build And Break novel Chapter 66

But that day, four years later, Steven was present at the same time the first light pierced through the curtains. Steven had joined her when she went to wake Daniel and wished him happy birthday before she could say the words first. Steven had prepared Daniel's cereals and milk as well as his favorite breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast for Angela, Grace and Jimmy. Then, he joined them in the sitting room, lounging on the armchair without a care of the stains over the fabric and immersed himself watching a marathon of tacky soap opera episodes with them. For a few hours, in his casual attire of jeans and a plain sweater and without checking the phone that he had switched off since that morning, Steven seemed to be like one of them. A simple human being. No arrogant smirk, no held-up high shoulders, no suits, no big money. Nothing but the little things. A warm cup of tea, wasting the time arguing with the TV and the character's of the show playing, preparing dinner with friendly company.

Everyone in the house had lent a hand to help put dinner together. Angela had prepared the chocolate birthday cake and patiently and with Daniel's help, decorated it with too many colors and sweets she usually didn't allow Daniel to eat. Grace had prepared the large pot of scrumptious mushroom soup. Jimmy and Steven had joined forces to endure the arduous task of filling the canneloni with ricotta and spinach that Daniel had requested as the main birthday dish. Every one of them were all in a good mood. Smiles were all around. Not a single sneer was directed at another. They were united just like a family.

And that was the thought that made Angela wonder if Daniel could ever have his wish come true. And she wished they, all of them, could be a blissful as they were that day.

"Okay, Danny boy. Time for your presents." Grace announced when she saw the clear droplets ready to leak from the corner of Angela's eyes.

Daniel ran to Grace when she offered him the medium sized box wrapped in a paper with a hundred colorful soccer balls. "From me and Uncle Jimmy." Immediately the boy began tearing the wrapping with impatient hands and threw the box lid away. From amongst the white tissue paper, Daniel picked up the velvet blue blazer and his smile dropped a little. It definitely wasn't the gift he expected.

"Want to try it on?" Grace offered.

The boy hesitated his answer. Jimmy crouched to the boy, took the blazer from him. "Come on, let's put this on and see if you look good in that." Jimmy helped Daniel dress on the jacket.

"Oh, you're so handsome." Grace encouraged Daniel.

"I say you look even more handsome that Daddy in the fancy clothes." Jimmy continued pushing the right buttons. Comparing the boy to his Daddy succeeded in putting a smile back on Daniel's face.

Daniel turned to Steven. "I look better than you in the fancy clothes." He chuckled.

"You do, little man." Steven agreed.

Grace cleared her throat, catching the attention of Steven. "We bought that at a thrift shop. If you don't want Daniel to wear it, we understand and we..."

Steven inhaled a longer breath than needed. It was possibly the first time, Angela was addressing him with his new title. And the warm feeling it sent through his body made him relish it enough he'd never complain if she'd always called him that instead of his name.

"I think Daniel should go with Jimmy instead." Steven's words caused Angela's face to fall. "I'd prefer if we go to something better than that game." Steven stepped forward and crouched before Daniel as he pulled something from his back pocket and presenting it to the boy. "Happy Birthday, son."

Daniel's mouth dropped open as he took the piece of thick paper. "Three tickets to the biggest game ever?"

"Yes, three. One for you, one for me..." Steven looked up, meeting Angela's fixated eyes. "And one for Mommy. The three of us, together."

In an instant move of joy, Daniel jumped to hug Steven. "Thank you, Daddy."

Angela watched on with a frozen smile on her face. Steven had bought tickets to the game between Daniel's favorite team and their main opponents that she wanted to buy originally but they were too expensive. And she refused to use Steven's credit card still. And now, Steven had bought tickets for the three of them.