Gordon

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy birthday to you. Happy Birthday, dear King. Happy birthday to you."

I stood back as the family gathered around the table, congratulating my youngest son on turning eighteen. King wanted to be in New York for his birthday, so we made the trip. After the celebration, he would be heading out with his cousins as well as his brother Dem and Calvin. I trust them to keep him safe and well-behaved. Fuck, who am I kidding? I already heard Dem whisper to him about how fucked up he was going to get him.

King, my youngest son, the one who made me see how hard it was to parent. Dema was my easy one, ready to train, fight, kill. Miri was and still is Pape's girl. The only issue I had with her was boy's but King... King is one of a kind. He never was interested in the training, the learning. He did complete it and was damn good, but his heart wasn't there. He would rather have been out with friends, chasing girls and having fun. His interest was in medicine, and he plans on attending college here in New York to become a doctor. I know he'll make an excellent king when the time comes. I just hope he grows out of his playful ways and takes it seriously. I've stressed to him how important and dangerous his role is, which only leads to an argument. I blame his lack of interest on growing up away from the family. Sylvia tells me to let him be, that he'll come around. He plans to stay with Dem during college, so I'm hoping he can get him on the right path, the family path.

I watched As King grin as his brother teased him unmercifully. Turning my attention away, I saw my grandson, Calvin Jr., or who we call CJ, off by himself. I love all my grandchildren, but I feel a certain bond with him. I guess because he was my first, and I kept him a lot during Miri and Calvin's hard times. Walking over, I took a seat beside him. "Hey, pop pop". He said, calling me by the name he gave me as a child.

I squeezed his now broad shoulder. "Something bothering you?" I asked, concerned.

He shrugged. "Let's see, Pape's crazy, Mom's mom, and Kerina, well, her name explains it all. Other than that, I'm good".

I gave a soft chuckle. "It will work itself out. It always does. So you found that special lady yet?" I asked to take his mind off his woes.

CJ snorted. "Yeah, right. You know the deal".

He was quiet for a moment, then spoke. "There is this one girl, though".

"Oh really? Who?" I asked

" I don't know her name. In fact, I don't even know her. She works at a coffee shop and serves me coffee. I've never spoken to her". He said.

I laughed. "You, not talk? Last I heard, you had a new girlfriend every week".

Rolling his eye's he said sarcastically. "Let me guess, Uncle Defucko told you that? It's just hard with this girl. I mean, she seems so nice and innocent. How does a guy like me approach someone like that? It's not like I can tell her exactly who and what I am. This life isn't fair at times".

I glanced at my babydoll across the room, who was caught up in a tug of war with King and Dem. I knew how CJ was feeling. I'd been there myself. "Here's some advice. Ask the girl out. Get to know her and when the time is right, tell her. Yes, she will freak at first, but if she's the one, she'll see past it. Trust me, it takes a special woman to love us. And if she never returns, well, she isn't the one, and you're better off".

CJ nodded. "Thanks, pop pop".

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the pocketwatch that my Pape gave me right before I met Sylvia. "Take this. It belonged to your great-grandfather. Brought me the luck of the world".

"Pop pop, I can't".

"Sure you can. It's a gift".

CJ finally took it from me and admired it. "Thanks".

I stood and kissed his head. "Go get that girl".

He smiled as I joined the others. As I approached the group, Demari, better known as Demy, Demas' daughter, stomped past me in a rage. "Hey, Hey there," I said, slowing her down.

She turned and looked at me with tears in her eyes. Instantly, my protective nature submerged. Pulling her aside, I led her to a quiet corner. "What's wrong, sunshine?"

Demy sniffled. "It's Pape again. There's this formal dance coming up at school, and he refuses to let me go with the boy I like. Nor will he purchase the dress I like. He claims I'm too young, and he doesn't like the boy. My life is miserable because of him. I have no friends or social life".

I looked at her earnestly but was smiling on the inside. I clearly remember going through this stage with Miri, and now my son was getting his dose. It was obvious that Demy was growing into a beautiful young lady, but she was only sixteen. I placed my arm around her and pulled her close. "Show me the dress, sunshine".

Demy pulled her phone out and showed me a picture. Yes, there could have been more material to it, but it was lovely. Pulling my phone out, I asked her sizes and placed the order as her face lit up. "Tell your pape that I have given you permission to go, and you will wear the dress I bought. If he has an issue, he can take it up with me".

Demy slung her arms around my neck. "You're the best pop pop. I love you".

" I love you too, my sunshine. Now, go dry those eyes. Oh, and tell this boy he doesn't want me on his bad side, so tread carefully ".

Demy grinned. "Oh, pop pop, I will, I remember that trick you taught me. You know the one to crush his nuts".

I laughed as the wild, spirited woman child skipped off. Once again, I made my way toward the crowd but was caught short by Ari. "Hello brother".

"How's it going , brat? "

She shrugged. "I'm worried about Vivian".

Vivian was the daughter of the long-ago Ivy. Ari raised her as her own, and recently, Vivian had learned the truth of her birth mother. Learned of the harm her true mother caused the family and that my impulsive wife took her out. Ari continued. "Since she learned the truth, she has become withdrawn and wants to open up. I fear the worst. What if she turns out like Ivy?"

"Nonsense. You've done a great job mothering her. You've raised her the Sally and Boznic way. She'll be fine. She's a good girl". I said, which was all true.

Ari smiled. "Thanks. I sure hope so".

I smiled and nudged her shoulder in a brotherly manner as I passed on. Then I felt her shove me back, and I laughed. As I joined the rest, I stood beside Kerina. Kerina was as gorgeous as her mother Miri had been at twenty-two. Poor dear had to live with Calvin's conditions but managed it well. However, to be so beautiful, she was always gloomy. "How's my little rain cloud doing?" I asked.

She offered a weak smile and laid her head against my shoulder. "Is it odd that I'd rather be in the training room than at this party?"

That was her, always ready for battle and one of the deadliest among the ninth. "Did you receive the knife I had delivered to you?"

" Indeed". She said, pointing to her upper arm where it was concealed.

I nodded. "It was my favorite when I first began as well. I felt it suited you".

She flickered a quick smile. "It is my favorite as well now, pop. Thanks. You know me too well".

I smiled back at her lonely face. "You can thank me by giving me that terrific smile of yours."

Kerina groaned. "Come on, pop".

I tilted her chin up so she would look at me, and I spoke with all seriousness. "I promise you, one day you will meet someone that you'll want to wear that special smile for".

She shrugged. "If I don't kill them first".

I grinned. "That is a possibility".

Finally, her smile erupted along with a giggle. "Oh, I love you, pop. You know how to make me smile every time".

"And I love you more, my little rain cloud," I said, kissing her forehead.