24-Dec-2000
To Hyuy: Giving you your B-day present early. You asked for Duo to have a merry X-mas, I hope this counts ^__^
Notes: This is sort of a standalone sequel to my story 'Faire Tale', archived at www.gwaddiction.com That kinda explain the background to this, but you don't really need to read to get this story ^_^ And yes, this is a song fic, based on the song Happy Birthday.
The snow fairies danced happily about the snow-globe ignorant of their imprisonment within the small world. Duo stared at the globe with such fascination, his nose was being flatten against glass.
Of course, the church inside the globe was a lot nicer than Maxwell Church. There was a pair of twin towers that competed in magnificence and a rose window that was ten times more colorful than the modest little rosette window that was the pride of Father Maxwell.
"Duo," Sister Helen called out softly as she placed her hand over Duo's shoulder.
"Hmm..." Duo muttered in acknowledgement that he had heard her, his eyes still focused on the globe. It was so perfect. Everything there was so perfect. Inside, there was no war... no Shinigami...
"Duo, it's time for lunch," Sister Helen informed the young boy.
"Hmm..." Duo nodded, but he still held the globe in his small hands. If only Duo could go inside there, if even for a moment. It looked so safe in there.
"Duo, you can stare at the snow globe later," Sister Helen said gently.
"Hmm..." Duo nodded again as he reluctantly placed the globe back on Father Maxwell's desk.
"Duo," Heero gently shook the sleeping American.
"Hmmm..." Duo mumbled slightly and turned over.
"If we don't get up soon, the pile of presents are going to get raided!" Heero reminded him.
Duo nuzzled against Heero's shirt, "Do you think it will snow today, Heero?"
Heero smiled fondly at the sleepy boy, "Duo, weren't you the one who told me it never snowed on L2?"
After some more nuzzling, Duo finally opened his eyes, "Did you remember the cupcakes for tonight?"
"Duo, I told you five times already that I got the cupcakes," Heero said while picking up the smaller boy and placing him on the wheelchair.
"Good, because the cupcakes are the most important part," Duo nodded to himself while trying to wiggle out of his pajamas.
"I think I'm getting a strawberry one," Mary whispered to Duo secretively. Duo blinked several times without looking away from his lunch.
"Huh?" Duo finally asked after Sister Helen walked past them.
"I'm not supposed to peak, but I saw Father Maxwell put my name on a strawberry cupcake," Mary continued, "Stawberry is my favorite!"
"What cupcake?" Duo wondered.
"Oh I forgot," Mary slapped her forehead dramatically, "You're new! It's our birthday tonight!"
"Birthday?" Duo repeated enviously.
"Yeah. We get cupcakes with our names on it and holy pictures," Mary munched on her sandwich enthusiastically, "Imagine that! Mary Beth James written on my own cupcake!"
Of course, they would know Mary's birthday, Duo thought as he suddenly lost his appetite, she was probably born here... where it's warm.
"Duo, are you going to finish that?" Mary asked as Duo put down his sandwich.
"No, you can have it," Duo pushed his plate over to Mary.
*Happy birthday to you*
"AWESOME!" San whispered in awe as he stared at his castle. The wooden castle was impossibly detailed, from the windows on the dungeon towers to the drawbridge. Everything was polished to a shine.
"It took Hee-chan forever to make it," Nana commented knowingly, "I help to make the little flags."
"Aren't you going to open your present Nana?" Duo urged the small girl.
"No, Calvin can open his first, 'coz he's new," Nana offered selflessly.
"Calvin?" Heero encouraged the five-year-old boy who just joined the New Maxwell Orphanage.
Calvin stared at the golden wrapper for a moment in disbelief before slowing removing it. He was so careful that the wrapping paper did not even tore when it opened up to a remote control car.
"Nii-chan made that," Nana informed the others.
"WOW!" Calvin touched the surface of the car with such open admiration that Duo wished he could have done more.
"Come on, Nana, it's your turn," San said impatiently, "I want to see what you got!"
"Chocolate... I think mine is going to be chocolate," Mamoru told the group with excitement.
The group of children sat themselves neatly in a circle awaiting their prize. Their eager eyes focused on the kitchen door.
The moment finally arrived when Sister Helen burst through the doors carrying a tray of cupcakes each with its own candle on it.
The children cheered as they clapped their hands together.
Ceremoniously, Sister Helen placed a cupcake in front of each child.
"Strawberry!" Mary exclaimed in delight.
Sister Helen's smile widened slightly as she placed a brown colored one in front of Mamoru and another brown colored one in front of Duo.
Duo stared at the cupcake suspiciously. Today wasn't his birthday. He wasn't sure, but he didn't think today could be everybody else's birthday too. This many people can't be born on the same day... suddenly he noticed that written on his cupcake in frosting were the words, "Duo Maxwell." He looked up questioningly at Sister Helen.
"Duo of Maxwell Church," Sister Helen answered the unasked question.
*Happy birthday to you*
"Blow out the candle and make a wish!" Duo told the children.
Huffs of breath extinguished the dancing flames.
"What did you wish for?" San asked Nana softly.
"Shhh, you are not supposed to tell. If you tell, it won't come true any more," Nana warned San. She wished with all her heart that Nii- san would get better and be able to walk again.
"I never had a birthday before!" Calvin said to no one in particular, "Can I have another sometime?"
"You can have one every year!" Duo laughed, "Now, eat your cupcake and tell me what flavors you got!"
Chocolate. Duo's cupcake was chocolate as well. Duo decided that when he got older he would eat this everyday.
"So what did you wish for?" Mamoru asked Duo between small bites. It was obvious that Mamoru wanted the cupcake to last.
"You are not supposed to tell," Mary quickly hushed Duo, "If you tell, it won't come true!"
Duo wished for snow. He was pretty sure it wouldn't come true. His wish never came true, but it was worth a try.
"Duo, we are going to go play basketball, you wanna play?" Mary had been talking for a while, but Duo wasn't listening. He only tuned in again when he heard his name mentioned.
"How do you play basketball?" Duo asked curiously, "Do you throw a ball in basket or something?"
"Yeah, it's fun! Come on, we'll teach you!" Mary grabbed one of Duo's hand led him out of the small church.
"Pass it to me! Pass it to me!" Calvin yelled excitedly to Duo. One hand on the ball, the other skillful maneuvering his wheelchair, Duo expertly tossed the ball to Calvin.
Overwhelmed to be actually in possession of the ball, Calvin immediately aimed for the basket and went for a shot. The ball bounced hard against the rim and snapped back straight for the table of food!
"Watch out!!" Nana yelled, but it was not necessary, Duo had somehow managed to rotate his wheelchair 180 degrees, and tilted the wheelchair just so to intercept the out of control projectile and the ball fell gently on his lap.
"Nii-chan!" San cheered happily, "You are the best!"
"Duo, you just scored for the other team," Mamoru complained.
"I'm sorry," Duo lowered his head. He was so excited to finally get the ball he did not realize that he had to throw the ball in to a particular basket. Well, actually, it was more of a bucket.
"It's okay," Mamoru patted Duo on the back, "You are pretty good for your first time."
"Children," Sister Helen's voice rang like a bell in midst of the children, "It's getting late. Come back inside now..."
"Why are we lighting so many candles?" San asked curiously as Duo reverently lit the tenth candle in the forth row.
"Because we light a candle for everyone whose birthday is today," Duo replied patiently.
"There are that many people whose birthday is today?" Calvin whispered in amazement, "Are they all going to come over tonight?"
Duo smiled, "I hope so. I hope they all come tonight..."
"Amen," Mary chanted dutifully, but Duo was quiet.
"Now we all light one candle on the altar," Mary told Duo while darkness bathed the church.
"What for?"
"For our birthday of course!" Mary said it as if Duo was completely stupid.
"But it isn't my birthday..."
"When are they going to come?" San was growing impatient.
"Who?" Heero looked up from his book.
"Nii-chan's friends. The ones he lighted the candles for," San explained.
"The people whose birthday is today," Calvin added helpfully.
"Duo?" Father Maxwell found the small boy shivering as he sat outside on the church steps, his head raised towards the sky, "What are you doing out here?"
"This isn't my birthday," Duo's voice was firm, "It isn't anybody's birthday today..."
"Duo..." Father Maxwell began, but stopped when he realized that tears were dancing in Duo's eyes.
"We are all orphans, nobody knows when we were born," Duo bit back the tears that threatened to leak out, "And nobody cares..."
"That's not true," Father Maxwell very slowly put his arm around the small boy, "Duo, the reason Sister Helen and I celebrate everyone's birthday today is because we have to rejoice that you were all born and were brought to us. Before you all came, this church was filled with silence. What do you hear now?"
Duo raised his head slightly and realized that the children were singing inside.
"Your births are blessings to us, Duo," Father Maxwell gently wiped away the tears that spilled out, "And I cannot think of a better day to celebrate it then on our Lord's birthday."
"I will tell you a secret," Father Maxwell leaned closer to Duo, "Jesus wasn't born today either."
"He wasn't?" Duo muttered with surprise.
"Nope," Father Maxwell smiled, "The church decided they needed one day to celebrate the miracle of his birth and since they didn't know when he was born, so they picked today. We might call today the official day of miracles, and it's meant for everyone who doesn't know their birthday."
"Like us?" Duo asked eagerly.
"Exactly. I'm sure Jesus doesn't mind sharing his birthday. In fact I think it's meant to be shared," Father Maxwell said with conviction.
"And you know what else?" Father Maxwell continued, "Don't tell anyone I said this, but I think today is when people who went to heaven come back and visit..."
"Really?" Duo looked at up Father Maxwell.
"Yeah, but they are probably inside," Father Maxwell pointed towards the church door, "It's chilly out here."
Duo suddenly noticed that he was cold.
"Want to go inside?" Father Maxwell offered.
"Yeah."
"So we can't see your friends," San reasoned. It's been a very confusing day running for answers between Nii-chan and Heero.
"Nope, but I'm sure they are watching us," Duo answered as he lighted the last candle. He placed his face near the flames for a moment and bathed in its warmth. I miss you Father.
Knocks came from the door.
"That must be Relena and Hilde," Duo looked toward Heero expectantly, "Go open the door."
"No, I think you should get it," Heero told the American.
"Lazy bum," Duo complained as he wheeled himself to the door. With one swift motion, he opened the door, and his mouth fell open.
Outside, tiny white flakes danced happily as they descended from the heavens.
"How... how..."
"Knowing the former Queen of the World has its advantages," Heero picked up Duo into his arms and walked outside.
"Heero... I..."
"Happy Birthday, Duo," Heero kissed him.
*Happy Birthday to you*
~Owari
Back to 'Faire Tale'
(:./draco/bday)
