Chapter 90: Birthday wishes

The black sedan moved smoothly through the streets as Clancy leaned his head back against the leather headrest. The ringing of his phone interrupted the silence, and as Clancy reached into his pocket and pulled it out, a tired but small smile instantly broke across his face when he saw the caller ID. He knew why they were calling.

He clicked the answer button "Hello, Mother. Hello, Father." he said, knowing that although it was his father who called, his wife was definitely beside him with the phone on speaker phone.

"Happy birthday, son!" his father said. A faint background clinking of glassware and quiet laughter suggested they were calling from the golf club’s main lounge. "We wanted to make sure we caught you before your day got too busy over there. Did your flight land on schedule?" his father asked him.

"It did, Father. I am actually in the car right now, on my way to Selen’s villa," Clancy replied, his voice shifting to a warmer register.

"Oh, wonderful," his mother’s voice joined in, smooth and full of affection.

"Please give Selen and the children our absolute best. Clancy, your father hasn’t stopped talking about your golf game from the other morning. He keeps telling everyone at the club that your swing has finally improved." She said,

Clancy chuckled softly, gazing out the window as the car turned onto the long, familiar avenue leading toward Selen’s neighborhood. "Well, we are just glad you are back safe," his mother said. "Go enjoy your day with the children. We know how much you were looking forward to seeing them. Do not let us keep you." she said.

She and Clancy did not have time to talk beyond their regular mother and son dialogue when he was in England. But she understood that returning back to his wife and kids as soon as possible was his priority.

"Thank you, Mother. Thank you, Father," Clancy said. A moment after the line went quiet, the screen lit up again, this time with a Face Time invitation from his brother, Julian. Clancy swiped the dashboard screen to accept.

Julian appeared on the display, sitting in a quiet nursery. He was cradling a tiny, sleeping bundle wrapped in a pink blanket against his chest. It was Chloe, Clancy’s niece and goddaughter.

"Happy birthday, man," Julian said in a low, quiet voice, careful not to wake the baby. He gently angled the phone down so Clancy could see Chloe’s soft features and tiny, closed fists.

"We wanted to catch you right as you landed. I know she can not say it yet, but your goddaughter wishes you a happy birthday."

"Look at her," Clancy smiled warmly, the heavy exhaustion completely fading from his eyes as he looked at the tiny baby on the screen.

"She looks beautiful, Julian. And thank you." Clancy responded. "Are you on your way to Selen’s?" Julian asked softly. "Just a few minutes away," Clancy said.

"Well, enjoy your day," Julian smiled, adjusting the sleeping baby against his shoulder. "Thank you once again, Clancy. For everything" he said. Clancy was not having his brother’s constant repetition of gratitude every time they spoke.

The call ended with a quiet wave from Julian. Almost immediately, a voice call flashed on the screen.

Clancy’s posture stiffened slightly as he saw his sister’s name appear. A familiar weight settled in his chest, a reminder of the fragile ground they still walked on due to everything that had happened between them in the past.

He was only just learning to let go of that old hurt, but the process was slow.

He took a quiet breath before pressing the steering wheel button. "Hello." he spoke into the phone.

"Happy birthday, Clancy," her voice came through the speakers. It was polite, measured, and lacked the easy warmth that Julian’s had, carrying the unmistakable caution of two people trying not to break a delicate peace.

"I assumed Julian was probably trying to show off the baby via FaceTime, so I waited until he was done." she said. Although he could not see her, he could tell that there was a smile on her face.

"Thank you. Yes, he just hung up. She was fast asleep," Clancy replied, his own tone matching hers even, guarded, but genuinely trying. He turned the car onto the final stretch of road. "How are things with you?"

"Good. Just busy," she replied simply.

She had not told anyone besides her husband about her pregnancy. She was tired of getting everyone’s hopes up only to meet them with disappointment every time.

She cleared her throat gently. "I know you have a whole day ahead, so I won’t keep you long. I just wanted to call, wish you a good day, and remind you to try to take it easy. I hope you have a wonderful day as you celebrate with your family."

"Thank you. I am looking forward to it. I brought an entire trunk full of their requests," Clancy admitted, a small, genuine chuckle breaking through the tension.

A faint, soft laugh came from her side of the line, a tiny crack in the ice. "Of course you did. Well, take care of yourself, Clancy." she said.

"Will do. Take care," Clancy said.

With a quiet goodbye, she hung up, leaving the car quiet once again. Clancy let out a long breath, releasing the tension in his shoulders as he looked back out at the road. He felt a small sense of progress, it had not been perfect, but they were trying.

He looked down at the seat beside him, checking his notes one last time to ensure every single request from the triplets’ chaotic phone list had been completely fulfilled.

****In Selen’s home***

Selen was having breakfast with the kids when the sound of a car pulling up the gravel driveway signaled Clancy’s arrival. Inside the dining room, the quiet morning routine ended instantly.

Selen had told them of Clancy’s arrivals that morning, so every sound of the door opening was filled with anticipation and excitement of his arrival.