From the second floor, Gladios saw them carrying a banner below. He smiled at them as he walked down the stairs, holding the cake Angeal had baked. The moment Gladios took the last step, everyone greeted him in unison, along with Angeal's robotic app.
"Happy birthday!"
"Oh, you all didn't have to do this," the old man said, still feeling slightly embarrassed even though they have been holding his birthday party every year for 19 consecutive years since they've started working for the soul eater.
Martha approached him then carried the cake from his hand.
"Oh, you still feel shy, silly old man? Come now! Let's eat! Everyone woke up earlier than usual today to prepare something for you," the head housekeeper said enthusiastically as everyone walked to the dining room.
Angeal walked alongside her grandfather then held his hand as they walked. Gladios looked at her and a sweet smile flashed on his beautiful granddaughter's face, reminding him that saving her was indeed one of the best things he had ever done.
"Sit, old gramps! It's your special day, we will serve the food for you," Gwen insisted as everyone fixed the food on the table in front of the old man.
In front of him were four layers of pancakes with syrup and blueberries on top. Beside the pancake was the old man's favorite brewed coffee made by Martha. One by one, a new serving of food was placed on the table such as fried chicken, buttered shrimps, vegetable salad, and the like. Gladios laughed by the selection of food prepared for his birthday.
"Why's everything seemed to be decided upon out of whim," he asked, as everyone sat on their respective seats. "I have breakfast food and then the others are food fit for later," he added and Edwin gave him a slight punch on his shoulder.
"We just thought of the things you might like. Besides... we can eat until later, right," he said and his son, Arvid, chimed in.
"Dad's right! Never mind the selection of food. We all know that you'd enjoy what we made regardless," he added and the old man chuckled.
"Oh, you are all certainly right," Gladios said happily and everyone who heard him laughed with him.
Angeal suddenly stood up, getting everyone's attention. She started lighting up the candles on the cake then quickly typed on the app of her phone.
"Let's not forget to sing Pops a happy birthday!"
When they heard what Angeal wanted to say, everyone looked at the old man sincerely then sang him a happy birthday. The old man was overjoyed to have had such a great occasion with his new family and wished that he be granted more years to experience this every year.
After singing him a happy birthday, Gladios blew the candles on his cake, making everyone clap.
"Now, what did you wish for," Edwin asked and Gladios raised a brow at him.
"A 77 year old man, still wishing like a child? You're older than me, Edwin. Don't be ridiculous!"
When everyone heard the old man's remark, everyone erupted in laughter again as they started to dig in the food.
Angeal quickly typed on her phone then clicked on "read" for the application to speak loudly.
"But what did you wish for, Pops? We'd like to grant your wish!"
Everyone looked at the old man expectantly, waiting for the answer to Angeal's question. Everyone had the same feeling of wanting to grant the old man's wish since it's the least they could do for a human who would soon pass.
Gladios knew this too well. Ever since they noticed that he was not as energetic as he was, they wanted to do a lot of things for him. He was thankful, of course... but what he really cared about was his granddaughter, Angeal.
Nothing else.
Even now during his special day, he started to feel worry for his granddaughter. Anything could happen anytime. Knowing how attached Angeal is to him, before he sleeps, he frequently worries about her and would think what would she feel... what would she do, once he passes?
What would she feel, once she knew that he sold their souls to their master?
The old man looked at his sweet granddaughter with love in his eyes then smiled, trying his best not to show his worries. It is indeed, his special day after all. They prepared him a simple celebration. The least he could do is put these worries aside at the moment.
"I only want for my little Angeal to live her life. I may not be there for her someday... but I know that you, as her new family, would protect her for me. That is my only wish ever since she came to this world."
When the others heard what the old man said, Angeal's eyes started to water and everyone noticed it quickly.
"Oh, Angeal... you really are a sentimental person. You're so cute," Gwen commented as she pinched her cheek from across the table.
Arvid grinned at the old man. "You have nothing to worry about, gramps! We will always take care of her."
The old man chuckled and nodded. "I know you all would. Thank you for preparing this simple celebration for me. I will always cherish it," Gladios said with warmth and everyone smiled at him back.
Everyone went silent for a while when they saw the candles on the cake. Two number sevens. They feel happy and sad at the same time for the old man. They are happy, knowing that he is still this strong, yet deep down they are sad, knowing that some years soon, his lifetime would end.
Edwin coughed then spoke. "Are we done with this drama? Can we eat now," he said jokingly, destroying the moment. Martha rolled her eyes at him as the others laughed at his remark.
For the immortals, they see Angeal and Gladios as an important family member already. Despite their differences in longevity, they still find the two of them very precious.
As long as time permits them, they would do well to let him feel how important he is.