Chapter 62: A right to be hurt

Clancy finally gathered up the courage to leave his corner of hiding and walked toward the group. "Hey," he said as he got in, turning everyone’s attention to him.

The boys ran to Clancy for a welcome hug as well as a query for bringing their surprise later than planned. JK returned with the champagne and apple juice for the kids.

"Your present is here mummy," Diana said to Selen as she pointed at Clancy. She noticed the largely wrapped gift and the boys took it to her to open.

"Happy birthday, mummy" the three of them said as the boys handed it to her. Selen carefully unwrapped the frame to reveal the painting of herself.

She gasped at it. She had definitely not expected it. Just looking at the drawing, she could tell which of her photos they had tried recreating.

"This is beautiful, kids. Thank you so much, I love it" she said with glossy eyes as she hugged and kissed them individually. "You are welcome mom" they all said. David began explaining their planning process "We painted it ourselves and-" he paused.

He did not know what to call Clancy. Everyone was looking at him for him to continue but he had just stayed silent. When Clancy realised what was happening, he interfered. "And I got the supplies and framed the painting," he said.

That was when JK understood why David had gone mute mid sentence. Selen broke the silence by thanking the kids once more and telling them how much she loved it.

Then Selen walked toward Clancy, "thank you," she said to him and he nodded with a small smile threatening to leave his lips. And suddenly, he no longer cared about how jealous he was of Newton.

She appreciated his effort and that was all that mattered to him at that moment. The insecurity he had felt earlier about Newton’s present for Selen and his history with the family just faded away.

"Now, let’s open this before it gets warm," JK said, breaking the silence. He popped the champagne cork, making the adults cheer, while Diana and her brothers held out her plastic cup for the apple juice.

The living room went back to its usual busy, noisy self. Selen leaned the heavy wooden frame safely against the wall by the mantlepiece so everyone could see it. She looked at the brushstrokes, which were messy but clearly made with a lot of effort.

When she looked up, she caught Clancy’s eye from across the room and they both looked away.

For the next couple of hours, they all ate cake and talked. The triplets loudly explained how they had hidden the big canvas under David’s bed for days, terrified that Selen would find it. Clancy did not feel like an outsider anymore.

The boys kept dragging him into their conversations, asking him to judge their video game debates or show them things on his phone. By the end of the night the kids were visibly exhausted from the sugar rush.

Diana was already asleep on the long couch, while David and Daniel were practically falling asleep against the arm of the couch, the both of them leaning on each other for support.

When Selen observed the room, she thought it best to call the night to an end. "Alright, everyone," she said, clapping her hands. She got everyone’s attention now.

"Birthday party or whatever name for this is, is over. Kids, time to head upstairs and brush your teeth" she said to the boys since Diana was still deep in sleep. The boys groaned a little, but they were too tired to argue. They started slowly picking up their things.

Clancy grabbed his jacket from the chair, figuring it was his time to head out. "I should probably get going too, let you guys get some rest." he said.

The truth was that he wanted to stay, to maybe help out with the kids. But today was about her and he knew that she would much prefer Newton or JK to do that. And they would undeniably offer too.

Before Clancy could reach the front door, a small weight hit his lower body. It was Daniel, the youngest of the triplets. His hair was messy and he looked completely drained. He wrapped his arms around Clancy’s waist, leaning his head against him.

Clancy smiled and bent his upper body down so they were eye-to-eye. He put a hand on Daniel’s shoulder. "Hey buddy. Time for bed, remember? I will see you tomorrow" he said to him.

Daniel pulled back, rubbing his eyes with his fist. He gave a massive yawn, looking straight at Clancy. "Thank you for helping us with the picture," Daniel mumbled sleepily. "Of course, anything for you at any time" he said.

Then Daniel leaned forward again, putting his head on Clancy’s shoulder for a final hug. "See you tomorrow. Goodnight, Daddy." he said.

The entire room went completely quiet.

The word seemed to echo in the hallway. Selem and David, who was already headed upstairs, froze on the bottom step of the stairs, both their eyes wide.

JK stopped right in the middle of picking up empty cake plates, his head snapping over to look at Selen. Clancy’s heart jumped. He was frozen in place, his hands staying still on Daniel’s back. For a second, he worried he had misheard it, or that Selen would think he had pressured the boy into saying it.

He looked up at Selen quickly, his face full of panic and confusion. Selen was standing only a few feet away, her hand over her mouth that was agape in shock. She looked at Clancy’s stressed expression and gave him a small, reassuring nod. Clancy let out a breath he did not realize he was holding.

The tension left his shoulders completely. He wrapped his arms around Daniel, holding the little boy tightly for a moment. "Goodnight, Clancy finally said, trying to keep his voice steady. "Sleep well. I will be back to see you tomorrow" he said.