sydney_ashcroft (sydney_ashcroft) wrote in marvel_nextgen,
@ 2010-05-25 05:06:00

Entry tags:

npc - avery crittenden, sydney ashcroft, zoey ashcroft

Happy Birthday!
Thankfully Sydney had swapped important information with Avery when they were synchronizing their calendars and it had given Syd the head's up that Avery's birthday was coming up. She knew Zoey would want to give Avery something for his birthday. Zoey had made him a card and Sydney took her shopping.

Just what did one give someone one didn't know too well for their birthday?

Syd racked her brain to find something, then she remembered Avery liked music. So she suggested a guitar to Zoey and they went shopping to find one for him. Syd didn't know if he still played, but it was the only thing she could really think of. Zoey liked the idea and of course now wanted to take guitar lessons too.

The man at the shop had been so helpful. All guitars looked the same to Syd, so she relied on the sales clerk to help her. They found a nice acoustic guitar and wrapping it had been a task, but in the end they managed it.

With card, gift and a cake made by Sarah in hand, Syd and Zoey went over to Avery's house.

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	sydney_ashcroft 2010-05-27 03:04 am UTC (link)
	Syd nodded in agreement. "No cake until you make a wish and blow out the candles." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	word_of_law 2010-05-27 03:05 am UTC (link)
	"Oh yeah, that. Sorry. I don't do birthday parties very often." he says. He ponders for a moment, looking at Zoey, then Sydney, and letting his eyes roll up and to the side while he thought. Finally, when he knew exactly what he wanted, Avery blew out the candles. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	team_mascot 2010-05-27 03:08 am UTC (link)
	"Yay! You can't tell anyone what it is or it won't come true," Zoey advised. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sydney_ashcroft 2010-05-27 03:09 am UTC (link)
	Syd set about cutting the cake and putting three slices on plates. Avery got the first slice of course and Zoey the next. She smiled at Avery. "Happy birthday." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	word_of_law 2010-05-27 10:53 pm UTC (link)
	"I can't even tell Awesome Zoey? Okay, I'll try to find a way to keep it to myself." he says, smiling at his daughter. He looks up at Sydney. "Thank you for today. This is the best birthday I've had in a long time." he says. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sydney_ashcroft 2010-05-28 05:48 am UTC (link)
	Syd smiled at him. She had so many worries about dealing with Avery when they first ran into each other, but thankfully things had gone smoothly and her worries eased. "You're welcome. It's the least we can do for family." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

word_of_law
2010-05-28 06:28 am UTC (link)

Avery, oddly enough, liked the context of being family with Zoey and Sydney. It wasn't a conventional family, but they would manage.

He remembered being ready to fight Sydney tooth and nail to be part of Zoey's life, but the two of them got along well. Avery wanted that as much as he wanted to do what was best for Zoey.

"Cake, pretty ladies and a guitar; I think this calls for a song. Both of you can help and add verses." he says.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	team_mascot 2010-05-28 06:29 am UTC (link)
	"Yay! We'll help!" Zoey squealed between bites of cake. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sydney_ashcroft 2010-05-28 06:30 am UTC (link)
	"A song would be perfect. Of course we'll help." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

word_of_law
2010-05-28 06:42 am UTC (link)

Avery enjoys a few bites of cake, then gets up to wash and dry his hands. He grabs the guitar and sits back down, starting by tuning up the strings.

He hums a chord here and there, matching it perfectly each time he plucks a string.

"Okay, I might be a little rusty at this, so bear with me." Avery says. The moment he starts playing, however, it feels like the last six years haven't passed at all.

He begins with a funny tune about an awesome princess and her awesome mom that live in a castle near the sea. He throws in some lines about goddesses and gods and how they all do what Queen Syd says.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sydney_ashcroft 2010-05-28 06:44 am UTC (link)
	Syd and Zoey sang along and took turns making up the lyrics. By the end of the song both girls were giggling and laughinf. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	word_of_law 2010-05-28 06:50 am UTC (link)
	Avery continues that song until even he's laughing so hard that he can't keep singing. The three of them share a good laugh before Avery starts in on a rendition of You and I Both by Jason Mraz, smiling at Sydney. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sydney_ashcroft 2010-05-28 06:55 am UTC (link)
	Zoey climbed up on Syd's lap and her arms went around the child. They sat and listened to the song. Syd looked over to see Avery looking at her and smiling. There was heat on her cheeks and she would look away. When the song was over they both clapped enthusiastically. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	team_mascot 2010-05-28 06:56 am UTC (link)
	"That was awesome!" Zoey said and clapped some more. "Will you teach me to play?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	word_of_law 2010-05-28 07:00 am UTC (link)
	Avery smiles at Zoey. "Zoey, if you want to learn and Mom is okay with it, then yes, I'll teach you to play." he says, looking to Sydney. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sydney_ashcroft 2010-05-28 07:01 am UTC (link)
	"I'm okay with it, but this is not going to take the place of your piano lessons. Do you understand?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	team_mascot 2010-05-28 07:01 am UTC (link)
	Zoey nodded. "I understand." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	word_of_law 2010-05-28 07:06 am UTC (link)
	"That's right, Zoey. Piano is going to be your main focus, and we'll work guitar in where we can." he says. "By the way, Small Lady, your bed came in yesterday and your room here is all set up for when you want to come and stay over. Do you want head upstairs and take a look? Tell me if everything looks good?" he asks. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	team_mascot 2010-05-28 07:07 am UTC (link)
	Zoey jumped down off of her mother's lap and took one of Avery's hands. "Come on!" she urged. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sydney_ashcroft 2010-05-28 07:08 am UTC (link)
	"I guess that's a yes," Syd said with a chuckle. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	word_of_law 2010-05-28 07:12 am UTC (link)
	"You head up there first, Zoey. Mommy and I need to make sure we've got all the plans set for this weekend." he says. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	team_mascot 2010-05-28 07:13 am UTC (link)
	"Okay!" she said and off running she went. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sydney_ashcroft 2010-05-28 07:14 am UTC (link)
	"I wish I had half her energy," Syd said as she stood up and started gathering the plates. "What did you want to talk about?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	word_of_law 2010-05-28 07:18 am UTC (link)
	"You and I both. I can't even remember having that much energy at her age." Avery says. He pauses, considering the next thing he wants to say, but he's not sure if Sydney will still want to speak to him after he tells her. "Syd, there's something I need to tell you about me, and it may or may not affect Zoey." he says. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sydney_ashcroft 2010-05-28 07:19 am UTC (link)
	Syd paused. This sounded like it was going to be serious. "What is it?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)