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Mirabel's POV
"Cherry, wake u—" She stopped short, realizing the bed was empty. "They must be in Charlie's room," she muttered to herself. Turning to the others, she said firmly, "Alright, let's go to Charlie's room."
"Yes, ma," they answered in unison as they followed her down the hall.
When Mirabel opened the door, her eyes widened in disbelief. Cherry and Charlie were tangled together, tugging at each other's hair, Emily had wrapped herself tightly around Charlie's leg, and Dennis was struggling to pull them all apart.
"What is going on here?" Mirabel's voice cracked through the chaos like a whip. The children froze, instantly releasing one another as they turned to stare at her.
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Flashback — An Hour Earlier
Cherry stirred awake, just as Emily rubbed her sleepy eyes.
"Good morning… happy birthday, big sister," Emily whispered.
Cherry's face lit up. "You remembered?"
"I could never forget your birthday."
"Thank you so much," Cherry said warmly, hugging her.
"Let's go to Dennis's room so he can wish us happy birthday too."
"Alright."
They skipped down the hall and burst through Dennis's door.
"Brother! Brother! Wake up!"
Dennis groaned, sitting up slowly. "I'm awake, I'm awake… Cherry, Emily—oh, that's right. Happy birthday. May all your wishes come true."
"Thank you!" the girls chimed.
"Now get up, let's go," Cherry insisted.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see when we get there."
"I still want to sleep a little longer," Dennis mumbled, falling back onto the bed. "You can go without me."
"No way," Cherry shot back, dragging at his arm.
Five minutes later, Dennis sighed in defeat as they barged into Charlie's room.
"Brother Charlie, wake up! It's your day!"
"Hm… what—ahh?" Charlie groaned, burying his head under the pillow. "What are you all doing here again?" His tired eyes flicked toward Dennis.
"It's the same reason as last time," Dennis muttered. "They dragged me here too."
Emily climbed onto the bed eagerly. "It's your birthday, brother Charlie, so I wanted to say happy birthday!"
"Yeah," Dennis added, rubbing the back of his neck. "Happy birthday."
Charlie exhaled sharply. "Thank you… but now all of you, get out. I want to sleep."
"No!" Emily protested, pouting.
"Shut up, Emily," Charlie snapped. "I already said thank you. Just go."
Her lip trembled. "But—"
"No buts. I need my beauty sleep."
Emily looked as if she might burst into tears. Dennis stepped in quickly. "Charlie, she just wanted to see you. She came all the way here—"
"Don't get me worked up," Charlie cut him off, throwing the blanket aside. "I already appreciated it. Now leave."
"Charlie!" Cherry's voice rang, sharp and furious. Her eyes burned with tears. "Don't you dare talk to Dennis and Emily that way again!"
Before he could react, she leapt at him. Charlie shoved her back, climbing off the bed. Cherry scrambled up and lunged again, pounding at him with tiny fists, Emily joining the fray with her arms wrapped tight around his leg.
Dennis groaned, stepping into the chaos. "Why does this always happen?" he muttered, trying to pry them apart.
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