The Wayne estate was alive with the warm, familiar hum of family. Silas sat in his room, having stayed at the family home to celebrate his twenty-ninth birthday. His mother, Priscilia, and father, Fred, were overjoyed to have everyone gathered under one roof.
Aaron, Natalia, and their children had arrived a week earlier. Silas loved playing with his niece Diana and nephew Marcus, finding joy in simply being around them. Nicholas and his wife, Anabel—who had dark, curly tips in her hair and had recently turned thirty—had also arrived with their children, thirteen-year-old Nigel and eleven-year-old Nina. Silas warmly hugged Nicholas upon their arrival, thrilled to see his brothers, his sister-in-law, and their adorable kids.
The estate buzzed with domestic peace. The children shared a playroom, spending hours together playing and watching television, while Priscilia and Fred happily took turns holding and doting on little Diana in the living room. Meanwhile, Natalia and Anabel bonded effortlessly over shared conversations, their warm and modest personalities clicking instantly.
The next morning, at precisely six o'clock, the entire family crept into Silas's room to surprise him. Aaron, Nicholas, Natalia carrying little Diana, Anabel, Priscilia, Fred, Marcus, Nigel, and Nina all crowded around the bed.
"Happy Birthday, Silas!" the family chorused.
Silas blinked awake, rubbing the sleep from his eyes to find a sea of vibrant, smiling faces. Seeing Aaron, Nicholas, Fred, Priscilia, Natalia, little Diana, Anabel, Marcus, Nigel, and Nina gathered around him filled his heart with profound joy. He sat up straight as everyone broke into a heartfelt rendition of the birthday song.
"Thank you, everyone," Silas said happily, swinging his feet down to slip into his slippers.
"You're welcome, and happy birthday, Silas," Aaron said, pulling his brother into a hug.
Nicholas, Priscilia, Fred, Natalia, and Anabel followed suit, each giving him individual hugs and birthday wishes. As the room began to empty out so everyone could freshen up, Aaron lingered for a moment, his eyes warm with affection, before he and Nicholas finally stepped out.
Sitting at his bed shortly after, Silas received a text notification from Roman: Happy birthday, Silas. Wishing you a healthy long life and happiness. Silas smiled at the screen. Moments later, his phone rang—it was Catelyn.
"Happy birthday to you, Silas. I wish you a long life and happy days to come," she said. "I hope you have a wonderful birthday with your family. Take care of yourself, Silas."
Though her words were brief, they left a lingering hope in his heart that she might eventually care enough to find her way back into his life.
"Thanks, Catelyn," Silas replied, a genuine smile touching his lips.
Downstairs, the grand dining table was laden with an array of delicious dishes and steaming cuisines. Little Diana slept peacefully in her baby chair, while the rest of the family took their seats: Silas, Aaron, Nicholas, Fred, Priscilia, Natalia, Anabel, Marcus, Nina, and Nigel. The children eagerly dug into the food, while wine was poured into glass goblets for the adults and juices for the kids.
"What should we get you for your birthday? It ought to be something substantial," Priscilia mused aloud, floating the idea of buying him a house.
"We can discuss my birthday gift later," Silas protested with a laugh.
"Or we could talk about it right now," Nicholas countered, drawing chuckles of agreement from around the table as Natalia quietly continued eating her meal.
"Well, before all that, we have wine to share a toast," Fred said.
"Certainly! It's my darling son's birthday, and I am so glad he's all grown up," Priscilia beamed.
"Cheers to Silas!" Aaron raised his glass.
Everyone echoed the sentiment. Marcus held up his glass of juice, and Nina and Nigel clinked theirs together alongside the adults. Aaron and Fred tapped their glasses with Silas's, and the room echoed with the cheerful ringing of glassware as the children took sips of their drinks.
"Look at that, Silas is twenty-nine now," Nicholas remarked, prompting Anabel to chuckle softly.
"Time really does fly," Fred said, his voice warm with affection, drawing nods of agreement from the table.
"Silas is all grown up and such a sweet guy. I honestly wonder who's going to be lucky enough to spend the rest of their life with him," Nicholas teased gently.
At the mention of a partner, Silas's thoughts drifted once again to Catelyn.
"Well, that's his own to figure out in his own time," Fred said warmly.
"True," Priscilia agreed. "One day soon, Silas will have a very happy partner. But for now, let's just focus on this wonderful food."
"Is the food good, Silas?" Priscilia asked, looking affectionately at her good natured son.
"Yes, Mum, it's delicious," Silas answered happily.
As the meal went on, the family continued to chat and laugh. Aaron and Natalia were thrilled to see Silas so content in his family home. Even though a quiet part of him missed Catelyn deeply on his special day, Silas felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude, deeply glad to be surrounded by the people who loved him most.