Declassified: Avatar Next Generation

Chapter 42.4: Nineteen

Nate stood up stretching his arms out. "Once again, another amazing meal by Mella. One day, we'll have to make dinner for you." Meatloaf. It was really good. Especially with the mashed potatoes and corn. He started collecting dishes. It was almost show time. Cake was up in the ballroom, everything was set up. Gifts, decorations, and anything else was already set up.

"No problem guys. Really." Mella stood to help Nate with dishes.

For the Director, this was all entertaining for him. Seeing the three of them do that for Josh was really neat to see. "Thank you again, Mella. I'll see you kids. I have to pull another all-nighter." But really, he was headed up to the ballroom.

"Seriously? Uncle Jack, have the Enforcers not heard of breaks? Or vacation?" Sam said exasperatedly.

"Sorry, Kid. Ol' Vodka has me buried in eval forms." Random Russian nicknames that came up in the workplace. "I'll get some time off eventually." Jack wasn't kidding. He really did have a lot of responsibilities before he left for the base the next morning. Most of it was done already, which was why he was able to take a couple hours for the kids.

"You better. I think I spy a grey hair coming in." Sam teased.

"You wish!" Jack laughed. Grey hairs, ha! Not for another ten years at least. Hopefully. Okay, not likely at all. It was really just a matter of time. He was only seventeen when Sam was born. But with 40 lurking around the corner, grey hair wasn't far behind. If anything, these kids were going to make it come sooner!

Sam caught Mella's eye and barely perceptible nod. "Oh well. Josh, I think one of the CDs fell out of the bag. Can you check in the compartment? I'm gonna get the radio set up in the ballroom."

Josh got up and nodded. "Yeah, I can do that." They had left the compartment undone. The blonde went out the door while everyone finished the cleaning. Sam headed upstairs after her uncle. Mella had outdone herself cleaning and decorating the ballroom. Streamers and balloons in Josh's favorite colors were everywhere.

Mella slipped into the kitchen, where Nate was loading the dishwasher. "We have ten-ish minutes, depending on how long it takes Josh to search for a CD."

Nate looked up from the sink. "Alright. I'll finish up here and meet you upstairs." He kept loading the plates and silverware.

Mella grinned. "Thanks, Nate." She ran up to the ballroom. She couldn't wait for Josh's reaction.

"No problem. There isn't much left." Nate kept working diligently.

"Mella, breathe. He's not here yet." Sam was in the middle of sticking the cake with nineteen candles.

Josh was out in the dark, in the shed, searching through a 12 x 6 motorcycle compartment box. He was using his cellphone as a lightsource. He kept skimming the sides in search of an edge or something.

Nate started the dishwasher and finished drying the last of the large dishes. He glanced out the window to see Josh giving up. The airbender dashed out the kitchen and up the stairs. He was taking the steps two at a time before finally coming to the ballroom, and quietly sliding in. "He's coming in." Nate listened to the door to hear footsteps before backing away.

Josh came up to the ballroom, kind of surprised not to hear Sam and Mella arguing with Nate about the music. When he opened the door, he was not expecting anything like that.

The lights clicked on and everyone yelled "Surprise!" Sam hit the button on the radio, starting up one of the CDs that Josh had picked out while they had been shopping.

"Happy Birthday, Josh!" Mella said, giving him a hug.

Josh hugged Mella back with the largest smile possible plastered to his face. "Wow, this is amazing. Thank you."