Male Wednesday Addams x Paige Swan

Chapter 37

"I haven't always been against birthdays. Each one reminds me I'm a year closer to death's cold embrace. What's not to like about that? Wyatt said with a smirk. "Besides, my parents always made sure my birthdays were memorable. The perfect surprise, the perfect cake, the perfect party games. But now parties and presents and games, it... it all feels so trivial." He told Eugene as he lay there still unconscious. "Grant warned me that I was destined to be alone, and that I would be sorry for it." Someone cleared their throat and Wyatt turned around to see Dr. Kinbott. She had some roses in her hands.

"Dr. Kinbott," he said, in greeting. "I haven't seen you since our session with your family. Which was... certainly one I won't forget." she said with a smile. "How are things going with them?" "My mother and I spent some quality time together with Paige. Got our hands dirty," Wyatt said. "Gardening?" Valerie asked. "Grave-digging," Wyatt corrected. "And I managed to keep my father out of prison. What brings you here?" "Eugene's moms, I'm working with them. Trauma like this leaves emotional scars on the whole family." She walked over to the bedside table and placed the roses in a vase.

"They had to head home for a few days, so I promised I'd check in on him." "I'll leave you to it." Wyatt said as he began to walk toward the door. "Who's Grant?" Kinbott asked. "He's a very distant cousin. Very distant," Wyatt answered. "Sounds like he doesn't see you for who you really are," she said. "He sees more than you know," he defended. Dr. Kinbott and Wyatt just stood there looking at each other. "I want to assure you I remain as cold and heartless as the first day we met," he said. "I doubt a cold, heartless person would be sitting by his friend's bedside feeling guilt for his condition. I also doubt that a cold, heartless person would have a girlfriend," Valerie noted.

  "I didn't ask for a free session, Wyatt snapped. "Consider it my birthday gift," she commented. Wyatt sneered at her and left. Wyatt and Paige sat in a booth at the Weathervane. Wyatt was reading a book while Paige was reading, "One Day in December." Suddenly, Tyler came over and placed a cup in front of Wyatt. It had foam on top and "Happy Birthday" was written with some of the foam. "I know you're usually a quad kind of guy, but I've been working on that all week." Tyler said as he sat down. "Birthday, yes. Happy, never. Is there anyone Thing didn't tell?" Wyatt wondered out loud.

"Well, who do you think delivered the cake? Actually, Paige ordered it." Wyatt turned to look at the girl sitting next to him. Paige could feel his eyes on her, so she turned and smiled at him. "I went with the 98% dark chocolate ganache knowing your preferred color palette," Paige said. Wyatt smiled, "Thank you, darling." He kissed her forehead in thanks. Tyler saw the snood on the table and pointed to it. "Oh, is that, uh... that Enid's gift?" "It's perfect if you're fleeing a war-torn country on foot." Paige stared at her boyfriend, "Come on, Wyatt. A day that's all about you?" "Every day is all about me, cara mia. This one just comes with cake and a bad song," Wyatt said.

"So, if I asked you out to a non-birthday, song-free dinner... would you be interested?" Paige asked, nervousness in her voice. "If you guys want, I can drive you anywhere you want," Tyler said. Paige smiled and nodded in thanks. Wyatt looked at Paige and Tyler and then back at his book. "I have a tight deadline. Emphasis on dead." "Term paper?" Tyler asked. "It's about how whitewashing the sins of our past will come back to kill us all," he said. Paige looked down at her hands, sad that Wyatt rejected her date.

Wyatt opened his bag, pulled out the drawing of the gate and put it on the table. "Have you seen that before?" Paige and Tyler looked at each other and shook their heads. "No," they replied. "What's that supposed to be?" Tyler asked, confused. "Never mind." Wyatt said as he took the paper back. Tyler got up and stood beside the booth. "Thanks, Tyler," Paige said. "Of course," he replied. The door opened and the sheriff walked in.

"Tall, Black, two sugars, to go?" He asked his father. His father nodded and Tyler went to go make the coffee. Wyatt stood up and walked toward the sheriff. "That threat burned onto the lawn at school, it's also etched on the wall inside Crackstone's crypt." "Don't tell me you and your girlfriend have been out there digging up more bodies," Galpin said. "There's a connection there. I know it," Wyatt stressed.

"I'll make sure I put an APB out on a dead pilgrim." "I figured since you no longer have an old vendetta to obsess over, you're free to solve some real crime." Wyatt said with sarcasm. Galpin stared at him, "Your father and I buried the hatchet. Maybe you should do the same." "I don't bury hatchets. I sharpen them." He said as Paige got up and followed him. Xiaver was in his art studio painting and listening to music.

Wyatt entered with Thing so he stopped what he was doing and turned down the music. "I need your help. Don't gloat," Wyatt said. "What do you want some drawing lessons?" Xiaver asked. Wyatt handed him the drawing of the gate and Xiaver looked at it. "Your line work is a little shaky," he said. "I saw that in a vision. Do you recognize it?" Wyatt said. Xiaver pointed to the wall with a painting of the gate. "When did you draw this?"

"A couple days ago. I started having those dreams again, like before," Xiaver explained. "Was the monster in them?" he asked. Xiaver shook his head, "No, but I could feel it in the shadows. You know, kind of lurking in my mind." "You know where this is?" Wyatt asked. Xiaver nodded, "Yeah, it's the old Gates mansion. I pass it when I go running. Why?" Thing snapped his fingers to get their attention.

He pulled a sheet off of a canvas to reveal a painting of Wyatt and Paige. It was from the night of the Rave'N. They were smiling and holding each other close. Wyatt looked at the painting with wide eyes. He couldn't help noticing that it was a beautiful piece of art. There was another part of him that couldn't help feeling a little angry. He didn't like the fact that Xiaver had painted such a special moment between himself and Paige. The girl that he loved so much. Xiaver saw Wyatt's reaction and knew that he needed to explain.

"Ok. Look, you and Paige were my inspiration for this painting. That night, you both looked so happy. I felt like it was the first time that I saw the real versions of you two. You two are so great together. Look at you two." Xiaver moved his hand, and the painting came to life. Wyatt smiled as he saw him and Paige dancing. He spun her around and dipped her. Paige smiling at him the entire time. Wyatt became speechless, "T-thank you." He stuttered as he exited the studio.