||Hello Neighbour: A Better Timeline||

||Chapter 51: Delory's Birthday||

"Ready?"
Nicky nods,"Mhm! I have everything!", Jay nods, Luanne finishing brushing his hair,"And your mom will pick you up in the morning.", "Got it.", Jay double checked he had the present and everything from his toothbrush, PJs, phone, charger, clean clothes and his teddy.
"Let's go."
"Yep!"
"Have fun and behave, Nicky."

=

"Leonard?"
"Hm, sorry uh. . . Just planning."
"Sorry we had to take down your posters and trophies, it's just for the sleepover."
Molly, smiled to comfort him and she seemed to stand a little more straight sense Brenda became his assistant and spending more time with Delory.
Like that, doorbell was ringing,"I'll get it!", Molly smiled, walking out of his study to give him some space to work.
Though, he's just been staring at a blank page for over an hour, unable to get any work done at all.

~

"It's nice to meet you all and have you in our home; Just leave your bags here, Delory how about you show them around, have fun and I'll order birthday dinner."
Delory smiled,"Thanks, mom.", she smiled, waving as she went to the kitchen.
Maritza gazed around the house, completely entranced by everything.
"So pretty and big!"
"Yeah, there was some odd paintings before Dad replaced them."
"Odd paintings?"
"Museum."
Aaron nods,"Fair.", Trinity straightened her shirt, tucking it back into her shirt from the back.
"So: Tour?"
"Yes! Give us the tour!"
Enzo titled his head,"No decorations or, music? Not a fan of it?", Delory shook his head,"Hate it; Not a fan of loud music or flashy decorations, uhm. . . Dad used to be a Jazz Singer and when it came to birthdays, it was just so extra and it lead to me dreading any birthday, and so Mom managed to convince dad to just. . . Tone it down.", Lucy looked around,"Where is your dad?", "In his study; So, tour time.", and they followed Delory through the house as Nicky made mental notes.

=

"And that's everything."
"Was this the founder??"
Nicky pointed to the statue out front,"I think so. . .?", "According to the Rumors at least, it's unknown.", "Huh. . .", Delory nods.
'Bark!'
They all jumped, or flinched as a dog in a sailor's outfit ran around them.
"Huh-?"
"Skipper; Dad's dog."
Oh.
The dog jumped up at Nicky, who smiled and gladly pet him which made Skipper really happy,"Huh; Guess he already likes you.", "No surprise; Nicky loves animals.", Skipper jumped up and down, then ran off towards the back,"Probably off to get treats.", Aaron smiled,"So, what shenanigans can we do?", Delory smirked,"Well, usually pranking my dad but you up for video games?", Aaron nods,"That works!", so they went inside, as Delory explained the games he had.

=

Leonard could hear the kids screaming with joy, playing in Delory's room with his games and most likely his wife had snacks and drinks, and he completely gave up on the paper.

Wandering into the kitchen, Molly smiled,"Food is ordered; When the kids go to asleep, I'll cook you something, is that okay??", Leonard nods,"Perfectly fine, dear; Thank you.", she smiled, then they both looked up as a door was opened.
Leonard stepped out, and looking up he saw Aaron being chased by a fuming Enzo.
"Never a dull moment with children."
"Tellin' me?"
And they disappeared back into the room, and Leonard grabbed a drink, kissed his wife before heading back to his study.

=

Later on into the night, it began to rain a little and Molly suggested to change into PJs.
So girls changed in one room and the boys changed in a different room.
"Oh, I'm gonna go grab something from my bag."
"Okay, Nicky."
And Nicky went off.
Ivan smiled,"I'm glad you like the Shadow Plushie.", Delory nods,"Yeah, I love it; Sonic is my favourite game and Shadow is my favourite; I'm just glad no one got me anything flashy.", Ivan nods, understanding that from his talk of hating flashy decorations or loud music.

~

The Mayor stood in the living room, his eyes fixed on the fire.
Nicky walked in, wanting to be quiet to not disturb him.
He then glanced behind him, Nicky freezing,"Hello again, uhm. . . Is everything alright, do you need anything?", Nicky fiddled with his fingers,"Uhm. . . I was just, getting something out of my bag.", he nods,"Do you, want to grab anything else; You're down here, I know Ivan also a toy and Trinity, Lucy have their medication.", Nicky nods,"Yeah, that would be helpful; Thank you.", so he grabbed that, gave the Mayor a nod before leaving again.
Leonard turned back to the fireplace.
"Dinner!"
"Let's go!"

=

Molly glanced into the living room, blankets and pillows, a movie playing and the kids asleep.
She turned the TV off, nodding and went back to the kitchen.

"So, I have some steak; side food like mash potatoes. . ."
She listed off ideas, Leonard nods before his eyes drifted.
Then he shuddered, the room suddenly feeling colder.
Upstairs, from the kitchen, he could see Crowface standing on the top floor.
"Leo?"
He turned to his wife, she closed the fridge,"You alright? Are you tired??", "Uhm, a little. . . Uh, let me check something really quickly; I won't get in the way.", and he left the kitchen, Molly took out the steak and just focused on not waking the kids.

~

Leonard grabbed an umbrella, ready to attack. . . He should have grabbed the cane or even a trophy.
But arriving at the top floor, it was gone.
He was sure, he saw it. . . Was he that tried?
He flinched, hearing something else from down the hall, as he slowly approached the open door he could feel his heart beating out of his chest, his hands beginning to sweat and he could feel swear running down his forehead.
Then he froze.
In the dark room, a familiar figure stood in the dark; Slumped.
Was it a ghost-?
But as his eyes slowly adjusted to the dark, he breathed a sigh of relief.
It was Aaron.
Right, he sleepwalked as did Nicky. . . He put the umbrella down, and carefully directed him back to The other sleeping kids.

=

'Knock'
'Knock'
Molly answered,"Ah; Mrs Roth, a pleasure to meet you again.", Luanne shook her hand,"I hope everything was alright.", "Yes, your son was a delight to have around.", Nicky got up from the sofa, saying goodbye to Delory and to Skipper.
"You had a fun time?"
"Yeah."
Molly smiled, Luanne noticed her husband sitting in an arm chair looking exhausted, though she smiled at Molly,"Thank you for having Nicky over.", she nods,"The pleasure is all mine, he and the others are welcome over any time.", Luanne nods,"We best go home now.", "See you at school, Delory.", "Bye, Nicky.", they waved the Roths goodbye, and Molly was happy to see her son have a fun time with friends, not worry about big decorations, crowds and people he didn't know.
This was probably his favourite birthday.