Parents.. with different treatment

Xavier 4th birthday

It was Xavier's 4th birthday, and the house was full of noise and energy. Balloons filled the living room, and a large "4" balloon floated above the dining table, surrounded by gifts wrapped in colorful paper. The cake was perfectly decorated with Xavier's favorite superhero, and everyone seemed to be in high spirits.

Colby had taken the day off from work, wanting to be fully present for his youngest son's big day. He had made sure everything was perfect, from the decorations to the presents. Xavier, always full of energy, was bouncing from one thing to another, laughing and excited about his party.

But amid all the excitement and noise, there was one quiet figure—Xander. Now five years old, he stood off to the side, his arms wrapped around himself as he watched the celebration unfold. He wasn't pouting or causing a scene, but there was a deep sadness in his eyes, a silence that spoke louder than any words he could have said.

Xander hadn't said much since he woke up that morning. He had watched as Colby fussed over Xavier, setting up the party and making sure everything was just right. Xander had gotten used to this feeling—the feeling of being overlooked whenever it came to Xavier's special days. But today, it felt even heavier.

Colby, caught up in making sure Xavier was having the best birthday possible, didn't notice how quiet Xander had been all day. He was busy playing with Xavier, helping him unwrap presents, and laughing as Xavier excitedly ran around with his new toys.

"Look at this, Daddy!" Xavier squealed, showing off a brand new toy car.

Colby grinned, ruffling Xavier's hair. "That's awesome, buddy! Let's see how fast it goes!"

As Xavier sped off with his car, Xander stood by the window, watching the other kids play outside. He didn't want to join in. He didn't feel like celebrating. It wasn't that he was jealous of Xavier having a party—it was more than that. He felt invisible.

Valerie, noticing Xander's quiet demeanor, walked over and knelt beside him. She had seen the way he had withdrawn throughout the day, and it worried her. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Hey, Xander," she said softly. "Are you okay, sweetie? You haven't said much today."

Xander shrugged, his eyes still on the window. "It's Xavier's birthday," he mumbled, as if that was enough explanation.

Valerie frowned, her heart aching for her eldest son. She knew that Colby's attention toward Xavier had been weighing on Xander for a while now, but today it seemed to be affecting him more deeply than usual.

"You know it's okay to enjoy the party too, right? It doesn't mean it's only about Xavier," she said gently.

But Xander shook his head, his voice barely above a whisper. "Daddy only cares about Xavier today."

Valerie's heart sank. She wanted to say something, to reassure him, but she couldn't deny that Xander was right. Colby had been so focused on making the day special for Xavier that he hadn't paid much attention to Xander at all.

Just then, Colby called out to Xavier, laughing and encouraging him to open another present. Xander glanced over, watching the scene unfold—Colby, with his arm around Xavier, cheering him on as he tore into the wrapping paper.

Xander's face stayed neutral, but Valerie could see the hurt in his eyes. He wasn't angry, just sad. He felt forgotten again, like he had felt so many times before.

Valerie squeezed his shoulder gently. "I know it feels like that sometimes," she said softly. "But you're just as important to Daddy as Xavier is. I promise."

Xander didn't respond. He just stood there, watching quietly as the party continued around him, feeling like an outsider in his own home.

Later, as the party began to wind down and the other kids left, Xander quietly slipped away to his room. He didn't want to be part of the clean-up or the final round of excitement as Xavier played with his new toys. He just wanted to be alone, where he didn't have to see Colby doting on Xavier anymore.

It wasn't until the evening, after the house had quieted down, that Colby finally noticed Xander's absence. He looked around, puzzled, before turning to Valerie.

"Where's Xander?" he asked, realizing he hadn't seen his older son in a while.

Valerie gave him a sad look. "He's been feeling a little left out today," she said gently. "He's in his room."

Colby frowned, guilt washing over him. He had been so caught up in Xavier's birthday that he hadn't even noticed how Xander had withdrawn.

Without another word, Colby made his way upstairs and knocked on Xander's door. When there was no response, he gently pushed it open. Xander was sitting on his bed, quietly playing with one of his toys, but his expression was distant.

"Hey, bud," Colby said softly, stepping into the room.

Xander glanced up but didn't say anything.

Colby sat down on the edge of the bed, his heart heavy with regret. "I'm sorry, Xander," he said quietly. "I've been so focused on Xavier today, and I didn't spend enough time with you. That wasn't fair."

Xander didn't look at him. He just shrugged, his small hands fidgeting with the toy in his lap. "It's okay," he mumbled, though his voice lacked conviction.

But Colby knew it wasn't okay. He could see the hurt in his son's eyes, the same hurt he had seen too many times before. "No, it's not okay. You're just as important to me as Xavier is, and I should've made sure you knew that today."

Xander finally looked up at him, his eyes filled with a quiet sadness. "You always care more about Xavier," he said softly.

The words hit Colby hard, and he realized just how much he had been neglecting Xander's needs. "I'm so sorry, Xander," he said again, his voice thick with emotion. "I never want you to feel like you're not important to me. I love you so much, and I'm going to do better, okay?"

Xander nodded slowly, but the hurt was still there. Colby reached out and pulled him into a hug, holding him tightly. "I love you, Xander," he whispered. "I'm so proud of you, and I'm going to make sure you know that, every day."

Xander hugged him back, though his grip was hesitant at first. He wanted to believe his dad, wanted to trust that things would change. But for now, he just stayed quiet, holding on to the small hope that maybe, next time, he wouldn't feel so invisible.