Second Chances

Epilogue

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday dear Jonathan,

Happy birthday to you.........

Flashbulbs exploded and there was a loud round of cheering as one-year-old Jonathan Jasper Jacks leaned forward and blew out the candle on his birthday cake. He was guaranteed success, with Casey standing on one side and Carter on the other, both adding their discreet efforts to extinguishing it.

That task accomplished, Casey handed a gaily-wrapped package to the birthday boy. Thomas came over to the table to retrieve the large decorated sheet cake and take it inside where it could be sliced into smaller pieces. He picked up the cake and then glanced heavenward, giving thanks once again for the beautiful California sunshine that lit the birthday celebration.

"Well, I thought maybe you managed to trip and land with your face in the cake." Charles' acid tone greeted Thomas as he carried the cake inside the kitchen. "I *told* you I would be more than happy to help you carry that thing."

"And I *told* you that I could manage it by myself," Thomas retorted. He set the cake down on the kitchen counter and picked up a stack of clear crystal plates as Charles grabbed a large knife. "And remember not to cut the pieces too small. There's another cake down in the freezer if we run out."

"I'm well aware of that fact," Charles snarled haughtily. He sliced into the cake after removing the candle in the center. "My goodness – the way you talk, it makes me sound like I'm a complete imbecile." Thomas just mumbled something under his breath in the Aboriginal tongue and Charles rolled his eyes. "Perhaps you forget," Charles added under his breath, "that *I'm* the reason we're all here together today......."

Thomas set down the plate he was holding in anticipation of a piece of cake with a loud thunk. "YOU'RE the reason we're here today?" He threw up his hands. "Silly me! I thought we were here because it's Master Jon's first birthday!"

Charles made a "let's get back to work" gesture towards the plates with the knife. "That's not what I mean." He slid a piece of cake smoothly onto a plate as Thomas held it. "I mean *I'm* the reason we're all here today and happy......." Thomas arched an eyebrow at him skeptically. "I mean, Carter and Casey wouldn't be together and happy if it wasn't for ME........"

"YOU??!!" As Thomas set the plates down again, the crystal tinkled ominously. "YOU'RE the reason Mr. Carter and Mrs. Casey got back together?" As Charles nodded wisely, Thomas chuckled and stared down at the cake. "Um......I don't think so......."

"Lest you forget," Charles snorted, "*I* was one of the first people to notice the change in Mrs. Casey after she came home from the hospital." He picked a sugar rose off the cake and held it up to admire it hungrily. "*I* was one of her first friends."

"And *I*," Thomas retorted, snatching the rose out of Charles' hand, "was the one who helped Mr. Carter cope with who Mrs. Casey really was!" He popped the rose into his mouth triumphantly.

"Master Jon can't say your name yet." Charles lifted his eyebrows proudly.

"He can't say yours neither!!" Thomas set his hands on his hips, clearly throwing down the gauntlet.

Suddenly, Charles's face lit with pleasure. He picked up several plates to carry outside but when he got to the kitchen door, he turned back with a smug smile. "The DOG likes me best."

On cue, Trouble came dashing into the kitchen. He struggled to come to a stop, sliding on the tile floor. But then, when he spied Charles in the doorway holding the plates of cake, his tail rose proudly behind him. It waved like an ostrich feather as he pranced towards the smiling butler. Charles gave Thomas one more "I-told-you-so" look and then turned and left the room. As he did, Thomas turned back to the cake and started cutting it again. But he glanced towards the departing duo, he muttered beneath his breath, "Traitor."