[ IP ] I 'm Done As Promised < 3 Mom [ possible NSFW ]

Squeals of delight rose in the air above children chasing one another through a yard decorated with balloons of all colors, a pinata freshly exploding as the cake strode out on top of a platter fit for the birthday boy. 
 
 As the chorus of'happy birthday' reigned in the kids from all edges of the garden, the boy with a high cone hat squirmed in his chair in anticipation. The cake came to rest before him on the table, and the woman behind popped around to hug him as he was sent off to the next year of life. 
 
 The song eventually came to a stop, and as his breath caught the flickering flame, smoke rose in its place. His eyes opened as claps and renewed children's voices filled the yard with life once more. 
 
 `` What did you wish for, baby boy?'' his mother asked, eyes filled to the brim with adoration and joy. 
 
 `` I wished you would n't have to worry about me anymore, mommy. I do n't want you to be sad all the time,'' he said sincerely, `` Promise me you wo n't be sad? I'll be happy, that's my promise no matter what, as long as you're happy too,'' he continued, his hat slowly sliding off his smooth head as he looked up to his mother. Before another word could be spoken, she squeezed him again in a tight hug that she wished could last forever. 
 
 Plate by plate of cake was handed off, with the noise dying down again to allow for the quiet chewing noises of the party-goers. 
 
 `` Well, Jake, how do you like being twelve? You're almost an adult now,'' his mother said some time later, trailing off as her mind filled with thoughts of him as a grown man, pursuing college, building his own family... 
 
 `` I do n't nana...'' Jake replied, `` I... I nana... do n't...'' he continued, only moments afterward. 
 
 A look rose in his mother's eyes as she quickly turned around, to see him squinting as his mouth seemed to move in slow-motion. Not a second later, he began to shake all over, a slice of cake covering the grass below in white frosting. 
 
 As his eyes rolled backward, her world became dark again, and the screams faded into memory. 
 
 _________________ 
 
 `` Ma'am,'' a voice called to a woman, gaze downcast as tears reflected the light before meeting the tile. `` Ma'am?'' the person persisted, snapping her back to reality. 
 
 `` We... we thought he was one of the lucky cases,'' she said, choking on tears, `` he... he was supposed to be lucky. This was n't suppos --'' she continued, only to be overcome with sobs that had come in a constant flow for what seemed like days now. 
 
 `` If you'd like, we have a counselor here to help in situations like these,'' the young nurse said in return, hoping in some way to provide comfort. He began to turn away after a minute of staring into the bloodshot eyes of a woman lost in grief, but stopped a few steps after. `` He was one of the lucky ones, you got that last birthday with him... cherish that,'' he quietly spoke from a short distance away, before hurriedly walking off. 
 
 She leaned back in the chair, the wood frame creaking as she turned her head toward the window at the moment thunder grumbled from the sky above. Rain poured just outside the front entrance, and her body began to move almost without her own recognition. Her hair was now tousled, thick with nervous tangles that draped over her puffy, red face. 
 
 Feet slid across the floor, legs not bothering to lift as emotion had commandeered all of her energy. She eventually made it to the pavement, the thick drops pattering on the top of the steel overhang. As she shuffled along to the edge of the overhang and into the domain of the storm, her whole body became drenched but could n't shiver, only be consumed by the coldness that already seemed so familiar. 
 
 After walking for a few minutes, the rain began to cease, slowing to a drizzle. Her hands felt through the corners of her jacket to find warmth, but instead found a bar she did n't notice before. Pulling it from the pocket, she saw it was a piece of chalk from the party that seemed to have been a century ago, and was filled with memories of the party, the pinatas, the squealing, the cake, the wish... 
 
 The wish came back to her mind, prompting her to look up at the sky, for any sign at all from her baby. A faint streak of lightning from within the expanse of clouds above caught her eye, and soon she looked down at the cool pavement. Slowly, she scrawled a message, drawing over the words a few times as they attempted to fade with the water. 
 
 Her eyes released a flow of tears that joined with the rain, and as she stood up, wiping her face, she smiled with a heart drenched in sadness, but searching for happiness. 
 
 `` I'll grant your wish, baby boy. I promise it... I promise it.''
