"Hello darling," he whispered into Nancy's ear.
Slowly, Nancy turned over and opened her hazel eyes. "Dan?"
"Yes sweetheart?"
"Why are you home early?"
"Uh...just decided to come home. I thought you might need some help around the house."
At his reply, Nancy propped herself up on her elbows and stared at her husband skeptically. "You really expect me to believe that? You never help me clean when you are home, so why would you leave work to help me?"
When Dan didn't reply, Nancy stared at into his face and tried to read his impenetrable blue eyes. "Danny, what's wrong?"
He knew he'd have to tell her. Dan sighed heavily and looked into Nancy's eyes. "Davidson called me into his office today."
"What's wrong with that? He usually calls you in there at least five times a day."
"Just let me finish okay? He called me in there to talk to me about a slight problem he wants me to look into."
"What's the problem there? Usually, you're thrilled when you get a case."
Dan shook his head hard enough for a shock of blond hair to fall into his eyes. "Not when the case requires me to be out of the country for my youngest son's tenth birthday party!" He shouted bitterly.
"Dan what are you talking about?"
"Listen Nancy, I have to leave for New York City tonight. I don't know when I'll be back, but whenever it is, it won't be in time for Jason's birthday party."
"Did you tell him yet?"
No, I can't break his heart. You know how much he was looking forward to me doing the magic tricks."
"Is there anyway to postpone..."
"No! There's no way I can postpone this one! Michael wants me back at the Yard by five o'clock tonight. He said it was imperitive for me to leave tonight."
Nancy smiled gently. "Don't worry too much honey, you know Jason will forgive you.He always does."
Daniel Simpson sighed. "Yeah, I know. Listen, I'm going to go break the news to him."
Nancy ran one of her hands through his thick blond hair. "I'll go make breakfast. Don't worry, he'll be all right."
Without another word, Daniel Simpson left his bedroom and walked down the stairs to where his youngest son's bedroom was located.
He hesitated slightly and knocked on the door.
"Who dares to enter my lair of mystery?" Jason asked from behind his bedroom door.
Dan grinned and decided to play along with his son. "A brave knight who wishes to speak with the all knowing, all powerful magician!"
The door swung open, allowing Dan to enter his son's room.
He glanced around and chuckled to himself. He noticed various action figures strewn on the floor and saw the uncompleted model plane they began last summer sitting on one of Jason's bookshelves, collecting dust. Very, carefully, he stepped around the collection of magic tricks that were occupying the center of Jason's bedroom floor and made his way to his son's unmade bed which was decorated with a Harry Potter comforter.
"Don't sit down!" Jason shrieked as his father was about to take a seat on the bed.
"Why?" Dan asked, jumping to his feet.
"Because," Jason said walking over to his bed and picking up a purple CD case. "You would have broken this."
When Daniel saw what his son was holding, he instantly chocked back a sob. "You still have this?" He asked, gently lifting the Cd from his son and staring into the eyes of the Effect's Master on the cover.
"Yes, why wouldn't I?"
Dan didn't answer, he just stared at the CD. He remembered when he bought it for Jason. Las, Vegas MGM Grand, 1995, his last romantic outing with Angela...
"Dad...Dad, what's wrong?"
Dan's head shot up and he stared at his son, feeling slightly embarrassed that he was lost in thought over Angela. "Nothing's wrong son," he said handing the EFX CD back to his son. "We just need to talk about something."
"What?"
"It's about your birthday party."
"You already told me that you wanted me to help you pick out what tricks to perform," Jason said with a smile.
Dan shook his head. "That's not exactly the problem."
Jason raised his blond eyebrows in confusion. "Then what is the problem?"
Dan patted the bed next to him and Jason sat down.
"Since you are an all knowing magician, you know somethings happen that you can't control right?"
Silently, Jason nodded his head.
"Well, something today happed in work that I can't control. Michael Davidson, my boss, has a little problem that he wants me to look into."
"That's great Dad!" Jason said with a big grin. "Why do you seem so upset?"
"The problem is, I have to leave for New York City tonight and I won't be able to be the magician for you birthday party. In fact, I won't even be able to attend at all."
Jason lowered his head, attempting to hide his dissappointment.
"Jay Jay," Dan said putting a strong arm around his son's tiny shoulders. "I am so sorry. I wish there was some why I could get out of it, I really do."
"Yeah, I know Dad," the boy said, attempting to keep his voice from shaking.
"Just think of the bright side," Dan said attempting to cheer his son up. "George is coming home from college just to be at your party! He's driving all the way from Oxford to see his little brother!"
Jason nodded. "I know," he said sadly.
"Look, is there anyway I can make it up to you?"
"Just be careful Dad," Jason replied.
Dan was about to reply, when Nancy called from the kitchen saying breakfast was ready.
"Let's go get some food," Dan said, rumpling his son's blond hair. "After we eat, me and you will go to the arcade that just opened. What'dya say?"
"You mean it? Just me and you?"
"Just us," Dan said heading for the bedroom door.
"All right!" Jason said, forcing himself to sound happy.
After breakfast, Dan took Jason to the arcade and they stayed there until four thirty, when they headed back home.
"Hey Dad," Jason said when they were in the car. "What kind of case are you looking into?"
Dan shrugged his broad shoulders. "I don't know son. Michael didn't tell me."
"Why?"
"Because he doesn't know. I'll find out at five o'clock," Dan said pulling on to the highway.
The two drove the rest of the way home in silence, each lost in his own thoughts. When Dan pulled into the driveway, he found his other two children and Nancy waiting for him on the front steps with his suitcast in hand.
"Hi Dad," George said when his father and brother got out of the car.
"Hey George," Dan said, locking his oldest child in a tight bear hug. "How's your first year at Oxford treating going?"
"Great," George said with a grin, his grey eyes shone brightly from behind his thin framed glasses. "It's going real good."
[CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING!]