This story has just had a complete re-write. The basis is still the same, but I believe the quality of this story had improved greatly and I really hope if you do go back and see what has changed, you will enjoy this much more than the original version. For anyone who does go back and re-read it, I truly would love to hear what you guys think about the new version, especially if you find any cons you wish to share with me so I can keep them in mind for my future rewrites.

Years had passed by until Ronald's fifteenth birthday rolled around. It was still strange, looking forward to his birthdays now when he used to hate them so much. But it was hard to keep hating them when Grell and William always went out of their way to give him the best birthdays they could.

He was sitting at the dining table, waiting for William to finish cooking their breakfast, while Grell was in town with Alan and Eric as they picked out their presents. Ronald didn't mind though; with the years that had passed, William had started talking more and more to Ronald, and there were no longer those long silences between them as neither knew how to approach the other.

"Are you excited, Ronald?" William finally placed a plate of pancakes before the youngest.

Ronald's smile was bright as he picked up his cutlery. Beneath his new frames, his eyes sparkled. "Yes, William. Can I get a cake again?"

William allowed one of his rare smiles to grace his face as he nodded. "Of course. That is what happens on birthdays, after all."

Ronald grinned as he looked down at his pancakes. He licked his lips at the sight of them, and it only took him a second longer to cut off the first piece and lift it to his lips.

Things had changed a lot over the years. Ronald was much more open and affectionate, and he trusted he two greatly now. In return, Grell stopped babying him so much and treating him like the teenager he now was, while William dropped his stoic personality for Ronald and Ronald only. Ronald had even become closer with Alan and Eric every day, and they helped him muster up his courage to make new friends.

Ronald was content with how things were now, and he wouldn't change anything for the world.

William sat across the table from Ronald, reading the newspaper and sipping at his coffee. Things were quiet, but it was comfortable for them both.

Finally, William looked down when he felt a small tug at his sleeve. He looked at the blond-black haired child. "What is it, Ronald?"

The teen smiled shyly as he sat back down in his chair. "…When will I get my present?"

"When Sutcliff gets back. He is picking it up for you today."

Ronald nodded. He was excited to find out what he was going to get; he always got the best presents.

Alas, they didn't wait long for Grell to return home, accompanied by Eric and Alan who had their own presents in their arms. The redhead made a quick stop in the living room before he rushed into the dining room and wrapped his arms around his child, hugging him tightly.

Ronnie~!" Grell's grin was so big, it threatened to split his face in two. "I have the best present for you~! You'll love it~!"

Alan and Eric stepped forward and offered their gifts with wishes of a happy birthday. Ronald eagerly tore open the paper, smiling happily as he found a book from Alan and a set of DVDs from Eric.

"Thank you." Ronald smiled up at them before he gave each of them a one-armed hug. He was glad to feel them both return it, and it was then he put his gifts down so he could accept Grell's next.

"My present~!" Grell picked Ronald up and carried him into the living room before he placed him in front of a cardboard box. He grinned and gestured for the younger to open it.

Ronald tilted his head, but he did as told. He opened the top of it and reached in, and when he felt something soft beneath his fingertips, he gasped; he knew that touch beneath his fingertips… He reached in with both hands and plucked it out, and when he had a tiny black-and-white kitten sitting in the palm of his hand, his eyes watered with happiness; finally, his very own cat, and one that looked just like the stuffed cat he had lost some time ago.

He held the kitten against his chest tightly as tears streamed down his cheeks. Just like he had with Alan and Eric, he gave Grell a one-armed hug, but this time he wasn't going to let go; not when he was so happy.

William had stepped into the living room at this minute, and it was heart-warming to see someone who had once been so scared of everyone, so joyful at having his own pet. He smiled, and from across the room, he called out, "You will look after her, won't you, Ronald?"

Ronald nodded vigorously. "I-I'll take care of her, William! Can I name her, Chocolate?"

"Of course you can. She is yours."

"Thank you so much!"

The adults all smiled as they sat down with Ronald to spend time with him. Everyone could see the progress he had made, and still was making, and even though there was room for improvement, Ronald could soon be happier than ever, his scars all but forgotten.