The children stayed up late after the birthday because they had to help Ariel open his presents. He was already wearing one of the shirts that Sunshine had given him as a present. Castiel had been pouting for an hour at least because he did not have a shirt with his mommy's face.
Ariel did not even bother to coax his brother as he was feeling special. He had always thought that Sunshine was partial to Castiel. The shirt proved she liked him too and he was not just another bonus child to her.
Ariel was about to open Lisha's gift when a balloon popped, startling them.
"Earl!" Hades bellowed his son's name.
This was the tenth balloon he was popping, and the sound was not pleasant.
Earl buried his head in the confetti on the carpet, giggling silly.
Sunshine rose to her feet. "Time for bed."
Hades had never been so glad to hear those words. He picked up Earl gladly while she picked up Castiel and took Ariel's hand.
