Ethic watched, as the servers brought out the magnificent cake Morgan had chosen. Her taste was over the top, but he never told her no. He granted her every wish because he knew her father would have. The crowd began to sing, and Morgan blushed as she covered her face, bashfully. The party was a success, but he couldn’t wait to give her the gift he had purchased. He had watched Morgan overcompensate, her entire life, for not being able to hear. She had even deferred college, refusing to take a scholarship to Michigan State because she didn’t think she could keep up. He believed that she partied and filled her life with distractions to try and be as regular as those around her. She was striving for ordinary when he knew she was bred to be extraordinary. Ethic just wanted to give her every opportunity he could. He had researched the experimental treatment that would restore her hearing for years, and now that she was old enough, he would give her the choice of whether she wanted it or not.

He let her enjoy her evening, sitting back in the cut, watching the door, cautiously, and never losing sight of Morgan. Around midnight, the crowd began to disperse, and she walked over to him with nothing but joy in her eyes. Her happiness made him happy.

“Thank you so much, Ethic,” she said, throwing her arms around him and giving him a huge bear hug.

“You’re welcome,” he replied.

“I’m going to hang for a bit. I’ll be home before it’s too late. Is that cool?” Morgan signed. She was 18, and technically grown, so Ethic knew she was only asking out of respect. This was the point in her life where she would begin to make her own decisions. He couldn’t stop her from going out.

“It’s not too late already, huh?” he signed back.

She side-eyed him and pursed her lips, as he rubbed the back of his neck while shaking his head. “I’m not ready for you to be grown, man. This is crazy,” he said. “I wanted to give you another present, but we can do all that when you get home. Go have fun with your friend. Be safe. Move smart.” He reminded.

She beamed a smile and rushed out with Nish.

“You got the bag in the car?” Morgan signed.

“Of course,” Nish replied. “I’ll drive while you change, and then we can swap. Hurry up, I’m not trying to get there too late. The line will be out the door.”