Bittersweet Sixteen

It was Elias's sixteenth birthday and he was alone once again. His Mother was at work. Which he wasn't going to complain about. As she was working hard to provide for him. He tried his best considering his low paycheck from working at Starbucks. But, unfortunately, it wasn't enough to help that much.

Pushing those thoughts aside, Elias sat on the couch. Watching the horror movie that his older sister, Samantha, had sent him. It was cheesy but it was helping him forget how lonely he felt. While he was watching, he got his phone out and ordered himself some pizzas. A cheese one and pepperoni. Planning on saving them for tomorrow's lunch and maybe dinner too. Soon as Elias put his order in, there was knock at the door. Which startled him as he wasn't expecting anyone. And his Dad never wanted anything to do with him. So, the teenager wasn't entirely sure who it could be.

His stomach twisted as he carefully got up off the couch. Carefully walking over to the door, he looked through the peephole. Finding his Uncle in front of the door. A huge package under one of his arms and a pink box in his other. Raising an eyebrow, Elias unlocked and opened the door. Smiling slightly as he asked,"Hey, Uncle Nate. What're you doing here?"

"Do I have to have a reason to see my favorite nephew?",Nate questioned. A huge smile on his face as he strolled on in past his nephew. Uncle Nathaniel was his Father's oldest brother. The only member of his Dad's family that he knew of. And the only one that actually wanted anything to do with him. Elias answered,"Uncle Nate, I'm your only nephew."

"See, no competition!",Uncle Nate chuckled. A small smile came to his face as they headed into the kitchen. His Uncle set down both boxes on the kitchen island. Untying the pink box first. Revealing the large chocolate cake that Nathaniel obviously made. It looked absolutely delicious. Which it probably was. As his Uncle was an absolutely amazing baker in Elias's mind. His cakes, cookies, and brownies were always his nephew's favorite. And his Uncle knew that. Which, at least Elias suspected, why he always let his nephew eat as much as he wanted. When he saw the cake, Elias said,"You didn't have to make me a cake, Uncle Nate."

"I know. But, I figured your Mom'd be too busy with her night shifts to get one.",Uncle Nate explained. That made Elias raise an eyebrow as his Mom and Uncle Nate didn't like each other that much. Then figured that she might have told him that she didn't have time for his birthday. Or his older sister told his Uncle about the situation. Elias guessed it was Samantha that told their Uncle. Mentally making a note to text her later about it. A huge smile came to his face as he said,"Thanks, Uncle Nate. It looks really good."

"No problemo, kiddo.",his Uncle stated as he held the big box up. An even bigger smile on his face as Nate handed it to him. Taking the box, Elias thanked him again and they headed into the living room. Both sitting on the couch as Elias started tearing the wrapping paper off. Then tearing the tape off the rather large box. Opening it up, he pulled out two black shirts out. One was a shirt that said '2005 Special Edition' in the trans flag colors. His birth year being the main focus on the chest. It was his exact size, medium, and a color that he liked. The other shirt was what caused his blood to run cold. Holding it up, Elias read the words on it and turned his eyes over to his Uncle. Who's face went from jovial to completely serious. His hands in his lap as he stared up at his nephew. Or if the words on the shirt were right, his son.

The shirt said 'Proud to be His Father'. Causing Elias's mouth to run dry as he set the shirt down in the box. Thoughts were coming and going at a pace so fast that he couldn't keep up. There were no words for what he was feeling at that moment. Nate took the shirt as he said,"I'm sorry. But I really couldn't keep this to myself anymore."

"I've wanted to tell you since you were five but your Mom said no.",he added. Tell him since he was five? Tell him but his Mom said no? What in the utter world was...why did this happen at all? Why did he have to pick now? Elias shut his mouth as he tried to process his emotions. Staring at his Uncl-Da-Nate for a moment. Now everything made sense. Why he was his Uncle's favorite nephew. Why his Uncle was so supportive of him and loved him so much. Part of him just thought he was making up for his Dad's shortcomings. Not that he was actually Elias's Dad. It hurt knowing that Nathaniel wasn't able to tell him for so long. That his Mom wouldn't let Uncle Nate about it either. Probably to cover for her lies.

For a long moment, neither of them said anything. Then Nathaniel took a deep breath and he asked,"Are you angry with me?"

"No, I'm not angry with you. I'm just...I don't know...I don't know how I feel.",Elias answered. It was the truth. Though, he still loved his Uncle very much. Even if now knowing that his Uncle was his Dad, he still felt the same. Just very confused about the whole thing. And he took a deep breath as he continued,"I still love you. This is just a lot to take in right now..."

"Do you want me to leave?",Nathaniel asked. Of course he didn't. He didn't want the man he found out was his actual Dad to go. A tiny part of him didn't want him to stay either. Mostly he was a confused mess about everything. Elias shook his head as he glanced into the box. Checking if there were more stuff in it. There were two new chest binders that were tie dye colored. Also trans flag colored. Definitely his size. It made him smile slightly as he took them out. In a calmer voice, Elias answered,"I want you to stay for a little while longer."

"Is it okay if I don't call you Dad right away?",Elias asked. Glancing up at Uncle Nate as he set the shirt down. His Uncle stood in place for a moment. Seemingly thinking over what his neph-son had told him. Then Nathaniel answered,"You don't have to if you're not comfortable with it just yet."

"I don't want to make you do things you're not okay with.",Nathaniel added. Fully knowing how big of a bombshell he dropped on his child. It wouldn't be easy for Elias to call him 'Dad'. Not yet at the very least. Nathaniel did hope that his son would be comfortable someday soon. For now, he just wanted to make Elias more comfortable. Putting his feelings to the side as they got settled on the couch. A little while later the pizzas arrived and Nathaniel paid for them. As it was his son's birthday. Why should his son have to pay for his food? A little while later, they sat on the couch eating their pizzas. Watching the cheesy horror movie his niece gave Elias. Once they had enough of the pizza, they cut into the chocolate cake. Sitting on the couch to watch another cheesy horror movie. Enjoying each other's company in relative silence.