Decisions (Modern Family)

The Family and guests surrounded the table with a massive, elaborately decorated birthday cake sitting triumphantly in the middle. Bright icing read, "Happy Birthday, Vincente!" in big, swirly letters, and a small edible fondant guitar rested on top.

Phil stood beside the cake, holding a plastic knife in one hand and a microphone in the other.

"Ladies, gentlemen, children of all ages… and Alex," Phil began, pointing dramatically at Alex, who rolled her eyes. "It is time for the main event! The moment we've all been waiting for: the ceremonial slicing… of THE CAKE!"

Claire gave him a gentle elbow to the ribs. "Phil, it's a cake, not a WWE championship belt."

"Correction, Claire: it's Vincente's cake!" Phil countered, holding the mic close to his mouth and flashing a triumphant grin.

The crowd chuckled.

Vincente, standing front and center with a shiny paper crown slightly tilted on his head, beamed at the crowd.

"Alright, cariño," Gloria said, her voice warm and motherly as she knelt beside Vincente, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Make a wish!"

The guests quieted down, their expressions softening. Vincente closed his eyes tightly, his small hands clasped together as if he were summoning every bit of wish-granting power from the universe.

Luke leaned over to Manny and whispered, "What do you think he's wishing for? A jetpack? A private island? Ooh, a jetpack on a private island!"

"Shh!" Manny whispered back sharply.

After a few long moments, Vincente's eyes popped open, and he nodded confidently.

"Okay!" Gloria clapped her hands. "Ready to cut the cake?"

"WAIT!" Phil shouted, holding up one hand dramatically. "Does everyone have their cameras ready? Because this is not just a cake moment—it's THE cake moment!"

Cam was already on the verge of tears, clutching a napkin to his chest. "This is the magic of childhood, Mitchell. Right here. Right now."

Mitchell patted Cam's shoulder gently. "Cam, it's cake. Just… cake."

Phil took a deep breath and motioned like a conductor leading an orchestra. "Alright, Vincente. On my count. One… two… THREE!"

Vincente, with Gloria's guiding hand and Phil theatrically holding the plastic knife alongside them, pressed the blade into the cake.

It was going smoothly… until it wasn't. The knife hit something dense—likely a fondant layer—and stalled halfway.

"Uh… it's stuck," Vincente said, glancing up at Phil.

"Quick! Someone call a fondant expert!" Phil exclaimed into the mic.

Luke squinted at the cake. "I think it's… fighting back."

"Don't worry!" Vincente said bravely. "I've got this!"

With determination, Vincente pushed harder, and the knife finally sliced through. But in the process, the fondant guitar decoration wobbled, and then dramatically plopped onto the table, narrowly missing Luke's plate.

A collective gasp swept over the crowd.

"NOOOOO!" Cam wailed, clutching his chest like it was a Shakespearean tragedy.

"Relax, Cam," Claire said, scooping up the fondant guitar. "It's still edible. Nothing's ruined."

"Except my dreams," Cam sniffled.

Meanwhile, Luke casually slid the fallen fondant guitar onto his plate. "It's fine, guys. I'll take care of it."

Haley leaned over to Alex. "Is it just me, or does every family event feel like a live sitcom taping?"

"It's not just you," Alex deadpanned.

Claire began slicing proper pieces and passing them out to the eager kids.

"Kids first!" she called out firmly.

Luke was, unsurprisingly, already first in line. "Corner piece, please! Extra frosting!"

"Everyone gets the same amount of frosting, Luke!" Claire said with a sigh.

Vincente took his slice and turned towards Gloria. He held up his plate like a trophy. "Best cake ever!"

The kids scattered to enjoy their slices, their faces quickly covered in colorful smears of icing and crumbs.

In the background, Cam had recovered and was snapping photos with his phone while Mitchell tried—and failed—to convince him not to stand directly in front of other parents' cameras.

After the slices had been devoured, the kids scattered to the backyard, where Phil had set up an obstacle course complete with pool noodles, balloons, and questionable safety standards.

The backyard had been transformed into a child's dream battlefield—colorful balloons floated lazily above lawn chairs, an elaborate obstacle course stretched across the grass, and a small table near the patio was set up with face paints and glitter glue.

Phil, wearing his aviator sunglasses and a whistle, clapped his hands together. "Alright, future Olympians! Welcome to the Dunphy Backyard Extravaganza™!"

A cheer erupted from the crowd of kids, and some of them (Luke and Vincente) immediately took off running toward the obstacle course without waiting for instructions.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Phil blew the whistle sharply. "Hold your horses, tiny athletes! There are rules!"

The kids froze mid-charge, half of them already tangled in pool noodles.

"Here are the rules!" Phil continued. "Rule one: Have fun. Rule two: No crying unless it's dramatic enough to get on camera. Rule three: If you can't jump over it, go under it. Got it?"

"Got it!" the kids shouted back in varying volumes.

Phil blew his whistle dramatically. "Ready… set… GO!"

From the sidelines, Billie stood close to Patrick, her small hand clutching the edge of his shirt tightly. Her eyes scanned the chaos unfolding before her, her brows knit with uncertainty.

Patrick crouched down beside her, his voice soft and encouraging. "Billie, sweetheart, look at all the fun! There's glitter glue, there are balloons, and I think I even saw a snow cone machine somewhere."

Billie shook her head silently, her small frame tensing as she instinctively took a step backward. She bumped into Maggie, who had been standing just behind her. Maggie placed a warm hand on Billie's shoulder.

"She's just a little overwhelmed," Maggie said gently, her eyes scanning the bustling yard. "It's a lot to take in all at once."

Not far away, Finneas was attempting to maintain his 'too cool for this' demeanor, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. But spotting Alex reading a book near the patio, he quickly abandoned his pose and casually sauntered over.

Meanwhile, Claire noticed Billie's nervous grip on Patrick's shirt and made her way over, crouching down until she was at Billie's eye level.

"Hey, sweetheart. Are you okay?" Claire asked softly, her voice gentle but warm.

Billie glanced up at her briefly before lowering her eyes again, her tiny hand still clutching Patrick's shirt.

Alex, overhearing the conversation, walked over and crouched beside her mom. "Yeah, I get it," Alex said, her voice quieter than usual. "It's loud. And messy. And… honestly, pretty chaotic."

Billie nodded slightly, her lower lip trembling just a bit.

Claire smiled softly. "You know what, Billie? You don't have to do everything at once. How about we start small? Maybe… the glitter glue table? Or face paint? You can just watch the obstacle course for now if you want."

Alex leaned in conspiratorially. "And if it makes you feel better, I'm avoiding the obstacle course too. Way too many pool noodles. They're shifty. Can't trust them."

Billie let out a small giggle, her shoulders relaxing just a little.

Patrick gave a small nod of encouragement. "See? You're already smiling. You've got this, sweetheart."

From across the yard, Phil blew his whistle again. "Next heat for the obstacle course starts… NOW!"

A loud cheer erupted as kids scattered toward the starting line.

Claire noticed Billie's eyes lingering on the obstacle course. "You know, sweetheart, you don't have to… but if you wanted to, I think you'd do amazing out there."

Alex leaned closer. "And trust me, Luke will trip at least twice. You've got this in the bag."

Billie hesitated again, but this time, there was a spark of curiosity in her eyes.

"Want to give it a shot?" Claire asked softly.

After a deep breath, Billie nodded.

Phil handed her a foam noodle "trophy" and announced, "Billie, you are officially… a Backyard Olympian!"

Billie beamed, clutching the noodle proudly as her family cheered her on.

Phil, now wielding a foam pool noodle like a staff of authority, stood at the starting line.

"Alright, competitors! The final heat is upon us! Who will emerge victorious in the epic quest for backyard glory?!"

Billie stepped up cautiously to the starting line, her small hands clenched into determined fists.

Luke gave her an encouraging thumbs-up. "You got this, Billie!"

Claire and Alex stood nearby, cheering. "Go, Billie!"

Phil raised his whistle. "On your mark… get set… GO!"

While the kids charged around the backyard, shouting and laughing as they raced through Phil's obstacle course, the adults gathered in a loose circle near the patio. Glasses of wine and plates of cake were passed around as conversations overlapped in the easy rhythm of a family gathering.

Patrick was chatting with Jay and Maggie stood off to the side at first, quietly observing the chaos. But eventually, Cam waved them over with an enthusiastic grin. Jay skedaddled saying something about an important phone call.

"So, Patrick, Maggie," Cam began, adjusting his floral-patterned shirt. "Tell us, what's life like with your two little cuties? Billie and Finneas are just… adorable! And, might I add, quite well-behaved, which is frankly a miracle at an event like this."

Maggie laughed lightly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thank you, Cam. They're good kids, though I wouldn't go as far as to say it's always calm at home."

Patrick nodded, holding his glass of wine. "Yeah, it's a mix of chaos and creativity. Especially since we're homeschooling them."

That caught Claire's attention immediately. She leaned in, eyebrows raised. "Homeschooling? Both of them?"

Maggie nodded. "Yes, we've been homeschooling for a couple of years now. It's been great in many ways. They've learned so much, and it lets us cater to their individual needs."

"But…" Patrick added, glancing at Maggie with a small smile, "we've been talking lately about the idea of enrolling them in public school. Maybe next year."

This prompted a chorus of surprised reactions.

"Really?" Claire asked, her voice tinged with curiosity. "What made you consider that? It sounds like homeschooling is working well for you."

"It is," Patrick admitted with a small laugh. " We get to tailor their education to their interests. For instance, Billie loves art and storytelling, so we incorporate that into her lessons. And Finneas? He's all about science experiments and music theory."

Phil, standing nearby with a frosting smudge on his shirt, jumped in. "Wait, wait, wait—music theory? Are we talking Beethoven and Bach, or like… garage band jamming?"

Patrick smiled. "A little bit of both. He's fascinated by the structure of music—how it all fits together—but he's also been teaching himself to play guitar. He's actually pretty good."

"Sounds like someone we know," Gloria chimed in, gesturing toward Vincente, who was currently attempting to balance on a pool noodle while Luke egged him on.

Maggie sighed, her gaze drifting to Billie, who was tentatively painting a glitter design on another Alex's face. "It is working, but we're starting to see areas where they might benefit from a traditional school environment. Billie is really shy, and we think being in a classroom with peers every day might help her build confidence."

"And Finneas?" Gloria asked, tilting her head.

Patrick smiled. "Finneas loves learning, but he also thrives on competition. We think being in a classroom could challenge him in new ways. Plus, he's at an age where he's starting to want more independence."

Cam gasped dramatically. "Oh, I love this for them! New friends, school plays, lunchtime shenanigans—it's such a rite of passage!"

Mitchell, ever the pragmatist, raised an eyebrow. "But… aren't you worried about the adjustment? Going from homeschooling to public school can be a big leap."

"We are," Maggie admitted. "That's why we're thinking about it now, so we can prepare them. Maybe start with half days or a smaller school to ease the transition."

Claire nodded thoughtfully. "That's smart. It's a huge change, but it sounds like you're approaching it the right way. Honestly, public school has its ups and downs, but there's something to be said for the structure and the social aspect."

"Not to mention," Phil chimed in, "school projects! Group assignments! Science fairs! Oh, and don't forget talent shows. Finneas could absolutely crush a talent show."

"Exactly," Patrick said. "We don't want to rush into it, but we also don't want to hold them back if this could be a good step for them."

"I think it's a wonderful idea," Gloria said warmly. "Sometimes change is exactly what children need to grow."

"And they'll still have you at home to support them," Claire added. "If anyone can make this work, it's you two."

From the yard, a loud cheer erupted as the kids began another obstacle course race. Billie hesitated at the starting line, glancing nervously at the other children.

"Look," Patrick said softly, nodding toward her. "This is exactly why we're thinking about it. She needs more moments like this, where she can step out of her comfort zone."

As if on cue, Billie took a deep breath and launched herself into the race, her face lighting up as she cleared the first hurdle.

"See?" Maggie said, her smile soft. "She's getting there."

Cam wiped a tear from his eye. "I love seeing these little moments of growth. It's just so… pure."

Mitchell rolled his eyes affectionately. "It's just an obstacle course, Cam."

"No, it's life," Cam countered dramatically.

The group chuckled, and the conversation drifted back to lighter topics.

Meanwhile, in the backyard, the kids had begun to loosen up and mingle more comfortably with each other. Luke, naturally the self-appointed ringleader of the group, had already gathered a small crowd around him, loudly explaining the "official" rules of a new game he had just invented on the spot.

"Alright, everyone, this is called 'Noodle Knights.' You get a pool noodle, and you have to joust like medieval knights. But instead of horses, you have to hop on one leg! Last one standing wins!" Luke announced, dramatically waving a pool noodle like a sword.

"That sounds… safe," Manny muttered skeptically, crossing his arms.

Vincente, ever the optimist, grabbed a noodle and said, "It actually sounds kind of fun. I'm in!"

Billie hovered near the group, holding onto a pool noodle but looking unsure. Finneas, standing nearby, rolled his eyes and muttered, "I don't think this qualifies as a real game, Billie."

"Come on, Finneas," Vincente called out. "It's not about the rules—it's about having fun!"

After a pause, Finneas shrugged and grabbed a noodle. "Fine. But don't blame me if I outsmart all of you."

The kids formed a circle, hopping on one leg and trying to gently tap each other with their pool noodles. Laughter erupted as Luke tripped and fell almost immediately, taking Manny down with him.

"Luke!" Manny exclaimed. "I told you this was a terrible idea!"

"It's not my fault! The grass is uneven!" Luke argued, brushing himself off.

Billie, watching the chaos unfold, started to giggle. Slowly, she stepped into the circle and began hopping on one leg, her noodle held cautiously in front of her.

"You're doing great, Billie!" Alex cheered from nearby.

Billie's confidence grew as she dodged an incoming swing from Finneas, her giggle turning into a full laugh. "This is actually kind of fun!" she admitted.

Nearby, Haley was sitting on a lawn chair scrolling through her phone.

"They're actually getting along," Alex remarked to Haley, who glanced up briefly.

"Shocking," Haley said dryly before going back to her phone.

Back in the game, Vincente was the last one standing against Billie. The two squared off, hopping in exaggerated slow motion to the delighted cheers of the other kids.

"Go, Billie!" Luke shouted. "Take him down!"

Vincente grinned. "Alright, Billie, show me what you've got!"

With a surprising burst of confidence, Billie lunged forward and lightly tapped Vincente's noodle. He wobbled dramatically before falling over in an exaggerated tumble, laughing as he hit the ground.

"She wins!" Luke declared, raising Billie's hand like a referee in a boxing match.

The group cheered, and Billie's face lit up with pride.

As the game ended and the kids sprawled out on the grass, catching their breath and chatting, Finneas leaned over to Billie.

"Not bad," he said with a small, approving nod.

"Thanks," Billie replied, her smile shy but steady.

Luke, meanwhile, was already plotting the next game. "Alright, who's up for backyard tag… with a twist?"

"What's the twist?" Manny asked, eyeing Luke warily.

Luke grinned mischievously. "You'll find out!"

The kids groaned collectively but followed Luke anyway, their laughter carrying across the yard as they ran off for the next adventure.

As the kids trudged back into the house, their energy levels visibly depleted (except for Alex, Haley, and Finneas, who seemed oddly unaffected), the smell of dinner wafted through the air, reigniting some of their enthusiasm. Gloria and Claire had worked together to set up a buffet, with dishes ranging from mac and cheese to chicken tenders, alongside a few more options for the adults.

"Alright, everyone," Claire called out, clapping her hands to gather their attention. "Grab a plate and dig in. But remember, we're starting with dinner—not dessert!"

Luke groaned dramatically. "Why can't cake count as dinner?"

"Because," Claire replied with mock sternness, "you need real food to fuel all the chaos you've been causing."

As the kids began serving themselves, the adults gathered at a separate table, their plates filled with roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, and Gloria's empanadas.

"So, this is quite the setup you've got here," Maggie commented, gesturing around. "It's no wonder the kids are having the time of their lives."

"It's kind of our thing," Phil said proudly. "If the Dunphy household isn't the epitome of fun, are we even doing it right?"

Maggie laughed. "Well, you're certainly setting a high bar."

As the adults continued chatting, Jay entered the dining room, holding a plate piled high with Gloria's empanadas and a glass of scotch in the other hand. He glanced at the lively scene, kids eating and laughing while the adults talked.

"Alright, what's this I'm hearing about schools?" he asked, his usual gruff tone.

Patrick gestured to him. "We were just talking about the idea of enrolling Billie and Finneas in public school. Right now, we homeschool them, but seeing them here… it's got us thinking about the benefits of more social interaction."

Jay raised an eyebrow as he sat down at the table. "Homeschool, huh? That's… different. Not how I was raised. Back in my day, school was where you learned to deal with the real world. Bullies, bad cafeteria food, kids who'd steal your lunch money—it's all part of growing up."

Gloria gave him a pointed look. "Jay, not everyone has to learn through suffering."

"I'm just saying," Jay replied with a shrug. "There's value in learning to handle people early. Builds character. Look at me—I turned out fine."

Phil chimed in with a grin. "And modest, too."

Jay ignored him, focusing back on Patrick and Maggie. "If you're thinking about it, I'd say go for it. But don't expect it to be all sunshine and rainbows. Kids need to learn resilience, and school's a good place for that."

Gloria reached over and squeezed Jay's hand. "But also, it's a place where they can make friends, learn new things, and have fun. Manny and Vincente love school, and they always have such good experiences."

Jay softened slightly, giving a small nod. "Yeah, Manny and Vincente are doing alright. And my grandkids… Well, they've survived so far."

"Gee, thanks for the glowing endorsement, Dad," Claire quipped, rolling her eyes.

Patrick smiled at the back-and-forth. "It's good to hear both sides. I think that's part of what makes this such a big decision—it's not just about academics, but everything else they'll learn along the way."

Jay pointed his fork at him. "You got that right. Just don't expect to agree on everything with the teachers, the other parents, or even the kids themselves. But you'll figure it out. It's what parents do."

Cam, ever the sentimental one, wiped at his eyes with his napkin. "That's… that's actually really beautiful, Jay."

Jay frowned. "Don't get sappy on me, Cam. It's just common sense."

Mitchell smirked. "For you, that passes as poetry."

Phil interjected. "Well, if you ever need a tour guide of the local schools, you know who to call! I know all the ins and outs. Plus, I've got a whistle."

Everyone laughed, and the conversation shifted to lighter topics as the kids slowly began to finish their meals. Claire glanced around the room, feeling a moment of pride as she watched everyone—kids and adults alike—enjoying the warmth of the Dunphy home.

As the evening wound down and the plates were cleared, Vincente, still wearing his slightly crooked paper crown, stood up and clapped his hands to get everyone's attention.

"Everyone!" he called out, his voice carrying an unmistakable mix of confidence and excitement. "Before you all leave, can we please gather in the living room? I have something I'd like to say."

The group exchanged curious looks but obliged, making their way into the cozy Dunphy living room. The kids sprawled out on the floor while the adults settled onto couches and chairs. Jay grumbled lightly about having to leave his plate of empanadas behind but ultimately followed Gloria to a spot on the couch.

Once everyone was seated, Vincente stood in the center of the room, clasping his hands together like a small host about to deliver an awards speech. His eyes sparkled as he looked around the room, taking in the faces of family and friends who had gathered to celebrate him.

"I just wanted to say…" Vincente began, his voice steady but filled with emotion, "thank you. Thank you to all of you for making today so special. This is the best birthday I've ever had."

There was a collective "aww" from the group, and Gloria brought her hands to her heart, whispering, "Qué dulce."

Vincente continued, his tone more playful now. "Mrs.—I mean, Claire," he said, flashing a quick grin at her, "thank you for organizing this amazing party. It's everything I could've dreamed of and more. And Phil, thank you for the obstacle course. Even though I think Luke might need a little more practice."

"Hey!" Luke protested, his mouth full of the last piece of cake, earning a laugh from everyone.

"And Cam and Mitchell, thank you for the calligraphy set—it's perfect. I'm already thinking of things I want to write."

Cam and Mitchell let "Awww".

Jay gave a small nod of approval, his face softening just slightly as Gloria beamed proudly.

Vincente grinned and then turned to Patrick and Maggie. "And to you, Mr. and Mrs. O'Connell, for bringing Billie and Finneas. They were fun to hang out with."

He finally turned to the group as a whole, his voice softening. "This has been the best day because of all of you. So, here's a song that I wrote to show you my thanks."

"Phil, can I use your guitar?"

With Phil's permission Vincente strummed the guitar a few times. Vincente adjusted the oversized guitar strap around his small shoulders, the instrument looking comically large against his frame. He took a deep breath, his voice soft but steady as he began to sing.

["Something Just Like This" by The Chainsmokers and Coldplay]

🎵 "I've been reading books of old, The legends and the myths, Achilles and his gold, Hercules and his gifts." 🎵

The crowd fell silent almost instantly, their chatter fading into the night air.

🎵 "Spider-Man's control, And Batman with his fists, And clearly I don't see myself upon that list." 🎵

Some people (O'Connell's) in the crowd exchanged glances, surprised by the clarity and maturity in Vincente's young voice. Jay leaned back on his chair, his arms crossed, a proud smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

🎵 "But she said, where'd you wanna go? How much you wanna risk? I'm not looking for somebody with some superhuman gifts." 🎵

🎵 "Some superhero, some fairytale bliss, Just something I can turn to, Somebody I can kiss." 🎵

Vincente swayed slightly with the rhythm. Gloria clasped her hands to her chest, eyes shimmering. "He's such a little angel, isn't he?" she murmured to Jay.

🎵 "I want something just like this... Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo. Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo." 🎵

The kids swayed with the tune. Luke, lying on the floor, pretended to hold a lighter in the air, swaying back and forth dramatically.

🎵 "I want something just like this..." 🎵

🎵 "Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo. Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo." 🎵

The children joined in while Haley recorded with her phone.

🎵 "I want something just like this..." 🎵

Vincente swayed slightly with the rhythm, his eyes closed briefly as he poured his heart into each word.

🎵 "I've been reading books of old, The legends and the myths, The testament they told, the moon and its eclipse." 🎵 

🎵 "And Superman unrolls a suit before he lifts, But I'm not the kind of person it fits." 🎵

Claire glanced at Phil, her eyes glassy with emotion. Phil nodded quietly, his hand resting gently on her knee.

🎵 "But she said, where'd you wanna go? How much you wanna risk? I'm not looking for somebody with some superhuman gifts." 🎵

 🎵 "Some superhero, some fairytale bliss, Just something I can turn to, Somebody I can miss." 🎵

By now, the whole room had joined in, humming along or singing softly. Gloria started snapping her fingers, and Haley waved her arms in mock slow motion, making Alex laugh and join in.

🎵 "I want something just like this... Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo. Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo." 🎵

Vincente's voice grew steadier, as he looked at Jay and Gloria. "This is for you guys too," he said mid-chorus, causing Gloria to dab her eyes with a napkin.

🎵 "OH, I want something just like this..." 🎵

🎵 "OH, I want something just like this..." 🎵

🎵 "OH, I want something just like this..." 🎵

As the song wound down, Vincente strummed the final chords with a flourish, holding his arms out triumphantly as if he'd just finished a concert in a stadium.

Then, the crowd erupted into applause, cheers echoing through the House.

Vincente smiled shyly, a faint blush rising to his cheeks as he looked up from the guitar. Gloria was dabbing at her eyes with a napkin, while Jay gave an approving nod. Luke let out an exaggerated whistle, earning a laugh from the crowd.

Jay clapped the loudest, standing up and raising his drink. "To Vincente!" he said proudly.

The crowd echoed the toast, glasses raised, smiles wide.

Vincente beamed, clutching the guitar strap tightly. For a moment, under the glow of the lights and the warmth of the applause.

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I'm still new to this, so suggest ways to improve.

Thank you for reading !!!