Birthday Cake

Eggs, sugar, milk, all the ingredients to a cake laid out before him on the kitchen counter.

He pulled out bowls, separating the dry ingredients from the wet ingredients, making sure each followed the recipe before putting them into one giant bowl, stirring the batter until it was smooth. He sighed, pouring the batter into a cake pan before putting it into the oven.

One step down.

He ran a hand through his black hair, the bell to his door ringing as the smell of cake filled the air. He walked towards the door, turning the knob and opening it to reveal Dolley, who had her long brown hair tied up into a messy bun.

In her hands, she held a birthday present. It was wrapped in wrapping paper that was colored red, decorated with yellow stars and a bow she had tied herself before coming to his home.

”Hey Jemmy! Long time no see, and happy birthday!” Her voice sang, filling the silence of the room and leaving it with a comforting feeling.

”Dolley, nice to see you again. Please feel free to leave the present on the kitchen table, we can open it after cake.” He had said to her, nodding in the direction of his kitchen, before turning back and walking towards the oven.

The cake was still baking, but watching as the batter raised higher as it continued to cook amused him slightly, allowing the time to well.

By the time the cake had finally finished baking, Thomas had ed the party with a wide grin and a present wrapped in magenta paper, suiting the tall man’s taste in color. It piled onto Dolley’s, which left him with a total of two gifts to open, no more.

”Almost done there, Jemmy James?” He could almost hear Thomas smirking from behind him, and despite James’ willingness to argue, he couldn’t fight off a smile.

”Yes... I just need to get it out now.” He grabbed an oven mitt, placing it over his hand and pulling open the oven door, taking out the cake that cooked inside.

The smell of vanilla cake was stronger than when it had started baking, causing the sweet aroma of it to fill the air. He took the cake out of the pan and placed it on a plate, where he properly frosted and placed candles on top of it. Not the prettiest cake in the world, with plain frosting and plain candles, but it was made by his hand.

And nothing in the world felt better than making something by hand.

He turned the lights off and lit the candles, standing there, watching the flames flicker and burn as the two other people in the room with him sang the “Happy Birthday” song.

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday dear Jemmy,

Happy Birthday to you.

He blew on the candles, and the room went dark. He walked over to turn the lights on again as Dolley and Thomas clapped for him, which made his little smile grow just a little.

”Now it’s time for presents!” Dolley had exclaimed excitedly, to which Thomas nodded in approval.

James had rolled his eyes and sighed, sitting down and pushing the cake away from him, and pulling the two boxes closer to him. He had opened Dolley’s first, slowly and carefully. And then came Thomas’. Each present had made him gleam, which caused the two of them to appear shocked that James was even capable of smiling that widely.

”My goodness Jemmy, I didn’t know you could smile like that!” She had laughed, filling the room with that same positive energy.

Even Thomas had laughed, bringing joy to the entire room, his dark curls bouncing with him.

”I guess I can.” He shrugged it off, glancing towards the cake.

”Now, who wants some cake?”

:cake:

A short one shot for James Madison’s birthday today, on March 16th! It’s been such a long time since I’ve written something for the Hamilton fandom, and I’m glad I’m able to contribute towards my favorite character’s birthday!

Thank you all for reading, and I wish you all a wonderful evening!