Ezra's pov

Today's the day I always hated. The day when my parents got taken. It's also the worst day of the year. Today's the day the Empire took over the galaxy, also known as Empire day.

I shouldn't really be excited about today. But for some reason, I want to celebrate my birthday. I haven't done anything for today because I was a street rat and there was no one who I loved with me to celebrate it with.

But now since I'm with the crew, I feel like I finally have.....friends to celebrate my birthday with. I can't say family yet. They do act the roles of a normal family, but I don't feel comfortable saying it just yet.

They don't know about my birthday being today, so I'll have to tell them.

I step out of my room awkwardly and walk into the common room. I was about to open the door, but then had second thoughts.

Maybe I shouldn't tell them. They probably wouldn't want to waste their time on me.

I was going to walk back into my room, but then determination crossed my mind.

I'm going to do it. It's the crew, they would love to celebrate my birthday.

I walked back to the door, but then stopped in my tracks.

Maybe I should only tell Kanan. What if he is the only one that would care about my birthday? We could still celebrate it.

I then turn back around and go to Kanan's door. I was about to open it, till I realized my shoes were untied.

I bend down and realize I don't have shoe laces. I'm just stalling now.

You know what? I'm going to tell Kanan first, then the crew. Everyone should be able to celebrate my birthday with me. I'm definitely going to do this!!!

"Ezra?"

I jump and turn around to see Kanan. Oh.....he's not in his room.

"Hey Kanan." I say trying to sound casual.

"Why are you standing by my door?" He asks.

It's now or never. "I wanted to tell you something."

"Oh ok, you could tell me after the mission." He says.

I froze. "Mission?"

"Yeah, Vizago wants us to do an important mission." Kanan says.

"Oh." Is all I could say.

Maybe the mission will only last an hour or two. We could still celebrate it after.

"How long is the mission?" I ask.

"Well, the planet will take a few hours to get there. To get the cargo we need, will take some time too. And when we head back here, it will probably be the end of the day." He says.

I hide my disappointment. So much for celebrating my birthday for once. No, I'm not giving up yet. Maybe the mission could be on another day.

"Is there any chance we could reschedule it?" I ask.

"Reschedule it? Ezra, Vizago is offering us credits that will last us over a year. We need to do this today, and only today." Kanan says in a serious tone.

I look down ashamed. Maybe we could........or maybe.......I'm all out of ideas. Why did I ever think I could enjoy my birthday? It's never a good day.

"You should get some rest, we are leaving soon." He says.

"Just......just leave without me." I mumble.

Kanan hears me and looks at me confused. "You aren't going on the mission with us?"

No, I'll just do what I always do on my birthday, be alone in my tower.

"No, I just need to be alone." I say and walk away. "Sorry."

I didn't turn back when Kanan kept saying my name.

Time Skip

I sat on the dirty floor in my tower. The crew already left a few hours ago. It's good that they went on the mission. We've been trying to get credits for weeks, but now we will get it.

Why should they have to cancel something that important? Why should they have to do that for me? I'm not worth it. It's better off my birthday remains unknown for the benefit of the crew's actual needs.

I should be glad they left to the mission. But deep down, I'm depressed.

For the first time ever, I actual had hope to finally have a positive birthday with the crew and not alone. The absence of my parents throughout the years, has brought only sorrow and loneliness to my life.

It only made myself even more broken to keep all these thoughts storaged mentally in my mind.

I had no one to talk to, no one for comfort, and no family to love.

What a great birthday I'm having.

I felt someone shaking me. I look up from my sitting position to see Kanan knelt down beside me.

How is he here? Did I fall asleep or something?

"Kanan? What are you doing here?" I ask.

"I decided not to go on the mission." He says.

My eyes widen. "Why would you do that? They need you to help them."

"Yeah, like we needed you to help us. But you just decided not to go." He says.

Oh I see what he's doing.

"You guys don't need me." I mumble.

Before Kanan could respond to that, I change the subject.

"What time is it? Did I fall asleep?" I ask.

"It's almost noon. Your eyes were closed when I came in here, so maybe." Kanan says.

I nod. I was so deep in thought, I must've drifted off a little without even noticing.

"Was it really that important to not go on the mission just to show me I messed up again?" I ask.

"I didn't come here for that. I came here to celebrate your birthday." Kanan says.

Did he just say my birthday? How did Kanan find out?

"How did you-"

"I read your thoughts through our bond." Kanan says cutting me off.

"We could read each other's thoughts?" I ask with curiosity.

"Yes."

I make an evil smirk. This means I could find out if Kanan and Hera are together. They obviously have some chemistry.

"I saw that smirk. Don't you think about it." He says.

Oh, I'm thinking about it.

"Ok fine. But why would you not go on the mission because of my birthday? It's not important." I say.

He looked at me like he was shocked at what I said. "Of course your birthday is important. Why would you even say that?"

"I.....I don't want to talk about it." I say.

"You sure?" He asks. "It will help you."

I nod. He sighs.

"Well if I can't tell you how important your birthday is, I'll have to show you." Kanan says.

"What do you mean by-"

"Happy birthday!!!!" The whole crew comes in with birthday hats on, presents, and a cake.

My eyes widen. I thought they went on the mission. I saw the ghost leave.

I stand up with Kanan. "I thought you guys left."

"We did. But when Kanan told us the news, we contacted Vizago and cancelled the mission." Hera says.

"But.....the credits....."

"The credits aren't as important as you, Ezra. We could always get them in another mission. You come first." Kanan says.

I couldn't believe what they were saying. They gave up a mission for me? No one has ever done something like that for me.

"Kid, if you're not going to celebrate with us, I'm eating all the cake." Zeb says.

I laugh. "You are going to do that either way."

They all start to laugh and we sit down in a circle.

"Let's start out with gifts. Sabine want to go first?" Hera asks her.

"Sure, here you go Ezra." Sabine says handing me her gift.

Her gift was wrapped in stripe wrapping paper and had a bow on top. I open it and see a sketch book with colored pencils.

I smile. "Thanks Sabine."

"No problem. I don't use that anyways, I'm not very good." Sabine says.

We all almost laugh. She's an amazing artist. It's hard to believe she can't draw.

"What? It's true. I can only paint." Sabine says.

"Sure Sabine.....my turn." Zeb says and gives me his gift.

His looks smaller than Sabine's. It has silver wrapping paper which looked very shiny.

I rip it open and give a confused yet annoyed face.

"What is it?" Kanan asks me.

I reveal the perfume and deodorant. "Really Zeb? I'm pretty sure you're the one that needs this the most."

"Says the kid who goes in sewers and doesn't mind the smell." Zeb teases.

"Says the lasat who doesn't know what bathing means." I tease back.

"Enough you two. It's my turn, here Ezra." Hera says and hands me hers.

It's kinda heavy. No doubt it's a book. I open the box and see some kind of how to fly a ship book.

"What's this for?" I ask.

"I just thought you would need it when I train you to fly the ghost." Hera says with a smile.

I gasp. "Do you mean it?"

She nods. "We'll start tomorrow."

I almost jump in excitement. I've always wanted Hera to teach me how to fly the ghost or phantom. Now it's really happening.

"Thank you Hera. I'll try not to crash the ghost." I joke.

"Not when I'm on the ship you are not." Hera says in a stern tone.

"I need to get your gift. Give me a second." Kanan says while getting up and leaving my tower.

I look at everyone confused. "What could it be that he would have to get it?"

They all shrug. It can't be so bad, probably just too big to carry, maybe.

A few minutes later, Kanan comes in carrying a medium size box. It doesn't have any wrapping paper on it.

"Hope you like it." Kanan says putting the box on my lap.

I hesitantly open it, but what's inside makes me gasp and go into tears.

"Woah, are you ok Ezra? Kanan, what did you get him?" Hera asks.

I take the little Pomeranian puppy into my arms. Everyone gasps in surprise.

"Aw, he's so cute. I can't believe you got him a puppy Kanan." Sabine says coming closer to me to see the puppy.

I just keep hugging him while crying. I'm getting so emotional because when I was younger, my dad surprised me with a Pomeranian puppy. I named him Snickers, because......I loved that candy.

But he died a few years later by a speeder accident. He got hit really hard and died right away. I loved him so much.

I feel Kanan put a hand on my shoulder. "I didn't think you would get this emotional. Do you like it?"

I embrace Kanan into a hug still holding the puppy.

"I love it. Thank you."

He was a little surprised, but still hugs me back. "You're welcome, Ezra."

"So.....I guess Kanan wins on the best gift." Zeb says.

"If that puppy pees anywhere on my ship, I'm making you clean it Kanan." Hera says very serious.

We break out of the hug and Kanan nods with a grin.

"What are we naming him?" Sabine asks.

"Ezra, what do you want to name him?" Kanan asks me.

"Snickers." I say. "I want to name him Snickers."

"Isn't that a candy?" Hera asks.

"It's my favorite candy." I say with a smile.

"Snickers is a good name." Kanan says.

"Since we are talking about food, let's eat the cake." Zeb says and already has the cake in his hands.

They all sang happy birthday to me and we ate all the cake. And by we ate all the cake, I mean we all had one slice and Zeb had ten slices.

I should start a theory if lasats have three stomachs.

Today was.....unexpected. That's a good word right? I thought I would be alone again for another birthday year. But then all of this happens.

I never thought I would meet people who would care for me as much as my parents did. I can't say how much I'm grateful to not be alone anymore.

I would get more into this, but I want to play with Snickers.

"Can I play with Snickers for a little bit?" I ask.

"Sure thing. Meet us back at the ghost." Kanan says.

They all get up and leave my tower. But before Kanan leaves, I grab his arm.

"Kanan, thank you again for....everything." I say.

He smiles. "That's what family is for."

I stare at him shocked. I let go of his arm and he leaves with everyone else.

I smile. Family.........that's a good way to describe the crew.