I came up with this while trying to sleep. It’s Connor’s birthday; so Hank, Connor, and Sumo head over to Jericho to celebrate. There are streamers, Androids are dancing and doing karaoke. Kara & her family paint the walls. Simon, North, Josh, and Markus bake the cake. When Connor blows the candles, Alice asks him what he wished for. “I already have my wish!” Connor says. “What is it though?” Alice asks. Then Connor replies “a family”. Then everyone in Jericho just adopts him along with hank.
I imagine Connor being confused. Why does he need a birthday? Why are so many people celebrating it? What’s the point? Of course, he doesn’t ask any of these. He allows Hank to pull him to the new Jericho facility (I imagine it’s like an outreach center with actual housing) with Sumo strolling behind them.
Hank is clearly more excited about this than him. He fails to hide a messily wrapped gift in his coat pocket, trying to shield it with his hand and keys. The android noticed it before they even left the house, though. Hank is humming something, a glimmer of happiness in his eyes as he does.
And, again, Connor doesn’t understand.
When they finally arrive at the center, they’re greeted by everyone. Connor is stunned. There’s decorations everywhere and a big ol’ banner displaying “Happy Birthday, Connor!” in bright letters. There’s a table full of food with humans and androids littered across the large lobby.
Markus is the first to actually great him. He gives Connor a tight, warm hug and tells him how much he means to him because Connor does mean a lot to him. He means a lot to everyone in that room. Without him, a lot of what they have would be non-existent. This only adds to Connor’s confusion.
He mostly keeps to himself throughout the celebration and it isn’t until it’s time for cake and presents that he lets himself go. Hank’s the first one to speak up as he helps Kara bring out the cake.
“I’m thankful I met you, Connor,” He says. “because if I hadn’t, I would’ve never learned how to live again.”
Sumo ends up barking in agreement. After that, a few more people speak up. Kara talks about how, despite the past, Connor has become someone she deeply cares about. Alice decides to give Connor a picture she drew of herself, him, and a bunch of dogs. Markus says the same thing he said earlier about how Connor is part of the foundation of Jericho; without him, they couldn’t get to where they are now.
Connor has never cried before. It’s gotten to the point where he didn’t know if he could. But man, does he feel like he can tonight. When everyone is done talking and Hank lights the candles, Connor realizes something. He smiles. A genuine, happy smile as he blows out the candles.
Everyone cheers and those who are able to eat, line up to get their pieces of cake. The others begin to pass out presents. Hank got Connor a pocket watch; something that is passed down within his family. Kara got him a perfectly hand-knitted scarf. Markus got him a few books that he thought Connor would like (mostly fantasy).
As Connor’s going through his presents, Alice walks back up to him.
“What’d you wish for?” She asks.
Confused, Connor looks down at her. “Huh?”
“When you blew out the candles,” She explains, “What’d you wish for?”
“Nothing.” Connor chuckles. “I already have my wish.”
Connor looks around the room again. Everyone is happy. Not for them, but for him. They’re happy he’s with them. It’s at that moment he fully realizes why Hank gave him a birthday and why they are important. He looks back down at Alice, his smile so big it reaches his eyes as he finally cries. “A family.”
not exactly what you said but connor celebrating his birthday and understanding why hank gave him one is something i live for
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