Of course, as the attention towards the Creed companies is growing, there was no way that the spearheading Creeds wasn't prepared for it as well.

Business was a back and forth of strategies and counterstrategies. As much as the competition prepared for their attacks, their eventual targets could also do the same.

Old Sullivan had pretty much prepared himself for the probable hidden schemes that would implode on them.

His unsavory experience with the clothing industry in noble-centric Britain and the connective ostracizing he had to go through in reasonlessly snobby Hollywood was lesson enough for him.

Third times the charm or whatnot should take the voodoo-ish backseat as realistic preparedness and true blue contingencies were the way to go.

His grandson was now counting on his old bones after all.

As business-talented Alexander was, he should not have experienced enough unfair strategies from competitors yet. Being able to handle such devious means and unexpected pressures is not meant for any kid to handle.

Sullivan did know about the boy's adamant and over-preparedness in copyrights and possible infringements though, so perhaps Alexander was as prepared as him.

Either way, the combined methods of the two Creeds should be more than enough to handle the first wave, and what would come after that should be handled when adaptations and deliberations are made.

The smell of war's gunpowder could make any person's blood to boil, whether it be brought about by apprehension or excitement.

Business was just another battlefield with different tactics and weapons to employ after all. Preparation was just half the battle and one could only watch out when the true clash comes around.

At that point as minor mishaps and untimely decisions would magnify further and stackingly domino effect itself into a great loss.

Those confrontations may take quite some time or by the instant as everyone has been readying themselves or had already set things up long before the conflict started.

----

The Creeds hadn't turned their attentions much to those speculative business battles in December though as a certain celebration needed to be celebrated.

Among those is December 17th when little Milla was set to celebrate her 9th birthday.

As far as they were concerned, a lot of things needed to be celebrated in the holiday busy month, and worrying about future troubles would just dampen their spirit of enjoyment.

Sullivan was perhaps the most smiling old man for the past few days as he took in all the success of Creed Comics and Creed Toys combined.

"Why aren't you smiling much, Alex?" Sullivan asked as they walked towards the restaurant where the birthday party was to be held. They each held on to wrapped presents to give the birthday girl that brought some kind of normal excitement to their business-centric lifestyles for the past year.

"Why should I smile though?" Alexander was confused at the question. Wasn't his grandfather already used to his stoic and expressionless face? Besides, he remembered that he had already used up his rare smile quota when he got the first Creed Toys performance report that indicated astounding success.

"It's little Milla's birthday and you'd better show your friendship spirit with happy, congratulative, and toothy grins." Sullivan felt that such a combination of friendly spirit was just right. Despite Alex's perfunctoriness, his friendship with little Milla was already genuine with all the jogging conversations they've been having every day.

"I can do that but not the toothy kind though as there is a gap there." Alexander could only half-comply to the old man's request as his tongue fiddled with the gap left behind by his baby tooth.

Alexander, who had started his re-life at 7-year-old, was now reminded of the growing pains that come with it. It was fortunate that he was circumcised at an earlier period, so he was saved from experiencing those troubles once again.

Sullivan could only chuckle at his grandson's toothy plight. Perhaps the boy's celebratory mood from Creed Toys' recent success was dampened by the boy's ails towards his tooth gap.

-----

Eventually, the duo met up with the party correspondents and joined up with Milla and her birthday guests.

They were mostly comprised of Milla's friendly classmates from both acting and normal classes though. It was just unfortunate that they were just a small bunch as the 17th was way too close to the 24th and 25th.

There was no sign of Milla's father in the party but at least it didn't dampen the girl's mood to have fun with those that attended.

Spoiling grandpa Sullivan was sponsoring everything with Alexander's money after all, so there was no way that her catering and party program was subpar.

Anyways, the usual birthday gathering climax happened with Milica making a wish, blowing out of her candles, and another round of 'happy birthdays' in the form of the Happy Birthday song.

"Haha!" For some reason, Milla broke through the birthday huddle and came to her running buddy with haughtiness. "I'm 9 years old now and 2 years older than you, Alex."

"Now there is no denying that you should call me big sis!" She said that with her hands on her hips to rightfully proclaim her snuffed 'big sis' identity.

"I hate to remind you but I'll be 8 next month or so, so we're back to square one." Alexander had to break it to her. Even though technicalities would let her win but a boy with an adult soul won't take age mundanities with much simplicity.

"No fair." Milla pouted without haggling much further as entangling with smart Alex was always a losing battle for her.

The fun still went on for everybody after that brief interlude and ended as it eventually should lead to.

Of course, the highlight of the final event was Milla's opening of her special Creed present. Old Creed took it to himself to specially request that the unmarketed and designed Charlie doll design be manufactured as a special gift to her nominal granddaughter.

With her overzealous glee and amazement at its limited edition-ness, perhaps it may have sealed the deal to the fact that Charlie dolls may or may not be mass-produced to the market.

As exciting and special as grandpa Sullivan's gift to her was, Milla was just baffled at another "Charlie" doll that Alexander gifted to her.

It was an adult "Charlie" with two holstered shotguns at her back. It was cool and imposing to look at but Milla could only pout in dissatisfaction when Alex wouldn't explain to her what it was.

-----

Either way, Milla's semi-eventful birthday was just the start of a succession of celebrations as December and onward was just filled with special days.

There was Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, then there was old Creed's 63rd birthday on 27th, and of course, there was the final day of 1984 and the New Year to be greeted after that.

At some point with all the close holidays and non-working weeks, the Creeds and the Jovovich ladies that tagged along just decided that it was best to convene the celebration at a steady rate throughout those days.

In any case, with year-long 1984 success and culminatory events being celebrated in those last few weeks, Alex's re-life as a 7-year-old was coming to an end and the re-new year was about to come.

Seven again in 1984 was coming to an end with his upcoming 8th birthday and Alexander was just looking forward to what 1985 had to offer.