Finding himself in definite need of clearing his throat, John watched Sam hug Mary and her hug him back with that sense of the impossible that came, even now, from seeing his family all together, as though if he blinked or moved, it would all be undone. He forced himself to blink, just to prove it was real, then pulled himself from that brief reverie to approach his son.
No matter what had gone on, no matter what would likely always continue to go on during their lives because of how he and Sam related to each other, this was still his kid finally getting the kind of birthday he'd been robbed of for every birthday before this. They were all here, celebrating as a family, no one dead or missing or off doing secretive things. It couldn't have pleased John more.
"Happy birthday, son," he said, embracing Sam and giving him a brief clap on the back before retreating slightly to give the other birthday-wishers room.