It’s been a quiet week. We’ve heard nothing more from the police or Brian since everything was signed, and we’re all thrilled. I hate feeling like the other shoe’s going to drop anytime now and we’re going to have another situation to deal with. We’ve developed a great family routine, and everyone is adjusting nicely. Today we’re all heading over to Stella and Trystan’s for the baby reveal. It’s an exciting day. She has been texting us, counting down to today. It’s funny, if anyone ever took the time to go through and read our group messages, they could put together one hell of a comedy show.
I put the finishing touches on my hair and head over to Grace’s room to find her sitting on her new bed. Her furniture was delivered last week, and she absolutely loves it. She did a great job of making her bed with the pillows stacked the way I taught her, and she even straightened out the shears that are hanging from each of the poles. It’s funny how something like this changes a child. She hasn’t bothered with either of the boys all week. She’s been very content hanging in her room and doing her own thing. “Hey, pretty girl. We need to do your hair so we can get going.”
“Okay.” She climbs off her bed and takes a seat in the chair. I begin to comb through her long hair. I’m not super good with doing hair, but I can do simple braids and such.
“Are you good with a ponytail?” She nods staring into the mirror. Her gaze if fixed on something. She has the same look her daddy does when he’s lost in thought. The wheels in her head are spinning. “What’s wrong, Grace?” She shrugs but snaps out of it. She’s looking at the picture of her mom. “You know you can talk to me, right? About anything.” I squat down beside her.
“Daddy says I look like my mom. Today I was holding her picture and looking at myself in the mirror. I think I look like her, but it made me sad that I don’t remember much about her. Just small things. She used to lay in my bed with me sometimes, and she would run her fingers through my hair.”
“Those are good memories. You need to hold on to those.”
“I wish I remembered more.”
“I know you do, but you were so young when your mom got sick and this is hard for you to understand, but no one gets to decide when it’s their time to go to Heaven. It just happens. We get our wings and that’s it; our time here on earth is done.”
She jumps out of the chair and into my arms. “I hope you don’t get your wings.”
I rub her back. “Me too, sweetie, me too.” She pulls away. “Do you feel better now?” She nods. “Good, let’s finish your hair.” She takes a seat, and I continue to put her hair into a ponytail. When I’m done, we walk downstairs, hand in hand, to find the boys on the couch with their phones in hand. Grace looks up at me. “When do I get a phone?”
“Not for a few years yet, young lady,” Jesse answers, walking into the living room from the kitchen.
Grace pouts and walks over to take a seat between the boys. Jason looks at her and with a smile he says, “I’m playing Candy Crush, wanna try?”
Her face lights up. “Sure.” He hands her the phone, and she sits happily, playing.
“Thank you, Jason,” Jesse says before he tells me that we’re ready to go and that Josephine is going to drive with the kids because we need two cars. “She’ll bring Grace back with her if it’s getting late, and we’ll come back with the boys.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“Let’s get going.” Josephine comes down wearing a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. The weather has been unseasonably warm, but I’ve noticed she’s been cold a lot lately. “Grammy, can I go in your car?” Grace asks.
“Actually, that’s a better idea. Grace, you ride with Grammy, and the boys can ride with us.”
“Yay.” Grace claps excitedly.
“Okay, all bums out,” Jesse announces, trying to get everyone out the door. At this point, if we don’t get rolling we’re going to be really late, and we don’t want to miss the big reveal.
We pull up to Trystan’s house with Josephine following behind us. We’re thankful that there aren’t too many people here yet and we can park in front of the house. Grace jumps from Josephine’s car, taking her hand and walking with her toward the backyard. The vision reminds me that I need to talk to Jesse about my conversation with Grace. He should know so he can be prepared to help her if need be. “Are you okay?” Jesse’s worried eyes look into mine, pleading for more information.
“Yeah, I had a conversation with Grace today, and I was thinking about it. We need to talk after the party.”
“Is she okay?” We both glance over to the boys who are waiting for us. “Go on back, boys. We’ll be there in a minute.” I don’t want them hearing this conversation.
“What’s up?” he asks me.
“Grace mentioned her mom today and how she has very little memory of her. I think as she gets a little older she may struggle with that a bit.”
“We’ll keep an eye on her, let me know if I need to get involved.
“I will.”
“Good, let’s join the party.” He locks his fingers with mine and the two of us join everyone in the back.
We’re greeted by hugs and handshakes from our friends. Stella looks amazing in a pretty fall tunic top and some leggings. She’s sporting a cute pair of brown calf-high boots to complete her look. “Are you ready to find out what you’re having?”
“Ready? Lord help me if I have to wait another day.” She shakes her head. “DJ is warming up his arm now.”
We watch as DJ pitches to Trystan. “Nice throw, DJ.” He throws the ball back.
“What do you have planned?” I ask since she wouldn’t tell us before today.
“DJ is pitching a sand-filled balloon to Trystan who will hit it.”
“That’s awesome.” I’m so excited for them, and what a fun way to reveal the sex of the baby.
It seems like forever before everyone arrives. We’ve all been standing around talking while the kids run around the yard. There are so many people here. Rick, Billy, and Jack, Trystan’s friends from work, along with their spouses or significant others. Plus, the mom squad and most of the baseball team.
Trystan calls DJ over to throw the balloon. He lights up with excitement when Trystan hands it to him. “Okay, you’ve all put your names in the buckets for the sex you believe will be revealed. Once Trystan hits the balloon, we will pick a name from that bucket and you will get a gift card to the sporting goods store. The gift card was graciously donated by Misty and Briggs, the godparents.” Everyone claps. It was a sweet gesture and a fun addition to the afternoon.
“Ready, DJ?”
“Ready, Mom.”
“Okay, let’s do this.”
DJ throws the ball right to Trystan. It’s a great pitch. Trystan swings, connecting with the balloon; it breaks and blue powder bursts through the air. DJ runs at Trystan who scoops him up and spins him around. “Nice pitch, kid.” He ruffles his hair.
Trystan grabs Stella and the three of them hug. Stella rolls her eyes dramatically. “Still outnumbered.”
“Sorry, baby.” Trystan kisses her as DJ runs off to play with his friends. “I’m happy to try again.”
Her eyes go wide. “Let’s get through this one. I’m not getting any younger you know.”
He laughs. “Okay, maybe we’ll just practice then.” Everyone laughs at his joke until we hear that the food is ready. Judge Mackey is here manning the grill. He’s very close with the family since it’s his sentence that got Trystan and Stella talking in the first place. Trystan tells us he insisted on taking care of the cooking. The spread they have out is amazing. They set up tables in the shape of an L on the deck. There’s chicken, burgers, hot dogs, more salads than you can imagine, plus beans, mac and cheese, and meatballs. You would swear they’re feeding an army.
The boys come running over to join us, loading up their plates with tons of food. This right here is why there’s so much food. These boys eat like they haven’t eaten in days. This age is going to make us all broke. They’re growing way too fast. “I think they’re hungry,” Arien says.
Judge Mackey comes over. “Don’t you boys think you should let the ladies eat first?” He gives them an evil eye.
They look at him with uncertainty. “Sorry, sir,” DJ replies.
“You boys are fine.” Stella waves them off, and they finish making their plates. They huddle around a table on the lawn, devouring food. Their laughter and smiles warm my heart. Even Jason looks happy despite all that has happened to him over the last few weeks. I’m so glad to see he has so many wonderful friends to help him through this rough patch in life.
“Are you okay, baby?” Jesse puts an arm around me.
“Yeah, just realizing how happy our kids look. It makes me so glad we bumped into you.” I look up at him. “I love you.”
He presses his lips to mine. “I love you too.”
“Let’s get something to eat.”
We join our friends at the table and enjoy an evening of food, laughter, and fun.