Chapter 14
Today is Raine’s first birthday, and I promised Dex that I would come over to the condo early to set up. I even made sure Dex wouldn’t be here. He doesn’t know what he agreed to when he said yes to me. Boy, oh boy, is he in for a surprise.
There’s a knock at the door; that must be Cydney and Maverick to help with setting up. Reaching for the doorknob, I open the door.
“Hey, you two.” Leaning in, I give both of them a kiss on the cheek. “I have a stool all set up for Cydney so she can sit down while you both help.” As we make our way through the condo, Cydney stops when she sees nothing but bags and bags of stuff.
“Momma! What on earth did you buy?” She waves her hands over the bags.
“Oh, shh, Cydney, it’s just some balloons, streamers, plates. You know, birthday stuff. Why don’t you have a seat and start blowing up the balloons with all that hot air you are expelling.”
I hear a chuckle from beside me. “Maverick, you can start on those streamers,” I order, giving him a pat on the arm.
“Yes, ma’am!” both respond.
There’s a buzz from the gate. I check the screen; seeing that it’s Liam, I buzz him in. “Hello, Liam,” I say when I open the front door.
“Hello, Cynthia.” He leans in for a kiss carefully since he’s the one who picked up Raine’s birthday cake.
When I walk Liam into the living room, he sees that Cydney is here.
“Hi, professor.” She waves at him from her seat.
“Hello, Cydney, nice to see you again. Please call me Liam.”
I take Raine’s birthday cake. Walking into the kitchen, I place it on the counter.
“Cynthia, is there anything I can help with?” Liam asks from the other room.
Looking over my shoulder, I say, “Yes, could you can help Maverick finish hanging the streamers for me.” My smile stays on the whole time.
The balloons are done, streamers are hung, table is set—now we just need the lady of the day to arrive. Ah! Right on time, I hear a ruckus at the door. Walking through the condo with armfuls of gift bags, Zac, Cayden, and Callie have enough presents to stock a store. Dex is holding little Raine.
Oh my gracious, Raine has on the cutest little tiara with lace, a pink onesie with a one on the front, and a pink lace tutu with white leggings. She looks exactly like a princess, which is the only way she should. I hope Dex and Callie are ready for when she gets older.
“Hey, Raine.” Dex hands her to me so I can get my baby time. “Are you excited?” She gives me a big smile. “You know you’re gonna have to stop growing so fast,” I tell her while tickling her belly.
“Momma, why all the pink?” Dex asks while giving me a hug.
“Boy, shh now. Raine is our princess and needs her pink. Besides, the plates are leopard print.” I lightly tap his shoulder.
Wrinkling his nose, he says, “Thank you, Momma, for putting all this together.”
“You’re welcome, Dex. Wouldn’t want it any other way.”
We all sit down at the table while I put Raine in her seat. Walking over to the table, Dex carries Raine’s cake with its one little candle lit on it. “Happy birthday, baby girl,” Dex says as he places the cake in front of her, kissing the top of her head.
Sounding like a flock of geese, we all sing “Happy Birthday”. Raine is laughing, clearly a very happy baby. Callie and Dex help with blowing out the candle. “Dada,” Raine yells.
As Dex turns his head, Raine puts icing all over his face.
“Oh, she got you man,” Zac gets out through his laughter.
After we finish with the cake and Raine is all cleaned up, we all move into the living room, preparing to open presents. Opening the present from Zac, Callie lifts a pink jersey with the number one on it in the air. “Zac, this is absolutely adorable. I’m sure she will wear it often.”
“Well, I figure little Raine needs to know who her number one uncle is. Isn’t that right, Raine?” He taps her on her nose.
“Nah, man, I’m her favorite uncle.” Maverick points at his chest. Oh my, this little girl has no idea what these men will mean to her in the future.
Continuing with the presents, Dex grabs the big box from Maverick. “Dude, what did you get her?”
“Open it!” he insists, grinning.
We all look at the picture on the front of the box, gasping. “Oh, my word, you got her a little house with balls in it.”
“Yes I did; nothing is too good for my niece. She is going to love it.” Raine has a smile as big as the day is long.
“Look at her; she already loves it and it’s still in the box.” He’s right; she’s bouncing up and down in Callie’s lap. This girl is going to be spoiled beyond belief.
Raine racked up on the gifts; she has more clothes and noisy toys than one little girl can handle, but I’m sure she will manage. Good luck to Dex with keeping them all straight.
Watching Raine while everyone else helps clean up from the party, I ask her, “Did you have a good birthday?” I playfully lift her hands in the air. “Yay!” I peck her on the cheek and I’m given a smile and laugh in return. Raine will be walking soon; hope Dex and Callie have their running shoes ready.
Looking into her beautiful eyes, I whisper, “Raine, you will know what love is because your life will be full of it.” She is just staring at me. “Haha, you don’t understand now, but you will.”
“Mamaw!”
I place my hand over my mouth, fighting back the tears. “That’s right, baby girl, I’m Mamaw!”