“Everett and Elaine are staying with us tonight.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” Aurora says.
“Babe, it’s done,” Grant tells her. “You know they love playing with their cousins.”
Royce’s oldest son Roan is five now. Next is his daughter Rachel, who is three, and their son Lincoln is two. Sawyer claims they are done, but I see the look in her eyes when Royce tells her he wants more. My guess is that we will be having another baby announcement soon.
“Who’s taking who?” Conrad asks. He’s holding his daughter Sage who is two, in his arms. She’s resting her head on his shoulder, being shy—her older brother Bryson, who’s four, doesn’t have a shy bone in his little body.
“I’m taking the olders,” Royce indicates to Grant, “so they can get some sleep.”
“We’re happy to help too,” Conrad chimes in.
“Aspen is six months pregnant,” Aurora states. “She doesn’t need to be running after my kids and yours.”
“What am I, chopped liver?” he asks, laughing.
“Sorry.” Aurora is quick to apologize. “I’m exhausted.”
Conrad puts his arm around her shoulders. “I know, sis, that’s why you should let us help.”
“All right, everyone!” I shout. “Time to gather around to sing to the birthday girl.” My mom and dad are on either side of the high chair, and they clap, which causes Marley to smile and clap as well.
I stand back and wait for everyone to gather on the back patio. It doesn’t take long for all my brothers, in-laws, nieces and nephews, my wife and kids, and our parents to get in position. Jase, Sam, and Aria are on vacation, so they’re missing all the fun. However, as I look around at all the smiling faces, I understand the squeezing in my chest.
This is happiness.
This is love and family, and I know we are the lucky ones. Not everyone has what we have, and I thank God every day for giving us the magic of love.
Wren
“I can’t believe she’s already a year old,” Sawyer says.
She and the rest of my sisters-in-law are sitting underneath the shade tree that Owen has summoned Layla to. Not that we mind. We have a clear view of the entire backyard, and we’ve all been married for a few years now, but I know that I speak for all five of us when I say that watching our husbands with our kids is something that never gets old.
“I know. Soon, it will be the little guy,” I say, rubbing my belly.
“Guy?” they all ask at the same time.
I laugh. “I don’t know, but I have a feeling it might be a boy. I went to one of those mommy and me places and had a maternity massage. They talked me into the upsell of the ultrasound. They asked if I wanted to know the gender, but I felt guilty for finding out without him. I asked them to write it down and put it into a sealed envelope. I thought Marsh and I could do our own little private gender reveal.”
“You know he’s going to be jealous that you got to see the baby and he didn’t.” Aspen laughs.
“Oh, I know. That’s why I scheduled another one for Monday morning. I took the next available appointment.” I laugh. “I know my husband would be insistent for another look.”
“We’re blessed,” Layla says softly. “I never imagined my life would turn out this way. I struggled for so long, and then Owen came along, growling about my shoes, and here I am.” She smiles.
“Most definitely blessed,” I agree with her. Aurora yawns as exhaustion settles in. “Girl, you look dead on your feet. Why don’t you go grab that husband of yours and head home? Or you could leave Cane here with me for a while and you grab that husband of yours and go upstairs and nap,” I offer Aurora.
“Nah. Royce and Sawyer are taking Everett and Elaine tonight. Wait, did you know?” Aurora asks Sawyer.
“Yes, Royce told me. I think Wren’s right. You should go home and get some rest. Sleep when they do, remember?”
“It looks like all the kids are about to crash,” Layla says. She points to where Marshall and Conrad are passing out popsicles to the group, and it’s a very rare occasion that they’re all sitting still.
The party has been going strong all afternoon. We played games, swam, let each of the kids try their luck with a piñata, then presents, and cake and ice cream. There was lots of running around the yard, and playing hard for all of them. The five of us are sitting under this tree for a little mommy quiet time, but the way the kiddos are slowing down, it’s about to be over.
“I guess we should go help,” Aspen says.
The five of us make our way to the back patio. Aspen and I are a little slower as we’ve both just started to waddle in our pregnancies. As soon as they have us in their sights, our husbands come to us. All five of them, as if we’re beacons in the night.