“You do realize that Dad has a lot of money and you really didn’t need to shop in the sale section, right?” Jaxson remarked as he came into the room, strolled over to a free counter, and jumped onto it.
Megan sighed. “I have money, too, but that’s beside the point. We never know how long that money lasts or if that money can be used elsewhere.”
“Umm, I think that extra ten dollars you saved wouldn’t have been missed,” Jaxson joked. He grabbed a lemon and started tossing in the air and catching it.
“Blake, honey,” Megan turned to look at me. “When or if Jaxson ever makes it big in the NFL make sure you keep him grounded. He’ll be just another sports player cautionary tale. He’ll get that first check and buy the mansion in a high cost of living area and cars for every day of the week.”
Jaxson paused from his game of catch and looked over at Megan. “How did you know?”
“Jaxson James.” Megan paused in her cutting. “You haven’t changed much, you know that. You were always over the top in everything you did. Right now your father has been able to curb your spending, but once those checks start rolling in, I have a feeling you’re gonna lose control.”
“Don’t worry, Megan, I’ll keep him line,” I reassured her with a mischievous smile.
“You’re the only one who could,” Drake stated with a snort.
“True story,” Jaxson said with no shame.
“Are we eating here or are we going out?” Jace asked as he came into the kitchen. “Not that I’m complaining because you ladies look nice, but this seems a little unexpected. You, my dear, look hot,” he kissed my cheek and wrapped his arms around my waist.
“Thank you,” I smiled up at him. “Noah and Drake decided they wanted me to wear one of Anna’s creations so…here we are.”
“Nice, man,” Jace looked over at Drake.
“How was music class?” I asked Jace.
“Great. Micah and Ella are outstanding. It must be something in your genes because they are constantly growing in leaps and bounds,” Jace smiled. “Ben’s been working with Micah on his guitar, and I think he has a better knack for it then the piano. Ben lets him borrow one of his guitars for now, but I think its about time we invested in one for him.”
“I’ll order one for him,” I said with a smile.
Jace chuckled. “I kind of already did.”
I stopped and looked up at him, and I felt tears threaten. How did I get so lucky? My brother was going to have a birthday party almost every kid in America would want. All of them had been spoiled beyond belief for Christmas. They never wanted for everything, and I would bet every penn
y in my bank account that Micah hadn’t asked for the guitar either. He never asked for anything.
“I love you,” I whispered to him.
“I love you more,” he whispered back, kissing me before he straightened. “Now I’m going to shower and get dressed. I’ll see what I can rustle up to wear.”
“Did you guys seriously make shrimp and grits?” Gavin asked coming into the kitchen, peering over Sierra’s shoulder.
“We did.” Sierra smiled at him. “Megan remembered your request.”
“Thanks, Ma!” Gavin exclaimed before leaving a loud resounding kiss on Megan’s cheek.
She laughingly pushed him away. “Knock it off. Who would have thought a childless mother would have so many children?”
I thought on that for a moment. “If you could have children, would you?”
“If there was a safe way without the same repercussions as Hazel’s experiment…?” Megan asked before she slowly nodded. “Yes, and not because I’m not happy about all of you. You know the hardest decision in my life was leaving Jaxson and Jace. But as a child, Alison and I were night and day. She was boy crazy for as long as I could remember. First, she was the tomboy and then she was all about the boys. I was the one that always played with baby dolls.
“I’m not ashamed to admit that I didn’t want a career. I wanted to get married and have children. When we started to show signs that our gifts were coming in, my parents finally sat us down and told us about the possibility of us having issues with children. Alison didn’t care, but I was devastated. I was hoping for a large family. Then she ended up with not one beautiful child but two.” She smiled and waved her hand. “Anyway, enough about me. Let’s plate up this food and get it out there.”
“Let’s,” I agreed, knowing she had revealed more to us then I think she wanted to.
Drake efficiently directed us like we were his kitchen staff. “Jaxson, line up those large bowls on the long prep table. I’ll put the grits in the bowls. Sierra, can you put the sausage and vegetables in the middle of the grits? Blake, can you line the shrimps on the inside rim of the bowls? And, Gavin, you bring out the cornbread. Megan, you go relax.”
“Yes, sir,” Jaxson teased.