Bellatrix

Birthday Blues

CHAPTER 37

Arianna

“Jacob, get up already. We have a long day ahead of us! Jacob, if you don’t get up right this moment, I am going to throw a whole bucket of ice on you!!!” Trying to get Jacob to wake up is like trying to bring the dead back to life!

I am so excited and nervous about today and have been praying so hard for everything to go well. Now, if this lazy bumz could wake up and speed it up, we can be on our way! I threw off his covers and started to bash him with a pillow. “Okay, okay I’m awake. Ari, stop that now!” I tell him to get ready and meet me downstairs in twenty minutes. I ordered a baby car seat, and we had to go and get it fitted before we went to pick up Bella and Athena. Jacob just dragged himself out slowly from his bed and, at a snail’s pace, made his way to his bathroom. I warned him that if he’s not down in twenty minutes I’m leaving without him.

I went downstairs and through the window I saw mum in her garden. That was her territory, and she took care and nurtured it like a baby. I went outside to the garden and gave her a back hug and started to sing “Happy Birthday” and when I was done she turned around all teary eyed and gave me another hug and kiss and thanked me. She seemed to have been deep in thought about something. “Mum, can you please tell me what you would like for your birthday, please? I ran out of ideas, and I decided to rather ask you so that I could get you something you’d like and really want.” I say. “My darling, there’s no need to buy me a present, I don’t need anything. All I wish for my birthday is for my family to be whole again. Our family has become so distant from each other over this past year. Please baby, be kind to your brother. He’s hurting, too. I just pray that Bella will find her way home soon and help restore our family ”

I tell Mum not to worry, Gabe and I will be fine and it’s her birthday, she should not be thinking about sad stuff. I tell her that she’s going to love the cake we got her. And then in an attempt to get her mind off things I say to her, “Mum if you've been stressing about those grey hairs that’s sticking out, don’t, cos you would still be mistaken for my older sister and not my mum” She pulls out a garden glove and smack me with it. “Grey hairs, huh? Well I’ll have you know I’m starting a new trend. Is that what yourll call it? Yes, well you’re going to see lots more grey sticking out, so get used to it. We chatted for a while, and then I heard Jacob’s voice calling out my name. I gave Mum another hug and kiss and told her that I would see her later. Just before I completely exited the garden, I turned around and told her I have a feeling that this is going to turn out to be a very special birthday for her. She just smiled and waved me away.

Who would have thought that having a baby car seat installed would take so long. I was told it would take about thirty minutes and tried to schedule my day around it, but it’s almost an hour now. I went to check up on the delay, and the guy said it’s cause of the type of seats that I have. He explained that they are very particular about their work and don't take any chances rushing a job, especially when it involves a baby. They have to make sure it is installed properly and will be safe for the baby who will be using it. Wow! I was not expecting that mouthful and responded to him, saying, “Much respect to you, mister, for running your business like that. I’ll wait, sorry for the nagging” After another fifteen minutes, we were all good to go.

When we arrived at Bella’s place, she was feeding Athena her bottle. She greeted us and said that they were almost done and we would leave in a bit. Athena had her one leg up, trying to get it to reach her hand while she thirstily drank up her milk, but as soon as she recognized Jacob’s voice she was all ears and tried to turn her head as if to see where that voice was coming from. She only met Jacob once and spent a couple of hours with him, but she seemed to have bonded with him, and it was clear that she liked having him around. He playfully jumped in front of her and made a funny face and said guess who’s uncle is back in his funny voice and that did it for her, she first let out a chuckle and then it was a full belly laugh. “Guess Athena appointed me her personal clown now” said Jacob, laughing. Then he changed his voice again and said to Athena that if she wants her uncle to be her clown, he has no problem with it. He told her that her uncle would do anything she wanted. She just chuckled happily at everything he said. Good play Athena, good play, baby girl! Now, just to get your grandpa and daddy wrapped around those little fingers of yours, I said out loud, and she turned her head and looked up at me curiously. I reached out to pick her up from Bella and was surprised that she came to me without a fuss. This little girl is just too precious and is sure going to win the hearts of many.

I helped Erica to get Athena ready while Bella sorted herself out. Erica had done her hair and makeup earlier, and she looked stunning. I could see she was nervous, though, and gave her an encouraging hug. She got a bag packed up for Athena, which was packed with diapers, spare sets of clothes, formula, and bottles already made, and God knows what else . All that for one little baby. Oh well, best to be well prepared, I guess.

Once we got Athena settled in the car seat, Erica came and gave her a peck on her forehead and then gave Bella a hug and told her to be brave and to trust that all will go well. Jacob jumped in next to Athena and kept her entertained. Erica placed the birthday cake carefully on Bella’s lap once she was seated and buckled up. We decided that when we reached the mansion, I would go in first with the cake and would try and get everyone relaxed and calm and tell them that there's one more surprise and come out and give the okay to come in. As practiced, we got the show on the road. Jacob helped Bella to get Athena out of the car seat, and he then carried her bag. Now they would have to wait out here a few minutes while I go do my part inside.