Memories Forever

Chapter 4 - Birthday Plans

It had taken Archer and Karen another hour to finish up the chores and join the family for breakfast. Meal time was always a delight in the Lordswick’s residence as there was more than enough to eat and Claire always cooked up a storm. Today was no different.

‘Father we thank you for this food and ask that You bless it and make it nourishing to our bodies as we eat in Jesus Name, ‘Amen’, they all chorused in response to Emma’s short prayer and began dishing their food and eating.

‘Archer you’ll be heading out with me to the office after breakfast, we have a client to interview’ Martin said as they ate

‘Yes sir,’ Archer nodded in response, excited at the thought of going with Martin to the office for intern duties. He had passed the entrance exams into the two Universities in town and was waiting for his admission letter from any of them, preparing to resume school in a few months

Felicia had received her letter of admission into a reputable University also, but hers was in another state so everyone was excited but sad about her choice of University. She consoled them with a promise to be back home at every holiday or semester break.

As they ate, Emma asked the girls what their plan was today, hoping they would come with her to town to go do some house shopping. ‘What’s your afternoon like girls? Anyone want to join me shopping?' She asked

‘Mum we have Gina’s birthday party to go to,’ Karen asked pointing at Felicia as they got up to clear the table

Archer snapped his head up when she said that and quirked an eyebrow at her, deciding he will ask her about that later as she wasn’t looking his way. A gesture that was not missed by Emma, who frowned slightly, wondering what that was about

‘Same here Aunty. I have a program to attend at the Community center and then Gina’s party’ Gretchen stated, clearing up the dishes and carrying them into the kitchen

‘Okay well, you girls be careful then and get home before 7pm’ Emma instructed

‘Yes ma’am’ they chorused

Archer waited for Karen in the hallway as they all left the dining to go sleep or get ready to go out

‘Baby…’ he said stopping her in her tracks

Karen looked around frantically to see if anyone had heard him call her that. ‘Shh why are you calling me that?...Mum will have your neck’ She chided, laughing at him

Archer laughed in reply, ‘Well you are my baby…nothing wrong in the word….or would you prefer babygirl?.’ He teased, smirking and grabbing her arm as they both walked into his room down the hall

‘Yea Yea, so what’s up? Karen asked him as they entered the room. He closed the door and she went to sit on his bed, scrolling through his phone, looking at his collection of music.

Archer rubbed the back of his neck as he asked her hesitantly ‘Um... you are going to a party?

'Yea?' Karen replied not looking up. She found a playlist and put on the music.

‘Have you ever been to one?’ Archer continued, shifting on his feet, looking agitated.

‘No not really, but this party is happening in their home next door, so can’t be like the wild parties Gretchen attends so I’m good’ She laughed looking at him

‘Oh okay, Archer said, relieved ‘Alright, I thought it was someplace else’

‘Nah it’s next door… why did you ask?’ Karen smirked, enjoying the thought that he was probably jealous she was going out to a party and would meet some other boy

‘Oh nothing’ he answered, masking his obvious relief that she won’t be hitting it off with any new random guy at some wild party. This was his girl and he would have the first pleasure to all her first desires he thought smugly to himself, pulling her close and dancing with her to the classic music playing from his phone

Karen laughed, ‘What are you doing?’

‘Dancing’ he replied, doing a funny waltz and laughed, hugging her before saying he had to get ready for his outing with her dad

‘I’ll be going to my room to rest a while then’.. she said, heading out of the room

‘Okay...see you later' Archer replied, going in to the walk-in closet to get dressed

Karen went to her room and crawled into her bed, she needed to take a quick nap and be up before noon. The girls had decided to go with Gretchen to the community center and do other stuff there while she attended her program then they’ll all go to Gina’s by 3pm

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‘Go girl’ Karen said cheering on Felicia as she dueled on a game station with one of their neighborhood friends they had met at the center. Gretchen texted them she was almost done with the youth program so the girls were waiting for her to join them

It had been an interesting two hours at the center. Their first stop had been the basketball court, where they watched a match and cheered their buddies from school who played. Then they had shopped for Gina’s gift, had pizza and were now playing some video games

Karen was waiting her turn as Felicia played, crushing her opponent easily. The girls gave themselves a high-five and looked up to see Gretchen walking toward them, with a radiant smile on her face

‘Hey…. I’m ready girls’ Gretchen called out happily

‘Alright,’ Both girls said, dropping their game pads, walking out of the arcade

‘How was the program?’ Karen asked

‘Great. Bro Ephraim took us on “Choices and Grace.” It was really enlightening.’ Gretchen replied with a definite glow on her face

‘Nice, so hope you are all set on track then for a beautiful life’ Felicia asked, enjoying the transformation she was seeing in her.

‘Yea by God’s Grace’ Gretchen answered with a confident smile, making the other two girls marvel

‘Oh wow. Good for you girl’ Felicia hugged her as they walked to the parking lot to meet Gerald who had come to take them to Gina’s.

Gretchen started to speed walk and tell them excitedly ‘Come girls, let me introduce you all to him’

‘To who?’ The other two girls wondered at her, looking at each other

‘Bro Ephraim… he’s the leader of the fellowship that held the youth program I just attended.’ … ‘Bro Ephraim…’ she called out. But he didn’t hear her, he had already entered into his car and driven off before they got to him.

‘Aww…well next time then’ Felicia said to her softly

‘Yeah….’ Gretchen said smiling and nodding

‘Okay girls… let us go on to Gina’s, it is almost 3pm’. Karen remarked as they piled into the car, Gerald driving them to the house next door to theirs.

They eventually got to Gina’s and were now having an all-girls hangout in her room with her cousins and few other friends. Melissa, a friend of hers had just asked her what her birthday wish was and Gina had said ‘To get laid’, causing them all to laugh out loud, earning glares from Felicia who shook her head at us.

‘Really madam Gina?...Get laid at 16? Really? C’mon girl, you have all your adult life for that… surely you can wait till you are 21 at least?' Felicia chided

‘21?!’ Gretchen mouthed in shock

‘Yes Gretch, most of us wanna wait till then’ Karen said, laughing at her

‘Felicia, you mean at 18 you are still an innocent girl?’ Gretchen asked mockingly

‘Yep, I am Vee and proud, she said catwalking round the room and they all giggled as Gretchen mumbled in reply ‘Mm okay. Good for you’

Gina laughed ‘Okay I will wait Fels’ she said, getting up and rallying the girls. ‘Girls the party is about to start, let’s go down to the garden and meet my parents and family’ she said

As they went into the garden, Phoenix and his friends walked in. The girls squealed his name in greeting and he walked over to them to say hello, giving them each a hug

‘Happy birthday Phoenix’. They all chorused

‘Here is your gift’ Karen said, handing him a gift bag, ‘We already gave Gina hers but didn’t see you when we came in’ she said

‘Thanks babe,’ he took the gift from her, kissing her on the cheek. ‘Yeah was out with the guys at the gym and game arena down the street. How come you didn’t call me earlier to wish me a happy birthday?’ He accused her

‘We did…. Gina wouldn’t call you on,’ Karen replied pointing at Gina and sticking her tongue out at her

‘Really twinnie?,’ Phoenix jabbed and Gina just rolled her eyes… he laughed and said ‘Well you are here now and I am glad you all came’ He took them to their seats and introduced his friends to them, six hot looking guys the girls couldn't help ogling, giggling at whatever was said

The twins' parents had planned a beautiful birthday gathering for them with their families and friends present. It was just a nice and cozy eat and drink event and when it got dark a bonfire was set up and they all sat round the fire having fun, cracking jokes.

When it was 8 pm Gerald came round to pick them up saying they were needed at home. The girls then realized it was already one hour past their curfew. They bade the twins goodbye and went home with Gerald

They got in and apologized to Emma about not keeping to the curfew. She understood and told them to go shower

‘And I want to discuss your plans for your birthday Karen’ Emma called after them

‘Yayy’ Karen squealed as the girls went up the stairs to their rooms to freshen up 

Emma shook her head in amusement as she reclined on her chair, thinking about their busy household, her growing teenagers, the boys in their midst, the dinner table gestures between Archer and Karen. She sighed as she recalled the events surrounding their miracle baby Karen...