Kylie & Jack 1: Humble Beginnings

58. Threenager

Saturday 20th Jul 11:35 AM

Loz and Ryan became second time parents to a "threenager" on Tuesday and as Ryan's casts finally came off, Loz felt like she had a smidgeon of control over her life at long last. So much so that they were able to organise a little birthday party for Aiden today.

During the week, Ali, Sophie and Kylie all but locked themselves in Kmart trying to find presents for their youngest group member, as well as letting Ali vent. Chris was still dumbfounded that she and everyone else placed so much importance on Harry and Aiden, which lead to a huge fight between them.

Unlike Chris, Jack wasn't at all bothered that as soon as he stepped foot inside the living room, Harry and Aiden were dictating to him the rules of playing with their trainset on the floor. Neither did it phase him that Kylie made him buy and write in Aiden's birthday card. As Kylie put it, she had bought the gift, so he would buy and sign the card from them both. Besides, her nieces and nephew had already adopted him as their uncle, what was two more nephews?

Dean was much the same. He was enjoying being around the boys more and more now that he and Sophie were expecting. There was just so much fun to be had, playing soccer and football with the boys, in Dean's opinion.

Before Harry and Aiden could drag everyone outside, they were all huddled comfortably in the living room, watching them play with the dinosaur toys from Loz's parents, who made the trip down from Katoomba.

Jack was muttering to Kylie how this reminded him of Robbie's fourth birthday when Aiden waddled over to Kylie, throwing himself against her knees, wanting to be picked up.

Kylie hoisted Aiden onto her lap and cradled him in her arms while Jack continued to mutter with surprising detail about Robbie's fourth birthday.

"... he got this Tonka truck from one of our aunties and he was so excited, like it was the greatest thing ever ... and he, I remember he filled the back of the truck with all these Easter eggs that our aunt and uncle brought over – they missed Easter with us, so it was a double whammy, you know ..."

Kylie beamed listening to Jack recollect the memory of his brother. She wanted to say something about him remembering this but not the word 'lamb' when he was cooking last night, but she just couldn't bring herself to do it.

On Jack's other side was Loz's father, Peter who was discussing the Lindfield Park bushfire that had started two days ago.

Kylie looked down to see Aiden was being gifted another present by Loz's mother, Anne. Aiden waved the present above his head in Kylie's face, saying "my birthday! My birthday!"

Gushing, Kylie egged Aiden on to rip the wrapping paper open. Her long, red curls falling over her shoulder and Aiden's face. Jack turned to face Kylie and just in time to hear her call Aiden her baby.

"Whoa – what?" Jack spluttered as quietly as he could, making Kylie look up at him.

"What?"

"That – what – what you just said –"

"– oh that. Aiden's my baby. So what?"

"Jeez, I know you women are close but –"

Kylie giggled at him, rolling her lips tight while Aiden wriggled on her lap, still trying to rip open the present.

"Oh Kookaburra, you are so cute when you're clueless –"

"– Auntie Kyee, help!" Aiden pouted getting frustrated.

"Oh no! Can't you open it?" Kylie gushed in Aiden's ear, finding a clump of paper taped together and tearing it so Aiden could finally open the gift.