When It Begins Again

21

"Happy Birthday!"

Jewel nudged the sleeping sixteen year old beside her on the bed.

"Mom... I just want to sleep."

Jeston groaned as he turned on his side.

Jewel shook him.

"You can't, you're sixteen now. It's time to go look for a part time job and take care of me."

At her joke, he turned to glare at her causing her to smile.

"Happy Birthday, my big boy."

She began to shower him with kisses as he blocked his face.

"Mom..."

"Stop..."

"Mom...."

"Stop..."

Mya was awakened by Jeston's protest as she joined in on the fun and jumped on her brother.

"Happy Birthday Jessy!"

"I hate that nickname."

He sat up as he wrapped his arms around his sister before he began to tickle her. She fell back onto the bed as he jumped to his feet.

"Ha!"

He exclaimed as he ran out of the bedroom.

Jewel's heart swelled. It had been weeks since she'd seen her kids this happy.

Mya jumped off of the bed and ran behind her brother, Jewel following the two to the kitchen where they stood with their jaws to the floor.

She'd stayed up most of last night decorating the kitchen area with balloons, decorations and gifts.

The black sixteen balloons rested on the kitchen island with a basketball themed cake. A tray of bagels with a spread beside it filled with cheese, ham and bacon slices, cream cheese spread and the scrambled eggs that Jewel still had to scramble.

Jewel walked towards the refrigerator and took out the charcuterie board before a knock sounded at the front door.

"Do you mind getting it Jeston?"

He walked towards the door and Jewel winked at Mya.

"Happy Birthday Jes."

The voice she knew would make her son happy.

"Mom!"

He returned with Ariel at his side, a grin on his lips as she smiled at Jewel.

"Good morning Mrs. Santiago and Mya."

Mya waved at the two before Kim, Jasmine, Briana, Jomauld, Trey and Liza entered through the front door.

"We heard we have a sixteen year old in our midst!"

Jomauld announced as they entered, hands filled with gifts.

"Mom you did all of this?"

Jeston questioned as Jewel shrugged.

"With help of course. As much as you tried to hide Ariel from me. I knew you'd want her here today."

He ran towards her and wrapped his arms around her neck.

"Thank you."

He whispered as Jewel hugged her son in return.

This was what she did it for, to see the grin on his face. To know that Carlos would be happy and upset that he missed this special moment.

Jewel walked towards her best friend and wrapped her arms around her.

"Thank you for coming."

"I wouldn't miss celebrating my god son for anything."