A Tribe United Again

Chapter 21

Karou bounced with A&W. He and his sister were now a full year old and she wanted to do their birthday up big.

Yuria patted Arielle's back as she read over the menu for the party.

Arnold was bored. He didn't really get planning a party. Even for his own birthday, he'd just shown up. Lys poked his eye so he squinted at her.

She giggled.

Yuria finished reading.

"I think we need a bounce house." Karou stated.

"They're one." Arnold protested.

"Your son's a kangaroo."

A&W proved her right as he jumped on her lap.

Arnold gave his heir a dark look. "Thanks a lot, bud."

A&W shrieked happily.

ATUA

Santana never thought she'd be a doting mom but here she was, (trying to) wrap a birthday present for a one year old. She was a regular ole Susie Homemaker.

Brittany wasn't even trying to wrap Lys' present neatly. She tied it like a Tootsie roll then attached a load of bows.

Artie smirked to keep from laughing as the kids climbed all over him. They were terrible at this. "Want help?"

"You think you can do better?" Santana sniped.

ATUA

"How'd you do that?!" Santana demanded.

"I took an origami class in fourth grade." Artie shrugged.

Brittany stared at the present she'd "wrapped" for a while. "Do mine!"

He laughed. "Okay."

ATUA

Paris wrinkled her nose as she went through Jade's clothes. She wanted the baby to shine but not outshine her cousins.

Jude just watched her.

She jumped a bit as she found a purple dress with white petticoats. "Ooh! What about this?!"

He said nothing, knowing she was going to keep talking anyway.

"What would she even wear with this?" She set it aside before finding a lavender dress. "Ooh! What about this?!"

His phone buzzed so he took it out of his pocket. He frowned when he saw the message before his features evened out and he returned the device to his jeans.

"Okay. I've made my decision." She turned and held up the tiny lilac dress. "She's wearing this."

"Good choice, babe."

ATUA

Laura had no idea Marc was going to be at the party because he wouldn't answer anyone's calls pertaining to anything. She was so mad at him, she didn't know what to do. Anything could have happened to the kids!

Everyone in the group knew the moment they laid eyes on each other because it was like a lava lamp exploded. Pointedly, Laura looked away, snubbing him.

Mercedes went to Marc and punched his arm before hugging him. "How dare you disappear like that?!"

"Mercy." He rubbed her back. "I'm sorry. I just needed some time."

"Time for what?" Quinn was behind them.

He turned to hug her, too. "To clear my head. Get some prospective."