A Blooming Rose

Chapter 3

"Hey baby." I cooed as Hayley gently placed Kai in my arms and let Mason, Harry, Holly, Mia and I inside. The rest were supposed to join us, but Max and Kade had practice while Noah and Milo had a date night and promised to visit tomorrow while they have their entire day free.

"I missed you guys!" She grinned as she wrapped her arms around the other four before pulling me into a side hug since I was holding baby Kai.

"Did you bring those biscuits you made last time?" Harry asked as he licked his lips at the thought of the cookies Hayley had made the last time we came to visit.

"Just for you." She grinned as she pulled his arm and lead him into the kitchen while he happily complied.

"Hands off my wife!" Aiden yelled from the dining room as Mason closed the door behind him and followed me into the dining room where almost everyone was sat.

"It's not my fault I'm so charming Aiden!" Harry yelled back as Aiden grumbled under his breath while we rolled our eyes.

It's genuinely been a while since any of us came to visit. The last time we came was an entire month and a half ago and before then was the day Hayley gave birth to Kai. He was the smallest baby I've ever seen and he's definitely grown quite a lot since then. Well, obviously.

Despite not being here in person, I've always made sure to FaceTime my family every time they have a family dinner so I'm not missing out of much. I stay in my special purple chair with the tiara, one that was remade for me once I grew out of the original. It's almost as though I'm there in person, but then when I'm reminded that I can't keep the babies in my lap and carry them around, I'm brought back to reality and feel the most upset.

I've always loved the family gatherings and dinners for the sole purpose of having the kids to play with. Their ages range from a few months old to five and then you have the ten year old twins who already think they're too old for cuddles and kisses. Little shits.

"Babe, do you want me to take him?" Hayley asked as I shook my head and playfully moved away while she rolled her eyes and sat back. I could see the relief on her face as she happily filled her plate with food and ate. I have a feeling she's had her baby on her lap every meal she's eaten for the last three months, especially since he's so fussy with Aiden.

"A bit of everything?" Mason asked as I nodded and watched as he filled my plate with food before setting it down in front of me.

Everyone was here apart from mom who was enjoying her alone time in Chicago. I have a feeling dad purposely scheduled this family dinner only so he could make her jealous. Sometimes I think my parents aren't forty but fourteen instead.

"Did you decide on skipping a year?" Dad asked quietly while everyone else im engaged in their light and playful conversation.

"I'm going to do it." I said as I took in a deep breath. "He wouldn't have suggested it for no reason. Don't tell anyone yet though, I want to tell them after I take the final exams just so it's confirmed." I said as I nervously bit my lip.

"You'd ace it with your eyes closed and half a brain." He grinned proudly as I rolled my eyes at his over exaggeration. I guess it's his job since he's my dad while he ruffled my hair. I hate it when they do that.

"I'll have my bachelors done next year. And then I'm off to med school." I breathed out as I thought of it. I have to do a bachelors degree before taking the examination for med school and then finally going to med school. It's a long process, but that process could get cut so short.

"I'd say you could take the MCAT today." He shrugged as I rolled my eyes. The MCAT is the Medical College Admission Test you have to take to officially get into med school. And I disagree with him.