The Arrangement

Odd Feeling

Crystal

After the candy shop we being Ava and I decided to start Christmas shopping and this one was a bit solemn because it would be the first we spend apart after 8 years. Every year since we met in our first year, Ava found out I wasn't going home with the baby because she was still young, she decided we visit her parents up in Hollywood. Yep , Hollywood.

Her mother was very welcoming and understanding, she taught me almost everything that had to do with taking care of an infant, ofcourse having experience with raising 6 children. Ava was very happy because she is the only girl in the family and she's the last born so ofcourse she's babied.

Her brothers decided to adopt my baby and i, the were excited to be uncles. I won't lie and say I won't miss the gang because I will. Christmas will not be the same without Mrs Stevens. So Belle and I bought everyone a gift.

After shopping we had dinner and hot chocolate at a dinner and we arrived at home at around 11 pm. Belle and Ava headed straight to bed but I stayed up and wrapped the gifts. I also made sure to pack our bags and hide Ava's gift in the bag of gifts.

Its around 4am now and I'm done with everything, I even decided to make breakfast because I'm heading straight to bed after this. Once I made sure that everything is fine I head towards my bedroom. I can't believe I'll be moving out. It feels surreal.

Once I got comfortable in bed I got a Skype call. Feeling around for my phone I answer the call. There, on the other side of the screen is Everett, Ava's second oldest brother.

"Hey Cee cee"

"Hi Everett"

"Well don't sound too excited to see me" he says rolling his eyes

"I'm sorry. Ive just gotten into bed" I say prying my closed eyes open

"What? How long was your shift at the hospital? And I thought you guys already took your holiday off days"

"We went shopping. Its Christmas in two weeks remember? And I think Aves has taken leave"

"What about you?" He sips his tea

"I, my brother am unemployed"

"What! Since when" I hear Jacob's voice in the background

"Hey Jake" I wave lazily still trying to stay awake

"Hey boo. Now what's this about you having no job even though your a doctor?" Jake says placing his hand sassily on his waist

"I'm going back home remember, so I asked for a transfer to one of the hospitals around Gauteng back at home"

"Ohhhh. Couldn't you begin with that?" Everett asks

"I would if I wasn't so sleepy."

"Where's my baby?" Jake asks

"Right over here, fast asleep. Like how I should be" I show Belle

"You'll survive" Jake brushes my comment off

"Is that lil C?" Michael asks

"Yes/ No" both the second and third born answer the fourth born

I laugh lazily as they argue. I feel my eyes shut and for a split second, it's peaceful.

"WAKE UP!!!!" My eyes snap open and I sit up on my bed

"What the hell Mike!" At this point I feel sleep deprived and pissed off

"You fell asleep and I wanted to talk to you"

"Really" I ask bewildered

"Yes" he shrugs and pouts innocently