Miss Jackson {b.u.}

{52}

Regardless of how often I prefer the night. The mornings were close behind, almost beating how much I enjoy doing everything at night. The sun peaked in through the cracks of the curtain. A huge ray of this goddess looking light beamed across the bed. I tapped the button on my phone, turning off my alarm and turning to my other side. Putting my hand out to hold Joanne, but she wasn't there. I jolted up in bed quickly. The blanket covered my body, but not fully. I rubbed my eyes, grabbing my phone to look at the time. It was only eight in the morning, where could Joanne possibly be? I hesitantly got up, tossing a white tank top on. I rubbed my eyes once more, walking out of our bedroom, looking into Clover and Daphne's. Both slept peacefully in their rooms. I turned back to our room, hoping that River would be in his crib too. He was getting big for only being freshly two months old. He was starting his 'tummy times' as Joanne calls it, but to me, it was exercise for his motor skills. I picked River out of his crib, holding him against my chest. I walked out of the bedroom for the last time and walked downstairs. Pots and pans clattered, plates clanked. When I walked into the kitchen. It looked like a tornado had just hit it. It was a mess. I stood in between the counter and Joanne. Who, was in a rush, trying to cook a ton of food. I walked behind her, taking the pot out of her free hand, "enough."

She slammed her hands down on the counter and sighed, "How the hell are you not stressed?"

I furrowed my eyebrows. Shit. I'm forgetting something. Something is going on today and it probably is very important. Joanne turned to me and raised her eyebrows, a hand placed on her hip and her head tilted, "You didn't forget, did you?"

It's December. Our anniversary is September/October. Clover's birthday is in July. River was just born so it can't be him. So, that leaves..."Right! Right. Daphne's birthday!"

Joanne sunk and crossed her arms, "you don't know how old she's turning, do you?"

I blew my lips together and jerked my head back, "uhm...of course I do. You don't think I know my own daughters birthday? You're hilar-"

Joanne turned back around, grabbing the pot I took from her, "you don't have to lie."

I took a deep breath, heading back around to face her, the counter keeping us apart, "okay. Yes, I forgot and...yeah. I don't know how old she's turning."

Joanne groaned, still clanking the pots. I shrugged, "I ordered her a present months ago, so i'm not worried."

The front door swung open, "ah. The crisp smell of babies and Brendon Urie's signature smell. Feels like i'm at home."

Joanne stopped what she was doing, took a deep breath and stared at the ceiling. She knew that the one person who pushed her buttons was here. Alex shut the door and walked toward us. She smiled at me, taking her jacket off, then sitting in the dining room chair. She was wearing a dark red sweater dress with black pantyhose underneath and red heels. Her hair was down and straightened and her face caked with makeup, but it looked natural, "So, what do we have planned for Miss Daphne today?"

Joanne turned, grabbing boxes of pasta, pouring them into the boiling water, not answering Alex. I turned my head toward Alex. "Just an average birthday."

Alex got up, walking next to Joanne and setting her hands on Joanne's shoulders, dragging her away from the kitchen, "go get dressed. Get yourself together. I will cook."

Joanne shoved Alex's hands off of her, "No. This isn't your daughters birthday, so you don't get to decide what happens."

Alex pressed her fingertips together, "Okay, so, you didn't have a cup of coffee, i'm assuming."

Joanne crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "You have five seconds, Alexandra. Five."

Alex stood there, not moving, "four."