Miss Jackson {b.u.}

{92}

July 15 2018:
Today was my little girls fourth birthday. She's growing up so fast. It was like it was yesterday when Joanne and I found out we were pregnant on the couch of our old home in Las Angeles. I remember everything like it was yesterday. Clover's first steps, her first word. Or, the time Joanne was stressed because she didn't think she'd get pregnant at twenty-three. I never really knew how fast time went by when you have kids. Joanne's dad says that once they hit the age of five—they'll be eighteen and out of the house before you know it. I don't think i'm ready for that yet.

I walked out of the arena after taking a quick look at it. I looked at my watch. It was almost noon. My attention shot over to the tour bus, where Joanne was waving me to come in. I shot her a thumbs up and ran my fingers through my hair before I sped up and walked toward the bus. I had no idea what we were doing for Clover's birthday. I know we had presents for her and a cake, but I didn't know if we were doing anything else because we're in Columbus, Ohio. I opened the door to the bus. My eyes widened and I quickly squatted down to the ground. Clover ran up to me, in her little pink birthday dress and hugged me, "Aw, Coco, youre so beautiful, look at you!"

Joanne crossed her arms and smiled softly, "what do you say to daddy, Clo?"

"Thank you!" She shouted in excitement.

Just before Clover was about to run back to Joanne, I held her tiny hand and rubbed my thumb along it, "happy birthday, sweetheart." I said and kissed her forehead.

Clover couldn't contain herself. Jumping up and down, giggling and being very social. I got up off of the ground and my eyes kept trailing her, "we're going to do presents now and then cake."

I turned my attention to Joanne and smiled softly at her, "okay, sounds good."

She uncrossed her arms and grabbed one of the chairs from the dining room and brought it over to the living room and set it in the front of the bus, "alright and who's turn is it this year to open presents with her?"

I raised my hand slightly and Joanne shot me a thumbs up. I turned around, then looked around, "Coco! Where'd you go?"

Once I looked around and walked back into the bathroom, she pooped out of the corner, "Boo!"

It did scare me a bit. I jumped back slightly, screamed just a bit and then laughed at her, "now what're you doin', silly girl?"

"Can I open my presents please, daddy?"

I put my hand out and she took it, "of course, princess."

We walked hand in hand together. Joanne was coming out of the back room with presents stacked on top of each other. I felt Clover tug on my hand and I glanced down as we continued walking, "where's Daph and the twins?"

Joanne set the presents down beside the chair. I picked Clover up and sat on the chair. I set her down on my lap and leaned back to clear my throat, "she's getting River," she began and the brightness from her phone flashed on her face, "he wanted to stay by her today and the twins are in their little cribs sleeping."

I wrapped my arms around the front of Clover and held her tight. I watched Daphne hold Rivers hand as they walked out into the living room. Daphne guided River to Joanne with her hand and River climbed up beside Joanne. Joanne turned her phone to the side, beginning to record. I grabbed one present and set it on her legs. Both Clover and I opened the box filled with small little toys that went along with the princess costume that sat folded in the box. I picked the dress up and held it up, staring at it, "now you can dress up for daddy's show tonight, Coco."

Clover glanced back at me with a smile on her face after I spoke. I smiled widely and chuckled a bit as I set the dress in the box and set it to my side, "you wanna try opening it by yourself?" I asked softly.