Strays

I'm Sorry

Chapter Fourteen

Jaycee 

I'm currently at Opie- I mean Lyla's house. Not for long though we're just picking up the kids Ellie, Kenny, and Piper. Lyla is going to be busy for a few days so I'm picking up the slack with my little nieces and nephew. Usually, Aunt Gemma does this but it seems she's MIA. I don't mind though. 

It takes a village to raise kids I know that firsthand. The little one rapidly growing inside of me will also be a part of that village... I want them to know the good aspects of it and none of the bad. Wishful thinking I know but it's all I have at the moment. Especially since Charming isn't the safest place at the moment. 

" You got everything? " I ask Kenny as we pack all the bags in the back of the SUV. 

He nods before putting his bag gently into the back of the truck. " Yeah. I got my games so I'm good. " 

" Piper, Ellie? " I ask the girls. " You guys got everything? " 

They both nod and climb into the backseat. Once we're all in Donny starts the car and I do seat beat checks. Yes, I'm that kind of Auntie. Safety first with the future of the world in the car. 

Halfway to Encino I turn around and look at the kids. " Do you guys want me to cook when we get home or do you want to stop and get some pizza to go? " 

" I vote pizza. " Donny throws out before the kids can reply with the same answer. 

I laugh and shake my head. 

...

After a dinner of pizza and breadsticks, I teach Piper and Ellie the proper way to make an apple pie for our dessert. Aunt Gemma taught me when I was their age so it's time to pass on that knowledge. 

" Aunt Jaycee? " Ellie asks as I'm putting the pie in the oven. 

Closing the oven door I turn to face her. " Yes, babe? " 

" Is it true that you're going to have a baby? " She asks looking a bit uncomfortable asking. 

Feeling my eyebrows hit my hairline I ask, " where'd you hear that "? 

Of course, now that I think about it, the kids really aren't kids anymore. They're all teenagers now and the thought makes me feel older than I am. I was there when both Ellie and Kenny were born. I was around their age as a matter of fact. And now they call me Aunt Jaycee. As I said, it takes a village. 

" Uncle Tigger was talking about it on the phone. " She says matter of factly. " He said he was happy for you. " 

That's my Tiggy. " Well, babe, yes I am having a baby. " 

" I hope it's a girl! " She says in excitement. 

Kenny chimes in with a groan. " No way. It's going to be a boy. " 

" I'm glad you guys are so excited. " Piper goes back to the table and unrolls some parchment paper. " What's that Piper? " 

She shows me proudly. " It's an art project I'm working on for school. " 

" Wow. " I say as I look further at what looks to be the mid stages of the drawing. 

" It's Uncle Jax's bike. " Kenny says as he looks as well. 

It sure is Jax's bike. Speaking of, I just realized that being here in Encino has had me way out of the loop of what's happening with the MC. Between this and being pregnant, my brain is scrambled. I need to call Tig later and get all the information I've been lacking. Trust I've been left out by the other for a reason.