𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐖 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐎𝐔𝐁𝐓

𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧

After closing the car door, Robyn juggled the balloons in one hand and the cake in the other. Making her way toward the benches. It was her son Jacobi's birthday

She noticed that presents were already arranged on one bench, so she headed towards the other bench to set down the cake. As she approached, her eyes landed on another cake that was already sitting on the table.

Robyn's face went in disgust as she looked at the cake. Just then, her mother approached, saying, "About time, where's the ice cream?" She scanned the area, but there was no ice cream in sight.

"Fuck that, who brought this shit?" Robyn asked, annoyed as she gestured towards the cake.

Robyn's mom looked over at her and said, "Now you know Mia brought that cake."

  The mention of Mia's name instantly triggered Robyn and she blurted out "I'm getting so tired of this shit, momma" Robyn stormed over to Mia, who was sitting next to Derrick.

"Why did you bring a cake?" Robyn asked, standing in front of Mia and Derek. Mia remained silent, while Derek intervened, "What's wrong now Robyn she can't bring a cake?"

Robyn shot him an annoyed look "No, Derek, she can't bring a fucking cake! I already bought one!"

  Mia chimed in, "Well, then Jacobi can just have two cakes"

  But Robyn wasn't having it. "Stop it, Mia. Whatever you're doing, just stop! These are my kids, not yours. Don't buy my son no damn cake."

Mia's smile dropped, looking surprised by Robyn's response. "I was just trying to be nice, Robyn. I didn't mean to cause any trouble" she said, defensive.

"Nice? Seriously, Mia? Do you think buying a cake for my son without asking me is nice?  You're always pulling stuff like this, trying to get involved in our lives. Jacobi is my son, not yours. You don't have to buy him anything."

   Robyn ended the conversation there, muttering to herself as she walked away, "Gonna buy my kid a damn cake? What the hell is that? My son doesn't even watch Paw Patrol."

   She went back to the table, messing with the decorations as her mom snacked on some hot dogs and asked, "How'd it go over there?"

   Robyn sighed, "I hate how Derrick lets her cross the line. Every damn thing I do, she tries to one-up me, Mom."

"I pushed these kids out by myself. I didn't ask for her help with them. These are my damn kids!"

"I get it, honey. You're an amazing mom, and everyone knows that. I do think Mia needs to back off a bit and understand where you're coming from." her mom said, giving her a comforting pat on the back, making Robyn smile.

"Thanks, Mom."

Her mom chuckled, "Don't thank me, that's what I'm here for!" as she took a bite of her hot dog.

  As Robyn held Jacobi in her arms, Mehkai stood by her side, and Derrick was on the other. Everyone gathered around the table to sing "Happy Birthday" to Jacobi.

   Robyn watched as Jacobi made a wish, then playfully smeared a little bit of cake on his nose, making him laugh. "Mommy!" he giggled.

  Jacobi grabbed a piece of cake and rubbed it on Robyn's face, covering her in frosting and making everyone burst out laughing.

"Okay, boy, I didn't tell you to do all that!" Robyn chuckled, setting Jacobi down and cutting him a slice of cake.

After slicing a piece for herself, Robyn made her way to a bench next to her sons and sat down with them. "Boy, you need a haircut! All this hair!" she said, playfully messing with Mehkai's curls.

"Your hair is growing so fast, we need to get the sides shaved soon"

Mehkai looked up at her  and asked, "You think I could get braids when I go to get my sides shaved?"

"Of course! What made you want braids, though?" she asked, knowing her son usually didn't like anyone touching his hair.

    Mehkai smiled and replied, "Layla said I'd look good with braids." Robyn chuckled, realizing Layla was Mehkai's crush, and said, "Oh, okay, boy! Braids it is, then!"

    She then turned her attention to Jacobi, who had cake all over his face.  "All that sugar? I know who's not going to bed tonight." Robyn laughed as she wiped the frosting from Jacobi's face.

"I want more! Can I have some more?" Jacobi asked eagerly. Robyn hesitated, knowing that more cake would make bedtime even harder. But it was his birthday, and she couldn't resist. "Go ahead, Jacobi"she said with a smile. He quickly ran to grab another slice of cake.

   As the evening went on, Robyn's mom and Derrick helped her load Jacobi's presents into the car. She planned to save the unwrapping for later, when Jacobi woke up. But to her surprise, despite eating a ton of cake, Jacobi drifted off to sleep in her arms.

   Derrick closed the trunk, leaned over, and kissed Jacobi's forehead  "Tell him I love him." Robyn nodded in agreement.

   Mehkai then walked over, and Robyn hugged him tightly, kissing his forehead and whispering, "I love you."

Mehkai smiled and replied, "I love you too, Mom" before heading off with his father, leaving Robyn alone with Jacobi for the night.