Escape | Jude Bellingham

36

It's been almost a year since Elliana and Jude have been dating, Maya is the most pregnant version of herself ever. As they celebrated Olivia's 9th birthday. The scene was hectic as 9 year olds were the worst age any adult could've dealt with. Derik and Maya needed the extra hands of course, meaning Elliana and Jude.

They arrived armed with snacks, drinks, and a somewhat happy attitude that quickly changed as there eyes widened as they looked at the scene. "Ellie" Jude said still staring infront of them, "Jude" she returned. "I'm scared" Jude said. "Same"

The kids darted around like as if there was a tornado, their laughter echoing off the walls. Jude exchanged a terrified glance with Elliana, both silently questioning whether they were prepared for this level of chaos. Talking about children one day was a very fun conversation they had but it wasn't looking very fun to them now.

Maya waddled over, her belly leading the way, a weary smile on her face. "Thank goodness you're here," she said, her voice a mix of relief and exhaustion. "I don't know how much longer we can hold out."

Derik appeared beside her, his hair slightly messed from his attempts at collecting and calming the energetic bunch. "Hey guys, glad you could make it," he greeted them, a touch of desperation in his tone.

Elliana nodded, wanting to make the best of the situation. "We're here to help. What can we do?"

Derik handed them a stack of paper plates and cups. "Could you help set up the snack table? Maybe distract them with some food before they ruin the living room?"

Jude chuckled, rolling up his sleeves. "Consider it done. Where's the birthday girl?"

"Uncle Jude!!" Olivia ran up to Jude. "And I thought I was the relative she loved" Elliana laughed. He bent down to her level and gave her a hug, "happy birthday Olivia" he smiled. "These are all my friends from school and football" she said showing a bunch of other little girls to whom Jude's absolute fear darted towards him as he stood up. "Liv! You weren't lying when you said you knew Jude?!" The little girls began rattling and Jude had never felt more stressed in his life.

"I told you I knew him" liv crossed her arms. "Looks like I have competition" Elliana whispered to Jude. "Els. You have to save me" He added as she laughed at the little kids fan girling over Jude. "And your aunty is such a cool model too, you're so lucky olivia" Ellie laughed at the comments.

Somehow managing to except Jude followed elliana who took all the snacks to the table.

As they set about arranging the snacks, chaos continued to unfold around them. One of the kids ran past them, closely avoiding knocking on Maya's belly. "Careful!" Maya called out, her hand instinctively going to protect her bump.

"Maya you better get some rest now, Jude and i can handle it trust me" Elliana smiled wanting her sister to reduce her levels of stress in handing so many of the little ones. Elliana caught Jude's eye and let out a laugh. "I don't remember being this wild at nine," he whispered to her, stacking the plates with exaggerated tone.

Elliana shook her head, handing Jude a stack of napkins. "Kids these days," she replied. "I'm glad they are actually running around as opposed to attached to their IPads"

Meanwhile, Derik attempted to start a game of musical chairs, only to be interrupted by the girls debating over who got to sit where. "Okay, how about we play something else?" he suggested diplomatically, trying to diffuse the argument but that did not seem to work.

elliana nudged Jude asking him to go help Derik with the situation and so he did. "Okay girls! you guys have to play properly. We cannot be arguing over the little things okay c'mon" he said and either he convinced them right away or the little girls wanted to show that they were good to the celebrity in their eyes.

Back at the snack table, Elliana found herself  surrounded by the hungry children. "Can we have more chips?" one of them asked eagerly, eyes wide with anticipation. Ellie nodded, handing out bags of snacks "Sure thing! Just take one bag each, okay?"

Then she was attempting to open a particularly stubborn bag of pretzels, muttered under her breath. "These bags are child-proof," she joked, Jude who just returned took the bag away from her hands and effortlessly opened it and laughed at how much Elliana had struggled just to open that bag.

As time passed by the kids settled down with their snacks tired of their running shouts. The room was peaceful shocking to the adults. Maya and Derik exchanged grateful looks, silently thanking Jude and Elliana for their brilliant help in taking care of the kids.

"Thank you both so much," Maya said sincerely, taking a moment to catch her breath. "I honestly don't know how we'd manage without you."

Jude smiled warmly. "Getting used to our duties as the best uncle and aunty for the next one too"

Elliana nodded in agreement, wiping her hands on a napkin. "Absolutely. Besides, it's good practice for when we have our own someday."

The mention of their future as parents. Jude looked at elliana and the thought of her playing the role of a mother to their kids was something he could feel his heart warm over. The love that he had for this girl was unmatchable and her comment about their future together only made him feel more like he won a lottery with this one. Derik chuckled, "enjoy it while it lasts, kiddos," he teased Ellie and Jude, hinting that life after kids is going to be a hell of a ride for them.

As the party continued with renewed energy and laughter, Elliana and Jude found themselves caught up in the joyful chaos of Olivia's birthday. Jude hugged Elliana from behind and placed his head on her shoulder. "How about we practice making babies as well Ellie?" Jude whispered making Elliana roll her eyes. "I'm sure we've had a lot of practice for that J" she said kissing him and hearing a few little girls who had been staring at them with awe collectively say "ewwwww" causing Elliana and Jude to laugh.