ด้วยรักตลอดไป (With Love, Forever)

Jeff

The following week saw me busy with my work at school and then I had taken leave on Friday to celebrate my mom's birthday.

Jackson had been texting me so we had planned it all. I know my mom has been wanting to visit this particular restaurant so we made a booking there and Jackson just told me to bring my mom and he would sort the rest. He sounded so conspiratorial that I couldn't help but laugh.

My mom didn't know that Jackson and Xinxin were joining us. I got her to dress up in the new birthday outfit I had bought for her. I was dressed myself in a black shirt, with jeans and my favorite Pedro shoes armed with my silver bracelets as usual.

I drove her to the restaurant and we hopped out. I mentioned I had a reservation and the hostess smiled at me. She then whipped out a blindfold and asked my mom to put it on. My mom looked at me stunned but I told her to go along with it. She shot me a very bemused smile as she put it on. The hostess directed me as I held onto my mom's hand and led us to a private dining room. I gasped softly as the door opened and there stood Xinxin, Jackson and his helper. They were dressed in coordinating outfits too plus the room was also decorated with balloons and a birthday banner in my mom's favorite colours.

I sighed inwardly at the effort that Jackson had put in. I shot him a look and he just grinned at me cheekily. I took off my mom's blindfold and she was stunned to see them and the entire set up! However the glee and happiness in her voice was unmistakable as she thanked them for coming and all of the effort. She hugged me, whispering it's been ages since her birthday had been celebrated like this. I smiled as I hugged and kissed her.

We all sat down to order our food and had a wonderful time doing so. Xinxin wanted to sit with my mom and they had a really nice time bonding together. Jackson sat opposite of me and dished out food for us before taking for himself. He was equally as attentive towards his helper too and it was nice to see him treating her well too.

Once we were done with lunch, Xinxin insisted that my mom and I had to go back to her house. I looked at Jackson confused who just shrugged his shoulders at me. My mom agreed and we all trooped off to Jackson's house instead.

We reached his house and Xinxin dragged my mom to her room. I was amused completely and followed them behind quietly. I was super surprised when I realized that Xinxin had bought her a present plus made her a card!

I watched as my mom asked me on how she got the money to buy her a present. I nearly burst out laughing when Xinxin said, "I went to Papa wallet. Took out the tap tap card. Papa said I can pay him back when I'm bigger."

It was a very simple present but it was the thought and effort that counted. I looked over at Jackson who was just looking at his daughter fondly.

A smile just flitted over my face involuntarily. I turned away, realizing that I had been staring at him for too long.

Turned away towards the other direction to only see his helper smirking away at me teasingly.

Ah drats.