A Lovely Surprise

Party

I can't do this.... I can't even get ready! I don't wanna see Michael or his family! "Dre come on! The party starts in a hour!" Josh said.
Tears just started to pour down my face, " I can't do it Josh! I don't wanna face him!" I cried.
" yes you can! I'm going to get the shower going and your ass better be in it in the next 5 minutes." He said frustrated.
" dre. Why you sad." Willow asked crawling into my lap.
" I'm just scared sweetie." I told her.
"Kind of like the plane?" She asked.
I nodded. "I'll hold your hand the whole time if you want me too.' She smiled. I hugged willow, "you always know how to make me feel better willow. " I told her.
" I don't like it when your sad." She said brushing my hair out of my face.
" Okay well while I shower, you pick out am outfit for me, okay?" I told her, she nodded excited.
I showered trying to relax but nothing was working. I got out, I wrapped a towel around me. I went into my room to see Willow still putting together an outfit for me. "What do you got so far?" I giggled.
She grabbed my tennis shoes, "I picked out this shirt, these pants & your jacket for when you get chilly." She said shivering. I just laughed.
She had my Nike jackets, a plain white v neck t shirt, and my running tights then my Nike running shoes.
" you do realize I'm not going running?" I giggled.
She nodded "But you are stressed so I got you comfy clothes." She smiled.
" how about we keep the shirt but I wear these jeans. & I'll still bring the jacket." I said. She nodded in approval.
I got dressed then did my hair & make up.
" ready? " Erin asked. I sighed, "I guess. I really don't want to go." I told her. "You got this." She smiled.
I grabbed my purse then we got into the car. I was shaking the whole time, Willow grabbed my hand. "Do you need your jacket already?" She asked. " No why? " I asked. "Your shivering." She said referring to my shaking.
I giggled, "no I'm fine sweetie." I told her.
We arrived at Aria's house & I started panicking. "No, I can't do this! We need to leave now." I said freaking out.
" Dre, you're fine. Let's get out the car." Josh said.
"Josh! I can't! Don't make me do this." I said almost crying.
" Aria is walking towards the car now, you better get yourself together." He told me. I started taking deep breaths. Finally we got out of the car. "Mom!" She said hugging me.
" hi baby. Happy Birthday love." I said hugging her.
" are you okay mom? You seem shakey." She said. "I'm just nervous. I'll be fine."
"My god parents are here too mom." She said excited.
"Stacey & chris?" I asked.
She nodded.
Liz came out & greeted us. She pulled me aside for a second though.
" everyone is here, are you gonna be okay?" She asked. "I think so." I told her.
" If you need to take a break or a walk just let me know, I know this is over whelming for you." She said. I nodded, " Thank you Liz." I said.
Willow grabbed my hand, " outside. " She pointed. "Here goes nothing." I said. I picked willow up as she was dressed in her adorable little tutu.
I walked into the backyard avoiding eye contact with everyone. I quickly found Josh and sat by him.
" how many people are staring at me?" I asked trying to hid my face.
" a few. & a older black lady is on her way over her." Erin said.
" oh shit." I whined.
I hid my face till I heard her soothing voice. "Hi Josh, how are you?" She asked. He stood up, greeting her with a hug. "I'm doing good.how about yourself?" He asked.
" fantastic, it's great to have the whole family together again finally." She smiled. We're not a family....im.the outcast everyone hates besides Ari.
" yeah, I know. I still can't believe this is happening." He giggled.
" me neither. We've ask been waiting years to see Aria again." She replied. I was still hiding my face when Katherine finally acknowledged me. "Audrey, it's good to see again." She said sweetly.
" is it? " I asked nervous. Her hand gently rubbed my back. "Yes it is. I've missed you a lot especially when Michael started bringing the homewrecker around." She said disgusted. I giggled lightly. She took a seat beside me. "Not everyone is mad at you...... I understand why you gave her up. You did the right thing. You & michael were to disfunctional for her. He'll never understand that, he only sees that you gave his daughter away, he doesn't want to realize he was in the wrong." She said.
Tears were treating to spill, "didn't know what else to do." I told her.
She rubbed my back, "I know, we all should've been a bit more help & we weren't." She said I shook my head. "No she was our responsibility." I said wipping a tear. " but she's happy now & that's all I've ever wanted for her." I said. "That's right, & Jackie is excited to see you." She said "so is Jermaine," she added. I smiled lightly. She kissed my head, "I've always accepted you as my own." She said.
" I know.' I giggled.
"Dre." Willow whine reaching for me.
I picked her up , placing her in my lap. " who's this goregous little girl?" Katherine asked.
" this is my niece willow, then theres Cameron & Danny over there. They're triplets." I said.
" you are a beautiful little girl." Katherine told her.
" say thank you Willow." I told her.
" thank you." She said shyly.
Katherine sat with us talking as then Jackie & Jermaine came over.
" I almost didn't recognize you girl! Get up, show me some love." Jermaine joked. I giggled, "you haven't changed a bit." I commented Standing up. I hugged Jermaine. Then I gave Jackie a tight hug, he did the same.
He pulled away smiling, "you look amazing Audrey." Jackie said.
" she does, what have you been doing squats or something?" Jermaine asked.
" Jermaine Jackson!" Katherine said.
We all just laughed.
" mom!" Ari hollered running over to us. "Can the triplets come & play with Jayden?" I looked over to Josh.
" who's jayden?" He asked. "It's Michael's son." I said.
" I guess....." he said unsure.
The triplets went & played.
"How old is his son?" Josh asked.
" I think he's 2? He so adorable." I said.
" you've seen him before?" Erin asked. "He was here the day I stayed the night." I said.
" He's such a sweet boy. He's sassy too." Katherine giggled.
" He's very well mannered." I added.
"Yeah Michael gets onto him quick about those things." Jackie said.
Then we heard someone start crying. I look over of course it's Willow, she always gets hurts.
I got up running to her. She sat on the ground holding her knee screaming.
" Let me see it willow." I said gently.
" no! It hurts." She cried Jayden sat next to her, "She fell. I sorry." He said.
" It's okay, it was an accident." I told him. "No! He's mean!" She cried pushing Jayden away making him fall on his butt. I quickly grabbed her hands. "No, you don't push people Willow. He didn't mean to hurt you." I said sternly. "You tell him sorry right now." I demanded. She shook her head, "do you want time out?" I asked.
" I'm sorry Jayden." She cried.
"It's otay." He said. He helped her up and her scraped knee was bleeding. Liz came up to us, "I've got a first aid kit." She said. I picked willow up as she was still crying.
" can I come?" Jayden asked."Jayden." Michael voice boomed, making me cringe. "My daddy is calling me. I sorry willow." He said again then running away. My eyes followed Jayden as he ran to michael. My eyes laid on his body, I slowly scanned up his body till my eyes met his. I quickly looked away as my heart started to race. I walked inside with willow. I sat her on the counter as Liz got her first aid kit. I can't believe how good he looks.... he is definitely more buff now then he was when we were together...
"Hello, earth to Dre." Liz giggled. "Huh, what? Oh sorry. I was spaced out." I said letting out a nervous giggle.
" its fine." She replied.
"Now this is going to hurt a little Willow." Liz told her.
Willow cried the whole time, so Liz gave her a popsicle.
" all better? " I asked. She nodded sucking on her popsicle.
I got her off the counter. As two people walked in. I looked up to see Stacey and chris and they both gave me a dirty look. I looked over to Liz & she shrugged.
" It would've been nicer if she wasn't here." I heard Stacey whisper to Chris. My head snapped back at them.
Liz tugged me out side before I could say anything. Jayden came running up to Willow, "are you okay?" He asked. She nodded "I sorry for pushing you." She said.
" it Otay, can we go play?" He asked.
Willow looked up at me. I nodded, "be careful." I warned.
They grabbed eachother hands walking off. "He is too cute." I gushed.
" I know, he's so nice" Liz giggled.
Suddenly music turned on & it was Justin bieber. Liz & I both looked over to see Aria & her friends dancing.
We laughed.
" I see Katherine & you have spoken." Liz said.
I smiled , "yeah she's the closest thing I have to a mom. She came to tell me not everyone is mad at me & that I did the right thing giving Ari to you guys."
We stood there & talked for a while till we heard another cry
"Oh no another baby is crying." Liz giggled.
This time it was Jayden crying on the ground. Danny was being a bully is what it looked like. Josh was already over there & so was michael. Oh no..... "Danny! You say sorry now!" Josh told him. He just crossed his arms. " Do you want a swat on your butt?" Josh threatened. His eyes widened.
"Daddy!" Jayden cried as Michael picked him up. "You're okay." Michael told him. "He not nice!" Jayden said.
"He's sorry Jayden. He's just a bully." Josh told him.
" are you okay?" Willow asked Jayden.
Jayden shook his head. "Your mean Danny!" She yelled "yeah danny!" Cam added. Danny looked so sad
"Say sorry now. You've got till the count of three."
"Im.sorry jayden." Danny said.
" daddy I'm hungry." Jayden said.
Now all three of the triplets were fighting. Erin & I both walked over. I grabbed willow and she got cam.
" can willow eat with us?" Jayden asked. "Do you wanna eat with them?" I asked her feeling michael intimidating presence. She nodded I set her down letting her go with them.
" mom!" Aria said running over to us making michael stop in his tracks.
She was at my side. "What happened?" She asked. "Danny was being a bully to Jayden then the triplets started fighting." I told her.
"Dinners ready, are you gonna eat with mom?" She asked." Probably." I looked.over to see Michael gone thankfully.
Me and Aria walked over to the food table.
The night went on, people greeted me and I also got dirty looks from michael and whoever else. Wesley actually ate with Josh. They use to be friends. After dinner we all sang happy birthday to ari and gave her presents.
Then Liz wanted pictures of everyone. We had fun with that for a while then me and Erin went inside to do dishes to help out Liz.
"So is it as bad as you thought?" Erin asked.
I shrugged. "Aria's godparents keep talking about me & giving me dirty looks. Michael keeps giving me dirty looks." I scoffed rolling my eyes
" What do you expect? You gave my daughter up for adoption." His voice boomed. I froze. "I'll let you guys talk this out." Erin said akwardly then walking out.
*
*ARIA'S POV.
Aunt erin walked out of the house as me and mom were about to walk inside. "I wouldn't go in there. The.bomb has just exploded." She said.
" are they fighting?" I asked worried.
" They're about to." She said walking away
"Stay out of it ari." Mom.warned me.
" mom I wanna know what happened
Let me sneak In there pleeaassee." I begged.
She took a deep breath. "Fine" She said
I opened the door gently and quickly snuck into the dining room so I could hear them.
" Oh now you're not talking." Michael said to her.
" I don't have anything to say to you." She replied.
"Apparently you do! You gave my daughter up for adoption and you try to make me the bad guy?" He said angry.
" She was my daughter too Michael!" She snapped.
" if she was your daughter then why did you give her up? Mother's don't give their children away!" He yelled.
" You really think I just gave her away? It wasn't an easy thing to do Michael! But of course you wouldn't understand that because you were to busy fucking some whore while we were homeless!" She yelled.
" that was your own fault you were homeless! You have 3 months to find a job! Then you nearly kill our kid!" He yelled. "Well sorry that i couldnt get a job because no one would watch her for me and then to add on the bruises on my face from you hitting me! & It was an accident! Maybe if I had some help-"
"No! She was sick & you didn't give her any medicine! & that was one time I hit you! You called me her sperm donor! I am her father damnit! & you hit me too!" He shot back.
" because you treated me like shit! You were a poor example of a father to her! Hitting her mother, the lying, the cheating! I don't care if you didn't want to be with me but I need your help with her michael! & you weren't there! I was 16! 16 michael! No job, no schooling. You said you were gonna take care of us & you didn't. I called you crying my eyes out begging for you help cause we had no where to go! & you ignored me. She was still sick, I had no choice but to give her up!" She cried.
"God i still can't stand you! You're always poor me!" He yelled back.
"You'll never accept the fact that it is also your fault that I gave her to Liz & shawn. She is so happy. She's a lot happier with them then she would ever be with us!" She said then walked out the front door. Michael followed close behind. After they shut the door I snuck out the side door and hid behind a bush watching them. She opened the car door but dad was quick to closed it. "You're not running away this time!" He told her.
" why? Cause no matter what I say I'm always going to be wrong. everything I do is wrong to you." She said as she kept trying to open the door.
" Where the hell are you going to go?" He shouted
"Back to my Condo, away from you & everyone else in there that wants to judge me. Especially stacey! You know what she told me to put Ari in foster care!" She yelled.
He looked at me confused. "& you know it's pretty bad that your own mother can see all the shit we went through & understand why I did but you cant. Do you really think we were what was best for her!" She asked crying.
He looked defeated.
" No one was happy. Beside her, she was the only good thing that came from us & soon enough she was going to see how unhappy I was and how unhappy you were and she was going to become unhappy. She deserved better than what we could give her." She cried.
" we would've eventually been okay." He said softly.
" maybe, who knows Michael! I know I would have not been okay if I kept going on the way I was and obviously something bad happened between you & nina. Eventually isn't good enough." She told him.
" something else could've been done. Adoption wasn't your only option."
"The fact that it was left up to me, I don't even want you opinion. Raising a kid on your own isn't easy now is it?"She shouted.
" and look I still have my kid! I didn't just put him up for adoption!" He shot back.
" well your also not 16, in high school & you have so many people to help you. I had no help you ass hole! Just say it! You fucked up!" She said getting in his face. He just stared at her.
He never replied. "I should've listen to my mom. She told me you'd do that. Knock me up then leave." She said then walking back inside away from him. He stood outside by the cars. His hands were behind his head as he walked back and forth. I ran back inside after my mom. "mom, mom!" I shouted as she went into the bathroom. I banged on the door. She opened the door trying to act okay. "What babygirl?" She sniffed.
I reached up for her. She kneeled down hugging me.
"I love you." She said.
" I love you too." I told her.
We went to my room and laid in my bed. "Daddy really hurt you didn't he." I said. She looked at confused. "You heard all of that?" She asked. I nodded.
" yeah but he really loves you sweetie." She told me.
" then why did he leave us?" I asked sad.
"He went off to college. He was going to get his education and then I was going to get mine. While he was gone I guess he fell out of love with me & fell in love with someone else. Love makes you do stupid things plus he couldn't stand me. But I promise he loves you." She told me.
" I know he does." I smiled.
We laid there staring at eachother. "What time is it? " mom asked. "9:35pm" I replied.
"In 26 minutes, 9 years ago you finally made your entrance into the world." She smiled. "You were pretty scared, Weren't you?" I giggled.
" I was very scared. But once you were here, everything was okay. There was so much love in that moment of our lives. You were perfect, & still are." She said. I smiled then kissed her forehead.
" Knock knock." Uncle Josh said taping on the the side of my door frame.
We both sat up, "are you okay sis?" He asked her.
She nodded," Im fine. I got my ray of sunshine right here." She said kissing my head.
He smiled then left.
We laid back down. She pulled me close as we cuddled. "We use to lay like this all the time when you were a baby. You'd always be smiling up at me, making me happy like you are doing right now." She giggled.
"I don't like it when your sad." I told her