The Fighter

Chapter seventeen

Ten months and fourteen days later...

I rush around the house and grab everything that I needed. Birthday candles, plates, forks, spoons, knives, everything. I take it all outside and I set it on the table. Xzauni runs around and kicks his ball in the soccer net I bought him for his birthday. Or one that I got built for his birthday. I set up the cake and his highchair before running back inside and grabbing his cake. Melissa and Isabella walk in. Isabella carries Juliana in her arms and I smile at them both. Dave walks in soon after and takes Julianna out of Isabella arms. She smiles and watches Dave sing to her as the walk back outside.

"Need help?" Melissa asks and I nod my head before giving them instructions.

Twenty minutes later the cake and everything is set up and the dinner stuff is put away. I grab the lighters and Jenny comes running out. She carries a camera in hand and I laugh. Teneesha stands awkwardly in the door way. We've all gotten closer together. Ashtyn had a big impact on all our lives and somehow it made us closer together.

"Zauni, come here!" I yell after him, using his badass nickname I gave him. He smiles, both dimples in view. I pick him up and carry him to his highchair before putting him in it and putting the tray back on it. I put his cake on his tray and light the candles as Mikey holds his hands back. We sing happy birthday and zauni starts to get teary eyed. He looks at me with his bottom lip sticking out for he actually starts crying. Melissa, Carter, and Isabella all "awe" him before the wind takes away his candles. Jenny cheers and we all look at her weirdly.

"I snapped a lot of good pics for the album." She says her cheeks reddening. Everyone laughs and I let zauni get messy in his cake as I bring out another one. I cut the cake and hand it out. Ice cream cake is the best on days like this one. I just wish Ashtyn were here to see his smile. I know she is though. Deep down I know she's looking down on us and watching out for us. She's always there. She always will be.

After the party is over, zauni got really cranky so I bathed him then put him to sleep. I walk back downstairs and I see Teneesha sitting on the couch alone. She stares at her phone and acts like she's doing something, but we all know she doesn't know how to work it yet.

I walk in and grab the plates laying around. I stack them before walking back out but Teneesha's voice stops me.

"Ashtyn would've loved today. I think she would've enjoyed it just as much Xzauni did." She tells me. I stop and nod my head before turning around to face her.

"Yeah, she would've loved it. She would've loved seeing zauni's  facial expression when we all sang to him." I say and suddenly I hear her laugh in my head again. I inhale a deep breath before letting it out. Ashtyn for sure would've loved today and I know for a fact that she was here today too. She would never miss Xauni's first birthday.

"I had a great time Carlos. Thank you for inviting me." Teneesha tells me. I nod my head and walk out of the room. I put the dishes in the sink and run the tap water over them.

Today was hard but as long as Xzauni is still smiling then I'm smiling too. Ashtyn would've wanted what's best for both of us and I know she's smiling at us- all of us right now.

Forever in my heart and never forgotten. I love and miss you sister. I promise I'll do whatever it takes to keep Xzauni healthy and happy. Until we meet again, Ashtyn.