Erin Lindsay: Time stops

8

February 16th 2018-
6:30am
I woke up to the sound of Esmée talking to her brother and littlest sister and instead of going to see, I just listened. "It's my birthday guys! Today I'm gonna have a party with all my friends!"

When Justin started crying, like a big sister she is; Esmée picked him up and carried him to me. "Good morning my baby." I said taking Justin and reaching out to Ez. "Hi Mommy. Hi Daddy." She said as he walked in. "Happy Birthday sweet girl." He replied giving her a kiss on the cheek. Eventually I got all my other children awake and we had pancakes, Esmée's favorite for breakfast.

After breakfast I asked her what she wanted to do today. "What do you want to do for your birthday before your party baby?. Your party is at 3. "Can I get baptized?" She asked putting her dishes in the sink. Both Jay and I stopped what we were doing and turned around. "Ez, did you never get baptized?"

She shook her head. "My old Mommy and Daddy and said that it was bad and it would make you evil. But that's not true right?"

I crouched down and took her hands. "Not at all my love. So the answer is yes. Daddy and I will take you to get baptized and then we can celebrate it with your friends and family at the party okay?" She nodded and went to go get ready. An hour later we were all ready and we went to our church right by the precinct. "Hi detectives what can I do for you?" The pastor asked. "We'd like to get our little girl baptized please."

"Alright we have an opening right now, come on in. And what's your name sweetheart?" He asked bending down to shake her hand.

"I'm Esmée. Esmée Halstead." She responded shyly.

"Well okay then. How about you come with me and your parents can follow?" He took her hand assuming she'd follow but she stood still looking at Jay. "Your okay baby girl, go ahead." She nodded and walked with him.

He took her up onto the podium and we started our small ceremony. Pastor John put the towel over her dress and called Jay and I up. We had also called our whole family Just like when Baylie was baptized. "Okay. We are all set to go. Erin and Jay since you have not decided your daughters god parents, now is the time."

"We would like Kim Burgess and Will Halstead." Jay and I had discussed this once before and it wasn't going to change because the last thing we wanted was for our babies to get separated. We would also do this later in the year when we decide to get the twins baptized. So they came up and we began to the process. Kim undid Esmée's braids and held her up to the holy water while we held her hands. The pastor put the water on her head and then we lifted her down. "I now declare Esmée Mackenzie Halstead, god-daughter to Kimberly Annalese-Marina Burgess and William Christopher-James Halstead, sister to Baylie Skye Halstead, Nadia Lindsay Halstead and Justin Henry Halstead, child to Erin Sophia Halstead and Jay Alexander Halstead, a child of god." We all clapped and wanted to be carried by me as we walked out. "I'm so proud of you love" I whispered in her ear.

It was around 12 when we finished and decided to go get some lunch. Before we knew it, it was party time. All of her school friends were there as well as our family friends and their kids. It was at the ice skating rink like we had been to a year ago and it was more fun because I could skate this time while the babies were with their Aunt Trudy.

"Alright Miss Esmée. Who do you want to skate with? Me or Daddy?" I asked tying her skates. "Both!" I laughed and Jay replied. "Both it is. Go on and see your friends missy I have to talk to Mama for a second." She nodded and waddled over in her skates.

"Hey." He whispered taking my hands. "Hmm?" I replied looking into his blue eyes. "I know you've been struggling with a lot right now, and I wanted to let you know I'm here for you. Through all of the good and bad, I won't ever leave. When I said I do, I meant it. So please let me in."

Tears filled my eyes and began to pour down my cheeks as he pulled me in for a hug. "I try so hard to be a good mom. I never thought I'd ever be a mom because I never thought I would find love. Now that I have, I feel so blessed to have the most beautiful children ever. But like on the days when the twins keep us up and then I have work, I feel like sometimes they would be better off without me." I sobbed.

By now Jay had moved us somewhere private, and kissed my head. "Listen to me. No one would be better off without you. Our kids need their mom. I need my beautiful wife. You are the light of my life Erin Halstead. Don't you ever forget that."

"Thank you. And I'll be okay. I'll talk to Hank and see if I can get a day off." He nodded and kissed me. "Now lets go celebrate our daughter shall we?" I said taking his hand.

"Excuse me guys, Esmée would like to make an announcement before we sing." Jay announced lifting her up.

"My mom and dad took me to church today. And I got baptized!" Everybody cheered especially our family friends. So we began the birthday song.

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Esméeeeeeeee...Happy Birthday to youuuuuu."

Everyone cheered as she blew out the candles on her cake. "Happy Birthday sweet girl. We love you." Jay and I said kissing her and hugging her.

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Well I haven't updated this story in so long, I'm so sorry for that. I'm back now:) enjoy this chapter, don't forget to comment and vote!
🦊Liv