Maxerica

Family Gathering

My mother comes in with my sister and a box of cupcakes.
"Surprise! Come give grandma a hug!"
They all run over and hug her.
Leave it to my mom to make an entrance.
I hug May.
"Congratulations," she says to me.
"Thank you."
May waves at Osten who hides his face.
My mom hugs me next, telling me how she can't wait to have another grand baby and that this one better be a girl.
"Seems like everyone wants a girl," I notice.
"There's just so many grandsons, I need another little princess to spoil," my mother explains.
"I think we can all agree with you."
"Are those cupcakes?" Ahren asks while pointing at the white box.
"They are," my mother says while handing him the box.
"Careful," I tell him.
He puts it on the table and grabs one excited.
I smile at him and shake my head.
"Mommy," Osten gets my attention while pointing to the cupcake box.
"You want a cupcake?"
He nods.
"Can we share one?"
He shakes his head no.
"No? Why not?"
He tries not to smile.
I tickle him and he giggles.
I kiss his forehead and sit with him on the couch. I grab a cupcake and let him take a bite of the icing, his favorite part.
Maxon sits next to me and puts his arm around my waist.
I smile at him. "Are you going to eat a cupcake?"
"I'm ok."
"Mmm."
"Maybe later."
"Alright. But I think you should eat one."
"And why is that?"
"Because they're to celebrate our little baby."
"That's true. But I'm getting old and should probably watch the cupcakes."
"Oh, hush. A cupcake isn't going to kill you."
He smiles and grabs one.
Eadlyn and Kaden get a cupcake and sit on the floor with Ahren.
My mother and May get cupcakes and sit with us on the couches.
"We really need to get together more often," May comments.
I nod. "I totally agree."
"The kids are growing up so fast."
"Aren't they?"
"It seems like just yesterday Osten was born."
"I know. They need to slow down."
Eadlyn runs over and hugs May.
"Hi sweetheart," May says while hugging her back.
"Hi auntie May."
"Do you love your aunt?"
She nods, bringing a big smile to May's face.
My mother turns to me. "Do you have a copy of the ultrasound?"
"I do," I tell her while grabbing the copy.
I hand it to her and she smiles at it.
"Wow. Baby number five. How does it feel?"
"So good. I can't wait to have another baby to give all my love to."
I feel Maxon's hand move to my stomach and look at him. He's giving me a smile full of love.
This moment reminds me of exactly how much I am grateful for. And the next will remind me even more.