Life Around The World

16 Years Later

"Happy Birthday to you!"We concluded as James made a wish and blew out the candles on his birthday cake. "So what did you wish for?"my dad asked as James looked at him and replied "I can't tell you grandpa, my wish won't come true if I did."My mom laughed as my dad rolled his eyes backing off the topic. After everyone had a piece of cake, I went into the kitchen and began to clean some of the dishes so that once everyone goes home tonight, we wouldn't have a huge mess to clean up. "Need any help in here honey?"my mom and Nita asked coming into the kitchen. "No I should be okay thanks."I replied going back to washing dishes. As I continued cleaning up the kitchen, I realized my mom and Nita wouldn't take no for an answer as one of them cleared some of the dishes while the other dried the ones I was washing. "Hey how come Cali and Jack aren't here?"My mom asked as I stopped what I was doing before drying my hands off and turning towards her. "Well... Cali and I began to drift apart once I had James."I began as Nita and my mom gave me a look looking for details on this topic.

"When she texted me for girls' night out every other Friday, I kept having to decline because of mom duties and family functions. So when I kept apologizing and asking to reschedule she kind of got upset and then stopped texting me."I finished as they looked at me with a sad expression on their faces. I took a drink from my glass that was sitting on the island. "You know, I've been there before but it gets better. When I drifted away from my best friend at the end of high school, I realized that some people are meant to come into your life as a blessing and others step into your life as a lesson."My mom said as she placed a dirty plate in the sink and washed it. As I finished the last bit of dishes, I thought about what my mom had said to me about blessings and lessons in life. Then I realized that maybe she was right, things do get better because look where I am now. I've started my own family and I'm loved.

Once I joined the rest of the family in the living room, James began to open his presents. "Alright! Thanks Uncle Alex!"He exclaimed after opening the baseball jersey Alex had gave him. "No problem buddy!"he replied. After he opened the rest of his gifts, Hunter ran up the stairs to grab one more gift as I sent a text on my phone to tell him to bring it in. "Okay James, we've got one more special gift for you."I said as I handed him a card and Hunter came back into the room with a bag. I looked behind Hunter to see the big surprise waiting for his cue to enter the room after James opens his gift from Hunter and I. James opened the card and read it before revealing a ticket to the leafs vs. Chicago game. He looked up shocked to what he had just received and could not believe that we are actually going to be taking him to the game. "No way!"He said before pulling the tissue paper out of the bag to reveal a leafs jersey. "No... No... No way!!!" He exclaimed as he saw whose jersey it was.

"You got me an Auston Matthews jersey?"he asked as his eyes lit up with excitement. "Sure, did buddy and that's not all."Hunter said looking at James then back over to me. "It's not?"he asked, eyes still lit up looking between Hunter and me. I nodded a no before speaking "Nope we've got one more huge surprise for you bud."I said looking behind Hunter and giving the signal for the last big surprise to come into the room. "Hey James, happy birthday buddy!"James looked up and his jaw dropped. "Oh my god it's Auston Matthews!"He said in unbelievable shock. I took a few pictures of James and Auston before James got into a conversation with him "How did my parents get you here?"he asked as Auston laughed and looked over to my brothers and I. "Well, I grew up playing hockey with your uncles and our families are very close so I'm technically like your third uncle in a way."He replied.

After a while, everyone started to leave, and the house son became quiet and back to normal. "Hey mom?"James said walking up to the island in the kitchen. "Yeah what's up?"I asked as he sat down on the stool. "Thanks for everything today, especially my birthday gift."He said as I walked over and gave him a hug. "You're welcome baby."I replied placing a kiss on his forehead. "So if Auston's like a third brother to you, do you think he'll let me call him uncle Auston?"He asked. Before I could reply, Auston and Hunter walked into the kitchen with a drink in hand and stood in front of us leaning against the island. "You sure can bud."He said smiling at James.

"After the game tomorrow you can come down to the family tunnel and meet the team if you want."Auston said as James's eye lit up again. "Really?"he exclaimed as Auston nodded a yes. A yawn escaped Hunter's mouth before he stretched and called it a night. "I think I'm going to hit the hay. I'm done for the day."He said before placing a kiss on my forehead and heading upstairs. "Mom is Auston staying with us tonight?" James asked as I looked over to Auston to see what he thought. "You know it James. I've got a morning skate tomorrow at 8 if you guys want to come watch."He replied looking at me before a yawn escaped his mouth. "I can even give you guys a tour of the arena after practice if you want."He added. James looked at me with pleading eyes. "Well, I guess we could."I said before getting up to put my cup in the dishwasher. "I'm going up to bed now. Night Auston, night mom."James said getting up from the stool and making his way towards the spiral staircase that lead to the second floor of the house."So I'm guessing you'd like me to show you to your room now?"I asked Auston. He nodded in agreement as he followed me from the kitchen to the stairs and onto the second floor.

"Here we are!"I said as I flicked on the light as Auston walked over to the bed and dropped his gym bag. Auston turned around and faced me. "Thanks for letting me crash here Mads."He said "You know you're always welcomed Aus."I replied before saying goodnight and heading down the hall to my room. I opened the door slowly careful not to make any noise that would wake Hunter. I brushed my teeth and changed into my pjs before getting into bed to catch some sleep before waking up early the next morning to head out to Toronto with my boys and Auston.