Three's Company

35

Garrett: Hey...I won't make it over tonight. I've gotta hot date.
Me: You didn't tell me you were dating again!
Garrett: Yeah. Well I got tired of waiting around for you.
Me: Shut up!
Garrett: I thought you were gonna leave Deon so we could be a family.
Me: No you didn't!
Garrett: At the beginning I did, but you guys seem really happy and in love. So ima let you have your lil boyfriend.
Me: We are happy.
Garrett: You tryna convince me or yourself?
Me: I don't need to be convinced.
Garrett: You sure?

*****

Jayden and Cameren had spent about a month searching for a new home to accommodate their growing family. They wanted at least 5 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. They were hoping to also have a backyard big enough for an in-ground pool and a swing set treehouse.

Jess had been helping them, but they didn't really see anything on the market that they absolutely loved. One day, two months prior to Jayden's due date, Jess called her with some exciting news. There was a newly built home and the sale had fallen through. She insisted they see the house.

Jayden and Cam both took off work early to go meet Jess at the property. The builder had just put it on the market and she knew it wouldn't last long. They showed up and it was perfect. It was everything they wanted plus more. 3,000+ sq ft, 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bath, a three car garage, a downstairs living area, and an upstairs family room, and soundproof media room. The master bathroom had a giant shower with shower heads all around the walls and a large whirlpool tub. The house was on a corner lot, so the backyard was HUGE. They put it an offer right away. Within hours, they were under contract. Everything was falling into place perfectly for the arrival of Baby CJ.

Jess put their current home on the market. Within days, they had received 5 competing offers. The typical time to close on a home was 30 days but with Jess working on the sale, Jayden and Cam's combined salary of $200,000+, and near 800 credit scores, everything was expedited in under two weeks.

Jayden and Cam were closing on their new home in a week, and their buyer would be closing only 3 days after that. This meant they didn't have long to get moved out. Luckily Cam was a minimalist, so anytime it seemed like they were acquiring too much unnecessary stuff in their home, he would make Jayden start a large donation box. So when it was time to move, they didn't have to go through and decide what would and wouldn't make it to the new house.

Jayden sent out a group text to their friends to see if anyone could help them pack and move. At this point, Jayden was way too pregnant to be doing any heavy lifting and she was fatigued after more than 30 minutes of activity. Jayden's mom and Auntie Faith had the twins and Morgan at her parents house, while her dad came over to help her move. The girls came over to help pack and the guys lifted the boxes and furniture to the moving truck. Jayden gave orders.

Cam and Deon were standing outside of the truck taking a break and talking.

Deon: Hey bro, I think I'm gonna propose to Jess.

Cam: It's about time!

Deon: It's been almost 2 years, man. I think she's the one. I think I was just nervous at first, you know, with Morgan and everything. But I love that little girl like she's my own and I love her mama just as much.

Cam: You been ring shopping?

Deon: I pulled a "you" move and hacked her Pinterest. The whole damn thing was engagement rings.

Cam: Alright, so then when you gon do it?

Deon: I'm tryna think. I want it to be special. Over dinner? In front of friends? A romantic date? I gotta get Kendrick in on it. I want the whole thing to be on video.

Cam: Ahhh, bro. You really ready to play stepdaddy.

Deon: That little girl is everything. I didn't expect to grow so attached to her. It took me awhile to see Jess for who she really was after that whole ordeal. I was so scared of taking the next step that I kept putting it off. When you meet that person that you can sit and talk for hours, that encourages you and motivates you...she's always thinking of ways to care for me.

Cam: I know it, bro. I see the way she cares for Jayden. She has a beautiful heart.

Deon: I want that forever.

They embraced for a minute. Cam rubbed his head.

Cam: You crying nigga?

Deon: I am, bro.

He wiped a tear from his eye and smiled as Jess brought him out a small box of wall decor to load on the truck.

Jess: Why your eyes red?

Deon: Allergies. This pollen is ridiculous today.

Jess: I'm sure Jayden has some Claritin in there.

Deon: I'm okay, boo.

Jess: Okay...

She started walking away and he grabbed her arm pulling her back. He sat on the back of the moving truck and pulled her between his legs wrapping his arms around her.

Deon: I love you.

Jess: I love you too.

Deon: Like...a lot.

Jess: I love you like a lot too.

He smiled at her. He couldn't believe this beautiful woman was all his. Her smile so big and her dimples made him smile harder. Deon knew it was time to start seriously planning their engagement and he had something up his sleeve.

*****

"Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear, Jayson and Jayden! Happy Birthday to you!"

All of Cameren and Jayden's friend's had gathered for the twins Mickey & Minnie themed first birthday party. Jess brought the twins their smash cakes and every one cheered as they dug in.

Cam walked around the highchairs recording them demolishing their cakes. Jayden stood in the kitchen rubbing her pregnant belly, as Cam Jr. kicked like he was at a karate match.

Jess walked up behind Jayden and hugged her from behind.

Jess: You doing okay, baby?

Jayden: I'm doing fine, sis.

Jayden was absolutely the older of the two friends, but Jess took care of her like she was the big sister. She helped plan the party. She took care of all the decorations and sent out all of the invitations.

Jayden: You know you're the best sister ever.

Jess: I know I am. Anything for my babies including you, love.

Auntie Faith handed out cake and ice cream to the party guests, while Jayden's mom, Veretta, took them to the back and got them cleaned up and changed their clothes.

Cam: Hey baby. Presents when they get back?

Jay: That's fine, babe.

Cam: You good?

Jay: I am excellent.

Cam: Good, witcho fine pregnant self.

Jayden's dad brought out two mini reclining chairs for the twins.

Joe: These are papa's gifts. They get to recline and take naps like their granddaddy. They can sit in them to open their presents.

Jay: Those are adorable, daddy. Thank you!

Veretta brought the kids back into the living room and showed them their new chairs. They happily sat in them and Cam handed them each a gift and helped them open it. The kids got tons of clothes, several matching outfits from Uncle Deon, some cute little church clothes from both of their grandmas. Cam's brother got them each a mini basketball in their favorite colors. Camden made them Minnie and Mickey canvases for their room. The twins were most excited to see their ride on cars from Auntie Jess. She even got the ones with the remote so their mommy and daddy could drive them. The babies clapped and smiled and tried to climb in them. Cam built them their own ball pit for their room and Jayden got them learning tablets.

All in all, the twins had a wonderful party celebrating with everyone who loved them.