forever be in a wheelchair. He gave up on physical therapy, downright refusing to go into that place again. Dr. Peterson wasn’t happy but relented when Jackson gave him a murderous look.
Yeah, Jackson’s scary demeanor hasn’t lessened over the years.
We would have been fine if Jackson was in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. We’ve gotten used to the idea and have perfected that way of life. But I have to tell you, the determination on his face when he stood for the first time, it’s not something I’ll ever forget.
“How’re you doin’?” He comes over to me, bending down and pressing a kiss against my neck.
“Just getting ready for Dahlia to blow out her first candle.” I press the candle right in the center of the Peppa Pig cake, when an arm snakes around my waist.
“You look sexy as fuck. Maybe a little too much for a fucking kid birthday party.”
“Shh. Language.” I chastise him.
He grabs my wrist, lifting an eyebrow as he glares down at me. “I wouldn’t be using that language if you wouldn’t come to a first birthday party like you want to get fucked.”
I balk at him. Glancing down and looking at my outfit. I’m wearing a workout outfit, actually. I’m a mom and can’t find it to dress up fancy anymore. With black leggings with mesh along the outer leg, I also have on a matching crop top which isn’t even a crop top. It shows about a centimeter of skin. Scandalous? Not so much.
“Cara! Where’s the cake!” Rose shouts from outside.
“Coming!” I shout. Grabbing the lighter on the counter, I turn to Jackson as I lift the cake. “Well, I don’t have time to argue now. It looks like you’re going to have to punish me later.” I smirk at him, and he lets out one of his rare laughs.
“You know I will.”
“Oh, I know you will.”
I walk out, leaving him and rocking my ass a little bit more than necessary. Well, okay. Not that this outfit is slutty in any way, but my ass does look badass in these leggings.
I go out, and we light the candle and sing Happy Birthday as the spitting image of Easton in girl form smashes her fingers into the cake. Easton wraps his arms around Rose while she holds River.
After a few minutes, Jackson comes out with Wesley holding onto his free hand. I hold onto Wesley’s other hand while we watch Rose help Dahlia open her presents.
It’s just a few of our close friends at the party. Mostly family. Rose’s mom and boyfriend are here. Hugo is here with a couple other guys from the warehouse who have worked there for years and watched Easton grow up. Rich is here, too.
My mom isn’t here. I actually haven’t heard from her since that day at the mobile park. It seems that moving out and letting her move back in is all she wanted. Doesn’t bother me, honestly. I’m just glad to have her out of my hair. For good.
When I hear a knock, I look at Rose. “I’ll get it.”
I walk to the door, and when I open it, my face breaks into a smile. “Hi, guys.”
“Hi!” Little Ainsley says, her hands grabbing onto each one of her parents.
“They’re in the back, go ahead back there. They’re opening presents!” She takes off like a bolt of lightning, and I look up. “Hi.”
“Hi.” Amanda says, stepping inside to give me a hug. “Sorry we’re late. Ainsley took a late nap.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Hi, Cara.” Colton says, coming in and handing a present to me.
Amanda and Colton… they’re people I will always be grateful for. I figured they’d hate me since I told them I was keeping Wesley. I didn’t expect to hear from them ever again, actually. But five months after I got home from the Mexican ordeal, I received a call on my cell phone. I didn’t answer it, since I deleted her number. But when I listened to the voicemail and heard Amanda’s voice, I broke down in tears. She’s one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met, and how she wasn’t yelling at me over the phone was shocking.
When I called her back, I listened to her tell me her story. About how it was a struggle for them to come home when she had the boy room completely set up. They had the car seat in the car, ready to head home. They decided not to go on another adoption