one day Andy will grow up and parties will be a thing of the past, my excuse for lavishing him with ridiculous gifts and over-the-top decorations.
Andy is going through a huge Spiderman phase, so it makes sense to decorate the house with his favorite superhero. Outside on the patio are plenty of red and blue balloons, positioned around the tables decorated with Spiderman plates and cups. Across the roofline hangs cobwebs with tiny black plastic spiders trapped inside them.
Julian is busy dressing Andy, so I can finish the final touches when he races out of the house dressed as Spiderman, of course. His cute tiny face is hidden by the mask, and his excitement is demonstrated by the karate moves he keeps doing. I kneel and ask him for a hug at which he informs me that superheroes don’t hug their moms.
Great, it’s starting already.
That dampens my mood, and Julian picks up on it straight away.
“Hey, Spiderman, I bet your muscles are super strong and that you can squash this lady?”
Andy nods, and he runs back squeezing me really tight. I take advantage of it and hug him so hard before he runs into the backyard chasing Ash and Blaze. Julian comes up from behind and embraces me. I allow myself a moment to rest in his arms. Birthdays are an emotional time—a day that marks my little boy growing up. It feels like only yesterday, he came into the world, and time just continues to fly by.
My parents are the first to arrive, carrying way too many gifts. My mom busies herself in the kitchen, organizing platters and snacks for the guests. I’m not surprised my dad has pulled Julian aside. Much to my surprise, they organized a trip to South America together during a luncheon they both attended the other day. Julian postponed his trip to Morocco with everything that went on with Andy, yet was desperate to visit a small town which has been wiped out by floods a year ago. My dad is equally as keen to provide some medical assistance as their hospital was demolished. Both of them are extremely passionate, and occasionally, I’ll sit down to listen to their plans, enthralled in how much is involved and what it does for the town people.
“The flights are booked, so next Thursday, we’ll be leaving,” my dad tells me.
It’s selfish of me to sulk, so instead, I busy myself with my mom who deep-down knows how much I’ll struggle. “Only two weeks, Adriana. Just think of how Daddy and Julian are helping those families, okay?”
The squeal of Amelia followed by an unsteady Ava invades the kitchen. Amelia is long gone, jumping like a frog on crack on the bouncing castle outside. Ava is stopped by my mom. I love this little girl so much. She has a calm and quiet nature, flying under the radar largely due to her sister’s energetic personality. Charlie enters the room, but her face looks livid, and without saying hello, she dumps a baby bag on the ground and storms off outside.
What was that about?
Lex walks into the kitchen but does not follow Charlie outside. His face looks softer, not at all like Charlie’s. These two are worse than Nikki and Rocky at times. I pray Julian and I will not end up being that type of couple.
“What going on with Charlie?” I prod.
“She’s pissed off at me.”
“What’s new?” I say flatly.
“I got her pregnant again.”
I almost drop the jug I’m holding onto. “Lex? Are you for real?”
He gives me a weak smile, even in his state of shock.
It seems like the perfect opportunity to point out the obvious. “The psychic said—”
“I knew you would say that. Do not, and I repeat, do not bring that lady up in front of Charlotte.”
I laugh. “Congratulations, bro.”
“I can’t do this, Adriana. Three kids under four?” I can hear the panic in his voice.
“Of course, you can do this. Besides, you don’t really have a choice now. You can’t put the mouse back in the hole. I can’t believe I’m going to be an aunty again!” I squeal.
“Yeah, if only Charlotte could share your enthusiasm,” he mutters, walking off to the backyard.
I watch through the window as he tries to place his hand on her shoulder, but her glare is so icy that he backs off and heads over to where my dad is firing up the grill.
All the guests have finally arrived, including Hazel, Penny, Fred, and Jerry. All four of them are