Carolyn could hear her children's laughter all the way from an outside drift into the house. She made her way to the backyard. Tracey had decorated the backyard amazingly well for the brief description Dev gave her. Devlin knew his sister didn't want to skate, so he added the swimming part to her. Jace and Jacoby were coming to help. Jace was going to be helping the kids with their skates and skateboards. Jacoby would be the lifeguard.
"Mom, how cool is my party stuff?" Devlin asked, as Carolyn walked outside.
"Mrs. Tracey did an amazing job!" Carolyn said, smiling.
Tracey had turned the backyard into a park. There were signs to the skating area that had some fake graffiti on the skating course. Then arrows pointing to the pool area that had an ice cream and popsicle cart. There was a food truck where Cam would cook hamburgers and hot dogs. For dessert there was bye jello with gummy fish in them. The small grassy area was being used for other games if the kids didn't want to skate or swim. There was even an art and crafts table. There were small skates and skateboards to decorate plus beach bags to put the crafts I to take home.
"Are you feeling better?" Cam asked as he came up behind her.
"Much better!" She said, leaning into his arms.
"Are you going to swim, mommy?" Lola asked.
"No, mommy is going to sit in the shade and watch you guys have fun." Carolyn said.
"But the pool is fun, and you have gotten in there with me before." Lola said, pouting.
"You don't think mommy and her belly will take up the whole pool?" Carolyn said, chuckling.
"No, the pool is enormous enough for everyone! I'll protect the boys from being kicked." Lola said, promising.
"We'll see about later." Carolyn said.
"OK!" Lola nodded.
"I'll get in the pool with you, Lola cat!" Cam said.
"Ok, daddy! Do you want to swim now?" Lola said, looking at the pool longingly.
"Sure, let's go swim!" Cam said, picking Lola up and jumping into the pool.
Carolyn knew Cam would never hurt the kids, but she always held her breath until Lola popped up from under the water. Lola was a wonderful swimmer. She had leaned how to swim before she came to live with them.
"Dad, we need to go get Silas!" Devlin said, coming to the edge of the pool.
"I'm sorry buddy! I forgot what time we had to go!" Cam said, looking at his watch. He climbed out of the pool and took the towel Devlin gave him. Cam took off his wet shirt and dried off.
"Try not to drip into the house and drive safe!" Carolyn said as Cam kissed her goodbye.
"Will do!" Cam said as he went to put on dry clothes.
"Bye, mom. Love you!" Devlin said as he hugged her bye.
"Love you, baby." Carolyn said, hugging him, then giving him a kiss. Devlin then ran into the house to leave with Cam.
"He is a sweet boy. I wish my boys still hugged and kissed me goodbye." Tracey said, walking up to Carolyn.
"He didn't have a wonderful start, but he has always has a gentle heart. I will hug and kiss him until he stops. The little fish in the water too." Carolyn said, smiling.
"Mommy, will you toss the diving game in the water? It's no fun if I see where the pieces landed." Lola asked.
"OK, then I need to sit down for a few minutes. My back and feet are already hurting and the party hasn't even started." Carolyn said, picking up the diving game from the picnic table. She tossed the pieces into the water while Lola's back was turned.
"OK, thank you!" Lola said, then dove into the water.
Missy, Teddy, and the kids came a few minutes later.
"Don't get up!" Missy said, seeing Carolyn trying to stand. Missy went over and hugged Carolyn.
"Dev, went with Cam to pick Silas and his family up, but you guys can swim. We have a lifeguard on duty and we got a skate instructor to show you guys how to do some tricks. Go have fun!" Carolyn said, smiling.
"Let's put sunscreen on first! My very pasty children!" Teddy said.
"Lola, did daddy put sunscreen on you before you came outside?" Carolyn called.
"Um, I think we forgot!" Lola said, hanging her head.
"Come here. Let me put sunscreen on you, please." Carolyn said, waving her over.
Lola sulked over to Carolyn.
"Just for a minute then you can jump in the pool with your friends." Carolyn soothed as she wrapped a towel around Lola. Carolyn chuckled as Lola's top half became a limp noodle as she dried the floppy limp girl.
"One of your brothers feels like he is being a floppy noodle too!" Carolyn said, putting a hand on her belly.
"Which one, Max or Mikey?" Lola asked excitedly.
"I don't know. You know we want to see their faces before we choose their name." Carolyn said.
"It was probably Max, he's the joker!" Lola said, rubbing Carolyn's belly.
"He is? Did you teach him that already? My silly girl." Carolyn said, tickling Lola.
Carolyn got the sunscreen on Lola and Lola jumped back in the pool with Davis and Laura carried Benny down the pool stairs. Josh and Tucker went to see the skate instructor, Teddy, with them carrying Phoebe.
"The kids had Davis's name decided before I had him. Davis was top on our lists because it was a family name, but about my seventh or eighth month, Parker just started call the baby Davis every time we talked about him. Then we all did it because it became habit just to say Davis instead of baby boy." Missy said, walking over to Carolyn with Phoenix on her hip.
"That's the first time she has called them anything. We are pretty sure their names will be Maxwell Henry and Michael Franklin, but I do not know which one will be named which name. I want to see their little faces first." Carolyn explained.
"Those are sweet names!" Missy cooed.
"Thank you! Their middle names are after both of their grandfathers. Devlin helped us pick out the first names. Lola really had had little to do with the twins since she found out they were boys. We asked Lola if it upset her they were boys. She said no that she just didn't know any boy names to help." Carolyn explained.
"I guess she decided she likes them now." Missy chuckled.
"I guess so!" Carolyn said, shrugging.
Sam, Jack, Jacob and Hannah came next.
"Hey, guys! Dev should be back soon!" Carolyn said.
"How are you feeling?" Sam asked, walking up with Hannah.
"Very pregnant! I should knock on some wood that I'm not burning up out here yet." Carolyn said.
"I remember the hot flashes!" Sam said, nodding.
"This is a pretty cool set up!" Jack said, looking around the yard.
"Tracey is amazing! You give her a price range and an idea of what you want. She figures out the rest. We went up on the price we gave her because she found a skate instructor that would teach the kids some tricks. We knew that would be something Dev would love, and it really wasn't that much more." Carolyn said, smiling.
"Does she do one-year-old parties because I do not know what to do for Banana's?" Sam asked.
"I do all ages!" Tracey said, walking up.
Hannah smiled big at her. Her three teeth showing.
"I can do the parties as simple or extravagant as you want. When is her birthday?" Tracey asked.
"December 20th." Sam said.
"I usually get big offices asking me to plan their Christmas parties, but I will put you in my book if you want me to. If you decide not to book me, I will have some time off, no worries." Tracey said, smiling handing Sam a card with her information.
,"Sure, if you don't mind! That would be great!" Sam nodded.
"No problem!" Tracey said.
"He newest love is peek-a-boo." Jack said as he covered his eyes. Hannah began giggling. Then squealed and kicked her legs when Jack uncovered his eyes with a "boo".
"He had her belly laughing so hard the other night!" Sam said, bouncing Hannah gently.
"So cute!" Tracey cooed.
"Jack, come into the pool with us! The water is not too cold!" Davis called.
"Maybe in a while, buddy!" Jack said, smiling
"I can't believe the twins are going to be a year next month and Tucker will be ten the month after. I feel old," Missy said, looking at Phoenix.
"Time has away of getting away!" Jacob said, as he walked up to them.
Phoenix bounced in Missy's arms, wanting to be put down. Missy stood him up on the sidewalk, holding his hands. Phoenix took a couple of steps, holding her hands.
"Are they walking?" Sam asked excitedly.
"They're taking a couple of steps holding onto our hands. They're not brave enough to let go yet, but I bet they will walk by their first birthday." Missy said, happily.
"We have the greatest minds in the world, but we can't manage motor function like walking. Kind of frustrating." Phoenix fussed.
"I enjoy being carried! I might not walk until I absolutely have to. Mommy doesn't mind!" Hannah said, snuggling down in Sam's arms.
"You'll want to walk when you get older." Phoenix said.
"I think Pen here is going to run as soon as he figures his legs out!" Missy said as she took a few more steps with Phoenix.
"He's got to keep up with his siblings." Jack said.
"Phoebe isn't far behind, but she's not in a big of a hurry a Phoenix." Missy said.
Devlin came hurrying back into the backyard with Silas beside him. Following them were Silas's parents and both sets of grandparents. Tucker ran over to Devlin and Silas. The boys had come up with a special handshake with each other. 1955
"Silas, don't be rude!" Jeb said, frowning.
"Hi, Ms. Carolyn, thank you for inviting me to you home!" Silas said, as he hugged her.
"You're welcome, sweetheart. We are glad you could come!" Carolyn said, patting Silas on the back.
"Silas has been very excited for today, especially after receiving the cool invitation!" Hailey said, smiling holding Star.
"Ms. Tracey is amazing. I can't say it enough!" Carolyn said, pointing to Tracey as Kim came up to hug Carolyn.
"You are the sweetest! All these babies are making me want more." Tracey cooed at Star.
"Our thing one and thing two are all we need!" Colonel Dex Matthews said, walking up and slipped his arm around her waist.
"Don't you want a baby girl?" Tracey asked as watching Hannah reach for Dex, who nipped at the baby's fingers. He took Hannah from Jack.
"Are you telling me you could do no to a face like this?" Dex said, holding the giggling Hannah up to Tracey.
"It would be super hard, but we did it with the boys." Tracey cooed.
"She get told no. Especially now that she's army crawling everywhere." Jack said.
"You on the move now, princess?" Dex bounced Hannah.
"She is definitely a scooter now! Jacob said, coming over to them with Hank.
"I didn't realize you were Jacob's daughter!" Hank said to Sam.
"That's me!" Sam said.
"You have a son also?" Hank asked.
"My son, Mark, and he has two children." Jacob nodded.
"How have you been? I heard you were really sick a few years a go." Hank asked, frowning.
"I'm doing much better now. Just a little scare but everything is good now. I've never felt better." Jacob assured.
"Good to hear we need to have a drink and catch up!" Hank grunted as Lola crashed into his side.
"We do!" Jacob chuckled.
"You got me, little mermaid!" Hank said, patting Lola on the back.
"Will you come swimming with us?," Lola asked.
"Maybe in a little while, mermaid!" Hank said, smiling.
"OK!" Lola said and then went to greet her other grandparents.
The kids were having a great time. More kids came. Devlin got excited when a family with three girls came walking up to the party.
"Hey, Robin!" Devlin said, excitedly.
"Hey Dev, Happy birthday!" Robin blushed.
"Thank you!" Devlin said.
"Hello, young man." The firm looking man said.
"These are my parents Polly and my step dad we call him Major. My sisters Elizabeth and Casey." Robin introduced.
"My Aunt Sam is a Major!" Devlin said proudly.
"In the Marines?" Robin asked.
"No, the airforce and my dad is a colonel. His name is Cameron and my mom is Carolyn and my little sister Lola is in the pool." Devlin said. Lola came trotting up behind Devlin. Her lips and mouth stained purple.
"Dev dad wants to know if you want ice cream or popsicle?" Lola asked.
"Do you want to come have ice cream with me, Robin?" Devlin asked, smiling.
"So you're Robin? Dev wouldn't stop talking about you the other day." Lola said, giggling wildly as Devlin tried to cover her mouth.
"Sorry about her. She has had too much sugar!" Devlin said, blushing.
"I like ice cream!" Robin blushed again.
Jack was in the pool with Hannah. Sam was on the side, taking pictures. Hannah wasn't sure about the pool, it smelled different from her bath water.
"It's alright my little Banana fish, daddy has you!" Jack cooed as he bounced her up and in the water. Some water splashed on Hannah's face.
"Dada?" Hannah whined.
"It's OK, baby" Jack soothed.
"Watch! Banana baby." Lola said as she went under the water, then popped back up in front of Hannah.
Hannah started giggling.
"See, the water is fun, baby girl!" Jack said, bouncing Hannah more. He sank lower in the water with her.
"She will not enjoy you dunking her, Jack!" Sam warned.
"Alright, daddy is going to dunk you now!" Jack said, bouncing her one more time before dunking Hannah under the water. He quickly pulled her back up. She was screaming.
Jack patted Hannah's back as he took her to Sam. She wrapped Hannah in a towel and gently wiped her face.
Hannah snuggled into Sam, calming some.
"You did such a good job, baby girl! Sam cooed.
"We'll try more later." Jack said, pulling himself out of the pool to sit by Sam.
"OK, boys and girls! Come get a snack of ice cream and popsicles. Then come join us over in the skating area if you would like to learn some tricks from the instructor. He will put on a show after lunch!" Tracey announced.
"Do you want to try a popsicle, Hannah banana?" Sam asked.
"I bet she does!" Jack grinned as he helped Sam stand up.
Sam sat down with Hannah on one of the large plastic picnic blankets set up near the ice cream stand while Jack went to get their ice cream. Hannah was sitting up by herself now on the blanket. Teal'c was helping pass out the ice cream. Daniel, Janet, and Hammond were talking to Micha and Dex. Will came over to Sam with an orange popsicle in his hand.
"I get to have a sleepover at Janet's house!" Will said happily.
"That sounds like a lot of fun!" Sam smiled.
"I got skates for my birthday and uncle Micha said I can use them today!" Will said, bouncing.
"I can't wait to see you skate!" Sam smiled.
"I got a cherry popsicle for my princess and a vanilla cup for both of us." Jack said, walking up.
"Thank you!" Sam said, taking the popsicle from Jack. She opened the wrapper and showed the cold treat to Hannah. Hannah reached for the bright red treat. Sam put the popsicle in Hannah's open mouth. Her eyes lit up as the popsicle melted in her mouth.
"I think it is a winner!" Jack laughed.
"You think?" Sam smirked as she grabbed wipes from Hannah's bag.
Hannah flopped onto her back with the popsicle. It melted and drip on her light blue bathing suit.
"You are going to make a bigger mess, little miss independent." Sam said, prying the popsicle out of Hannah's hands.
"That's mine! Salmack tell mommy I that back NOW!" Hannah wailed.
"What is she so mad about?" Jacob asked, rushing over.
"I took the popsicle she was eating because it was about to fall off the stick. Besides, all that sugar is going to make her sick." Sam said, frowning.
"The worst it could do it could do is give her an upset tummy and sugar high. I think she got the Carter temper!" Jacob said, picking up the sticky baby.
"Here, banana, want to taste daddy's ice cream?" Jack said, offering Hannah his wooden spoon. Hannah ate the bite of ice cream and reached for more.
"Jack, don't give her anymore sugar today!" Sam said.
"Last bite!" Jack said, giving Hannah one more bite of ice cream.
"You get diaper duty." Sam warned.
Everyone had fun for the rest of the party! The crafts were a favorite by all. Devlin's favorite part of the party was the skate show at the end.
The next morning.
Janet didn't have to go to work until the afternoon, so she wanted to have a relaxing morning drinking coffee and watching TV on the couch.
"Good morning!" Daniel greeted her with a kiss, then sat down beside her.
"I knew Cass wouldn't be awake but I'm surprised Will isn't awake." Daniel said.
"That party took a lot out of him." Janet chuckled.
A breaking news report came on the TV.
"They found a young lieutenant shot to death in his front yard. We have issued an amber alert for missing his five-year-old nephew"