Chapter 8: Happy Birthday
1 month later
Camden House (Matt and Sarah)
Sarah was in the bathroom sick again for the fourth time this week. She got up from the ground and rinsed her mouth out. Matt walked in. "Honey, are you sure you're okay to go to Savannah's birthday party?" he asked concerned. "I don't know. I probably shouldn't go since I probably have the flu. You take the boys and have a good time," she replied before heading back to the toilet.
Matt walked across the hallway to Jaime's room and picked him up. "Looks like it's just the men going to this little shindig," he said. He changed Jaime's diaper and dressed him in corduroy overalls and a red striped sweater. "All right, buddy. You're ready to go," he said. He carried Jaime to Noah's room and put him on the floor. Jaime immediately crawled over to the toys and started playing. "Look, daddy. I dressed myself," Noah said proudly. Matt looked at his son dressed in a backwards shirt, shoes on the wrong feet and underwear over his pants. "Come here, buddy," Matt said kneeling down. He yanked off his shirt and turned it around. He adjusted the pants and underwear situation and switched the shoes to the correct feet.
"Where's mommy?" Noah asked as Matt buckled him into his car seat. "Mommy's not coming," Matt explained, "She doesn't feel well and she doesn't want anyone else to get sick" "I'll miss her," Noah sweetly said. "Don't worry. We'll only be gone a few hours," Matt reassured him.
Camden House
"Mom, where did you put the balloons," Mary called upstairs. She, Carlos, Charlie, Ashleigh and Savannah had flown to Glen Oak to have Savannah's first birthday party. "They're in the living room," Annie yelled back. Mary headed towards the living room tripping over streamers and decorations on the way. She found Ashleigh and Charlie chasing each other around the couch while Savannah sat in a pile of wrapping paper and bows. "Okay you two. Enough," she said. She picked up Savannah and told Ashleigh and Charlie to clean up the mess. The rest of the family would be arriving in a half hour or so and there was still so much to do.
Kinkirk House
"Kevin can you help Sean get dressed?" Lucy yelled. "I'm coming," Kevin said appearing at the top of the stairs. Lucy was in the Grace and Hannah's room changing diapers and trying to get the two youngest kids dressed. Jenna and Hailey were already in their dresses and were watching a princess movie downstairs. "Mama, no dress," Grace complained. "Yes, honey. Don't you wanna look nice for the party?" Lucy sighed exasperated. "No," she cried and ran out of the room in her diaper. Lucy plopped down in the rocking chair exhausted. Hannah started to cry but just then Kevin came to the rescue. "I'll get her," he said carrying Grace back into the room. "Thanks," Lucy replied. "Grace, bring me your dress please," Kevin asked. "Okay daddy," she replied happily. Kevin quickly slipped the dress over her golden curls. "Sure, listen to him," Lucy said sarcastically. Kevin picked up Hannah and put her little pink dress on. "Okay, everyone's dressed. Let's go," he said.
Camden House
Ding dong. "I'll get it," Simon called. He and Faith had also flown in for Savannah's birthday. Ruthie unfortunately couldn't make because of her class schedule for college. "Hey Luce and Kevin! Come on in," Simon exclaimed. The kids immediately ran to find Charlie and Ashleigh to play.
"Charlie!" Jenna called excitedly as she spotted her favorite cousin. "Hi, Jenna," he greeted, "Wanna go upstairs and play?" "Okay, sounds like fun," Jenna replied. "I wanna come too," Hailey said. "You're too little," Jenna teased. "No, I'm a big girl too," Hailey retorted. "Jenna, let your sister go upstairs too," Annie said as she walked into the kitchen. "But she's too little Grammy," Jenna complained. "No, she's not. Hailey, you can go upstairs too," Annie replied starting to get frustrated. With that the three kids ran upstairs to play.
Ding Dong. The doorbell rang again. "I'll get it," Annie yelled to no one in particular. "Matt, come on in," Annie said as she opened the door, "Where's Sarah?" "She's not feeling too well," Matt said. "Hey, little guy," Annie said reaching out for Jaime, "The men are in the living room." Matt headed to the living room. "More like the men watching all the kids," he whispered under his breath. Ashleigh, Sean and Grace were chasing each other around the table. Noah ran in to join in their chaotic play. Savannah was crawling around trying to rip the paper off her presents. Carlos grabbed one out of her way just in time. "Hey, Matt," Eric said from his spot on the couch, "Where's Sarah?" "She's at home sick," Matt answered.
The kitchen
"Mommy, Hailey is ruining our game," Jenna declared running down the stairs.
"What's the problem this time," Lucy grumbled. She was trying to feed Hannah her bottle and help get the chips and dip ready. "She always has to have everything her way," Jenna complained. "Tell her I want her to come down here now," Lucy said. Jenna happily skipped back upstairs. "Kids," Lucy sighed rolling her eyes. "So are you gonna have anymore kids?" Mary asked. "No way. We have our hands full with five!" Lucy exclaimed. "Why are you gonna have anymore kids?" she asked Mary suspiciously. "I don't know?" Mary replied shrugging her shoulders. "You're not pregnant, are you?" Annie asked. "No, mom, Chill," Mary said, "I'd probably tell you if I was anyway."
"Aunt Lucy, Jenna and Hailey are fighting," Charlie yelled as he came streaming into the kitchen. "Uh," Lucy sighed. "Faith could you hold Hannah while I go upstairs?" Lucy asked. "Sure, no problem," Faith said. Lucy handed over Hannah and went upstairs.
"Hello precious," Faith cooed to the baby. "She's so little," she said. "I know. But once you have your own kids you'll realize they're not all sugar and spice," Lucy said reentering the kitchen dragging Hailey by the hand. "Definitely," Mary agreed as a screaming crying Savannah crawled into the kitchen. Mary bent down to pick her up. "Hailey why don't you go play in the living room," Lucy suggested. "With the babies," Hailey shot back. "Fine you can just stay in the kitchen with us old people," Lucy said sarcastically.
Dining Room
"…….Happy Birthday dear Savannah. Happy Birthday to you," everyone sang as Charlie helped his little sister blow out her candles. After Savannah's birthday party was over everyone headed back home.