Chapter 12: Jayden's Birthday

Happy birthday, Jayden! Hope you like it!

Jayden was happy. Today was his fifth birthday. Jayden and his father were going to the beach with his team. The others were going to stay home and help Ji with the decorations for another party after they came back from the beach in Kalico. Of course Jayden didn't know that.

"Daddy!" Jayden shouted and he jumped into his father's arms. James smiled. Jayden was the perfect son.

"Hey, squirt," said James. He snuggled Jayden close to his chest. They got into the car and they drove to the beach. When they arrived, they rented surfboards.

The man that owned the shop warned," The sharks have been acting up. I'd be careful with this little guy here."

"Thanks," said James, and he made sure that Jayden was okay.

"Daddy, I don't like sharks," said Jayden.

"Everything will be fine," said James.

"Promise?" Jayden asked.

"Promise," said James.

They got on the surfboards and started surfing. Jayden was laughing and forgot about the shark warning. Sarah and Elizabeth flipped James off the surfboard. He laughed. While he was in the water, Jayden got separated from the others. He tried to get back to his father. He couldn't get to his father. He splashed a lot.

All of the sudden, a shark attacked from underneath. Jayden jumped off, but hit the water. The shark tried to attack Jayden, but James grabbed Jayden in time. The shark's tooth ripped through James' skin. He flinched. He put Jayden on his surfboard. He pushed Jayden and made sure he wasn't in the water.

When they were in five feet deep water, the shark attacked James. James was dragged about one hundred feet away from Jayden. Jayden was scared. The shark attacked Jayden from underneath, but Jayden jumped off just in time. Jayden looked in the shark's eyes and froze. He tried to get to the surface, but couldn't. Then he thought that since his dad died that he should die too.

Sarah and Elizabeth dragged him up. The shark left them alone. He was sobbing. His father died and he needed him.

"The boys are going to find your father," said Elizabeth.

"He's dead," said Jayden. They stared at him.

"No, he's not," said Sarah.

"Yeah, he has to be," said Jayden. He started sobbing. Jayden was not comforted by anything. Jayden needed James and he needed him now.

James grabbed Jayden and hugged him tightly to his chest. Jayden sobbed and sobbed. It broke James' heart. He knew he had to do something.

"I'm here, baby boy," said James.

Jayden's head jerked up and he said," I thought you died."

"No," said James," I couldn't leave you this soon." Jayden smiled and he held on to James. James snuggled Jayden to his chest.

"Daddy, I am never ever going into another big water like lakes and oceans," said Jayden.

"That's okay, baby boy," said James," I'm sorrry that your present was ruined."

"No, I got the best present ever," said Jayden," You survived." James smiled and held Jayden tighter.

I hope you like it. If you notice the beginning was like Chapter 5 of Family Reunion. I changed it a bit because I didn't feel like it fit to this chapter well. FYI: Jayden's birthday present that got ruined was the surfing trip.