Chapter 15: Birthday Shopping

Taylor was asleep in her room, not hearing the door open. Tristen peeked inside before sneaking into his mother's room. Tristen smiled as he jumped onto her. "MORNING!" He shouted. Taylor woke up with a jump and looked up to see her son staring down at her.

"Morning and what do you think you're doing mister?" She asked.

"Tomorrow's my birthday!" Tristen announced.

Taylor laughed and sat up. "And that's why you jumped on your mother?" She asked.

"Uh huh," he replied.

Taylor smiled as she looked at him. "You know you disturbed mommy while she was sleeping," she commented.

"Yep," he replied.

"Now you're going to get it."

Tristen then started laughing when Taylor grabbed him and started tickling him. Tristen tried to wriggle out of her grasp, but Taylor had him trapped and she continued to tickle him. "MOMMY! STOP!" He shouted. Taylor stopped and she was laughing. "I won't wake you up like that," he told her.

"Aw, nice offer kiddo," Taylor told him.

Taylor kissed his forehead. "But then I wouldn't be able to do this," She told him. She started tickling him again. Tristen giggled and Taylor had him sit up. "Okay, kid, what do you want for your birthday?" She asked.

"An eagle," he replied.
"An eagle?" Taylor asked.

"Yeah a great big eagle."

Taylor smiled and she brushed the hair out of Tristen's face. "I'll see what I can do," she told him. Just then, the phone rang. She reached over and picked it up. "Myers," she answered.

"Hey, Taylor it's me," Jen informed.

"Jen? What's up?" Taylor asked.

"Our plan still in action?"

"You know it."

"Is he there?"

"Yep."

Taylor smiled at Tristen. "I'll be there in a little while," Jen informed.

"Great see you in a little bit," Taylor answered.

She hung up and she looked at Tristen. "Guess what, kiddo, you're going to be hanging out with your cousins, Elizabeth an Richie, today," Taylor informed.

"I don't wanna," Tristen answered.

"You don't wanna?" Taylor asked.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Richie cries too much."

"Richie's also three years old."

Tristen let out a sigh. "Fine," he mumbled. Taylor kissed his forehead.

"Okay, attention, kiddo," she instructed.

Tristen stood at attention. "Here are your orders, Cadet Myers. You are going to go to you and Aunt Alyssa and Uncle Cole's house while I go out with your Aunt Jen. Do you understand?" she instructed.

"Ma'am yes ma'am," Tristen answered.

"Good, now go get your stuff."

Tristen jumped off the bed and went to get changed and get his things. Taylor got up and got changed. She pulled her hair her short blonde hair back in a short braid. She got her hair cut, thinking that she needed a change. She looked at herself in the mirror and she let out a sigh. "Knock, knock," Jen greeted. Taylor looked over with a smile. "Ready to go?" She asked.

"Just about," she replied.

Tristen came in. "I'm ready," he announced. Taylor smiled.

"Well, let's go," Taylor answered.

She picked him up and they left.

While Jen and Taylor were walking through the stores, Jen smiled at her friend. "What?" Taylor asked.

"You seem happier," Jen replied.

Taylor shrugged her shoulders. "I am happy. I have the greatest kid in the world," Taylor commented.

"Tristen is a great kid," Jen agreed.

"Better be after what I've been through I think I deserve to have a good kid."

Jen smiled and Taylor picked up a stuffed eagle. "So things have been going well?" Jen asked.

"Yeah, with it just Tristen and me lately, things have been great. I mean, yeah, I miss Eric more than anything. But, I think I've done well for raising my son on my own," she replied.

"I agree."

Taylor smiled and she set one of the stuffed eagles into the cart. "I can't believe he's going to be eight tomorrow," Taylor commented. Jen nodded her head slowly. "Seemed like yesterday the doctor told me I had a son and I held him in my arms. Even though I wanted a girl, when I first held my son in my arms, nothing mattered," she explained.

"All mothers feel the way you feel," Jen answered.

Taylor nodded her head slowly. "Just hard to believe," she murmured. Jen again nodded her head slowly. "Let's go. I've spoiled him enough," Taylor commented. Jen laughed and they left the store.

That night, all of Silver Hills was quiet, except for the guards at the gate. A red light appeared in front of the guards and they held their weapons up. "Who's there?" One guard asked. The figure took a step forward and the guards backed up with their weapons ready. The figure fell to his knees before collapsing to the ground completely. One of the guards ran over and turned the figure onto his back. "Commander Myers!" The guard gasped.

"I'll call for help," the other guard informed.

The guard who was tending to Eric looked up. "Find his wife, find Taylor," he ordered.