Ashe

Waking up the next morning, I felt different. Despite being only five, I felt older, more mature. The school year was almost over, and soon, I would have a new sibling. This summer, I was determined to make the best of my life and savor every precious moment.

The morning light poured into my room, illuminating the corners with a soft glow. I could hear the faint chirping of birds outside and the distant hum of morning activities. Stretching, I felt a surge of energy and excitement for the day ahead.

After breakfast, I decided to make a list of all the things I wanted to do this summer.

I looked at Jaxon, knowing my parents were busy. "Jaxon, can you teach me to ride a bike with 2 wheels?" I asked, my eyes wide with hope.

He raised an eyebrow and grinned. "Of course, Ashe! Let's do it."

We headed outside, where my bike was waiting. Jaxon adjusted the seat for me and gave me a few tips on balancing. My heart pounded with a mix of excitement and nervousness as I climbed onto the bike.

"Ready?" Jaxon asked, holding onto the back of the seat.

I nodded, gripping the handlebars tightly. With a gentle push, Jaxon guided me forward. "Pedal, Ashe! Keep pedaling!"

I wobbled at first, but with Jaxon's encouragement, I began to find my balance. The thrill of riding without training wheels surged through me, and a huge smile spread across my face.

"You're doing great!" Jaxon cheered as he let go, allowing me to ride on my own.

I felt a sense of freedom and accomplishment as I pedaled down the driveway. The wind whipped through my hair, and I couldn't help but laugh with pure joy.

When I finally came to a stop, Jaxon ran up to me, beaming with pride. "You did it, Ashe! I knew you could."

"Thanks, Jaxon," I said breathlessly, my heart still racing. "That was amazing."

We spent the rest of the morning riding around the neighborhood, the bond between us growing stronger with each shared moment. It was a perfect start to what I knew would be an unforgettable summer.

As we took a break, sitting on the porch with cold lemonade, I turned to Jaxon with a question that had been weighing on my mind. "Jaxon, do you think I will be good in grade 2? I'm nervous about skipping."

Jaxon looked at me with his usual reassuring smile. "Ashe, I know you'll do great. You're smart, curious, and always up for a challenge. Skipping a grade means they see something special in you, and I see it too."

I felt a bit more at ease with his confidence in me. "But what if it's too hard?"

"Remember how you felt before riding your bike today?" he asked. "You were nervous, but look at you now—you did it! Grade 2 might seem tough at first, but with your determination, you'll find your balance, just like on your bike."

His words comforted me, and I started to believe that maybe, just maybe, I could handle the new challenges ahead. We clinked our lemonade glasses together, toasting to new beginnings and the adventures that awaited us.

"Thanks, Jaxon, are you still going to come with me to school?"

Jaxon chuckled, taking a sip of his lemonade. "Of course, Ashe. I'll be there every step of the way. We've got this journey together, and I'm not going anywhere."

I smiled, reassured by his words. Then, curiosity got the best of me. "Jaxon, what do you think the new baby will be? A boy or a girl? I know mommy is ready to have it."

Jaxon pondered for a moment, his eyes twinkling. "Hmm, that's a tough one. But you know what? Whether it's a boy or a girl, they're going to be super lucky to have you as a big sibling. You'll be amazing, Ashe."

I nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves as I thought about the new arrival. "Yeah, I can't wait to meet them. And I hope they'll like lemonade as much as we do."

We both laughed, raising our glasses once more in a toast to family, friendship, and the many adventures yet to come.

Just then, Mommy and Daddy rushed out the door. "Jaxon, it's time! Janna is napping, we will call you," Daddy said. The baby was coming!

Jaxon looked at me with a smile, "You ready to be a big sister again?"

"I am ready but do you think it will take a long time? Janna took forever!" I said.

Jaxon chuckled and ruffled my hair. "Babies have a way of surprising us, Ashe. Sometimes they take their time, and sometimes they arrive before we know it. But no matter how long it takes, it will be worth the wait."

I sighed, glancing at the clock and back at Jaxon. "I guess you're right. We can always have more lemonade while we wait!"

Jaxon laughed. "Exactly! And in the meantime, we can plan all the fun things we'll do with the new baby. Like teaching them how to ride a bike when they're old enough."

"Yeah!" I agreed enthusiastically. "And maybe they'll love lemonade too."

We clinked our glasses together once more, our spirits lifted by the anticipation of the new addition to our family. As we sat there, sipping our lemonade, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. Whatever happened, I knew Jaxon and I would face it together.

Despite my new sibling arriving soon, we had to wait for Janna to wake up from her nap. She was 2 now and talked a bit more—she drove me nuts sometimes with her endless questions and her tendency to scatter her toys everywhere. Yet, I couldn't help but adore her inquisitive nature and the way her eyes sparkled with curiosity.

I leaned closer to Jaxon and asked, "Jaxon, do you think Janna will like being a big sister too?"

Jaxon paused thoughtfully, then smiled. "I think she will. Janna is curious and full of energy; she'll probably be very excited to have someone new to play with and teach all her little tricks. Plus, she'll have us to guide her."

I nodded, feeling a sense of reassurance. "Yeah, you're right. She does like to show off her toys and share her stories. Maybe having a baby sibling will make her feel important and proud."

"Exactly," Jaxon agreed. "And just like you, she'll learn to love the new baby and find her own special ways to bond with them."

I smiled, imagining Janna's wide-eyed excitement and her happy chatter. It made the waiting seem a little easier.

I looked at Jaxon thoughtfully. "Do you sometimes wish you could be a big brother? I know Addison is older than you," I asked him.

Jaxon smiled and shrugged. "Sometimes, yeah. I think it would be fun to have someone younger to look after, teach things to, and share experiences with. But having Addison as an older sister is pretty cool too. She's always there to guide me and share her wisdom, even if she can be a bit bossy sometimes."

I chuckled, understanding the sentiment. "Yeah, I guess having an older sibling has its perks too. They can teach you so much and look out for you."

"Exactly," Jaxon agreed. "And now the new baby will have 2 older siblings to look up to, You will be a mentor to both of them Ashe"

The thought made me smile. "I suppose you're right. It's like having built-in friends and mentors."

Jaxon nodded, his eyes twinkling. "Yeah, and no matter what, you'll always have each other's backs. That's what family is all about."

As we sat there, sipping our lemonade and talking about our siblings, I felt a warm sense of belonging. The anticipation of the new addition to our family filled me with excitement and hope. No matter what challenges lay ahead, I knew we would face them together, as a family.