Seth smirked. “Stop being nosy and enjoy your breakfast. I’m about to get the boys ready.”
He leaned down and kissed me one last time before scooping up his offspring like a proud lion collecting his cubs. Their laughter echoed as he headed out of the room, leaving me smiling at the ceiling and my curiosity buzzing. Whatever Seth had planned, I already knew my lazy morning was now officially over.
Ring!!! Ring!!!
“Happy birthday, boss!” RJ and Ari screamed the second I picked up.
I laughed, shaking my head as a wide smile stretched across my face. “Thanks, y’all.”
“So, what Seth got planned today?” Ari asked, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
“That,” I said, shrugging, “I don’t know. He just told me to eat and get dressed.”
“Need a babysitter?” RJ asked, ready to step in before anyone else.
“I think we’re taking the boys with us.”
RJ leaned back and laughed. “Well, I guess that means we don’t gotta worry about Seth taking you outta commission for another nine months.”
“No new babies anytime soon,” I said, laughing along with Ari and RJ.
That chapter of my life was closed, at least for now. I already had my hands full with three busy little boys, a husband, two businesses, and a household that never seemed to sleep. Adding a newborn to the mix wasn’t anywhere near the top of my list, and I knew Seth felt the same way.
“Well, we’re wrapping up a few things here at the recovery home,” RJ said. “We’ll link up with you later.”
“And we got the best gift for you!” Ari shouted, her excitement bubbling over.
RJ ended the call before she could spill any details.
The moment the screen went dark, another call came through. Serena’s name flashing across my phone. She’d been out of town at a church retreat, and just seeing her name made my heart warm.
“Happy birthday, miss lady,” she said the moment I answered.
“Thank you, Ma,” I replied, already smiling.
“So, what’s on the agenda today?” she asked.
“Not sure. Seth’s getting the boys ready now. He said he has a surprise, so we’ll see,” I told her.
She chuckled softly. “Knowing him, it ain’t nothing little.”
And she was right. When it came to me and the boys, Seth never did small. But between the new house, the two new businesses, and the new truck sitting in the driveway, I didn’t need anything else material. I was content just being his wife and their mama.
“You’re right about that,” I said.
“Well, I’m not gonna hold you long,” she continued. “Just know I love you, and I hope you have the best day ever. You deserve it all. You’re the best mama to them boys and an amazing wife to my son. I love you, Stormi.”
My chest tightened. “Aww, thanks, Ma. I love you too.”
“And as soon as I get back,” she added with a laugh, “we gon’ have us a girls’ day, Jo style.”
I laughed softly, already picturing it. “I’m holding you to that.”
When the call ended, I sat there for a moment, heart full, realizing just how blessed I really was surrounded by love. My mind instantly drifted to Jo and how today would’ve gone if shewere still here with me. She’d done a complete one-eighty with her life and with our relationship. The woman she became in the end was someone I would’ve loved forever. And even though I wished I’d had more time with that version of her, I understood now that everything happened the way it was supposed to.
Some lessons don’t come without loss.
I ate half my food, saving the rest for Savior, then finally pushed myself out of bed. I showered before it was time to get dressed and meet my boy’s downstairs, ready for whatever surprise my husband had waiting for me.
