“That’s true.”
“Fact.”
We all agree at the same time, because itistrue, and also the easiest thing in the world to agree with. My Wily is still the sexiest man I know.
Blake smiles. “See? So we’re all pretty. We’re all blessed. And we should all get this show on the road, because I’m wearing some very expensive underwear that I want my man to remove with his teeth.” She claps her hands, hurrying us along while I share a bemused look with Sienna.
“Wily better not hear her say that,” I whisper.
Sienna giggles. “God help us if he does.”
Moving the hot pizzas onto a serving platter, I carry them through to the table and let the kids know that it’s time.
They squeal and scurry around, getting themselves ready for the special event we’ve been planning for weeks.
The men are blindfolded and led into the dining room by giggling children, and watching their faces light up as they take in the room we’ve decorated is priceless.
They make a big show of complimenting the kids, and when I get picked up by my husband and thoroughly kissed, I can tell how grateful he is for my effort. It’s so good to be appreciated.
It’s taken hours of craft activities with my kids, phone calls, emails, and message threads making sure all the families were organized. The room is decked out with hearts of all shapes and sizes. Red and white twinkling lights have been wound around the chairs and tables, and the food is all Valentine’s themed—an explosion of hearts and stars and all things red and pink.
As we pile around the table—a feat with this many people—I soak in the laughter and the chatter as the family talk over one another or start little conversations of their own. Kids scarf down too much sweet food—including a birthday cake I didn’t know was coming. I must have been fire engine red as they sang “Happy Birthday” and then I had to suffer “all eyes on me” as I opened up the gifts they’d brought me. I let Charlotte, Nichelle and Kendall help me. Thank God for children. I love the way they can draw the attention off my red face.
The presents are just lovely and I’m so grateful to be part of such a caring family. There are no words to express how much I love these people.
Wily smiles at me, then leans down and murmurs against my lips, “You knew I had to do something, right?” I giggle and kiss him. “Happy Birthday, beautiful.” And then my heart melts into a gooey, loved-up puddle in my chest, just before the men take-over the clean-up and the women are sent into the living room to get ready for the big performance.
I’m now snuggled up by my husband’s side while the hyper Football Frat Family off-spring start a “show” they’ve literally spent hours perfecting.
As we watch, we jump from “awwwws” to squashed laughter to strained looks of enjoyment. Their dances are adorable, their songs off-key. Well, most of them. Portia and Harley have a set of pipes, that’s for sure. They punch out a great rendition of “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars, and Jane is pitch-perfect for her song. Her voice carries through the air, making us all misty-eyed as she sings “True Colors”—a Cyndi Lauper classic. It’s just stunning. I’m so proud of her, I could burst.
Charlotte, Nichelle, and Kendall hold hands, standing in a line and getting all the words wrong for “You Are My Sunshine.” Kendall gets bored halfway through and starts dancing, much to Nichelle’s consternation, and that has us fighting laughter as the girls fail to figure it out. In the end, Kendall starts to swing her little arms around, batting Nichelle away when she tries to bring her into line.
Grady gets up with a weary sigh and tries to coax Kendall off the “stage.” She crosses her arms and refuses to go until Blake quips, “Kendall Newman, do as Daddy says. You either get your butt off that stage and let them finish, or you join in properly.” Her voice is so stern that Kendall blinks in surprise before her lips part in confusion.
Did Mommy just tell me off?You can see her thinking it, and much to our surprise, Blake doesn’t give an inch. She raises her eyebrows at her daughter while Grady fights a little grin, then scoops Kendall into his arms when she starts to cry.
Nichelle and Charlotte start their song all over again, and we applaud extra loud when they’re done. Even Kendall has stopped crying and crawled into her mother’s lap for a reassuring hug.
The boys do an acrobatic performance that I wince through, just waiting for one of them to topple over and break something,but we survive it. After a few more “showstoppers,” it’s finally time for the little ones to go to bed.
It’s a war of wills as teeth are brushed, but a few jokes and songs cajole them into compliance, and soon they’re all tucked in, leaving just the oldest kids up and about.
Although it took a lot of effort, it was worth organizing everyone this way. The kids were great, and we were all thoroughly entertained.
Creeping away from Charlotte’s bed, I close the door behind me and tiptoe down to my room to check on Paris.
She’s tucked up in Wily’s arms, and he’s rocking her back and forth. It’s been a disruptive, out-of-routine day, and she’s so over it.
Her little cries and complaints are quickly dying down as sleep gets the better of her. I pad across the room, staring down at her cute face while Wily strokes his finger along the bridge of her nose.
“That’s it, petal. Sleep now.” He keeps whispering to her until she finally surrenders, going floppy in his arms.
“Good job,” I murmur, moving aside so he can set her down in her crib.
His arms come around me the second his hands are free, and I snuggle my back against him, tipping my head so he can kiss my cheek.
“I should be saying that to you.” He nibbles my skin, then brushes his nose across my cheekbone. “You did the most amazing job tonight.”
