The next morning, Jett wakes wondering if what he remembers from last night was all some fantastic dream. He sits at his desk, trying to recall every detail. He hears the sounds of Mom getting leftovers out of the fridge and decides to join her. He's starving after all the excitement, real or imagined. He opens his bedroom door to none other than his Dad, sitting at the kitchen table with spaghetti leftovers. Sitting there as if it's just another day. 'Good morning, Dad!' Jett can't believe this is happening. 'Morning, handsome.' His Mom smiles at him. She looks amazing. Jett stands next to his Mom in the kitchen where she's heating the leftovers. 'Can I have some of that spaghetti?' It smells wonderful. 'The plate there on the table is for you. Why don't you go wash up first.' Juliana nods her head in the direction of the bathroom. When Jett returns to the table, his Dad is notably absent. 'Where's Dad?' Juliana laughs. 'See the floating urn? That's one of the perks of a ghostly Dad. He can hop into most anything for a few minutes.' 'That's so weird!' Jett's eyes widen as the urn levitates on the coffee table. 'It definitely will take some getting used to.' Juliana sits at the table, 'Are you ready for school?' 'Aw, Mom, can't I stay home today?' he pushes the few remaining spoonfuls of spaghetti around on his plate, 'Dad just came home and I want to hang out with him.' Juliana smiles understandingly, 'I feel for you. The good news is that Dad'll be here when you get back.' 'I guess you're right.' Jett stands up. 'Love you Dad, if you can hear me in there.' 'I know he loves you bud. We'll see you when you get home.' The front door closes softly behind him and Juliana tidies up the dishes. 'Justice, are you done fooling around in there?' Justice's booming laughs echoes in the air, 'I guess so. Come sit by me.' 'On my way, just getting this cobbler out of the oven.' Juliana places the cobbler on the counter and finds her seat next to Justice. 'Time flies so quickly, I don't know if you realized it, but today is Jace's birthday! The cobbler is for his celebration. He's too little to care much about cake, and that cobbler is going to be so tasty!' Justice laughs again. 'You and I both have a serious sweet tooth. You're right, the cobbler will be awesome. It smells like a masterpiece.' Juliana stands over Jace's little bassinet. 'Happy birthday, my darling. I hope you have a wonderful start to your amazing life.' Tiny stars stutter around the baby boy, and suddenly.... He's an adorable toddler! Some quick styling, and little Jace is ready for the world. While Jace explores eating real food, climbing on the furniture, and playing with blocks, Juliana meets the gardener in the yard, 'Good morning! Thanks for coming, but it looks like I won't need your help today after all. My husband is home to help me.' The woman nods her head, 'Certainly. Should you change your mind, please give us a call.' They wave goodbye and Juliana sighs with a satisfied smile. She and Justice can work out here together again. Finally. Justice plays with his son for a while. He's just as smart as his brother was at this age, little wonders these two. Juliana calls from the garden, 'Hey Justice, wanna join me out here? The plants have missed you, too.' Jace is totally focused on his blocks, so Justice leaves the back door open and finds Juliana in the garden. 'Look at these plants! It's a good thing I came back when I did.' He and Juliana laugh together. 'Oh sure, mighty plant whisperer, they practically didn't make it without you.' Their playful banter is comfortable, and they find themselves slipping into the old gardening rhythm without missing a beat. Back inside, it's time to start toilet training for Jace. Juliana and Justice flip a coin, and Juliana is the lucky one to take him to the potty for the first time. Jace takes a seat, and isn't quite sure what he's supposed to do. He and Juliana talk about animals and shapes, and Jace babbles a funny story to her. After a half hour, success! Jace is well on his way to being a big boy! After such a resounding success, Jace wants to play blocks. Juliana plays with him, and he's learning quite quickly from both parents working with him. Soon he grows sleepy, and Juliana reads him a story until he falls into a happy nap time slumber. Justice is buzzing around the house catching up on chores. When he stayed at home with Juliana, they always split the obligations; she would gather and collect items for them to sell and work on her books, he kept up the home, helped with the children, and worked with the garden. Juliana had hired a maid in his absence, but now that he's home, he actually looks forward to cleaning toilets. While in the bathroom, he hears Jett come home from school. Soon Jett's standing in the bathroom doorway. 'Hey Jett. How was school?' 'Ah, it was okay. I'm so tired, I stayed up way too late last night. Do you care if I go to bed now?' 'I don't mind. Do you want to say hi to your brother?' 'Nah, I'll see him tomorrow. Night, Dad. Love you.' 'Love you too. Sleep well.' Juliana descends the stairs and can smell the clean scent in the air. 'Justice, it looks wonderful in here. I can't believe you got so much done!' 'Does it really make that much difference?' 'Oh, it does. Thanks for tidying up. I love you.' 'I love you.' Juliana furrows her brow, 'Did Jett say anything to you after school? I didn't even see him.' 'Yeah, he was tired, so he went to bed. He's had a crazy time these last few days.' 'Amen to that. Do you mind if I go get myself ready for bed?' 'Not a bit.' Slip-bump, shuffle. Slip-bump, shuffle. Slip-bump, shuffle. Jace's toddler bum appears near the middle of the stairs as he slides down. 'There's my little cutie! How was your nap?' Justice picks the baby up and hugs him. Juliana snuggles her cheek against Jace's, 'Love you buddy. Nighty night.' Then she goes upstairs. Justice settles Jace on the sofa and gives him a cheese sandwich, which he promptly eats. They have quite the conversation while he enjoys his snack. The nap wasn't terribly long, and it's been a tiresome day. Jace starts to feel sad, so Justice bundles him up in his arms and takes him up to his bed. 'I love you. Sleep good, okay.' He kisses Jace on the forehead and the tiny boy is quickly asleep. Justice leaves Jace resting and joins Juliana in bed. He can't believe how comfortable it is. Was it always this comfortable? Before long everyone in the family is sleeping soundly. Around two in the morning, the typical night time terror bears it's tangled tentacles and Jett's immediately in a panic. He tries to decide, Should I go to my Mom, or should I try to sort it out on my own? Ultimately his fears win out and he makes his way to his Mom. Quietly frantic he stirs her awake, 'Mom, I need you. Please come downstairs. I don't want to wake up Dad.' 'Okay, I'm coming.' Once in his room Jett confesses, 'The monster is back. Mom, I'm so tired. It never lets me sleep.' Juliana smiles, 'It's okay. I'm so sorry it won't leave you be. We're gonna tackle this one more time; tomorrow's your birthday. Remember the secret?' A slow realization spreads happiness through Jett's features curling his lips into a cool smile, 'Oh yeah, it doesn't bother teenagers!' Jett can't get back to sleep, as per usual, so he takes a bath; where he promptly falls asleep. The next morning, Juliana preps Jett's birthday cake, places it in the refrigerator, and then starts on omelettes for breakfast while Justice gives Jace a bowl of yogurt. Juliana turns to him, 'You look well rested. Are you hungry?' Justice laughs, 'When am I not hungry? Is Jett still sleeping? I don't hear him up and about. Ah, I remember, it's Saturday, he's asleep right?' 'Right. He had a bit of a rough night last night, so I don't expect to see him for a few hours.' 'So,' Justice watches over Juliana's expert cooking process, 'what happened last night that was so rough? I didn't hear anything.' Juliana smiles, 'You were out like a light! I helped him with that monster again. You know, I can't think of a single night where he slept solid through to morning.' Juliana takes her omelette to the table. 'I really hope the monster issues don't plague Jace the same way.' Justice sits at the table and watches as Jace plays blocks on the floor, 'I hope it skips him too. I know it's hard for Jett to cope when he's so tired all the time. What do you think buddy?' Jace smiles and babbles to his parents. After breakfast Juliana sits with Jace and reads him a story. He's learning fast, and is already picking up on a few words. Lunchtime spurs a seat in the high chair for Jace, and a yummy peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Jett is finally awake. Juliana smiles at him, 'Happy birthday! I hope it's a good one!' 'Thanks, Mom! I don't see cake, but I smell cake. Can I have some?' Justice laughs, 'What do you say Jules? Do you mind baking a second cake?' Juliana giggles, 'It would be weird to skip the tradition I've started of baking two. Go ahead darling.' Jett brings his cake to the table and starts eating. 'Mom this is so good. I want another chocolate cake. Is that okay?' 'Sure! I am so excited for you. You'll start high school on Monday. It seems like not all that long ago that Dad and I brought you home from the hospital.' Justice smiles, 'And you still look so much like your Mom. Lucky you.' Jett grins with chocolate frosting on his teeth. Juliana loves baking. She whips the cake batter around with abandon. Forty minutes later the cake is out of the oven and the candles are lit. Juliana and Justice start the celebration by blowing horns and singing to their son. Jett stands on his tippy toes, takes a deep breath, and blows out all his candles. His Mom beams, 'Did you make a wish?' Jett smiles, 'I can't tell you,' Then he looks at his Dad, It already came true. In a blinding flash of light, Jett grows from a child to a teen. Good thing he's wearing sunglasses! He fills up on more cake, and then goes upstairs to play video games. While he's occupied with the games, Justice works with Juliana to redecorate Jett's bedroom. They gather many of his childhood belongings and store them in the attic. His new room layout has space for a new bookcase, desk, chair, and bed that Juliana bought for him. Jett finishes playing his games, and his parents reveal the room. He smiles, 'I love it! Thank you!' He hugs his Mom and Dad, and they leave him to enjoy his space. He reads for a while, then switches off the lights, and settles into the best sleep he's had in years. Please click 'Comments' to share your thoughts. Thank you!
2 Comments
|
Categories
All
Archives
April 2022
|