:: :End:::
Jackson Johnson
Some time later...
I looked in the mirror, trying to tame my rebellious hair. I could hear the guests' shouts in the distance, and Lilly urging me to come down. I was nervous; today was my birthday and our wedding anniversary. Although I never celebrated my birthday, I would celebrate marrying the most kind-hearted and beautiful woman in the world. I heard footsteps approaching, and a smile appeared on my lips. I knew they were coming to find me to put on the pressure. The first thing I did was quickly hide under the bed. I saw two pairs of feet walking back and forth across the room. I was about to laugh but held it in. Then I remembered my shirt would get wrinkled and almost cursed, but that would mean putting a dollar in the "Swear Jar," and I wouldn't give those little ones the satisfaction. Laughter was heard, and then I let out a scream, pretending to be the monster under the bed. They ran out of the room while I laughed for a couple of minutes. I crawled out, and then I saw Lilly entering the room, shaking her head with a big smile.
"You scared the twins," she said, disapproving but still smiling that smile I love to see. Yes, twins. After a month, we had the news confirmed with more precision. The doctor was surprised to find the other baby alongside the first. That moment of hearing their hearts made us realize we would finally be a family. And it’s the best thing that has happened to us to this day, for the past six years. Little Lilly Rose and little Jack Jr. were the sunshine of their grandparents and uncles. And of course, they looked just like Lilly with dark brown hair and brown eyes. "Come on, they’re waiting for us," she said. I accepted the hand she extended to me, and we arrived at the garden where the guests applauded our arrival. My parents and in-laws congratulated us first, followed by the rest of the guests. There was an area just for the kids, a large pool, a huge barbecue area, and a table with many gifts, small cakes of different flavors, and a chocolate fountain, my favorite.
"We’re here!" Jacob exclaimed, entering through the garden gate with little Leah, three years old, in his arms. Her tiny hands were held by my brother. Leah followed behind them with a gift box. My in-laws approached to greet them, followed by my parents, excited by their arrival. I took little Leah in my arms when she reached out for a hug. I did, and covered her in kisses. Lilly took her from my arms to smother her with kisses while I greeted my brother and sister-in-law.
"You’re late," I said in the hug. He pulled away and patted my cheek.
"Traffic," he smiled. "Happy birthday. I know you still don’t celebrate it, but I don’t care." He handed me a small box with a keychain inside, featuring a maple leaf. I liked it and thanked him. "Alright, where are those little rascals?" Rose and Jack ran, laughing, to Jacob, who picked them up and started making them laugh on the grass. I approached Leah and hugged her. When we separated, I caressed her five-month belly. She smiled at me, excited.
"How are you doing?" I asked Leah, who let out a long sigh just as Lilly stood beside me, holding little Leah. My niece was beautiful, blonde with blue eyes and long eyelashes, just like Jacob.
"Good. Your brother just got over the morning sickness and his midnight cravings." Lilly giggled.
"Glad we dodged that," she said playfully, and I stuck my tongue out at my wife.
"The doctor won’t let me travel in the next trimester, so this is our last trip for now," Leah said, pouting. "But you can use it as an excuse to visit Toronto and see our new house."
"Of course! Those were our plans for the next vacation," announced Lilly with the little girl in her arms.
"Does the little one kick you a lot?" Leah pouted.
"Sometimes when I least expect it or when I'm about to sleep, she lets one fly."
"My parents will be traveling in two months to take care of you," I told Leah, and her face lit up.
"Yes, I heard a few days ago. I hope you can come too."
"I'll organize everything. We'll be with you before little Ivy arrives."
After catching up, cutting my cake, and spending time with everyone, we were exhausted in the garden area. There were some large couches, Lilly had the sleeping girl in her arms, and I had Jack resting on my shoulder. They had run around the garden like two tornadoes. Everyone had left, and our staff was cleaning up the mess. Lilly stroked the girl's hair, her gaze lost in thought.
"Is everything okay?" I asked. She looked in my direction and smiled.
"Yes, I'm a bit tired. And you?" I smiled too.
"Tired, but happy." She sighed.
"Every day, it's clear how happy you are," and it was true. The family life we have now is everything to me and to her as well. I was the one working at the company, and she worked from home in our office during her work hours. We had decided that one of us should stay at home, it didn't matter who, as we both had the responsibility of our children. If it were up to me, I would have stayed, and we tried, but the meetings and lunches with clients made me travel a lot until we decided that I would be the one to go to work. A house in the suburbs of New York City, living peacefully, and so far, we hadn't had any complaints.
"Oliver called," she brought me out of my bubble.
"And what did he want?" I tried to control the jealousy that still arose when I heard his name.
"He's now a father of his second child," she frowned seeing my tense jaw. "Seriously, Jackson?"
"Even though you two made amends and forgave the past, and I did the same, I can't help but think that you and he were about to get married."
"But we got married, had a honeymoon in London, and even became friends. Now you're telling me you're jealous?"
"Well, we're not that close. We just talk about what life is like in London and new businesses."
"You're such a jealous man, Johnson," I made a face.
"And proudly so, Mrs. Johnson."
"Funny," she stuck out her tongue. Jack stirred in my arms.
"I think we should put them to bed." She nodded, and we did so moments later.
While Lilly tucked in our twins, I went ahead to our bedroom. I grabbed the remote for the sound system and the lighter, quickly lighting the candles scattered around the room. The scent of vanilla filled the space, and then she walked in.
"Wow, I thought you were tired," she whispered as she unbuttoned her cake-stained blouse, and I did the same with mine.
"But not for our private celebration. It's our sixth anniversary, Mrs. Johnson, and I won't stop celebrating even if our skins hang from our wrinkled bodies," she stopped what she was doing and frowned.
"I think my mind was very specific in showing that image of you and me all wrinkled and..."
"Better not finish, I've already done it for you in my head," we laughed and moved closer with the eagerness to touch, to kiss, and so it was. We made love as if it were the first time and with the promise that our love...
... will never end.
"Stay with someone who kisses your soul; anyone can kiss your skin."