Ruby
After the doctor checked me properly, and reported it to Vexon, I decided to play with Allison. I brought her to my personal garden, and handed her a soft toy. Let her play with this, and stay happy.
I took a bowl of plain yogurt with pieces of soft fresh fruit and took a spoonful of it, keeping it in front of Allison. ��Open your mouth, baby,�� I uttered.
Allison giggled and opened her mouth. I started to feed her, enjoying the moment.
Once she had finished eating, I wiped her face with the napkin. ��You are a good girl,�� I mumbled, smiling at her.
She tried to reach to me, by extending her arms. As soon as I picked her on my arms, she started playing with my hair. Laughing, I cooed Allison.
Later on, I could hear small fast footsteps approaching me. I knew it was Everley. So I turned around to face her. She had a wide grin on her face but when she noticed Allison in my arms, her face turned into a frown.
��How was school, Eve?�� I asked nicely, trying to lighten her mood.
She answered grumpily, ��It was good.��
��Come and sit with us, come on,�� I told her. Even though she didn��t want to for some unknown reason, she still sat next to me. ��Will you play with your sister?��
��No!�� Everley let out. ��She is taking my place. You lied when you said you wouldn��t love her more than me.�� Suddenly, tears started to stream out of her eyes, which ached my heart.
Siblings rivalry...I should��ve known this would happen.
��Maya!�� I called her and she rushed towards me.
��Yes, Boss lady?��
��Take care of Allie,�� I said and handed Allison to Maya. She started to play with Allison in another direction, while I pulled a crying Everley towards me. ��Now, honey. Tell me, what made you think like that.��
��You spend your time with Allison only. You don��t love me anymore, Mom,�� she sobbed.
I wiped her tears. ��No, that��s not true. Look, Allison is younger than you and she needs more attention, but that doesn��t mean I don��t spend time with you.��
��But you only feed her now,�� she pointed out, which made me sigh.
��You are growing up, love, so you need to eat by yourself most of the time. But whenever you want me to feed you, just tell me. Have I ever said no to you when you wanted something?��
She shook her head.
Whatever Everley wished, I did give her, depending on her wish. I didn��t want her to be a spoiled brat so if there was something she liked and I didn��t find it good for her, I would explain it to her in a proper way.
��Now, stop being a crying mess, and tell your mom what you have learned in school today,�� I said, wiping her tears for the umpteenth time and pulling her closer than before.
It is already hard to manage two kids, and Everley��s insecurity. Once the baby comes, I have to make sure Allison doesn��t become insecure and I have to raise three kids. The thought was terrifying.
___
��I don��t want any more babies after this one, Vexon,�� I told Vexon, when we were cuddling and watching Netflix together.
He looked at me, raising an eyebrow. ��Why?��
��We have two children already, and this,�� I placed my hand on my stomach, ��will be our third one. Raising three kids is already a difficult task.��
��Okay, I am okay with it,�� mumbled Vexon. He further spoke, ��Did something happen today?��
I nodded and told him the entire story about Everley being insecure. ��So I am afraid, I have to explain Allison in the near future like the way I explained to Everley. I can��t handle a lot of kids. Three is enough for me.��
Vexon burst into a fit of laughter hearing the story.
I narrowed my eyes at him and questioned him, ��Why are you laughing? You will be just busy with your work while I handle the kids alone.�� When a sudden thought got into my mind, I mustered the courage to ask him, ��How did y��all handle your insecurities? You have four more brothers. I pity your mom.��
A glint of happiness was visible in Vexon��s eyes as he started to speak, ��We, brothers, had many tiffs among us. Even if someone taunts the other, he would complain to Mom about all of us. Then she would scold the five of us together.��
I kept listening to him while he continued narrating his story, ��We would bicker all the time, but if someone else said something to any of our brothers, we would beat the shit out of that guy. Only we had the right to hate and argue with each other. Some random stranger couldn��t just insult us and get away with it. We would even argue with Mom if she scolded only one of us. If she wanted to scold, it had to be the five of us, or no one.��
I loved hearing the story of him and his brothers. They were all so caring and loved each other from the core of their heart.
��Since Orson was the youngest, he couldn��t enjoy the most with us. Most of the time, it was I, Kendrik, Cason, and Kace.�� He further spoke, ��You know, there was this one time, a boy called Cason and humiliated him in front of his friends. Once Cason told us about it, the four of us rushed to that boy and made him apologize to Cason in front of the entire school.��
��What did you guys do to that boy?�� I asked with curiosity.
He chortled and answered, ��We just showed him the gun.��
I gasped hearing it. ��There is no way any of my children will carry a gun with them,�� I said sternly.
Vexon��s lips curled into a smile. ��We shall see.��
I could notice he was upset, now that he was remembering his brothers and his childhood. I missed my sister Pearl too. We could only contact Pearl and Kendrik once a year since they didn��t want to be a part of the Mafia. I also missed Newana, who united me with Vexon.
��Are they okay, Gem? Or are they being punished for being a part of the family full of criminals? Did my mom reunite with my dad?��
I placed my head on Vexon��s shoulder and answered to him, ��I am sure, your parents reunited, Kace and Orson are watching us happily and talking about how their childhood went. They are having a nice time there, and my dad is there to welcome them. Don��t worry. They are doing good.��
��Orson couldn��t even enjoy life,�� he mumbled, his voice cracking. ��He was just sixteen.��
The way Orson was shot by Kace and killed, it was something I would never forget. It was still fresh in my mind. Orson was just a teenager.
��I am sure Orson forgave Kace and they are being awesome brothers to each other now,�� I said, assuring Vexon.
Time really flew fast. One should value happiness till it lasts. Everyone should live in the moment because no one knows, when that moment would turn into a memory.
