Chapter 19
Jameela
I strolled to the kitchen to check on the cupcakes while the children played their hearts out in the living room.
Being at home with the kids felt just as rewarding as the time I spent on weekends in the food truck that my husband had bought me to help feed the homeless.
Cashville was completely legit, thanks to them finally taking out the trash.
“Mama, I’m a baby too. Pick me up!” Bella demanded, extending her arms for me to pick her up.
I felt so bad that my baby was feeling the effects of being a middle child already. I spent most of the morning getting ready for Nicky’s first birthday party.
“Come on, big girl,” I said, stooping to pick her up.
At three years old, she was getting heavy, but I would never deny my baby a little cuddle time when she was feeling neglected. I mussed her curls and kissed her cheek before setting her on the counter and testing the cupcakes to make sure they were cool enough.
“You want to help Mommy with Nicky’s cupcakes?”
“Yes!”
As I set the cupcakes up, Nicholas walked in from the backyard with Amira on his back and Nicky clutched to his chest. My baby loved being a father, and I loved to see it.
Amira was such a good big sister. I was pretty sure that she was plotting with her dad to get more siblings.
He put her on her feet, and she darted over to the counter where I stood.
“Can I help, Mama? I won’t make a mess.”
“Sure, baby. Just wash your hands first.”
“It smells good in here, habibti,” Nicholas said, kissing my cheek once he was finally in reach.
“Thank you. I’m trying to make something your picky sons will eat.”
“Uh oh, why are me and my lineage catching a stray right now?” he asked, slipping his arms around me and palming my growing bump.
“Because between your quick handed son and the one in my belly doing somersaults, I’m starving.”
“How about I take it from here? Me and the girls will finish dinner while you and Lil’ Nick hang out in the living room and relax.”
“I want to do this for my baby, Nicholas. He’s never going to know what it feels like to be the baby.” I whined as the second set of tears of the day sprang to my eyes.
Nicholas kissed away my tears before turning to Amira. “Princess, take your sister to the bathroom and wash her hands, then we will ice the cupcakes.”
“OK, Daddy!”
When Amira and Bella were out of the room, Nicholas turned his attention back to me.
“You’re an amazing mother, and these kids are spoiled rotten.
Just keep showing up for them, and they will never feel neglected, habibti.
Don’t be so hard on yourself. I’m the one that can’t keep my hands off you.
I’m never going to let anyone in this household feel like they aren’t loved. ”
“And what about you? You need love too.”
“And you give it to me every day and night. I couldn’t be happier, Jameela. I love you, baby.”
“I love you too,” I said, swallowing the lump in my throat as I threw my arms around his neck.
He dropped a kiss on my lips before escorting me to the living room and helping me and our son get settled in on the couch.
“Te amo, mi reina,” Nicholas vowed, kissing my cheek then turning to the kitchen. “Are my princesses ready to make a mess?”
I shook my head knowing that there was nothing I could say to stop what was about to happen in that kitchen. Either way it went, I knew for sure that we would live happily ever after.