Beginning of a New Life

Ch.9

"Alvin Jr and Brandon's Surprise"

Brittany dropped off the boys by Simon and Jeanette's while her and Alvin went to the store to finish up the last minute plans for Alvin Jr and Brandon's first birthday party. She sighed and smiled at Alvin.

"Alvie honey our boys are a year old today. They are getting so big and growing up so fast. Before we know it they will be our age when we got together. "

Alvin smiled at her at the red light.

"Yes Britt honey they are growing up fast, but we are doing a great job raising them. When we are done decorating I'll call Si and Jeanette to bring the boys to the house. Their party is at four o'clock we have a few hours to kill babe. We have to pick up their cake, the balloons, the plates, cups, plastic ware, and of course their present. My dad is bringing their present to the house, I hope they like the puppies we bought them since they love Lilly so much when my dad has them.

In the meantime at Simon and Jeanette's house Alvin Jr. was upset and sighed while he watched TV. Simon looked in on him walking over by him.

"Jr. what is wrong? Why do you seem so down today? Want to talk to your Uncle about it?"

Jr. sighed as he responded.

"Today is our birthday and mom and dad didn't say anything to us this morning. It is also Mom, Aunt Jeanette, and Aunt Eleanor's birthday too. Daddy wished mommy a Happy Birthday but not us. Maybe they forgot it's our birthday today."

He put his head down as he went in the yard and kicked a Soccer Ball by himself wondering why his parents didn't wish him or Brandon a Happy Birthday. Simon saw his sad nephew in the yard and called Alvin. Alvin heard his cell ring as he put the boys' cake in his trunk carefully and then he answered.

"Yo Si what's up? Oh no we forgot to wish the boys a Happy Birthday today. We had so much to do that it slipped our minds. I am such a bad father. How could I forget to wish my sons a Happy Birthday? Are they okay?"

Simon responded.

"Yes Alvin the boys are fine. Brandon is helping Jeanie in the kitchen and Jr is in the backyard playing with his Soccer Ball alone. "

Brandon came to Simon.

"Uncle Simon I think I hear Simon Junior is crying. Is that daddy?"

Simon looked as he handed his nephew the phone.

"Yes Brandon it is daddy. He has something to say to you and Junior. Go get your brother while I go get Simon Junior."

Brandon grabbed the phone and responded in a sad tone.

"Daddy why didn't you and mommy wish us a Happy Birthday?"

Alvin Junior came inside and looked at his little brother.

"Let me hold the phone Brandon? Our lunch is ready and Aunt Jeanette has to take care of Cousin Simon. Just go help Aunt Jean and then I'll let you have the phone again."

Brandon looked at his older brother scared.

"Don't be mean to daddy Junior. He is still our dad even if you are mad at him and mommy."

Brandon handed his brother the phone and ran back to the kitchen setting the table for lunch and asked Jeanette.

"Aunt Jeanie can I get me and Alvin some juice boxes to have with our lunch please?"

She smiled at her nephew.

"Of course you can Brandon. I have to go take care of your cousin. Mommy and Daddy didn't forget your birthday boys. They just had a lot to do that's why we are watching you and your brother for a bit."

After she explained it to him he smiled.

"Oh okay does that mean mommy and daddy have a surprise for us later?"

Jeanette smiled.

"Yes Brandon. Now go eat your lunch and bring your brother his also while I go take care of your cousin."

He took the two plates to where Alvin Junior was sitting still on the phone with their father and he had a smile on his face. Then Junior handed Brandon the phone as he promised while little David was pulling on his shirt trying to get his attention from the playpen. He didn't realize he was sitting that close to the playpen at the time. He called to Simon.

"Uncle Simon, David is trying to take my sandwich."

Simon ran over to where the plate almost hit the tile and picked up David.

"No, no leave your Cousin Alvin alone. Let's go by mommy and Simon."

Janine was crawling on the blanket playing with her toys when Simon brought David over by Jeanette and Simon Jr. After Simon Junior was done eating Simon picked him up and put him by his sister on the blanket while Jeanette fed David. Simon Junior sat at the other end of the blanket and watched TV watching Alvin Junior eat his lunch. Brandon brought the phone back over to Simon so he could hang it up. Then he went back over to Alvin Junior and ate his lunch in silence. When they finished their lunch they sat on the opposite couch and watched TV in silence.

Janine started to cry and Simon handed her to Jeanette to feed her. David crawled by where Alvin Junior and Brandon were sitting and used his hand to help him get up taking Alvin Junior's cap off his head and started to chew on it. Alvin Junior realized it and yelled.

"Uncle Simon David is eating my lucky cap."

Simon jumped up and took Junior's cap from David and looked at him.

"You do not eat your cousin's cap. Here chew on this."

Jeanette giggled.

"He must be getting his teeth. Here Junior let me finish feeding your cousin and I'll wash your cap. He's a baby he doesn't know better. "

Janine finished eating and Simon picked her up and took her upstairs to the nursery and put her in the crib. Jeanette entered the bathroom and cleaned herself up. Then she made sure her shirt was buttoned back up and took Alvin Junior's cap to the kitchen and washed it in the sink for him. She put it in the laundry room to dry and walked over by the boys and handed them their birthday presents.

"Here you go boys we got these for you two for your birthday. I hope you like them."

They opened their birthday gifts and hugged their Aunt tightly.

"Yes we love our outfits thank you so much. "

In the meantime Theodore and Eleanor were shopping for the boys' birthday presents. Eleanor was very careful as she walked around the mall with Theodore watching over her.

"Are you sure you're okay Ellie sweetie? We can rest a little the party is two hours away still. Amanda and Jake spotted them in the mall and joined them with Little Brittany. Theodore looked down.

"Whoa she got really big. She's like two or three now."

Amanda smiled.

"She will be two. I had her a year before Britt had the boys. They are getting so big and they are only one. We are expecting our second child and are finally married. He surprised me and we got married privately In a Catholic Church to. We also bought a house. Ellie when are you due?"

She smiled as she rubbed her stomach.

"In another week. How far along are you Mandy?"

She smiled.

"Oh 2 ½ months. Let's shop together then. They both love red like Alvin right?"

At that Theodore laughed.

"Oh yes they sure do. Let's go to the sports store."

Finally they all purchased the presents for Alvin Junior and Brandon. Then they all headed to Dave's house for the party. Dave heard the door ring and answered.

"Wow you five are the first guests. Come on I am just about to put the food out. Theodore can you go help Miss Miller in the kitchen while I go check on the boys' birthday presents. They are in Alvin's old room. "

Theodore helped Eleanor to the couch and then he entered the kitchen and helped Miss Miller with the food looking at her.

"Miss Miller are you okay?"

She smiled.

"Of course Theodore dear I am fine just tired that's all. It is so quiet around the house without the girls. Come then let's get the food out Brittany and Alvin are on their way now. Then Simon and Jeanette will bring the boys. Vinny also entered the kitchen.

"Let me help you two out. My grandsons are a year old already and getting so big. Then my youngest will be a father in another week. I am getting old."

Alvin and Brittany arrived and then they entered the kitchen.

"Do you guys need any more help in here? Let's get the cake in the fridge. Theodore opened the fridge and Alvin put the cake inside. Brittany saw Simon's car and called to everyone.

"Let's hide they're here."

Simon came up to the house holding Simon Junior. Then he used his free hand and knocked. Dave answered and everyone came out screaming.

"Surprise Alvin and Brandon Happy first birthday."

The party went on and finally it was time for the presents. Dave went up to Alvin's old room and carried down two boxes with holes in them and called to his grandsons.

"Boys this is from me, Grandma Vinny, Grandma Beatrice, and your parents."

They both kneeled down and opened the boxes. Two puppies popped up and licked them both making them laugh. Then Alvin handed them two more presents. They opened them and ran to their father hugging him tightly.

"We have guitars like you daddy. We'll be rock stars like you and our Uncles when we get older. Mommy what you get for your birthday today from daddy?"

Brittany smiled and hugged her boys.

"Daddy got me a ring. Sorry we didn't wish you two a Happy Birthday we just had a lot to do today. We could never forget your birthday. We love you both so very much."

From the corner Little Brittany was staring at Alvin Junior. Then she smiled at him when he walked past her and pulled on his dad's shirt.

"Daddy after cake can we go home I am so sleepy."

Alvin smiled and picked up his eldest.

"Of course we can. You had a long day."

Bobby noticed his little daughter looking at Alvin Junior and tapped Amanda.

"Mandy babe, Little Brittany has her first crush. See for yourself she is staring at him."

Amanda laughed.

"Of course she would she has her mom's taste. No offense babe. "

Jeanette reminded her.

"Yes the taste that almost cost you our friendship Mandy."

Amanda looked.

"Yes I know Jean. I was stupid and young then. They are adorable Jean and Simon."

Jeanette smiled.

"Why thank you Mandy. Are you having another baby?"

She smiled.

"Yes I am 2 ½ months."

The party ended and Alvin Jr and Brandon fell asleep on the couch. Alvin looked and picked up his eldest while Brittany picked up Brandon. Then Dave bought the puppies out to the car and smiled at them.

"Alright Alvin and Brittany see you soon."

Alvin and Brittany hugged Dave, Miss Miller, and Vinny. Then they pulled out toward the house with the boys fast asleep in the back seat. When they got home they put them to bed and let the puppies in their room. Then they closed the door and turned in themselves.