Baby Birthday Bash!!!

[Mrs. Angela Hubbard]

Weeks ago when Angie came up with the idea to have a birthday party for Ari, she had never once imagined it would have gotten so huge so fast. But then again Jesse had warned her it would happen, especially when she came up with the idea to combine the babies birthday and have one big party. At first she thought about doing it at the park and then thought about having something at the yacht club, but then after much deliberation and convincing her husband, they agreed to have it at the house. The yard was big enough for a jumpy thing and they had the pool in the backyard. They had more than enough room for the kids to run around have a good time. ‘Plus me and the guys could barbecue’ Jesse added once he remembered that awhile ago Angie had bought him a nice sized grill and had it placed in the backyard. He used it a couple of times but never for a big get together. And just between Angie and Cass, she knew Jesse just wanted to show off and she knew Tad and most likely Jackson would want to do the same.

“Just don’t get too crazy, baby,” she said to him while they were out shopping. The menu included things that everybody would be able to eat anything of their liking. Of course there would be sweets, two cakes in particular. One for each birthday baby to have a stab at. And other one for the guests. There would be all kinds of drinks, but healthy. It may have been a party but Angie wouldn’t have been Angie if she didn’t throw some kind of healthy stuff in it. Plus Ari would have a fit if she didn’t have her oh so favorite carrot sticks.

Anyway, the day before the big day had come like a freight train and Angie almost called everything off. She and Cass, who’d just came into town for the summer, went to get the cakes, only the cake that was for the babies had the names all wrong. It was like they didn’t read the list at all! So pissed and on edge, Angie called the people of the bakery everything but children of God in her head and after telling them she was unhappy with them and that she would assure she and nobody else in town came to them, she left and went to a bakery right outside of town. They’d just happen to understand her rage and agreed to take on the task, with the promise that it would be ready for pick up before the party began. Angie thanked them before she walked out and went about making sure everything else was on the up and up.

And now the day had arrived and everything was just about in full swing. Ari and Adrian were out with Mr. and Mrs. Ellis, while she, Jesse, Frankie, Cassandra and Madison stayed and put up the last minute decorations.

Walking out the backdoor, Angie went up to one of the tables and started straightening out the utensils.

“Mama, everything is alright. Will you stop messing with stuff?” Cass scolded, lightly grabbing her mother’s shoulders and walking her away from the table.
Angie sighed. “I just want to make sure everything is perfect. I want this day to be one of the best for these babies.”
“And it will be. Thanks to you, Dixie and Erica and your husbands, it will be,” Cass assured, knowing the couples had worked like crazy to get everything just right. Planned everything pretty much to a T. “Now go inside and do something else. Like sit down and eat something. I know you haven’t eaten anything since this morning.”
“I’m fine,” Angie hissed.
Cass scoffed. “And let me guess when you pass out in front of the babies, you’re going to open your eyes and say ‘I’m fine’ and expect them to just be okay with it?” She waited a beat. “Go sit down and eat before I get Jesse on you.”
Angie cut her eyes playfully ate her oldest girl and sighed. “Traitor,” she scoffed before turning on her heels. “Fine Ms. Foster. I’m going… Oh and please remind Jesse and Frankie to go and pick up the cake at two o’clock.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“And call Tad and tell him to not forget the piñata.”
“Mom, its Tad. It’s not going to forget it.”
“Okay and be sure to---“
“Will you go already!”
“Fine!” Angie sighed, going into the house.

((Okay, let the partying begin. And yes this includes every new baby on the board that was born around April to June.))

[Dix C. Martin]

The entire drive to Jesse and Angie's house, Dixie's excitement was rivaling how the twins would feel once they arrived at the party. She'd been wanting to set up something like this with her babies and her and Tad's godbabies for a long time, and had tried. But more often than not life got in the way and the parties wound up being sweet and simple house gatherings with the family, rather than big blow outs. And her kids along with the others deserved big blow outs.

Pulling into the drive she parked and sent Tad a reminder text to pick up that piñata and one to Di telling her what time she had to bring the twins by the house. She figured that she should come on her own ahead of time in case Angie needed last minute help with setting up. Or iced coffee/herbal tea which Dixie picked up on the way over. When dealing with hyped up kids she figured the choice of either a pick-me up or a calmer downer would be welcomed.

Grabbing the carry-tray before locking up her car, Dixie walked up to the porch and knocked before letting herself in the unlocked front door.
"Hello? Angie?", she called, looking around the foyer for a sign of her friend.
"Hey Dix.", Frankie greeted as he hung up some more streamers. One color of crepe paper just wasn't enough.
"Hey back, Dr. Hubbard. Here...I figured a little extra energy couldn't hurt today. Double cream and sugar, right?"
"Yeah how'd you guess?"
"When your office is across from the doctor's lounge you find yourself observing quite a bit.", she smirked, handing Frankie the beverage and getting a smile and thank you in return.
"You're welcome. So, where's your mom at?"
"Last I saw her Cass was demanding she eat something so, I'd try the kitchen first."
"Thanks. Think I remember the way over there.", she half joked as she headed over in that direction and poked her head in the kitchen door.
"Knock knock.", the blond grinned, strolling inside and setting down the carry-tray on the table.
"So you looking to get calm or get caffeinated. I can help you out with either."

[Erica Kane Montgomery]

Erica could hardly contain her excitement when she heard that Angie & Jesse were throwing a get together at their house. She was even more excited, though, when she heard it would be a birthday celebration for all of the babies! Colton had recently turned two, & Carter was well on his way to being a year old. She couldn't believe how big her boys were getting as she drove to the Hubbard residence. It just didn't seem possible that the children she never knew she wanted were already out of that "infant" stage. It was going to be hard for her to watch them grow up, but she was grateful that she was there to grow with them.

She made her way to the driveway & parked her car before she grabbed the big fruit bowl she was bringing. She hadn't done it all on her own; Lily helped her put together all of the fruit besides the strawberries & the pieces of watermelon she added to the mix. She also grabbed as many birthday bags as she could carry, & headed to the door. She still had to grab the boys, but both babies were sleeping peacefully in the car & she wasn't going to disturb them first. She wanted everything to be situated before she brought the two tired children in.

"Hello," she called out, walking into the kitchen before setting down the goodies she brought. "It seems like I haven't seen you in forever!" she called with a smile to Dixie & Angie. She was so glad to be there with them, in person! She had spoken on the phone & through text message with both women, but hadn't been in their presence in quite some time.

[Chief J. Hubbard]

After blowing up the last bit of balloons and handing them to Cassandra who was being the creative mind that she was Jesse bopped down to catch his breath. He couldn’t remember the last time he blew up so many balloons and in such little time. “Remind me to hurt Franklin once this is all over.” He huffed remembering how the boy blew up like 3 or 4 balloons and then ran inside, leaving him and Cass to handle the rest. “Alright let me go in here and make sure there isn’t anything else that needs to be done.” He said coming to his feet after a few minutes and heading to the back door only to have Cass remind him to pick up the cake.
“As if your mother hasn’t reminded at least 6times since we woke up this morning.” He teased. Not only had Angela reminded him until she was blue in the face she also threatened to do him harm if he forgot her babies birthday cake. “I’ll be leaving here in about 15mins so if there is anything I need to pick up let me know.” And with that he walked into the cool house and took a minute to just soak up the nice air. It was then he heard laughter and saw his wife and her best friends chatting up a storm. Almost like they hadn’t talked in months. Chuckling and shaking his head Jesse went over and greeted both Dixie and Erica with a hug. “Wish I would have known you ladies were here I would have asked you to finish blowing the balloons and saving this old man some air.” He joked as he then went to his wife’s side. “Baby.. Anything else you need me to do before I jet out of here and go get that prized cake?” He asked kissing her cheek and holding her waist.

They’d just returned from their 4th year wedding anniversary trip from Florida. They talked about getting out of the country, but because of the party Angie started planning months before and because they wanted to make their 5th year an extra special one they decided to wait. But they had just come back the previous Monday and had been working non-stop. Working like crazy to make sure the party went off without any problems and working their crazy jobs and taking care of their children. Though things hadn’t been as hectic as it would usually have been because Cass had come back into town and Madison was more than willing to help. Even though she and Angie still had a rocky relationship. He admired the young woman for not letting Angie run her away or dictate what happened in she and Frankie’s home.

“So I'm guessing your children.” He started talking to both Erica and Dixie. "Are upstairs napping or with their fathers?"

[Mrs. Angela Hubbard]

Angie was sitting at the kitchen island eating crackers when she heard a familiar voice ask her a question. Looking up she laughed and shook her head. “Uh… I think I’ll take the caffeinated this time around,” she replied before getting up and greeting one of her very best friends with a hug. “I know I’m going to be paying for all of this later on, but that’s a bridge I’ll cross when I get there,” she teased appreciably taking a cup of coffee and taking a sip and then another at the same time she heard somebody calling from the living room. “In here!” She called back and smiled when she saw it was her other best friend Erica. “Oh sweetie, the feeling is mutual. It has been forever since we’ve gotten together. I promise once this is over and we have all calmed down from the excitement and the sugar high we have to get together and have an actual girl’s day. We are long overdue for a shopping trip and an evening at the spa.”

After making sure the ladies had a little something to eat on, Angie reclaimed her seat and they begin talking like old times but then not long into the conversation Jesse walked in. “Hot baby?” She teased, giving him a wink and standing to go over to the refrigerator. She grabbed him a bottle of ice cold water and smiled lovingly when he came to her and kissed her and held her. “Drink this. I don’t need my big baby passing out on me. Not today,” she added with a giggle when he gave her a look. “Hmm… I think that’s all I need you to do. Really all is left is to round up the thank you party bags, which can wait a little while and set the gifts up. But the ladies and I can handle that,” she concluded, taking another sip of her coffee. She was stilling reveling in being the wonderful hold of her husband and thinking about the glorious weekend they shared just recently. That was until he asked about the kids and she opened her eyes and awaited an answer. She knew her two tykes were with their honorary grandparents, The Ellis’s spent so much time with them it’d just seemed fit for them to have that title.

[Dix C. Martin]

"As you wish.", Dixie grinned, taking the coffee out of the holder right as Angie came up and hugged her. A hug she returned. Laughing at her comment about bridge crossing, Dixie heard the click of stilettos nearby and knew it could only be one person.
"I agree, been far too long.", she said honestly. It had been too long since she'd had a get together like this with her friends, and she was glad this whole thing had been arranged. And the idea of hitting the spa and going shopping already had her excited.
Soon enough the three of them started gabbing about this that and the other, when Jesse walked in talking about the balloons.
"Don't worry Jesse, if I know my 'ol man he'll be here soon enough to help out.", she grinned, moreso when he and Angie started teasing eachother. And nodded when Angie said they could handle the gift bags and whatnot.
"Of course. Won't be a problem at all."
When Jesse asked about the kids and Angie asked the same question with her eyes, Dixie smiled.
"Well actually Nolan and Tara are spending the morning with Di. I'm supposed to call her when all systems are go here and she'll bring them over.", she answered. She wanted the twins to arrive when the party was in full swing so they could get some surprise from it.

[Erica Kane Montgomery]

Erica smiled. "Yes, a girls' day is long overdue!" She then looked at Jesse & said, "Jackson is on his way, but the boys are in the car, fast asleep. I actually have to run out & grab them," she explained quickly, as she settled everything she had in her hands on the floor in a neat little group, & practically ran back out the door. She was excited to see all of the kids, & was excited for her own children to see all of their friends.

With a carseat in one hand & Colton in the other, Erica made her way back inside & set the toddler down. He'd just mastered walking on his own, & even more recently had glasses. He was still the cutest thing, though. She loved him with all of her heart. Carter was fast asleep, but she knew when she took him out, he'd be crawling all over the place.

"Hey, Dixie! It's been so hectic... I didn't even say hello," she smiled, as Colton began to walk around the room.

[Mrs. Angela Hubbard]

Angie hadn’t missed a thing that was being said between her friends and her husband as she turned and checked her phone. She told the people at the hospital that today she was not to be disturbed unless it was an emergency, in which neither of her top notch doctors could not handle without her. After checking to make sure everything was alright, she sent a quick text to Mrs. Ellis to ask about the children, whom she found out quickly after, were doing just fine and were taking a nap. Angie replied telling her good, because she wanted her babies to be good and pumped up for when they returned home. Anyway, at hearing that Erica left the boys in the car Angie turned and looked as she raced out of the house. When she returned Angie couldn’t stop herself from gushing at the adorable little boys. And couldn’t help but go awe when she saw little Colton in his glasses. “He’s so handsome!” She shrieked a bit and going to hold him. It’d been awhile since she had one on one time with him and she knew this would probably be the only time that day that it would happen, for he would be so busy having fun with the other children. “Hey there! Whoo, you beginning to be a big strong boy,” she said giving him a hug and then making funny faces. Not long after she noticed his attention turn from her and to something behind her. She turned and smiled. “You want it?” She asked, turning to look at him. It was a blue balloon with weird designs on it.

“Mrs. Hubbard… Oh I didn’t realize people start showing up.”
Angie looked up to see Madison. They still weren’t buddy buddy, but she was slowly coming around. The fact that she’d never see her oldest baby so happy was what made her change her mind about the young woman. “Stop calling me that,” Angie said, getting a shocked look from both Jesse and Madison. She looked over at Jesse and gave him a look of her own. He asked her to try and she was trying and they’d come way too far for her to keep calling her Mrs. Hubbard instead of Angie like everybody else. “And they just came early to help finish any last bit of fixing up and what-not. I need a favor. Jesse and Frankie need to head out and get the cake do you think you can take Carter upstairs and lay him down. I don’t want to disturb his sleep,” she said turning her attention back to her.

[fradison]

Madison, who’d just finished putting some last minute gifts together in the Hubbard’s home office, had suddenly become thirsty and had walked out to get something. Though before she went to the kitchen she went on the search for Frankie but found he was nowhere around, therefore leading her to find Angie and ask her. He had the keys to the car and there was something she needed to get out of the trunk. Anyway, when she entered the kitchen she hadn’t counted on Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Montgomery being there. And she definitely hadn’t expected Mrs. Hubbard to say what she said… The fact that she even looked at her was a shock, because even though she was okay with the relationship, so Frankie assured her, she was still a little nervous.

“Sure!” She said when she asked if she could take one of the babies upstairs. And without another word, but getting an approved look from Mrs. Montgomery she took the little one from the car-seat. The minute the baby was tucked into her arms, something in her went still and all she could do was stare at him as he slept so peacefully.

Suddenly realizing that she had stopped breathing, stopped moving and also was not alone, Madison cleared her throat and turned to take the baby bag. “I’ll take good care of him,” she promised his mother before slowly walking out the room, all the while feeling herself being wrapped up in this weird feeling of holding this baby.

“I’m tripping,” she chuckled, climbing the stairs.

Back in the kitchen, still holding Colton close to her, Angie looked to her still shocked husband and rolled her eyes. “Tell Jesse, to close his mouth before a fly gets in there,” she told Colton who became tickled and covered his face as he laughed. “Right! He’s a funny a man,” she kept teasing ticking him a little. “A funny man who needs to go get his son and go get that cake.”
Colton looked between his fingers and like he understood exactly what she meant nodded twice. “Go!”
“See! Baby boy agrees, go find Frankie and go get the cake. Pretty please with cherry on top.”

[Chief J. Hubbard]

When Angie picked up Colton and started playing with him, Jesse eased up behind her and started up a game of peek a boo behind the balloon and had the kid laughing up a storm. “Blah!” He teased scrunching up his face.
“Bleh.” Colton spat back and they continued the game until Jesse heard Madison come in and then heard Angie’s come back.
Standing up straight and trying to be sure he heard right, Jesse gave her a questioning look. He wasn’t sure if Erica and Dixie were on to the happenings between Angie and Madison, nor did it hit him to get rid of the shocked look. “Stop calling me that.” He repeated once Madison left to take Carter upstairs. “You feeling alright today?” he asked still staring at her and soon found himself getting orders from his wife and her mini sidekick Colton.

“You supposed to be on my side Colton.” Jesse said as he leaned over and kissed Angie’s cheek. “We’ll talk later.” He whispered and kissed her again. “If you need me to stop for anything let me know.” He called over his shoulder as he went to get Frankie. As he walked through the house all he could do was shake his head. He knew how he wife was, accepted her long ago for the way she was, but sometimes she still shocked the hell out of him with the smallest things.
It was no mystery in the family that Angie didn’t like Madison.. Or liked Madison just didn’t like her with Frankie. It was no mystery that Angie nearly gave into David when he offered to break them up. Jesse still couldn’t believe the man came to his wife with that loaded bull and still couldn’t believe his wife had given his stupid idea some thought. Couldn’t even believe she didn’t tell him right off instead of waiting.
“Franklin!” Jesse called shaking his head and taking in a deep breath. Jesse swore if he ever saw that bastard again he would give him a piece of his mind and his fist for stepping to his wife that way and for even thinking of hurting their son. He had already told Angie how disappointed he was at her for giving him even an iota of thought, but was more proud than anything when she said she basically told David to go to hell.

[Erica Kane Montgomery]

Erica turned to smile at Madison & Angie. She'd known Madison because she had tried to help her when she needed to escape her husband years ago. She also took her to the Miranda Center & tried her best to make sure she was okay. It made her happy when she saw Carter with the woman, knowing that her baby was safe. She gently said, "Thank you," to the woman before she walked off to head up the stairs.

"I can't believe how big he's getting. Can you believe he's two years old? How did time go by so fast?" she wondered aloud, looking at her son in Angie's arms. "Where's Ari? I haven't seen her in such a long time... she must be huge!"

[Mrs. Angela Hubbard]

“Okay,” Angie whispered back as Jesse kissed her and left. She watched him for a minute before softly smiling. “See I can be good,” she told Colton before looking up at Erica and agreeing with her when she said he had gotten so big. “I know it seems like only yesterday you were giving birth to him,” she said, remembering the excitement of that day and how she just couldn’t believe how far Colton had come since then. How far Erica had come.

Still smiling and playing with the toddler, Angie heard Erica ask about Ari and chuckled. “Yes she has gotten to be a big girl. Somewhat overactive, attitude having big girl,” she teased, knowing she wouldn’t have her baby girl any other way. “She and Adrian are with Mr. and Mrs. Ellis. I told them I would give them a call once everything is set up,” she replied before letting Colton down and walking around the kitchen with him.

[Franklin Hubbard]

"Hi Erica! How've you been?", Dixie asked, cooing at Colton as he wandered around the kitchen.
"And hi there, sunshine. Gosh you've gotten so big!", she exclaimed, giggling as he eyed the balloon. It had been a long time since she'd seen him and he was growing up to be such a handsome little boy.
Turning, she saw Madison standing nearby and gave her a smile. Then listened to Angie and Erica talking about her goddaughter. When Angie said that she had to call the Ellis' about Ari, Dixie slipped out her phone and texted Di, asking the twins were and when they could head over.
Seeing and talking about the other babies running around got her missing her own more than she could say. And when she finished and looked up, she had a feeling her friends realized that.
"Just wanted to check in with Di, see if the twins were up and running her ragged yet.", blushed Dixie. She loved her kids but they were at the age when they got into anything and everything given the chance.

"Dad!", Frankie yelled back. After he hung the last streamer he went over to the front and saw Jesse standing impatiently.
"Sorry, had to get that living room up to my standards. Is there anything else we gotta pick up?", he asked. Wondering if their cake run would involve going out for ice or more balloons or other party odds and ends.