Baby Fin's Big Birthday Bash!...Part 3

 I'm rating this episode PG-13 for some very mild grown up story content.

Thanks so much for your continued support and patience! It's a very busy summer compared to last year. Next week I hope to be on time for sure, finger crossed, lol!

The party is now well underway with plenty of company, friends and family alike, gathered chatting with each other catching up and enjoying Laura's restaurant style catered buffet of finger foods. 

The Beatles-Tomorrow Never Knows 

Krystal keeps an eye on the sweet little Leila while she chats with Chloe, who is the mother of Parker, Phoenix's best friend. It's been a while since they have seen each other.

 

*Chloe* "She is just so precious....seeing a baby really makes 

me think about having another one..."

*Krystal smiles* "Yes they are just so sweet when they're this tiny and small...This

 little one officially makes me a great aunt..."

*Chloe* "Oh wow, really?!"

*Kryatal* "Amari is my brother's daughter..."

*Chloe* "Oh, yes...that's right..."

*Krystal* "You and Dan plan to have another?..."

*Chloe* "Ummmm, yeah...Well we want to but things just haven't been, ya know....

His schedule is crazy and I'm usually up late writing. Oh! I've got a new book coming out soon...."

Behind Chloe Laura quietly chats with her cousin Amari. She's got to fill her in on Shaun and what is going on. She knows she won't be too happy but Shaun needs to see his baby girl.

*Laura* "Oh my gosh, look at you! Girl, you look amazing...makes me feel 

like I shoulda dressed up a little more..."

*Amari* "Oh stop, you look great! Am I too over dressed?..."

 *Laura* "No, way! you look beautiful..."

 

*Amari* You know took me forever to get myself ready and get out the door though...after

 months of not really going anywhere and now having to remember everything to bring for Leila. 

I don't know how you do it..."

*Laura* "Believe me I make plenty of mistakes...Don't worry it will all fall into place.  

You'll find your own rhythm."

 Laura decides to go ahead and break the news 

to her about Shaun coming to the party.

 

*Laura* "Hey, listen...promise me you won't freak out..."

*Amari* "Oh no....What is it?...."

*Laura* "Just promise you'll hear me out..."

*Amari* "Is this about, Shaun?..."

Laura makes an apologetic face, she knows

 Shaun is the last person she wants to talk about.

 She spits it out quick in one short breath.

 

*Laura* "Luke kinda invited Shaun without telling me..."

*Amari* "You mean he's coming here?...to this party?

Laura just nods her head in agreement and Amari looks like

 she is ready to just grab up her stuff and Leila,

 then haul ass out the door.

 

*Laura* "Just think of it as meeting him on neutral ground this way he can see Leila and you two don't have to even talk to each other right now, just let him see Leila Mari. Leave it a that."

*Amari* "You realize he wants full custody...why should I agree to this?!"

*Laura* "Because you're a good mother, and if he sees that you're calm and collected 

and taking good care of her then maybe y'all can settle this without so much animosity..."

Meanwhile, Michelle sits and enjoys the birthday boy, she knows she needs all the practice she can possibly get. Laura was always a natural at being a mother, Michelle on the other hand has always felt so nervous about having her own baby. Benjamin is more than ready to start a family, he has made it no secret between them that he wants kids. He also promised Michelle he would be patient and wait for when she was ready...The thought has been weighing 

on her mind more than usual lately...

*Michelle* "Where's Fin? Peek a boo!...I see you!"

Fin smiles wide and giggles. Peek a boo another fave baby past time. Michelle enjoys it and loves seeing his face light up. 

Babies are definitely contagious. First Laura, now Amari...

Michelle can't help but feel that clock ticking.

*Juni-Mae* "You're very good with him. He's very entertained..."

*Michelle* "Well they're so easy to entertain at this age...."

*Juni-Mae* "Yes they are, mine is 3 now and his attention goes from one 

thing to the next...You have any kids?"

*Michelle* "Um...No, no not yet... You just have the one?"

*Juni-Mae* "Yes, just the one for now...he's all I can handle at the moment."

*Michelle* "Boys are a handful aren't they?...I dunno how my sister does it with two. 

I hope my first child is a girl..."

They both laugh and nod in unison. Boys are for sure a handful, they are loud and rambunctious, high energy all bottled up into one little body.

*Michelle* "I'm Michelle...Laura is my older sister."

*Juni-Mae* "Ah, okay....I'm Juniper. Most call me Juni or Juni-Mae..."

*Michelle* "Oh, lovey name..."

*Juni-Mae* "Thanks...."

*Michelle* "So how do you know Laura?..."

*Juni-Mae* "Our boys go to preschool together..."

Over in the living room where most of the men have gathered they sit with their beers and chat. Isolde and James are there as well, these two have been dating for quite some time now and have decided to move in together. James still has his job as an engineer and Isolde now coaches a high school girls basketball team.

*Isolde* "You comfy there?..."

*James* "Yeah..."

*Daniel* "You must be mister Lavigne..."

*Scott* "Yes...Hi..."

Daniel holds out his hand. Everyone has met his wife, Chloe 

but Dr. Dan is often a busy man and almost always on call...

*Daniel* "I'm Daniel Allain...."

*Scott* "Ah, yes the surgeon!...Nice to meet you."

Luke meanwhile catches up with his brother in law Benjamin, he spent several minutes upstairs trying to get a hold of Shaun and ended up leaving him a text message. He just hopes

 he reads it before he shows up...

*Benjamin* "Well you and I could knock that out in a weekend...I've got

 no problem helping out..."

*Luke* "The whole kitchen?!...including the countertops?"

*Benjamin* "Well, the cabinets for sure...We'd need a crew to get the countertops done."

*Luke* "Okay, lemme run it by Laura first..."

*Benjamin* "It'll save you money...I'm sure she'll like that."

*Luke smiles* "And give her more reason to spend more money?..."

*Benjamin laughs* "True...but you're still saving."

*Luke* "Shit, with that extra cash I could buy me a new guitar..."

*Benjamin* "Good luck with that..."

Then the doorbell rings and Luke 

heads off to check and see who it is.

*Luke* "Hey, man...c'mon on in...."

Benjamin heads over to wave hello to little Fin, he leans

 over Michelle and catches Fin's attention. Michelle can smell his scent as she lifts her eyes up to look at him, it's familiar, it's soothing, and fills her heart and soul, making her fall more and more in love with him seeing him there engaging with Fin. Knowing full well he will be the best father he can be to their own children.

*Benjamin* "So, is this the big birthday boy?! Hi Fin!!! You're
gittin' so big little man."
*Juni-Mae* "Those dimples...."

Krystal is still chatting with Chloe...

*Krystal* "Oh that sounds like fun...Which bookstore 

are you doing the signing at?"

*Chloe* "The one down on Main...it's that quaint little bookstore on the corner."

*Krystal* "Ah, yes!....Okay...count me in...Maybe I
can carpool with Laura."
*Chloe* "Wonderful! Yes, of course..."

Again back with Laura and Amari...Laura desperately

 tries to convince her cousin to not bolt and 

just take advantage of the situation.

*Laura* "Because you're a good mother, and if he sees that you're calm and collected 

and taking good care of her then maybe y'all can settle without so much animosity..."
*Amari* "That's easier said than done..."
*Laura* "Look no one expects y'all to get along all cheery and sweet
 and all. Just let him see Leila. He needs to bond with her too."
Amari turns to look away and stares off at her 
little girl sleeping peacefully in the car seat.

A part of her would love to see Shaun, that part deeply buried down inside, it's so faint it's hard to recognize but it's still there. She does want him to bond with Leila, she would love to be a family with the three of them, but Shaun has made it clear other things are more important...

*Amari* "Fine. I'll stay...but only for Leila...Don't expect me

 to say one word to that...creep...We are not getting back together, ever!"

Laura chimes in happy she agreed to stay.

*Laura* "Wonderful! You know I don't expect you to get back with Shaun. 

I only want what is best for you and Leila..."

*Amari* "I know you do..."

Luke has just opened the door to Malcolm and 

his son Julian. He greets and welcomes them in.

*Luke* "Hey, man c'mon in, where's Marissa..."

*Malcolm* "Oh, she comin' had to help Janessa clean up

 the mess she made in the car..."

*Julian* "Daddy lemme down!..."

*Malcolm* "That girl is a mess...be glad you don't got girls man..."

*Luke* "High maintenance?..."

*Malcolm* "Hell, ya! straight outta the womb..."

The guys then have a good laugh. Then Luke offers if he needs to call Laura over to help out Marissa, if she needs anything..

*Luke* "Well come on in...Should I get Laura? Maybe
she can see if Marissa needs anything?.."
*Malcolm* "Oh no she's fine. I'm sure she'll be inside soon."

Then Amari's attention is refocused and she zooms in 
on the new tall handsome stranger that Luke
 has just opened the door for...

*Amari* "Oh my! Who's that?!...Girl, did you
invite a single dad for me?!...""

Laura leans over Amari's shoulder to get a better look at who is at the front door. Once she realizes who it is she replies with an adamant no!

*Laura* "Nu'uh, don't even think about it, he's married...happily married."
Amari may not be looking for love but this mama still got some needs to be met and her hormones are at staggering levels after months of pregnancy and post pregnancy dry spells...

*Amari* "Are you serious?!..."

*Laura* "Yes!."

*Laura* "Malcolm Jacobsen...The car guy?"

*Amari* "Who?..."

 *Laura* "Even Shaun knows him..."

 *Amari* "Shaun and I never talked about car guys..."

*Laura* "Seriously...Mari?!...He's working on a car for Shaun? You 

don't remember any of this?"

*Amari* "No!..All I know is men are looking more like 

a juicy steak these days..."

*Laura* "I know...Don't worry I'm sure we can find ya someone...Just promise
 me you'll play nice with Shaun if he shows up..."
*Amari* "I promise...but only for you cuz you know I love ya..."
*Laura* "I love you too, and I'm here for you and Leila no matter what."

To be continued!!!