50

Violet POV

3 years later..

''No sweetie, get down from there!'' I said to Enzo, Jessica's son. His blonde hair was filled in with confetti after Emilia and Enzo were horsing around in the kitchen.

''Jess!'' I yelled. She paced her way to the kitchen and widens her eyes, seeing Emilia's and Enzo's hair.

''Lorenzo!'' She said in a disappointed tone.

''Mommy, Emilia did it first!'' He responded, crossing his arms.

''Emme,'' she looked at her.

''No, he did it! Not me!" She said back. ''Mommy, I didn't do it.''

''Okay, okay, relax. Everyone relax, I'll clean it up, both of you are going to sit down on the couch before the surprise party. Understand?,'' I said to them.

Their chins wobbled in fear and they placed their head down, seeing how disappointed I was.

''Come here you two, don't be sad. I don't want you guys to hurt yourself. Okay? I understand you're excited but I need you two to control yourselves. Yeah?''

''Yeah,'' the both said at the same.

''Go on.'' They both left the kitchen area as Jessica and I gave each other the ''oh brother'' look. We laughed at the same time and heaved a sigh.

''Kids,'' She said, jokingly.

''Girl, don't get me started.''

''--- I got the cake!"' Aubree said, walking to us. She waddles her way into the kitchen and places the birthday cake on the table.

''Can you believe Cameron and Jason have the same birthday?''

''So weird,'' Jessica said.

''Super weird,'' Aubree added.

''Ceasar texted me, they are on the way.''

''Okay, turn off the lights, close everything immediately,'' I said.

The music was so loud that it made my skin tingle and my lungs feel like mush. The bass thumped in time with my heartbeat as though they were one, filling me from head to toe with music.

I whistle through my teeth and it gathered everyone's attention.

''Hi, Jason and Cameron are close so can everyone gather around in a circle or something please,'' I yelled.

They did as I instructed, coming to a small circle while Aubree sat with the kids and Jessica turning off the lights. Everyone pulled their phones out, recording the boys' reaction to seeing that we pulled a surprise party for them.

Jessica and I were near the door and heard footsteps, stomping through the steps. The keys were dangling by the door and I heard Jason and Cameron's voice. They were arguing about something silly, as usual.

The door opens wide and everyone shouted ''Surprise!''

All of us shouted, clapped, and threw confetti in the air in happiness as the two stood there in shock, lost at words for this moment.

A friend of Cameron's came over with the cake and started singing The Birthday Song.

They both blew out the candles at the same time and we all hollered and cheered and resumed back to the party. The music came back and the boys were still lost at words, not knowing what else to say.

Aubree came over with the kids and hands Emilia over to me.

''Baby, what happened to your hair?'' Jason said, kneeling down one knee and kissed her on the forehead. He pulls back her brown curls, dusting off the extra confetti.

''Happy birthday daddy!'' Emilia, hugging Jason.

''Thank you, baby,'' He gets up from his knee and kissed me on the lips. ''And thank you, my lady.''

''You're a welcome darling.''

He winked and took a step closer. ''Any extra gifts?'' He smirked.

''First of all, no, ya nasty.''

''--Woah,'' he chuckles. ''Really?''

''Really, I'm pregnant.''

''Are you serious?'' He smiles with enthusiasm.

''Yes, I found out yesterday.''

"And you didn't tell me?"

"I wanted to see your reaction."

"Ahh, I see what you did there."

He lets out a soft laugh and comes closer to me.

''Come here,'' he grabs my arm. "Thank you," he says in barely more than a whisper.

"For what?" I replied.

"For being you." His voice wavers. He gently leans in and kisses my warms lips.

''Shall we celebrate?''

"Absolutely.''

-----

It was the perfect birthday in every sense, and in all the ways only the universe can give. The celebration went on into the night, everyone dancing like they'd forgotten how to stand still. Cameron and Ceasar were moving like their body was made of spaghetti and Jessica's face was an epic picture of pure excitement.

Aubree was playing with the Enzo and Emilia, while Jason and I were holding hands and heading outdoors to our backyard. The flowers lay scattered on the grass like frozen flames, bringing their cool blaze to the late spring afternoon.

I can never see flowers too many times, I can never tire of their sweet fragrance. There were butterflies around, beats its wings up and down so sharply it looks like it's under remote control.

We sat down on the bench and looked out the lake near us. I placed my head on his shoulder and watch the sunlight conjured the most brilliant of mosaics, reflecting from each leaf and wisp of cloud.

''Vi,'' Jason said.

''Mmm?'' I said looking up to him.

''Do you remember when Nonna passed?''

''Yes baby, why'd you ask?''

''Cause, I had a dream about her. Last night.''

''What was the dream about?''

''Her, being here with Enzo and Emme, us, everyone. It felt so real and when I opened my eyes it felt....''

''Empty?''

''Yeah, empty.'' He took a long sigh and looked at me. ''I often wonder if she was here still with us, you know? I still can't get over that. It sucks so bad, but I know she's up there in heaven, smiling hard at me, most importantly, very proud of me.''

''Of course, she is my love. You spoke so highly of her when she was here and you still do. You've changed to a better man than I found myself so deep in love with.''

''I'm so glad I married you baby.''

''Me too,'' I whispered. He plants the kiss there on my lips and I felt the warmth spread through my body and my mind feeling a pleasant buzz.

I looked into his eyes I saw deep pools of warm honey. His lips touched my cheek and time stopped. My heart came to a halt. My breath caught in my throat. Our fingers locked together similar to puzzle pieces.

Then he says the words I need to hear. ''I love you, Violet Vella.''

''I love you too Jason Vella.''

''Forever?''

''-- And ever, ever.''