Chapter 132) A Shared Birthday

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new”

 -Socrates

After Jenna and Jordan had found out they were expecting twins, the cards got shuffled again.

Stressful weeks of planning, house hunting and talks with realtors followed, but once Everett, Maeve, Blaine and Bristol heard about it, they insisted on helping out, and with their unlimited funds things moved ahead significantly faster, smoother and a lot bigger and better than they could have managed on their own, so by now calmness returned and with it a comfortable sense of routine again.

Jordan, Jenna and – now toddler – Ethan along with puppy Milo, one of the descendants of the original Camerons’ dog, had moved to coastal Brindleton Bay just about 30 minutes away from Windenburg, into a large and gorgeous home near the cliffs by the bay, a new build, they were the first residents ever, the house had beach access and good schools in walking distance.

And more importantly, abundant room for three children once the twins were born. A perfect childhood home to raise happy and healthy kids.

Rather than share one location for their companies, and having Jordan commute out to Windenburg from Brindleton Bay, Jordan and Jenna’s entity of the marketing branch was split up, and now had an almost identical building in downtown Brindleton Bay near the harbor. Once more the Del Sol Valley Camerons were to thank for that idea and the financing of it.

The original building in downtown Windenburg was now only the business consulting firm run by Jamie, he and his twin brother still worked hand in hand, sharing many clients for the different aspects of the work they did. Not a day passed without them at least facetiming, if not meeting up, business-related or just socially.

Jamie and his wife Averie had finally confirmed that they were expecting again as well. They remained at the stunning Cameron Estate on the Windenburg Isle.

With two small children and another one on the way, plus another Cameron descendant canine, puppy Mika, Averie would be a full time mom and homemaker now, giving up her culinary career. She didn’t mind too much as she much rather cooked for her family at home than in the fast-paced and stressful environment of a restaurant.

Jordan and Jamie’s parents, Declan and Rory had since moved out of the Cameron Estate and into the Lake House with the puppies’ mother, dog Bailey.

While they were only in their early fifties and very active, often going on weeklong hiking trips, or skiing and rock climbing in Mt. Komorebi, living with two toddlers, Liam and Leonie and another baby on the way was too much for them, so they bowed out.

Declan still worked from home, which was a lot more productive without two toddlers around all the time, Rory was still working at the science research center in Oasis Springs and was often tired when she got home, while both enjoyed being grandparents and loved their grandkids, they preferred it on their terms and on a visitation basis, with the exception of course of occasional babysitting, but not around the clock.

They thoroughly enjoyed the silence now and didn’t mind the smaller home at all.

Especially since many decades ago, back when Declan’s grandparents still lived here, he and she had enjoyed many sweet moments here. They had found closer to each other here, back when Declan still suffered the worst social anxiety and shyness, causing him to not being able to talk to most people, only incomprehensible stuttering would happen.

He had come a long way with the help of Rory. Both were still deeply in love and were each other’s favorite company.

Del Sol Valley
Cameron Mansion
Everett Cameron's birthday party

Now all of them were visiting in Del Sol Valley to celebrate Everett’s 55th birthday with him. He and Maeve still looked no day older than 35, the music business was rough, so they kept young but the number on the paper didn’t lie. He didn’t care. He was still the same Rett he had always been, crazy, funny, active and still a high demand act on stage, still stealing awards from artists half his age with ease.

Into the midst of much casual banter, eating, laughter, suddenly Blaine noticed Bristol clenching on to one of the chairs, her face a grimace.

“Baby…?” he asked worried.

“Blaine … I was hoping I could hold on until after the party, but I think we have to go – now!”

“Are you sure? We got almost three more weeks! Maybe it’s those … whatever they are called again, those fake contraction things. Wanna go and breathe with me outside till it stops?”

“No Blaine, my water just broke. I literally cannot move. This is happening NOW.”

“Holy shit!”

Blaine scooped her up into his arms and screamed across the table where his parents were – as usual – making out.

“Mom, dad – we have to go! I am having a baby NOW!”

Everything that followed was just a blur ….

Bristol: “He is beautiful, Blaine …”
Blaine: “Takes after his mama.”

Blaine: “I love you, baby. Thank you for sticking it out with me through all my idiocy to give me this masterpiece of a son. Blake is absolutely perfect.”

The next day back at home

Everett (typing on his phone)
Dear social media world –
GUESS WHO’s TWINNING HIS BIRTHDAY WITH HIS BRANDNEW GRANDSON!?

Ladies and gentlemen:

Blake Everett Cameron