Baller’s Baby(33)

Epilogue

Skila



“Kiptyn, can you grab the door?” I yell, trying to juggle the cake in one hand and Lennon on the opposite hip. Lisa rushes in, taking the cake from me and setting it on the table. I don't know how I would have managed this party without her. She’s been a real lifesaver. I swear, there are more details and planning in Lennon’s first birthday party than there had been in my own wedding.

I set Len down in the high chair and strap him in, careful to not pinch my growing baby belly in the lid. It was a welcomed shock to find out that Kip and I were expecting again so soon after having Lennon, but the closer I get to delivery, the more anxious I become. It will be so good for him to grow up with a sibling close in age. I know I loved having Jaxon and Devan when I was growing up, even when I hated them.

“Guess who’s here?” Kip yells, coming back into the kitchen. I glance back and see Camryn following him in with his arms loaded down with gifts. I told each of the guests to not spend more than twenty dollars on a gift for Len, but apparently, Cam didn't know that rule applied to him.

“Ah, it's Uncle Cam,” I yell, and Lennon squeals and tosses his arms up and down in the high chair, demanding to be picked up. It's so hard to not give in to him when you see his chubby cheeks spread wide in a smile and his cocoa eyes light up.

“Go on and get your love before he gets covered in cake.” Camryn doesn't wait for me to tell him twice. Releasing Len from his restraints, he pulls him close and kisses his curly brown head of hair before tossing him into the air and letting Lennon pretend he’s an airplane soaring through the room. Lennon’s giggles fill everyone's hearts, but none more so than mine. I was so worried that when I signed those papers terminating Camryn’s rights that Lennon would lose him in his life. I should have known better. As soon as Camryn was released, he came straight to Kip’s, and from that day forward, he has been a permanent staple in our lives.

It was tough at first, trying to figure out his role in Lennon's life, but after the first few weeks, he found his place as Uncle Camryn, and it's been smooth sailing ever since. To say I'm blessed would be an understatement. My cup runneth over.

Kiptyn got re-signed with the Bolts, and things have been going great there. The team is growing so well that I have faith they’ll make it back to Nationals this year and steal the show. No one deserves it more.

Life still throws us curve balls every once in a while when we least expect it, but as a family, I'm happy to say that we overcome most of them together. The ones we can't overcome . . . well, we sweep those under the rug and forget about them. At the end of the day, the only thing that really matters is us.

“Who’s ready to sing Happy Birthday?”

The End