1.30 – Growing up

Chapter tune: Queen – Made in heaven

“Shit!!”

“What did you say young man?”

“Nothing…”

“Oh, don’t get cute with me Jesse, I heard you. Don’t you know this is a bad word?”

“But mooom… dad said it first!”

 

“What? Jared..!”

“Sorry babe, it’s just that this sink is a total b… it’s so hard to fix. Sorry.”

 

“Your mom’s right Jesse, we can’t talk like that. We don’t ever want to make her beautiful face frown” Jared said right after abandoning the sink project. He smiled and gave his wife a deep kiss.

“Eeewwww!!” the twins yelled simultaneously.

“Don’t get cute either” Rose smirked “I don’t want them talking like that”

“Babe, you’re right. I’ll try to leave that kinda talk only where you like it…” he whispered, being careful for his voice not to reach anywhere beyond Rose’s hearing range.

“Get a room!” Jesse interrupted them, and immediately ran away laughing. He was quite a handful at times, but overall a fun kid to have around.

“Ok, now go get ready, your cousin Basil will soon be here to play.”

“I don’t like him!” Calla stated “He’s weird and ugly and his ears are big! I don’t want to play with him!”

“You’re the ugly one!” Jesse told his sister “I like him, he’s funny. When we both finish school he’ll be my best friend. But he can’t right now because we’re in different classrooms.”

Calla immediately ran towards Jared. “Daaaddy!! Am I ugly?”

“Whaaat? What are you talking about?! You’re the most beautiful girl in the world princess!”

“Ugh, dad doesn’t count silly” Jesse said as soon as Calla came back to gloat “You should ask other boys. All my friends will say you’re ugly because you’re a girl. All girls are ugly. Except for Laura and Ashley number two. They’re beautiful and I’m dating both of them! But yeah, you’re super ugly”

“I’m not ugly, you’re ugly! And dumb! I hate you, I hate you, you’re the worst!!” Calla yelled at her twin and left the room crying.

Soon, the other Frio family arrived. It was a sunny day, but not too hot. Just perfect for a simple family gathering out in the garden. Jared was grilling steak at the barbeque with Emma, while reviewing together the restaurant menu, and Rose was baking her famous strawberry pie.

Jesse and Basil went to the playground Jared had built to play together. Basil was about two years younger than the twins, but quite developed for his age. He and Jesse were always looking forward to these family gatherings to see each other and have fun.

“Hey guys… can I play with you?” Calla reached out to them when she got bored of hiding alone in her room.

“Yeah, I guess…” Jesse replied “you can take the horse, but I’m not sure what good it will do you against the evil Warlock of Palladia. We’re having a hard time with a pirate ship and a spaceship! But maybe three warriors will do the trick. Hop on sis!”

“Ok, now we’ll have to defeat his evil troops of gigantic bees. Take your places soldiers! Let’s go get them! Woooo!!”

“So, I was talking to Madison the other day”

“Oh yeah? How is she? I haven’t talked to her in a while” Rose asked.

“She’s on a cruise again, in one of her husband’s ships, so I’d say she’s pretty fine. Woe is us who have to actually work for a living” Emma joked.

“Are you saying you’re dissatisfied with your current state of employment?” Jared raised an eyebrow.

“No boss, everything’s great boss!” Emma laughed.

“So how’s Emily?” Connor asked.

“Very well” Jared said “She’s at that boarding school as you know. Claire tells me that lately she shows great interest in painting and, get this, cooking. Maybe she’ll even take over the restaurant when I retire” he proudly declared.

“Well, there’s plenty of time till that happens!” Philip smiled “She’s such a nice kid. She even calls me grandpa!”

“Kids, food is ready! Wash your hands and come to eat!”

“Shotgun for president’s seat!”

“Fine by us, you’ll be the one far from all the food” Jesse bugged his sister.

“Shut up! Maybe I’ll eat your food too!”

“Hey, don’t fight and start eating. There’s plenty for everyone” Jared said, and his tone made the kids to, indeed, stop fighting at once. Rose often joked that this was his superpower.

“Calla, do you want to tell your uncle and aunt about the ballet classes you’re taking after school?” Rose asked her daughter.

“I sure do! I learned the plie and the teacher said that by the end of the year I’ll be able to make pirouettes too. I’ll show you later! She thinks I’m very good. But I’m good in all my classes, all teachers say that!”

“What a nerd” Jesse murmured “Well Basil and I are starting a band and no girls are allowed!”

“Yeah” Basil said “we’ll let you watch us when we play though, if you really want it. Right Jesse?”

“Yeah, whatever.”

–

The rest of the evening passed by easily, like every time people are amongst good company.

When their guests left, Jared and Rose put the kids to bed and seeked some alone time watching the stars.

“See that group of stars babe? I’m gonna name it after you, although you’re way more beautiful than it is.”

“I’m pretty sure it already has a name, but thank you anyway… you’re so sweet” Rose chuckled.

“Tired?” Jared asked a little later “Yeah, let’s get you to bed baby” he added when she sleepily nodded.

“How time flies… It feels like yesterday that we met. You know, sometimes I can’t believe how lucky we are” Rose said when they were finaly in bed “Sometimes I just want time to stand still, because I feel like all this is just a dream and I’m gonna wake up… and…”

“And what? …baby, are you still afraid I’m ever going to change my mind? That something bad will happen? Yeah, I know you better than you think” Jared said gently to his wife.

“But you know, I chose you too baby. You didn’t trick me or anything. I found what I missed all my life and… I’m all in baby. Haven’t you figured that out by now?”

“You always know the right things to say” Rose smiled “I guess all Frios are good with words”

“Nobody is as good as me baby, not even my brother, the author” Jared joked. “Speaking of words, how about that dirty talk we mentioned this morning…” he grinned.

Rose laughed and pulled him closer. Time was flying, yes, but it was up to them to make the best of it. Time to make as many memories as possible.

–

P.S.: So, after careful consideration, this generation will have two more chapters! Then we’ll move on… I guess 😢 No, I’m excited really! 😄 Thank you for reading!! ❤ ❤