Cantrell: The Early Years, Part SIX

Time Slows For No One, a Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Six Update

Erik came in from the concert, fired up, as usual. He went into the nursery intending to check on the twins only to find Jamison was still awake, nor was he in his crib.  “What are you doing up . . .Well, look at you,” he said, as Jamison was pulling himself to a standing position, using one of the small stools Kayleigh had recently purchased for this room. “Uh-oh, don’t tell me you’ve done this before. You certainly look like a Pro. Way to go, I’m so proud of you, son.”

“And now, it’s time for bed,” Erik said, reaching down to pick him up, Erik deftly changed the baby’s diaper and dressed him for bed. As he worked, he talked. “We have a big day tomorrow. Oh, wait, wait, wait, I don’t even want to know . . .” he said, as he held aloft an item from the baby’s diaper. “What it is, let alone how it got in there. That cannot have been comfortable.”

“As I was saying, tomorrow is a big day. Do you know why that is? You and your brother turn one year old. Hard to believe that much time has gone by. You get to blow out your birthday candles, then you get to do that twirly thing and become a toddler. I know it seems like a lot, but you’ll get used to it. It is on the fun side, after all. Nighty-night. Sweet dreams and I’ll see you in the morning.”  Erik quietly walked out of the room, turning the nob all the way to the right and holding it there while he ever so gently closed the door behind him. At last, slowly silently releasing the nob, again.

He turned on the monitor once he got to the master bedroom where Kayleigh was busy wrapping a couple of gifts. “I hope we haven’t gone overboard,” she said. 
“I don’t think so,” he said, taking a seat on the bed. “They are the first of our kids and there is so much we still don’t have. I think the toddler gym is necessary. The rest are small items, age-appropriate items, at that. For instance, this looks like fun.” Erik reached over, picked up the toy, and bobbled it up and down for a moment. Kayleigh sighing reached over and took it from him, so she could wrap it. “You’re just a big baby, yourself.”

“I will remind, Madam, that I was walking before you.”
“That’s entirely unfair. I was a Preemie, and it only took a couple of years to catch up with myself. And even then, I walked early.”
Erik made a face and wiggled his head from side to side as she spoke. “You are so competitive.”
“And you’re not?”

“Hm, you better watch out, I’ve got a pillow right here and I know how to use it.” He placed the pillow across his chest, hugging it to himself.

“Oh, I’m so scared. Maybe tomorrow.” Finished with her wrapping task, Kayleigh put the gifts aside and stored the scissors, tape and paper back into the storage bin, well out of reach of little inquisitive hands.  Just as she and Erik were about to climb into their bed, ready for sleep, a tiny squalling sound emanated from the bassinet.

“Oh, I should have figured. I’ll get her,” he said.

“And why is it I always get this huge wave of fatigue, just when I’m answering the call?” The emotional high from a terrific concert had played itself out, leaving him suddenly exhausted. He padded over to the bassinet and looked at the wide-eyed girl inside.

“Okay, okay, it can’t be all that bad. Such a fuss you’re making,” he said, as he quickly changed a diaper and then cradle the girl in his arms, introducing the bottle into her mouth. “Nash, nash.”

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

Early the next morning, Erik and Kayleigh were up, putting on the final touches for the birthday party they were throwing for their sons.  While Erik had a blue-confetti cake in the oven for Jamison, he quickly slipped through the backdoor to help care for their animals. He gathered five fresh eggs and cleaned the coop.  Kayleigh finished dressing the tables and joined her husband outside to clean up the piles of horse dung. “Can’t risk one of our parents stepping in it, after all,” she said.

“I’m more worried about your parents, city slickers that they are. My parents inherited two steads from Uncle Joe, so they know their way around a back yard. Ah, there’s my timer,” Erik said, escaping back inside.  He placed the eggs into the fridge, washed up, then pulled the finished cake from the oven. I’ll never understand why the frosting isn’t all melted doing it this way.

As he glanced at the kitchen clock, he set the first cake on the blue table and then got busy making the green- tea cake. After a time, Kayleigh joined him. “I’m going to go check on the birthday boys. They each need a bath. I’ll ping your phone when I’ve got Jamison all bathed, then you can bring him downstairs, if you would.”
“Absolutely, the tables look great, by the way.”

Erik had just pulled the second cake from the oven, placed the candles atop it, and set it on the green table for Andrew when his phone went off.  Taking the stairs two at a time, he reached the top. Entering the room, he found Jamison looking all polished in his party duds, sitting on the playmat. “Good morning, Birthday Boy. You are one year old today. And that, my son, is a definite milestone. Are you ready to meet the day?” This he said, as he played a game of Peek-a-Boo, to which Jamison giggled and clapped his hands.

Before too long the party guests arrived. Again, Erik was aware of just how full his house had become. In many ways he was delighted. Sometimes with just the four of them, he felt as if they were rattling around in too big a place.  Taking Jamison up into his arms, he walked over to the round table, draped in a blue tablecloth.  “Okay, it’s time for you to blow out your candles. I know you’re only one today, but you may have noticed there are several candles so you can at least get one of them blown out. I promise you’re not five.” Leaning in toward the cake a bit, “Okay, take a big  breath, and blow!”

After Jamison finished twirling, Kayleigh brought Andrew to his cake. “You saw what your brother did. Now, take a big breath and blow!”

The boys were surprisingly social. Jamison went right up to his uncle Adrian, arms stretched wide in greeting.

Then he decided to show two of his aunties his toy.

Glancing around, Erik was awash in gratitude. His was a wonderful family. Each making it a point to take part in these gatherings. Except for Lorelei. You are one tough little nut to crack, my dear. I will find a way in. You’re not allowed to hide.

After cake had been eaten, as well as the luncheon they served, Erik found his father in the sunroom/laundry room.  “You wanted to speak to me?” Erik said, hands at his sides.
“Yes, I heard your latest song on the radio. You’ve done it again. I can’t get it out of my head. You are aware the Quadrennial is nearly upon us.”
“Yes, and I licensed it anyway.”

“Good, good. I have a very strong feeling you’re going to be walking away with the Song of the Year.  Erik, I have never been more proud of anyone. I am constantly in awe of you. How you’re constantly evolving. You still have your own distinct sound, but it’s not as if you merely rearrange things, like some appear to do, the tunes altogether too similar to their last one. So much so that after a time, it’s hard to distinguish one song from another. But not yours. I find myself on the edge of my seat waiting to hear what you’ll come up with next.” 

“I have to keep it fresh,” Erik shrugged.

“You most certainly do that.  All I have to do is go through your albums. There is a distinctness between your early ones and your current ones. All works of art, in their own right. But if I listen to them back-to-back, I can hear the evolution. Pure magic.”
“Why thank you. Thank you, Dad, that’s high praise coming from you. I’m honored.”

All for now. Thanks for reading!