is it....LOVE!?

Twenty seven

Jake.

I stared down at my shoes, took a deep breath and opened the door.
The aroma of freshly baked cupcakes, cookies and home made pineapple juice hit me....
Home.

I dropped the paper bags I hand in my hands as I spotted Carter, walking towards me.
"Daddy!"

I beamed and picked him up.
Twirling around with him, he giggled, throwing his hands in the air.

"Hello birthday boy."
I roughed his hair playfully.
I knew Scott was with his mother, they were stuck to each other like glue to leather.

"Hello sir."
Grace said, I hadn't noticed her till now.

"Grace."
I left her to get the bags I'd dropped and went upstairs with Carter who was busy playing with my tie tag.

"Where's Scott?"
I asked a quiet Carter who was trying to figure out how the tie tag works.

"Mommy."
He mumbled. I nodded and turned to enter the boys room knowing they'd be there.

"Daddy!"
Scott detangled himself from his mother and Sam and ran to me.

"Hey... Other birthday boy."
I picked him up with my free hand.

He opened his mouth wide and I mimicked him then raised his hand and forcefully shoved his tinny fistful of cake into my mouth.

"Mmmm... Thanks sport."
He beamed and struggled against my hold, wanting to be put down.
I bent ant gently lowered him to his feet.

Scott was pretty independent, he preferred to feed himself, play around and break things unlike Carter who liked being held and spoonfed.

"Prince Jake!"
Sam waved excitedly at me.
I winked, making her blush madly.

"Scott, Carter...."
I started, grabbing their attention.
"I'm sorry I couldn't get home early enough for your party."

Rosalind took Sam's hand and led her out of the room as I crouched down in front of the boys.

Why was she leaving?
"Sam please tell Grace to bring up those paper bags."
I called after them and then turned back to the boys.

"I'm not always around and then I miss your party..."

I roughed their hair playfully and they giggled happily.

Scott crawled around me and wrapped his hands around my neck from behind. I knew I was forgiven.
I reached behind me and tickled him.

Carter was still interested in my tag.
I pulled my tie over my head and hung it on his neck.

"Tant tchu."
He said, smiling up at me, I smiled back.
Rosalind was bent on instilling good morals into them. If anything was given to them, she'd insist on them saying "thank you" it was annoying and I thought it was silly. I mean, they could barely talk.

No son of mine will be a brat.
She said one day.

"You're welcome."
I said and adjusted it to sit right.
He looked down at the tie on his neck and giggled.

"Scott, do you want to be a hair stylist?"
I asked Scott who stood behind me silently, tugging my hair in different directions, he sighed heavily and went on trying to uproot my hair.

"Sir, here are the bags."
I heard Grace's footsteps before hearing her voice.

"Gray!"
Scott cheered behind me.
Grace dropped the three bags and pretended to look for Scott.