Baby shower: Part 1
A few months have passed already and life has been somewhat contrast between the three friends Simo, Mlu and JB. Today is Julie’s baby shower and she has invited quite a few people to it. Breaking away from the normal tradition of it being a lady only party, she has also invited males too hence the boys are all here. Julie’s parents still aren’t completely into the idea of Mlu being part of the babies’ lives but they are supporting Julie’s decision to have him as part. Mlu and Julie themselves are continuing to work out the trust between them as they have been meeting over the last few months to talk about the babies and the plans they have for them.They aren’t in a relationship yet, well not in the formal sense anyways. But it is clear for everyone else to see that they love each other... Jabu herself has met the Smarts a few times for continual discussions on how to best handle the shared custody issue.
Simo and Lee-Ann’s wedding is coming soon as well. They have been preparing hard over the last few weeks but it hasn’t been smooth sailing for them either and Lee-Ann’s parents and Simo’s aunt, Zandile are often at odd as to what is best for their children. But the good thing is that Lee-Ann and Simo haven’t allowed this to get in between them like before.
JB on the other hand, has been seeing Derby a lot lately. They too haven’t really formalized their relationship but even a blind person can see that they love each other. But just like they had decided initially, they aren’t rushing into anything. They are taking everything step by step, dare I say, cautiously. The last thing they want is turning into Lee-Ann and Simo.
The Smarts have erected a beautiful white marquee tent in this very huge, nicely cut green lawn which may come across as over the top a little bit. There are big, beautifully decorated tables inside the tent. If you didn’t know you’d have mistaken this event for a wedding looking at how beautiful everything is. The theme colour is pink and baby blue. Julie and Mlu chose these colours when they found out that she is carrying a boy and a girl. There are balloons everywhere and right there at the corner there is a section for gifs and it’s already full from Julie’s work colleagues, family and friends.
There is even beautiful music playing, the Smarts have really outdone themselves on this one. So the three friends are sitting in one of the tables at the back.
“Guys thank you for being here hey and also thank you for the gifs” Mlu says as he lifts his glass of juice to Simo and JB who respond likewise to him. “Oh man we couldn’t miss it for the world” JB says but Simo cuts him of, “Yea man but I got to say bro, don’t you think you guys went over the top a little bit with the deco? I mean geez bro, is the a 21st birthday or what? Hahaha” he laughs loud to which his friends get as they laugh back.
“Look who’s talking” Mlu says as he sips on his juice too. “Your wedding is coming in about 6 weeks time, so let’s see who’s over the top then” he says to which they all laugh. “No man I’m kidding it’s really beautiful in here” Simo says. “So I take it that you and Julie are doing okay?” but that question seems to get Mlu to think a little bit. “Yeah man, we are getting closer and closer but you know, we aren’t really rushing into anything just yet. Our focus at the moment is the babies and to ensure everything is well for them. Plus, you know there’s still that little issue with Julie’s parents and Jabu always on each other’s throats. We need to sort that out first and then we will discuss how we feel about each other or what we want to do about it” he says as if this concerns him deeply. “You and Derby? What’s going on in there?” he asks looking at JB.
“Arg, you know man, we are getting along very well. We see each other a little more often now and I think we have developed that trust” he says but not really sparkling with excitement so Simo jumps in, “But? I know there’s a but there. Why are you sad about it then?” he says but JB looks around to see if anyone is listening. “No man, it’s not a but, per say but, I think on my side it’s just fear of the unknown. But we both know how we feel about each other but we did agree that we will formally enter into a relationship once we are both equally ready” as he sips on his juice.
“Well you better check that my friend okay” Mlu says. “Because you may lose a good woman there, just over technicalities. I know you guys have an understanding but she’s a woman she may want more than she lets out and since she understands your past she doesn’t want to pressure you as per agreement but it doesn’t mean she doesn’t wish that there wasn’t this much delay” he says to JB who really is paying attention to everything Simo said.
***
On one of the front tables, Julie is sitting with Derby and Lee-Ann. They are all dressed in matching outfits that have pink and baby blue. Julie’s tummy looks like it will pop any time now. In their table there’s only the three of them at the moment. “I thought Melissa is coming, where is she?” Julie asks Lee-Ann as she keeps rubbing her big tummy.
“Oh she is coming; I think she probably was waiting for Jason. They were going to pass by the gift shop first” Lee-Ann says as she sips on her juice. “Jason? Are you sure that’s a good idea? I mean, can he handle seeing you smooching your fiancé later?” Julie jokes with a tongue out but Lee-Ann is just uncomfortable with this kind of joke. “Oh come on” she says. “Not you too with that okay? Jason had a crush on me, a very long time ago not now ok? He knows I’m getting married and Melissa won’t allow him to do something stupid either. Besides, isn’t he dating this one’s bestie now?” as she points at Derby who throws her hands up and says, “Whoa don’t look at me okay? Ask me no questions and I will tell you no lies. Me, I’m minding my own business sister?” she says as she sips her drink.
“What business is that? JB’s tools? Hahaha” Julie says as she and Lee-Ann bursts out laughing. Derby is caught off guard with that but she can’t help just laugh at it as well. “So I see that you also want to give mom and dad heart attack like I did huh?” Lee-Ann says as she looks over to the table where her parents are seated, but this question makes Derby thinks for a second. “No man, don’t say that okay?” she says. “This is the reason JB and I have taken things slow, because we don’t want part 2 of the drama you and Simo had. I mean that was a real blockbuster stuff hahaha” she bursts out laughing to which Lee- Ann shoves her with a shoulder as she doesn’t see that funny.
“No guys but on a serious note, I’m not ready to tell mom and dad about this, at least not until JB and I are sure of the direction we are taking” as her facial expression changes. There’s awkward silence as the three ladies seem to be thinking a little bit.
“Do you guys realize that even though we are family we could one day all be married to those boys right there?” Julie says looking at where Mlu and his friends are seated.
“Whoa, did we miss something? Are you and Mlu to that stage already?” Derby asks curiously but that makes Julie thinks for a second before she says, “No man. We are far from that. We are just focusing on the babies and all the dynamics that go with having them like family drama and then later we will discuss where we are with our feelings” as she brushes her tummy.
“Where are you, exactly with your feelings?” Lee-Ann asks curiously as she takes a sip. “Well I know that we both love each more than we’d like to admit and over the past few weeks we’ve been getting closer and closer. Too much in the past has happened between us so we are not ignorant or naïve about that so there’s too much to work on but we are making progress and that’s enough for me right now” Julie says as she smiles reluctantly, coupled with being embarrassed. When Lee-Ann and Derby see that they look at each and feel a little bad.
“Okay enough with the soapy stuff” Derby says. “today is your babies’ day so let’s keep a positive mood going okay” she says as all three ladies lift their glasses to toast.
***
Then Melissa and Jason come through the tent door carrying gifs and they go to the gif section where David is standing. He’s the one receiving them on behalf of the family. “Wow, this place is full of people. Are you sure we are at the right venue, of a baby shower?” Melissa says to David as she puts the gifs down and hugs him.
“Oh yeah you came at the right place hey, you go big or go home right?” David says as he hugs Melissa back. “Oh, David, you remember Jason, my brother right?” she says as Jason comes forward to extend a hand to David, who receives it graciously. “oh yes. It’s good to see you again Jason. I hope you brought a plus one because it looks like I’m the only one who’s a loner here” he says as he looks around the tent. “Oh yes but she isn’t here at the moment. So I’m stuck with you guys because I don’t think I know most people who are here” Jason says as he also looks around to see if there are familiar faces here.
“Oh well you guys are not alone in this” Melissa jumps in. “I’m pretty sure I’m the only woman who will go home alone by the end of this part as it seems everyone will be hooked up later” she shrugs her shoulders in sadness.
“Oh come on, you are super-hot. Any guy in this tent would be dying to go home with you hey” David says trying to cheer her up and she receives it with a smile. “Thank you D, that’s very sweet of you hey. I feel better already. Now I should start looking around to see if there are any potential suitors hahaha” Melissa says as she feels good about herself.
“Well, I see Simo, Mlu and JB over there maybe I should go and say hi” Jason says as he looks around. “Whoa, do you think that’s a good idea though?” Melissa asks curiously. “What exactly is wrong about that?” Jason asks, surprised by what his sister is saying. “Oh, what’s wrong with that?” Melissa says, “Now let’s see. Uhmm, Simo is the fiancé of the woman you crush on and JB is the brother of your girlfriend. Do you see how awkward all that is?” she says to a still confused Jason but David jumps in there, “Look Mel is right okay?” timing is everything okay” he says. “look, just hang out with me for a little while, at least until your girlfriend comes okay?”
Jason doesn’t like this whole crush thing. He doesn’t understand why everyone keep referencing it. So he is visibly irritated, “Look, firstly I’m really getting tired of everyone keep talking about Lee-Ann being my crush okay? How many times must I say that it was a very long time ago? Secondly Thandeka and I are friends, how many times must I say that? JB himself knows that so this is ridiculous of you guys” he’s getting serious with this.
“Okay, cool it” David says. “Look, I get you okay? I really do. But will they get it, especially Simo?” as he looks at their table at the corner. “Just wait a little while. When your friend Thandeka comes you can then go, so just chill here with me for a while. Besides I’m the only one who seemingly doesn’t have someone to talk to as I’m sitting at this gifs section. That’s how much my life sucks” as he finishes his drink. Melissa can’t help but find this funny. “Don’t worry D some hunk may come along and sweep you of your feet. Remember you are very irresistible, after me of course” she says jokingly to cheer David up and he gets it as they toast.
“Okay, guys look, let me go say hi to Julie and Lee-Ann over there, I will see you later okay?” Melissa says and then turns to her brother, “Look behave yourself okay? I don’t want any trouble from you today? Please don’t be going over to Simo or Lee-Ann please” she says as she leaves him with David who is busy enjoying whatever it is he is drinking
***
On one table the Smarts are hosting the Stains, so it is Morgan, Ben, Debra and Stacey. They are enjoying the party as well and in fact the big party was Ben’s idea. He is really excited about the thought of spending time with his grand children who are coming soon.
“So have you decided on the custody issue yet? How is this going to work exactly? Morgan asks the Smarts, Ben and Stacey look at each wondering who’s going to answer that but Ben jumps in, “Well we are still discussing this with Mlu’s family but to be honest with you, it really hasn’t been easy you know?” he says as he looks at the table where his daughter Julie is seated. “Mlu’s sister isn’t making any of this easy for us. She wants joint custody and we don’t think it is a good idea for the babies. They need to be in a stable environment for at least a couple of years in order to avoid babies getting confused.” He says, trying to hide his irritation.
“But surely she does understand that Julie has the right to do sole custody if she so chooses right?” Debra jumps in. “I mean, they aren’t even in a relationship, right? Let alone being married, so why must they share custody?” as she sips on her tea. This question seems to get everyone to think for a second as they look at where Julie is.
“Okay wait…but what does Julie want though?” Morgan jumps in. “Because folks, it’s important that we let her decide what she wants to do” he says but Stacey quickly jumps in, “Of course she wants Mlu to be part of the babies, which we have no problem with really but she wants Mlu to share custody. She says she doesn’t want to deny him a chance to be a father” she sounds upset as she continues, “But we want our grandchildren to grow up in this house and be raised here…we don’t care what those two decide to do with themselves” she concludes.
There’s an awkward moment of silence a little bit as everyone looks like they are the thinking long and hard about this.
“Well you better come with something quite fast because those babies will be born soon and the last thing you want is lawyers being involved” Debra says much to Stacey's annoyance as she looks at where Mlu is seated. She looks disgusted a little bit.
“And you guys? How are the preparations? The wedding is in few weeks’ time” Ben says as he tries to change the subject. “Well we can’t say it has been easy” Debra says. “We are still struggling to work out the issue of having Lee-Ann and her husband to come and live with us. Simo’s aunt is making this issue so difficult” she says as she seems annoyed.
“Well but I think it is understandable though, right?” Ben says. “I mean after all this couple has been through it won’t be easy for Lee-Ann’s husband to just accept to come and live with you guys, they do need their space don’t they?” but he is cut off by Debra who jumps in again, “Space for what? This is Lee-Ann’s home. Why must she leave her home for a man?” her voice is getting raised but Morgan decides to jump in as he sees that people may hear, “but darling I’m sure Simo has traditions as well, we can’t just ignore that as if we don’t care. We need to let them decide on their own what they want to do. You never know, they may just decide to move in here after all” he says to which Debra just shrugs her shoulders as if to say I’m not holding my breath.
“I’m going to be honest with you” Debra says. “I think this wedding is rushed and I don’t think Lee- Ann and Simo are ready for this. There is just so much to deal with. Zandile and us can’t even see eye to eye on some important issues, how will these two handle that?” she says looking at her husband Morgan who seems a little annoyed by his wife’s persistence.
“I agree with Debra” Stacey says. “This wedding could have waited, what was the rush? They had just come from a very difficult situation which showed just how much they weren’t ready for such huge commitment. Besides that, these two are just different, from different backgrounds as well. What will happen when they begin to discover how much their backgrounds and upbringing can affect their harmony? What then? “she says as she sips on her drink. But Ben looks at Morgan and they can both see how this can soon turn emotional, so Ben jumps in right there, “Oh darling” he says. “There is Jabu, didn’t you want to discuss something with her about the babies? Accuse us folks for a minute” as he looks at his wife, who reluctantly stands up as they leave the table to go where Jabu.
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