Loving You

“Gramps, please tell us a story. Better yet, tell us a love story.” Sara was smiling and putting on her cute looks towards her grandpa while surrounded by her cousins, Nadia and Yvonne. “Well, I have a love story to tell, but it’s a really long one. I don’t think all of you would want to hear it.” But all of a sudden three of them started saying on top of each other “We all want, gramps.”, “Yes, we want to hear it.”, “We won’t get bored, we promise.” Their grandpa just laughed upon hearing them. “Okay, okay. Sit tight and listen carefully. I’m sure we’ll have time before dinner is ready.” All of them gathered around and started to sit comfortably. “So, here we go. Once upon a time...” *** Year 1998 “Ooh, she’s so adorable, Kayla. She looks just like you. I’m sure she’ll grow up as beautiful as you, too.” Mrs. Parson was mesmerized by looking at the baby girl in front of her. She was holding you and you were cooing. “Can I see, mommy? I want to see the baby, too.” The little boy with almond eyes and chubby cheeks was pleading to his mommy wanted to look at the baby. He’s fond of little kids even though he was still a kid himself. “Okay, Jammie. I will put her in her crib then you can see her. But please don’t hurt her okay, sweetie?” “I won’t, mommy. I will take care of her and make sure that she won’t get hurt. I promise.” Mrs. Parson was just smile hearing her little boy talking as if he was your bodyguard. “Jammie, do you like little Maggie?” your mom asked him in a teasing way. “Yes, I like her and maybe I want to marry her someday.” He was smiling and the two adults were surprised and later on laughing at his answer. “Well, you better take care of her and make sure that she won’t marry somebody else.” Your mom started to laugh again while winking to Mrs. Parson. “I guess, we better prepare for that day to arrive.” Mrs. Parson couldn’t hold her laugh and both of them was still laughing when another little boy came into the nursery. “Hey, James. Let’s play. Why you’re playing with the baby?” It’s Taylor, your brother, who’s the same age as James, Jammie was his nickname, came running and grabbed his hand. “I’m not playing, I just want to look at her and make sure that she’s fine. You should do the same, Tay.” James was still looking at you while Taylor was looking at him with a disgusted look. “She’s still a baby and she can’t play yet. Also, she’s just a girl and a girl can’t play with boys.” “Hey, Tay. Who told you that girls can’t play with boys?” Your mom was curious when she heard Taylor was saying those words. “Nicky said that to a girl when we’re in the park last weekend.” Taylor felt a little bit scared that he thought his mom going to be angry toward him and his brother, Nicholas. “That’s not true, Tay. Boys and girls can play together as long as it’s not hurting each other. So, if later on when your little sister is older and she wants to play with you and James, she can and she allows to.” “Okay, mommy. I’m sorry.” Taylor felt a bit relief that his mom didn’t get angry and he gave his signature boxy smile to his mom. “Come on, James. Let’s go play outside. I think Maggie wants to nap. Right mommy?” Taylor was insisted that James came and played with him by looking at his mom approval. “Jammie, go and play with Taylor now. I think Maggie needs her nap. You can play with her again later.” Mrs. Parson was trying to assist James towards the door together with Taylor. But she could see how your little hand was holding on tight to James’ finger. She couldn’t contain herself and started to take a picture of the both of you. That would be the first picture of you together with him. “Okay, let’s go James. Let Maggie takes her nap while we play.” Taylor couldn’t wait anymore and started to drag him out from the nursery. “Don’t play too hard, boys.” Your mom shouted to them while they were running outside. “Jammie is adorable, you should be proud of him, Mary.” “Yes, of course. But you know how Mike is. He’s very tough on him. I mean, he’s tough to Jeremy, but Jeremy can handle it. I don’t know about James. He’s a very soft and kind-hearted boy. I just wish Mike can be more linient toward him.” Mrs. Parson was sighing and your mom held her hand and tried to comfort her. “Don’t worry, Mary. I’m sure both of them will turn out to be a good gentlemen. Especially, Jeremy. He’s a well-mannered boy, not like Nicky.” “But you have Steve. He’s a well-mannered, too.” Now your mom the one that left a heavy sigh to hear her oldest son’s name. “He’s very soft, I mean I don’t blame him to be like that. But Bill doesn’t like his son to be soft, sometimes he blames me and said that I’m too linient towards Steve and always take his side which he thought I should be more tough and let him be a strong boy. But I know my own son’s feeling. I know each one of them. They’re all different. Steven, like I said, he’s a softie, always follows Nicky, even though Nicky is younger than him. On the other hand, Nicholas is strong, or I can say, he can destroy everything with his strength even just with a light touch. He can be a bully, but I told him times and times again that he has to stand up for the weak and the right person.” “How about Taylor?” At this time, Mrs. Parson was curious about what your mom had to say about him. “Well, he’s different. I think he’s one of a kind. He has his own way of thinking even though sometimes he will immitate what Nicky do or say. But, he’s unique. I would say that he’s a free-spirited child. I just hope that he can do what’s right not just doing whatever it is in a spur of the moment.” Mrs. Parson just laughed and shaking her head hearing what your mom was describing each one of her boys. Indeed, each one of them have their own personality and not one of them was the same. She wondered how yours was going to be.