THE BIRTHDAY BOY
Disclaimer: No they don’t belong to me. I am just borrowing them for a small while.
Time never stood still. Now that Evelyn, and Rick had Alex, each day seemed to go by very quickly. Almost a year had passed since they had stepped in to the role of being parents, and it was hard to believe that their baby was about to celebrate his first birthday. Alex was a ball full of energy, and now that he could walk, something he had mastered not too long ago, nothing was safe. Currently he was sitting in the middle of the parlor with a mess of clothing around him. His mum had folded the laundry, and stepped into the kitchen for a moment to take the carrots she was steaming off of the stove. While she was gone, he had taken that opportunity to sling all of the clothing in every which direction, as well as to take a pair of his fathers boxers and put it over his head. It was Jonathan who had just gotten up from his night of booze and woman, who found him.
“Evie go get the camera,” Jonathan yelled as he laughed. Alex had his head sticking through one of the holes where one of his father’s legs would normally go through. At that moment Evie walked in, asking why she needed the camera, and joined her brother in laughter. Alex’s bottom lip trembled, and he started to cry.
“Oh darling shh.” Evelyn went to her son, and settled on the floor next to him, lifting him on to her lap.
“Momma just thought you were very funny,” she explained rocking him. While she soothed him, Uncle John came with the camera
“Jonathan don’t you dare. I look a fright today,” she told him. That, however, didn’t stop him, and the picture of Alex with his dad’s boxers over his head, and his mum looking as she put it ‘a fright,’ would become a part of the family photo Album. After Uncle John left to put the camera in a safe place, Evelyn got the boxers off of her baby’s head.
“I suppose momma deserved this,” she said to him, of the mess he had made of her clean clothing. He wanted up, and as soon as she let him go, he headed for his own toys. He had a wooden truck that he loved, and pushed that around the room while his mum, and uncle refolded all of the laundry. That is what Rick found them doing when he arrived home from a day full of tours. As soon as he walked in, Alex abandoned his toys and ran to him.
“There is my big boy.” Rick tossed him in the air and Alex laughed. After doing that one more time, Rick held his son against him, and Alex placed his head upon his strong shoulder, snuggling there for a moment.
“It looks like you gave momma allot to do today,” Rick said, as he saw what remained of the scattered clothing.
“He did at that,” she agreed, coming over to them. Alex struggled to be put down, and once he was on the floor Rick pulled his wife into his arms, and kissed her gently.
“Mmm I love the smell of camels,” she teased.
“I thought you might,” he teased back, nuzzled her ear.
“I’m about finished with supper.” He eased away.
“So is that a hint for me to go take a bath?” he asked. She smiled.
“Well you might feel better.” He grinned, and after one more kiss, lifted Alex back into his arms.
“Why don’t we get cleaned up.” He got a squirming protest from his son, who still wanted to play, but Rick wasn’t going to let him down, and carried him upstairs to have a bath.
Having a bath with his son was a very wet experience. Now Rick sat in the tub with Alex in front of him. His son was splashing the water on himself and screaching. He had toys like a rubber ducky, but he preferred the water, and in a moment he stuck his face in, getting a nose full of water which ended his fun. When Rick lifted him up, and out, Alex choked and started to scream and cry, against his dads chest.
“Shhh. Your not supposed to put your face in and breath,” Rick said rocking him. Alex cried a little more, then began to calm down.
“All right, since we are both clean, we best be getting out, and downstairs so we can have a good dinner.” He hoped it would be good. He loved his wife, but she was not the best cook in the world, neither was he for that matter, but Jonathan had commented that he preferred Rick’s cooking over that of his sisters. Rick got out of the tub first grabbing a towel, quickly getting himself dry. As he was doing that, Alex lay on his belly with his face inches from the water. Rick had his back turned, to get his son’s towel, and when he turned around he found Alex looking at the water, as if he were trying to figure out whether or not to stick his face in again.
“Come on buddy.” After placing the towel over his shoulder Rick lifted Alex out, and stood him on the floor just long enough to get the towel around him, then lifted him back into his arms and carried him out of the bathroom, through their room, and down the short hall to his room. Evelyn was there laying out a clean diaper, and his pajamas, and when he saw her he reached for her.
“Alex decided to try to breath underwater,” Rick told her, as he placed the little boy in his mum’s arms.
“I was wondering what had him upset.” She laid him on the bed, and he flipped over trying to crawl away from her, which was normal. Being an active baby, Alex did not like to hold still for anything, and getting him dressed was generally not among one of the more fun activities to endure. He was still wet, and when Evelyn laid him on his back again, he screeched, trying to role back on his stomach.
“Hey Alex look what I have,” Rick tried. Alex looked at his bear, as his daddy waved it around, then flipped over on his belly. Evelyn patted his skin dry, while he crawled over to the end of the bed. He almost fell off, but she caught him, and eased him onto his back again. Again he tried to role over, but she held him gently over his tummy, and when he couldn’t role over he started to fuss. He pushed at her hand, and kicked his legs getting frustrated at her.
“Here Buddy.” Rick gave him his little stuffed bunny and Alex yawned crying harder, throwing the bunny to the floor, while Evelyn managed to get his diaper on him. Once that was accomplished Rick handed her his pajamas, which consisted of a pair of soft cotton pants, and a cotton shirt that buttoned down the middle. Evie lifted Alex to her shoulder, and he pushed away screaming. He was mad at her for making him hold still, which was also a sign that he was tired.
“I’m sorry baby, shhh.” He smacked at her face, not hard, but got scolded for doing that which caused louder cries. When Evelyn settled down in the rocking chair, he struggled to be put down, kicking his legs, making it hard for her to put his pajama’s on.
“Do you want me to give it a try?” Rick asked over his screeches.
“Please,” she said in a tired voice. She handed him to Rick, and Alex threw his head back crying harder, and screaming louder.
“Hey buddy shhh.” Rick held him over his arm and tried to put the pants on him, but Alex made that impossible.
“Alex come on big guy shh.” Rick lifted him to his shoulder, and gently pressed his head to rest there, and began to pace and bounce a little. For a moment more, Alex struggled, then he relaxed, and his screams turned into cries, then he quieted all together. He wasn’t asleep, but he was content where he was.
“Now lets see if we can get you dressed for bed.” He settled on the bed, and Alex held on to him not wanting him to let him go, even just to get dressed.
“Shh.” Rick rocked him, rubbing his back.
“He didn’t get a good nap,” Evelyn said softly, coming over with the pajamas. She slipped them over his feet, and he didn’t protest, letting her pull them up to his little waste.
“We can put his shirt on him later.” Rick nodded, and stood, taking her hand, then they went down to have dinner.
When they arrived downstairs, Jonathan had dinner served, which consisted of corned beef, and steamed vegetables. Rick settled in his chair with Alex still in his arms, not even attempting to put him in the highchair, knowing full well that Alex would have a fit if he tried. Once they were seatd, Alex lifted his head, and let his dad settle him on his lap, and Rick fed him first, or rather put the steamed carrots and peas on his plate, and let Alex take what he wanted. Alex took a carrot and smashed it in his hand, then stuffed it in his mouth. He did the same with the peas, and ate a few small pieces of corned beef that Rick cut up for him.
“Are you two going to do anything special for his birthday?” Jonathan asked. This was the first time that topic had been brought up, and that day was quickly approaching.
“I thought maybe a family celebration,” Evelyn suggested. Before more could be said, someone knocked at the door. Rick stood carrying Alex with him, and answered it to one of their neighbors, a little girl named Kiya, who was 7, and who loved to come play with Alex. She spoke mostly Egyptian, but since she had been coming around them, she had picked up on the English language fairly well. As soon as Alex saw her, he struggled to be put down, so Rick invited her in, and let them go into the parlor and play.
“We could invite a few of his friends.” Rick suggested. Kiya was one, and there were a few children who played with him when he accompanied his mother to the museum. She smiled and nodded her head. This would be a fun celebration of family and close friends.
“We should invite Becky,” Jonathan suggested.
“It sounds like I have some planning to do, “ Evie said as she finished with her meal.
“Who is up for ice cream?” Jonathan asked. He had made some fresh with the ice-cream maker they had.
“I’ll go see if Kiya would like to join us,” Evelyn said as she went out of the kitchen, and the short distance to the parlor. There she found the young girl pushing Alex around on his hobby horse, a gift also from Winston.
“Kiya, would you like some fresh ice-cream?” Her eyes lit up and she nodded, and left Alex to get some.
“Come on baby lets go have some ice cream before Uncle John daddy, and Kiya eat it all.” He didn’t struggle when she picked him up. When they arrived Jonathan was just making a dish for Evelyn and Alex. Kiya was already devouring hers.
“What kind did you make?” Evelyn asked her brother.
“Strawberry,” came his reply. Evelyn took some bites, and shared hers with her baby, who was always eager for the next bite. Again as they ate someone knocked at the door. This time Jonathan answered the door to Safia, Kiya’s mother. She didn’t speak any English, and spoke fast, barely allowing Jonathan to keep up. Evelyn however did understand her, and spoke to her reassuring her that Kiya was welcome, and not disturbing them, which is primarily what Safia had been saying to her daughter. That seemed to calm her down, and she spoke again for Kiya to say good bye to Alex, for it was time for her to be getting to bed. She slid off of the chair and walked over to Alex’s chair.
“Goodbye Alex,” she said. She kissed his chubby little leg, and ran to her mother, then they two left.
“We should also invite Safia,” Rick added. Evie nodded, noting that Alex was a sticky mess from the ice-cream. Jonathan came with a wet washcloth, and tried to wipe him off, but Alex pushed his hands away and started to struggle.
“Another battle,” Jonathan said in response to his nephews attempts to get away. Evie nodded.
“That would always be the case when we want him to be clean.” She made a game out of getting him clean holding the washcloth over his face the pulling it away, a game of peek-a-boo, which he loved. She got his face cleaned that way, then tickled him while she wiped his chest and stomach getting his laughter which made all of them smile. Once he was clean, it was time for bed, and there was a certain way they got him to sleep, starting with a story time with daddy. Rick came over, and Alex went willingly into his arms laying his head on his daddys shoulder.
“Say night night to Uncle John. Alex lifted his head, as Jonathan came over, and held out his arms. Jonathan held Alex and got a good snuggle from him before he gave him back to his daddy.
“Sleep well partner.”
“Momma,” Alex said. Evie was starting to wash the dishes, but came to them.
“I’ll be up in a little bit baby.” She kissed his soft head, and he relaxed, letting his dad take him up to his room. Once they were there, Rick got his pajama top put on him, then got out Kiplings ‘The Jungle Book’ from his son’s book shelf, and settled down in the soft Victorian style rocking chair. Alex yawned as his father opened up the book to a chapter entitled ‘Mogli, and Balou’, and in a moment Rick began the story, gently rocking him as he read. Every since Alex had been a tiny baby, both of his parents had been good about reading to him, and as a result, story time was one of the very few times Alex tolerated holding still. He was cradled in one of his fathers strong arms looking up at his dad, as he read, watching him. Rick loved to read to his son, and always made sound effects, especially with this story.
“Balou roared with laughter when Mogli tried to swing at him,” To demonstrate, Rick did his best impression of the bears laughter, and Alex smiled up at him.
“Did I do pretty good?” Alex reached his hand up, and patted his dads mouth, and laughed when his daddy nibbled on his on his chubby baby fingers. Rick gave them a final kiss, and continued his story. Neither of them noticed Evelyn standing at the door listening in, and watching father and son interact. She had been so worried when the doctor on the ship had told her she was pregnant, worried that Rick would be angry at her for getting pregnant, but he had proven her wrong, and from day one he had been a good daddy. He had a patience with Alex which surprised her, because in the past he had not been so patient with her. That brought another smile. Then again considering that she had placed herself in danger countless times, he had a right not to have much patience for that. She came back to the present when she heard Alex ask for her, and Rick looked up at that point.
“Here she is buddy.” Alex looked over at her as she walked to them.
“Did you and daddy have a good story time?” Rick stood, letting her take his place in the rocking chair, then handed Alex to her. Rick leaned in and gave her a kiss rubbing his nose to hers. Alex placed his hand on his dads chest and pushed him away, or tried to.
“All right I’m going,” He placed a kiss to Alex’s little cheeks, then left. When it was mommy Alex time, that was exactly what it was. Alex didn’t like to share her with anyone, and that posessiveness had just recently materialized, but neither parent made a fuss about it. Evie still let him nurse, deciding that when he was ready to move on to using a cup, or drinking regular milk, he would let her know. At first she had not been very good about nursing him, worried about getting him on a schedule that suited her, which made him a fussy baby. Then with time she learned to listen to him, and that had worked out allot better for both of them. As she rocked him she sang to him, and as always it didn’t take much to get him to sleep. She let him nurse until he stopped, then lifted him to her shoulder, and stood. Alex lifted his head for a moment.
“Shh.” She swayed with him, and he placed his head back on her shoulder and relexed.
The day of his party arrived. After breakfast, Jonathan decided to take him to the market place. While they were gone, Evelyn, and Rick set up for his party. The first thing they did was to remove anything that could be damaged by a child’s hand. With the acception of Kiya who was 7, the rest of Alex’s buddies were all younger than she, and more active. Evelyn had purchased colorful decorations, little lanterns made of colorful paper to hang around the room. Rick had found some treats for the children, little presents, wooden sticks that they could hit together to make music. While they decorated, Rick checked on the cake, or cakes they were both making. There were two cakes, a small pound cake for Alex, and a sheet cake for the rest of the party goers. Both of them were finished, and cooling. When Rick touched the sheet cake, he smiled. It was time to add the vanilla frosting. Evelyn walked in then, and they both frosted the cake. It was in the middle of that, when they heard Alex’s cries, then Jonathan came in with him cradled in his arms a mess of blood on his knees and on his forehead and nose.
“We had a small accident,” Jonathan said.
“You sure did,” Evelyn replied. Alex cried harder as his momma lifted him in her arms.
“Its okay baby shhh shhh.” She sat in one of the kitchen chairs rocking him, while Rick went upstairs and got out the iodine, and some gauze bandages as well as tape for the big scrapes on his knees. When he came downstairs, Evelyn was still rocking him as he cried, and Jonathan was filling the wash basin with warm water. He put a clean wash cloth in and brought it to the table.
“Okay baby lets get you cleaned up.” Evelyn cradled him in her arms still rocking, and he was beginning to calm down. Rick took the wash cloth and after ringing the water out of it, he knelt down, and gently wiped his son’s forehead. Alex started to cry again, and pushed his dad’s hands away.
“It’s okay baby shh.” Evelyn talked to him, and he closed his eyes, letting his dad clean his little cuts. Once that was done Rick took one of the gauze pads and tipped the bottle of iodine, saturating the pad. The only place that was bad enough to need that was his knees and elbows. When Rick patted Alex’s knee with the medicine he started to cry and then scream. Rick blew on his cut knee but Alex was upset now, and so Dad got it over with quickly. Once his knees were covered Jonathan came with his bottle of Apple Juice, and Alex drank that while his mum rocked him. She let him finish that, then carried him upstairs for a nap.
It was a little past 4 when everyone began to arrive for the party. Becky was the first to arrive. Jonathan let her in.
“Where is the birthday boy?” Becky asked, as Jonathan led them into the parlor where Rick and Evelyn were sitting. Evie looked up.
“Still napping, but I should probably go and get him up.” She left to do that going silently up to his room. Quietly she walked over to his crib, where he still slept soundly hugging Paddy. After she lowered the bar she lifted her baby out, and he snugged against her shoulder rubbing his face there.
“Alex you have company,” Evelyn said, settling with him in the rocking chair. He didn’t respond, still deep in sleep.
“Alex come on baby wake up.” Evelyn patted his back and rubbed, and finally he began to stir. He lifted his head from her shoulder looking at he with tired eyes.
“Are you ready to have a birthday today?” she asked him. He held his hand up to her mouth and she kissed it, getting his grin which looked very much like his father’s grin.. After a little more cuddle time, Evelyn got his diaper changed without to much of a fight and carried him downstairs where more company awaited him. Safia, and Kiya were there now, and once Alex saw he had friends over, he was ready to get down and play.
“Looks like someone had an accident?” Becky said noting that he had several scrapes.
“He took a tumble at the market place this morning,” Jonathan replied briging in punch for everyone. There were more knocks at the door, and the rest of Alex’s friends arrived. Bakari, Haji, and Najja, who were all little boys who liked to play with him when he was at the museum, made their way in with their mothers, and behind them Anat who was 3, and her sister Dalila, who was 5 came with their mother, who had a shop at the market place, and who had known Evie since she came to Egypt 5 years ago. Chione, and the other mothers, made their way over to Safia, and the women talked with one another. Now that all the guests were here, Rick gave out the toys he had gotten, and told the children they were for making music, and in a moment the house was filled with songs, mostly Egyptian. Alex was the center of attention, and Kiya showed him how to dance, which got a laughter from the adults. He laughed as well and ran over to where his mum sat tugging on her hand.
“Looks like Alex wants to dance with you,” Rick said, chuckling. Evelyn smiled, and set down her punch, then stood and danced around with the children, which got more laughter, mostly from Jonathan and Rick. In a moment Alex got distracted because Bakari had his truck. He ran over and pushed him away.
“Alex share,” Bakari told him, in English.
“No,” came his response. Rick walked over and knelt down.
“Alex can you let Bakari play with your truck, and he will let you play with his music sticks.” At that, Bakari handed them over, and the trade was a success. For a bit the children played, then Evelyn disappeared into the kitchen, and Rick followed her. They brought out Alex’s cake, and the moment he saw it, he dropped what he was doing.
“Mine,” he said running over to them. Everyone gathered around, and sang Happy Birthday to him, then Evie lit one candle, and Rick helped him blow it out, settling him on the coffee table, taking off his shirt. Without hesitating, Alex reached out and grabbed a fist full of the sweet cake, and stuffed it into his mouth. Anat came over.
“Alex make messy,” she said. Alex grabbed another hand full and held it out for Anut, and in a moment she was also a mess. For the rest of the party goers, the other cake was brought out, and everyone settled on the floor eating that while Alex Anut, and Kiya ate his special cake. By the time the three of them were finished, the cake was gone, and Evelyn had a feeling Alex would be very difficult to manage by bed time, but this was his birthday, so that made up for that fact. Safia brought in a wash cloth and cleaned the girls up, then managed to get Alex clean without to much of a fuss. While she did that Evie got his presents put into a stack. Kiya carried him over to where his mum was, and in a moment Alex was tearing at the colorful paper tossing it aside. Becky had gotten him a wooden plane that he could pull around. Safia and Kiya had gotten him an ornate Egyptian gown that he could where out and about, one that most little Egyptian boys wore. The rest of his gifts were either toys or clothing, but Alex was more interested in the paper, and the rest of the children played with his new toys.
It was close to supper time before anyone made a hint of leaving, and Safia, and Kiya were the first to say their good-byes. Then Winston left, and Jonathan went with him. Becky was the next to leave, then everyone else, until it was just Evelyn, Rick, Alex, and leftover cake. Alex was just in his diaper pulling along his new airplane which clicked. He was content for the time being, so mum and dad were able to clean up the party left overs, and pick up the clothing he had received. In the kitchen, Evelyn got out leftover ham, and mashed potatoes, and got that heated up. Rick set the table for the two of them and Alex.
“Pour Alex some milk,” she said. He looked up at her surprised.
“I’ll still feed him, but I want him to get used to this milk too,” she said.
“All right.” he said, and got out a cup pouring the milk into it. Once dinner was ready, Rick went in and found Alex playing with Paddy, and the new stuffed rabbit, which Becky had gotten for him.
“Are you ready for some dinner?” Alex looked up.
“No. Bit, Paddy. No,” came his response. He had learned ‘no’ a few weeks before, and that was his favorite word of late. Rick came and knelt down, and Alex got up and tried to run, but daddy caught him lifting him up in the air. Rick spun him around, and Alex laughed, loving that.
“Now lets go try and eat something that is good for you.” He carried Alex in to the kitchen and put him in his highchair.
“Cake,” he said, as Evelyn spooned some mashed potatoes onto his tray. Alex loved those, and grabbed a fist full stuffing them in his mouth.
“Mmm,” he said. He held out a fist for his daddy, and Rick nibbled at it, getting more laughs.
“Honestly Rick, sometimes I feel as though I have to children,” Evelyn said smiling.
“What? He wants me to have some of his food, he is sharing,” Rick defended. They settled down, and had a nice family meal, which was amazing considering the amount of sugar Alex had eaten. After dinner, he played quietly for quite some time while they cleaned the dishes, and put the house back together. He even went to bed without a hitch, and both of his parents were happy that the day had ended without a battle.
It was much later that night, when Rick came awake. He held Evelyn in his arms, and wasn’t sure why he woke up, then he heard Alex start to cry, which sometimes happened at night. For the most part he slept through the night, but there were a few rare nights when he woke up needing reassurance from either himself or Evelyn that all was well. Carefully he eased away from his wife, and she stayed asleep as he got up and pulled on a pair of pajama bottoms. Once he had those on, Rick went out of their room and into his sons, finding Alex sitting up in his bed. crying hard.
“Hey big guy.” Rick lowered the bar of the crib and upon lifting Alex out of the crib, felt that his skin was warm. Alex laid his head on his fathers bare shoulder, and that too was quite warm, which was frightening because Alex had never been sick before.
“Okay shh.” Rick got a clean diaper out of his dresser, and carried him to their room. By then he had calmed down, and Evelyn was still asleep, but Rick woke her.
“Evie honey wake up Alex has a fever,” Rick called out. That last part brought her fully awake, and she took him into her arms rocking him.
“Hey baby.” She kissed his head, and Alex became restless in her arms starting to cry again. Evelyn stood and carried him over to the rocking chair settling there, and began to rock, but he continued to cry pushing away from her, struggling to be let down. As she put him down, he began to vomit, which really scared her. She knelt down on the floor and held him while he vomited most of what he had eaten, coughing and choking, which got screams from him. Rick came beside them, and they were helpless for the most par, aside from patting his back until he finished emptying his stomach. He screamed and cried then, and Rick went to a phone and called Becky waking her. She told him not to panic, that she would be there as soon as she could. As he got off the phone, Alex was against his mums shoulder crying hard.
“Shhh its all done baby,” Evelyn said hoping that were so. She stood wanting to nurse him, but wasn’t sure she should. While she soothed him, Rick cleaned up the mess on the floor, then came to them gathering them both in his arms.
“Oh Rick I’m so scared,” she said. Having never delt with a sick baby before this was frightening for both of them. It was a few moments later that Jonathan led Becky in to their room.
“Did our birthday boy get to much sweet stuff?” she asked coming over to them.
“He has a fever too.” She nodded.
“He might just have a stomach flu, its been going around,” she explained. She rubbed his back.
“Hey Alex, look what I have.” She held out her stethoscope, and he lifted his head from Evelyn’s shoulder, and let her hold him.
“Can I listen to your heart beat?” She lifted his shirt and he let her do what she needed. Since he had known Becky all of his life, he wasn’t frightened when he had to go see her for his checkups.
“Now for the not so fun part.” She needed to take his temperature, and laid him on the bed. Alex held still while she got his diaper unpinned and pulled down finding that he had made a mess in there. Evelyn hurried to their bathroom and brought out a wash basin, and Becky got him cleaned up.
“Now lets see how high your fever is.” She put some jell around the tip of the thermometer while Rick settled down beside his son. Alex didn’t cry until she stuck the thermometer in his bottom, then he had quite a fit. Being experienced with this, Becky held his legs still, and that made him even more angry. He screamed, and screamed despite his parents efforts to calm him down. When it was all over, Evelyn lifted him into her arms not carring to put his diaper back on him at the moment.
“100.1. Yes sir, you have the flu. You’ll need to watch his fever. If it gets any higher than 100.3 give me a call. Evie since your still nursing just keep him on your milk until his tummy settles, I think by tomorrow afternoon he should be able to start eating his normal foods, but test by giving him small amounts.” She nodded, a little more at ease now that Becky had been there to tell them what needed to be done. While Rick led her out, Evelyn got his clean diaper on him, then lay in bed with him next to her and let him nurse that way. Tonight at least she wasn’t going to leave his side, and when Rick came back he settled in bed next to them. Alex was nested between his parents and fell asleep relatively fast. Rick pulled both of them closer, and soon they joined Alex in sleep.
The next day, by lunch time, Becky had been right. Alex was back to himself, and that was fine by both of his parents. He was starting a new year to his life, and both of his parents were anxious to see what that year would bring. Life moved on, with each day bringing a new experience, which was more adventure than any trip to Hamunaptra, or any other city they could find.
THE END