I can tell that Dub is displeased by the way he stomps down the stairs and into the kitchen. So after we’ve sat down to eat, I try to get him to talk about it.
Kai: Are you upset about something, Dub?
Wade: *obviously angry* No
Kai: If that’s not the truth, you need to go ahead and say what’s on your mind.
He finally turns to me.
Wade: Why did you have another baby? Mase is enough of a baby.
Kai: Mase won’t be a baby for long. He’ll be a big boy tomorrow.
Wade: So you’ll keep having new babies to replace the old ones?
Kai: No, that’s not how it works, Dub.
Wade: You had Mase after I grew into a big boy, and now you have a new baby when Mase is about to be a big boy.
It’s tough to rationalize against kid logic, but I give it a shot.
Kai: True, but you don’t have new kids to replace your other kids. We could never replace you and Mase.
Dub thinks about it as he finishes his pancakes. Then he gets up from his stool before responding.
Wade: I don’t believe you!
I realize that this is not something I will be able to convince Dub of with just talk. I’ll have to show him that Dray is not a replacement. Growing up as an only child, this is an issue that I never saw coming. I need to take a moment to figure out the best way to deal with it.
Meanwhile, there’s another issue brewing behind me. Ma is awake and is seeing her new grandchild for the first time.
Prosperity: You had the baby, and no one thought to wake me up and let me know?
Melisa: I’m sorry, Peri.
I get up quickly to help Me-Me out with an explanation.
Kai: It happened fast, ma. Me-Me was in pain, so we hurried to the hospital.
That doesn’t help the cause.
Prosperity: So you went to the hospital – where anything could have happened and didn’t even wake me up to let me know. Did you leave the boys here? What if one of them woke up and started looking for you?
Me-Me is spared from the conversation when her phone rings. It’s her parents, so she turns to talk to him while I continue to try and ease ma’s mind.
Kai: I’m sorry, ma. We weren’t thinking.
Ma stops complaining long enough to walk over to look at her new grandson.
Prosperity: What’s his name?
Kai: Drake. We named him Drake.
Ma picks him up and holds him close. That is enough to make her smile.
Prosperity: He’s so precious!
Me-Me announces that her parents are on the way over to meet Drake. I change and hurry out the door to take Belle for a jog, hoping to be back before they arrive.
Meanwhile, Mase wakes up, comes down the stairs, and is just as shocked as Peri is to see another person in the house.
Mason: Baby? Where it come from?
Melisa: It’s your new baby brother, Mase. His name is Drake. He was born this morning.
Mase is shocked. Baby brother? Why didn’t anybody tell him that he was no longer the baby of the house
Merlin and Jalisa arrive. Me-Me gives them both a hug. But after the greetings, they migrate straight to the grandchildren. Jalisa waves and says hello to Mase. And Merlin walks over and pulls Drake into his arms.
While Merlin’s arms are full, Jalisa walks over and picks up Mase. Peri realizes she gets to dote on the grans daily, so she steps outside to work on a new painting, giving Merlin and Jalisa some uninterrupted bonding time with Wade, Mason, and Drake.
Merlin moves from the youngest grandchild to the oldest.
Merlin: What are you working on, Wade?
Wade: I’m doing my homework.
Merlin: Want some help?
Wade: Do you know how to do math?
Merlin chuckles. Math is his specialty.
Merlin: I may have seen a number or two from time to time in my lifetime.
Jalisa hugs Mase, then carries him to his high chair to help by giving him his breakfast.
While Merlin and Wade are working on homework, and Mase is busy moving more food around his bowl than his mouth – Jalisa walks over to get to know her newest grandchild. Later today, they’ll be heading back home to finally meet Jalin and Justina’s baby – who was born just before Lia’s wedding. She and Merlin’s hearts are full of love for all the newest additions to the family.
After Mason has completed his homework, he has another request for his grandfather.
Wade: Pop-pop, can you push me on the swing outside?
Merlin: Sure, I could use some fresh air.
Merlin and Wade head outside. Wade runs straight to the swing set and sits down.
Wade: Okay, pop-pop, push me really high so my feet can touch the clouds.
Merlin: Yes, sir. I will do my best.
Merlin gives Wade a push big enough to put an equally sizeable smile on Wade’s face.
Wade: Weeeeeeeeee!
Jalisa and Mase are not about to miss out on the outdoor fun. So they walk over to the toddler slide. Although Mase knows how to slide on his own – he’s happy to let his gran-gran help him up the steps and down the slide. He thrives on all the extra attention.
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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