Hazel sits at the table swiping tacos off of the caterers’ food trays. These days she can’t get enough of any kind of taco. Hence, the theme of the party. She is dressed in a frilly dress with ribbons in her long hair.
“Hazel let’s go take some Fiesta pictures before anyone gets here,” I say.
“Okay!”
Hazel grabs one last taco and slowly gets up from the table, holding her nicely rounded belly. We go to the living room and there are already a couple of guests there.
Of course, Hazel has to talk to each one of them. I let her be and go to the back yard to help Andrew, who is blowing up fiesta-colored balloons.
“How many do you have so far?” I ask.
“I’ve got about two dozen in the net bag.”
“I’ll start tying them to the tables. Can you go any faster?”
Andrew shoots the finger at me and laughs. I frown and grab the balloons from him, beginning to tie the balloons to the tables that the caterer has already set up.
I guess I’m stressing about the party. I want everything to go perfectly, and Andrew is slowing us down.
The flowers arrived this morning and I put them out onto the tables. There are mums, daisies, and carnations all in festive bright colors. There’s also a huge rose bouquet at Hazel’s table. She loves purple and orange, so I chose those colors for the roses.
When I finish tying the balloons, the Mariachis arrive. I direct them to the stage in front of the tables, and they begin to set up. The only thing left is for the servers to arrive, who will of course be dressed in clothing that matches the theme.
Where is my little boy? I panic for a moment and then see Maverick with Andrew. They’re blowing up balloons together. Andrew manages to carry our toddler and still blow-up balloons with the air tank I’ve rented. He’s such an amazing father- a true multi-tasking genius.
On the stage is the huge set of balloons that are set to pop and reveal the twins’ gender with the appropriate colored confetti. I’ve already checked that everything is in order with the balloons.
People start pouring into the back yard and seating themselves. The mariachis begin to play a festive tune. Andrew stops blowing up balloons and puts our son down. He looks adorable in his bright Fiesta clothes.
Hazel waddles out and makes her way to the stage.
“Come on boys, let’s do the gender reveal now.”
“Now?” I ask.
“Now!” Hazel shouts.
Our neighbor grabs Maverick for us, and we both make our way up to the stage. When Hazel says now- she means it. She’s a real taskmaster. Good thing I love a powerful woman.
“Attention everyone, it’s time for us to learn the gender of our twins!” Hazel shouts.
Everyone settles down and all eyes are on us. We hold hands as a threesome, and I tug at the string that is going to start the balloon explosion. Then everything slows down for me.
I see Hazel’s beautiful face. I can’t believe she is my lover and mother of my children. Andrew is gazing at Hazel with the most loving look anyone can give. He turns to me and shrugs his shoulders and smiles. He has truly become not just my best friend but my best lover.
“One, two… three!” Hazel and Andrew chant.
The balloon explodes and I can’t believe the colors that are flying through the air…