I smile brightly as my eyes widen at Aiden, who’s oozing happiness. “Well, congrats to you, too, dude,” I say and slap him on the back.
“Yeah, we’re baby-making machines, you and me.” Aiden chuckles, and both the girls scoff while I laugh.
“Yeah, we’re the sperminators,” I joke, and Aiden laughs, knocking his knuckles into mine.
“Man, will they ever grow up?” Jeni asks.
Sarah shakes her head. “Nope, but that’s why we love them.”
“Right now, give me a couple of months, and I’ll be back planning Callie and Mike’s wedding. It’s in a year, so I really have to start confirming things,” Sarah announces.
I shake my hea
d.
My woman’s only just given birth, and she’s already in party-planning mode.
But, hey, that’s my wife.
And it’s why I love her.
A Year Later
Aiden’s having trouble being a CEO, a father of a three-year-old, two newborns, and being a husband. My best friend is struggling, and I think the best thing I could give him is a night off. I pick up my phone to call Aiden because I have a brilliant idea.
“Hello?” Aiden answers, and I hear screaming babies in the background.
“Hey, man, everything okay there?”
“Yeah, Kassie has colic and won’t go to sleep. Because Kassie wakes up all the time, she’s disturbing Katie, who then screams, which causes a cascading effect on Brody, who throws a tantrum because his sisters won’t quiet down. Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids, but sometimes I just want a night off from the crazy,” Aiden admits with a long sigh.
I feel for him, I really do. Ella and Ethan both had colic, and I was a mess for a while until they finally got through it. Now, luckily for me, the worst thing I have to deal with is Ella’s nappy rash.
“That’s why I’m calling… I think you need a night off,” I tell him.
“I dunno, man, it’s so hard to organize anything. I’m not up for anything big. I don’t want to leave Jeni with all three kids on her own. It’s too hard, especially with two babies,” Aiden replies.
“Okay, nothing big. But what I’m thinking is Mike and Callie’s wedding is only a few weeks away. I think we should throw Mike a bachelor party. He’s never had one, and we can have it at your house, so we can all be there to help Jeni with the kids if needed. I’m sure Sarah and Bree will help as well. We can go to the man cave with Mike to celebrate, and the girls can have the rest of the house. We can all stay at your place. With the kids around, everyone can pitch in. So, basically nothing big, just something for us to celebrate with Mike. What do you think?”
There’s a long pause. “It’s a great idea. I know Mike said he doesn’t need one, but maybe we can make it a surprise? I think he’d love it. No strippers, though, seeing as there will be kids in the house,” Aiden jokes, and I laugh.
“No strippers. Got it! So, it’s a go, then? Bachelor party for Mike at your place?” I question, and Aiden chuckles.
“Yep, sounds like a plan. This weekend?” he asks.
“Yep, sounds great, leave everything to me. We’ll have a barbecue dinner, then us men can head into your man cave for beer, pool, and cards. I think a night off is just what we all need,” I confess.
“Sure is… I’ll invite everyone if you want to organize the food and whatever other shit we need,” Aiden states.
“Yep, leave it all to me. You don’t have to do a thing except provide the house and invite the guys.”
“Thanks, Chris, I’m grateful you thought about this. Mike will love it,” Aiden confides.
“Nah, man! I just wanna excuse to get drunk,” I joke, and Aiden laughs.
“Right, well then, go… do something useful like planning a bachelor party or some shit,” Aiden replies.
“Will do. Catch ya Saturday night.”