Chapter 16

Jasmine's POV

I take off my shoes by the door while I enter. I look into the living room to find everyone there well except Jacques and Gillian since they live in their own house.

Did I forget to tell you that Gillian gave birth, yeah I probably did. She gave birth on Christmas Day; Saturday 25th December 2021. She gave birth to a bouncing baby girl, she is so small and adorable, Jacques cried when he held his firstborn child, I was so overwhelmed that I cried too.

The baby had all of Jacques features from the adorable mop of red hair on her tiny head to her green forests eyes. She was just too cute and I couldn't help but pinch her tiny cheeks when it was my turn to hold her.

I can assure you my parents cried the most, my Mom in particular they were both so excited due to the fact that they have officially become grandparents. That same day I think my parents also made a pact to spoil my adorable niece.

Nicole Bella Hathworne is the new addition to the family. So officially I am not the youngest anymore.

Jerry was the first to spot me as I walk over the small steps leading to the living room.

"Where have you been I've been looking for you since last year?" Jerry asks me you know the one without a mate and his crappy sense of humor.

Everyone laughs at his lame joke while I just shake my head and saunter over to the plush seat right beside Jerry's own.

"That joke was so last year"

No one laughs this time instead I earn a shake of the head from Dad and Jeremy, Jerry's twin.

"Oh come on, Jerry's own didn't even make sense" I whine.

"Your's didn't honey" my mom says.

"Are you kidding me, I joke way better than Jerry." When no one replies Jerry snickers at me.

"Jeremy back me up on this" I say looking over at him sprawled on the floor right in front of the centre piece with his hands at the back of his head.

He sits up to look at me then glances at Jerry then to me "Sorry Jas the joke did not make sense at all."

I huff deciding not to say anything instead I snag a few pieces of popcorn from Jerry while he mutters a "go get your own."

Despite the fact that it was some minutes to 2 on New Years morning me and my family were still huddled on the couches commenting on the terrible movie we were watching.

"Oh wow!" my mother exclaimed at one point in the movie. My mom doesn't really watch movies though she would rather spend her time perfecting her cooking or the spa.

So for her to exclaim was a pretty obvious fact that we were indeed watching a shitty movie.

When the credits rolled on the screen I let out a sigh.

"I cannot believe we just watched that" I voiced out my thoughts.

"You totally read my mind. That was some crap we just watched" Jeremy says jumping to his feet from his position on the floor.

"It wasn't that bad" Jerry tries to defend as my parents give him odd looks.

"What part wasn't, the part where the gore was orange instead of red" I ask

"Or the part where we could see the floating ghosts feet which where clad in a pair of fine shoes" my mom suggests.

"Or the part where that dude got shot in the leg and then he clutched his stomach in pain" Jeremy says.

"Do you need us to name more errors" My dad concludes in his deep voice looking over at Jerry who didn't look impressed at all.

"No I think that's enough" he says getting to his feet." So it was crap" he finishes.

And we all agree. Jeremy and Jerry bid my parents good night as they head up the stairs to  their bedroom. My parents look over at me with a smile on their faces that looks like they haven't aged a day over their thirties.

Before I climb the stairs up to my room I walk over to the sofa they are occupying to give them both a big hug, whispering I love you and goodnight to them. They do the same as they take turns to kiss my forehead repeatedly while I giggle my way out of their embraces.

"Sleep well baby_ my mom says as my feet touch the first step leading upstairs.

"You too momma" I say walking the rest of the way upstairs.

I hear kissing which just makes me to walk up the stairs faster. I knock on Jeremy's door to wish him goodnight. He says a 'come in' and I step inside with a big smile on my face.

I love all my elder brothers so much, you know being the last born and being a girl gives me that feeling of being protected whenever they are there or not. They've been too overprotective sometimes but I wouldn't change them for anything.

I open the door to find him sprawled on his bed with sweats on.

"Hey you" he says to me sitting up.

"Hi you" I say sitting at the edge of his bed.

"What brings you to the great Jeremy Fortress" he says

"Oh kind sir if you will allow me I just want to wish the king a good and merry night" I say trying to imitate a British accent.

He just laughs at me. "Do not do that anywhere outside" he says laughing. I laugh along with him because I know my British accent is phony as they come.

Out of the blue I just hug him. He doesn't respond immediately but he does wrapping his arms around me as I bury my face in his shoulder. I pull away to see concern in his hazel eyes.

"Are you okay" he asks pulling a strand of my fiery red hair behind my ear. I wipe away at the tears at the corner of me eyes.

"Yeah I'm fine" he doesn't look convinced so I try again.

"They're just tears of joy you know, I'm just so grateful that I still have people to call family"

"Oh Jasmine" he says pulling me closer for another hug whilst muttering comforting words to me. After a few minutes of us embracing he pulls away to look at me.

"You have really scrawny arms" I say which causes a smile to break out on our faces.

"Nice try. You can talk to me you know"

"I know Jer"

"Good" he replies.

"I'm just grateful to the moon goddess that we made it" I say as a look of understanding crosses his face.

"Yeah I'm grateful too you know"

"We all have to be" Is my reply. We hug one more time before I pull away and tell him goodnight planting a peck on his cheek as he scrunches his face.

Leaving Jeremy's room I walk over to Jerry's room and this time I don't bother knocking. He doesn't seem surprised as I barge into his room. He looks up from his laptop on his reading table.

"Look what the cat dragged in" he says typing away on his laptop

I look around me before replying

"we don't....."

"It's a saying Jasmine" he cuts me off.

"Oh...."

"Yeah"

"Aren't you supposed to be cuddling with your teddies?" he asks me

"Yeah I guess, but I don't feel like it yet" I reply getting myself comfortable on his bed. He glances at me before returning to his laptop.

"I hope you are not planning on staying on my bed tonight" he asks

"What do you know, I am actually" I answer him.

We make small talk while he works and I get sleepier by the second. Before I doze off completely I mutter a goodnight to which he responds.

And after that I'm completely lost to sleep.