Chapter 38: EASTER CELEBRATION

"How are you celebrating Easter, Mrs. Heath," Lucy asked my mum out of the blue. She gained our attention afterwards, as all eyes were focused on her. It had just been Mum, Lucy, Natasha, Katie an and myself in the living room doing different things. Of course, I was checking out some things on my phone. The inquisitive little girl always had a question to ask.

"Oh, honey I thought you'll never ask." Mum on the other hand was beyond excited to share her plans.

"I have a long list of things to do. They are my easter activities. Want to hear?"

"Yes please." Lucy smiled brightly, clapping her hands in anticipation.

"Firstly, we will deliver surprise gift baskets for some people." As she began to speak, I couldn't help but smile to myself. The famous annual gift basket giving, her super nice gestures that has to happen every year. I don't think it's much of a surprise to some people anymore, but regardless she continues.

"Gift baskets?" Lucy asked, clearly confused.

"Yes, they will contain Easter cards, lillies, a stuffed easter bunny, dyed Easter eggs, chocolates, lots of them."

I knew I got my sweet tooth from her. The ratio of chocolates to other things that would be in the basket is ridiculously high.

"Ouuu, do I get one?"

"Yes, we can make an extra basket for you."

"Yay" Lucy jumped happily, pumping her fist in the air. The rest of us looked at her fondly. Isn't it supposed to be a surprise?

"Who are you sending out the baskets to Mrs. Heath? I would like to write down the names." Katie requested, picking up a notepad. She's kind of my mum's personal assistant, always here.

"Not too many people, Cyril's family, some ladies from church, Dan, I intend to give one to the postman this year. I'll add more people to the list when I remember." Mum chewed on her fingers, drafting a proper list in her head.

"Okay, but who is Dan?"

"The homeless guy who lives down the alley."

"Oh, that's nice."

"Don't I get a surprise gift basket too mum?" Wiggling my brows at her, I tried with my luck.

"Then it would be taking away the fun in the surprise." Tilting her head, she smirked at me.

"Don't worry, I'll act shocked when I see it outside my bedroom that morning."

"Still not fun"

"I don't get one but Lucy does?" Fake pouting, I narrowed my eyes at Lucy.

" Are you competing with a child now?"

"If it's Lucy then I don't mind."

"Well, I do."

"What other things are you doing Mrs. Heath." Sticking out her tongue, Lucy steered my mother back into their ongoing conversation. Natasha might just be right, it's starting to get fun around her.

"Oh yes, back to you dear."

"Next, we are having an Easter dinner. Just for the family. Cyril, his wife, and kids, the five of us, and Mike. Jeremy, you remembered to invite him over right?"

"Yes, I did. How could I have forgotten when you reminded me a thousand times." Anger flashed in my eyes before I masked it underneath a convincing smile.

"We are talking about you here, anything is possible." Gesturing towards me, she stated jokingly.

"Geez, so much trust." In all fairness, I was so close to not telling him. I don't want him anywhere close to me. Not after the crap, he insisted on saying.

"Anyways Lucy, next we are decorating an Easter tree."

"Easter tree?"

"Yes. I love doing that. Later I can take you to the attic. There are tree ornaments there."

"The same tree you use for Christmas?"

"Nope, this is different."

"Nice, is that all?"

"No, my very favorite, EATER PARADE! The town organizes the annual Easter parade to spread the love of the holiday"

"I have never attended an Easter parade."

"You can go with me this year. That is if your mum gives her permission."

"Momma..."

"Yes Lucy, you can go."

"YES!"

"You celebrate differently than I do." Natasha shrugged indifferently.

"No, just easter. It's always over the top. I don't still understand why. Her Easter spirit is more than that of Santa during Christmas." I remarked.

"Pffft, terrible exaggeration if I must say." Mum argued swiftly.

"Exaggeration? Not at all. Since when I have been born you always preferred Christmas over Easter."

"There is a story behind it though."

"I would love to hear it."

"Okay, so a few years ago on the annual Easter Monday I and your father found out that we were having a child. Nine months later he was brought into the world and we named the baby Jeremy."

"So you figured out you were having Jeremy during Easter, that year?"

"Exactly. As a matter of fact, I was just about to leave for the annual parade. I complained to his dad how tired I was always feeling, and how disinterested I felt when it came down to eating. He suggested I took a pregnancy test because some things were not adding up. Before heading to the parade, I peed on the pregnancy test stick. The double line I stared at told me just what I wanted to know. Since I didn't have any children after him he became my best bud. So you see, that's why I go over the top with easter festivities. It holds a special place in my heart.

"Awwwwn"

"That's so sweet."

"How cute"

Natasha, Lucy, and Katie cooed at the same time. Meanwhile, I sat down staring into space as they talked about how awesome that must have been. This was new, I haven't heard the story before. No wonder she adores the holiday so much, it explains a whole lot.

"I didn't know that Mum." I waved to remind them of my presence before they dig deep into adoration.

"Because I didn't tell you."

"Momma is that how to knew you were having me too," Lucy asked her mum.

"Non non, I just had an eerie feeling that something had changed."

"Oh" Her face fell for a second, but quickly she beamed with excitement when she asked her next question. " What can I do to help Mrs. Heath?"

"You can create the greeting card. You can handle it right?"

"Yes, I love designing." Chipping, Lucy wiggled her fingers

"Okay then, we'll drive to the grocery stores later to get you some supplies."

"Yay."

"What about you? Want to do anything to help?" The question was directed at me. Cursing under my breath, I responded calmly.

"No thank you, I'm okay with not helping." They can count me out of helping to do anything.

"I can help with the tree decorations." Natasha volunteered

"Nice."

"You know my specialty already Mrs. Heath," Katie stated cheerfully.

"Food?" I asked, not totally understanding.

"Yup"

"You are really good at it too." Her food is the absolute best. I can't fault anything, flawlessly executed every time.

"Thanks"