Five Star Seduction. Jacquelin Thomas

her of the burden. “Thank you, dear.”

      Zaire left the women in the kitchen to join her nephew on the basketball court. “What’s up, Joshua?”

      “Nothing.”

      “What’s wrong?” she asked, noting the unhappy look on his face.

      “I want to play football, but Mommy said I couldn’t. Dad said that I might get hurt.” He stole a peek over his shoulder before adding, “I think they’re scared that I might get sick again.”

      Zaire blinked back tears. Eight-year-old Joshua was in remission from leukemia. Just two years ago, he was not able to attend school because his blood counts were low, putting him at risk for infection. Joshua was able to keep up with his friends and class work via satellite. The chemotherapy treatments placed him at risk for long-term effects that included bone thinning, severe joint pain and possible joint replacement. His doctors had informed Ari and Natasha that he would have to be monitored for at least ten years.

      “Honey, we love you so much, and we just don’t want anything to happen to you.”

      “All of my friends play football. I want to do it, too.”

      Zaire glanced over at Ari.

      He came over to where they were standing. “Son, I’ve been talking with your mom, and we’ve changed our minds. We are going to let you play football. I want you to know something else. Uncle Drayden is going to be one of the coaches.”

      Joshua’s face lit up.

      “I need you to understand that you are not going to play all four quarters yet. You have to listen and do what you’re told. Remember what the doctor said about the effect of the chemo on your bones.”

      “I’m gonna be real careful, Dad.” Joshua looked up at him. “Thank you for trusting me. I’m not gonna do something to end up back in the hospital. Besides, I believe that God has cured me of leukemia. We don’t have to be scared. I’m gonna go talk to Uncle Drayden about football practice.”

      “You’ve made your son really happy,” Zaire told her brother.

      “Wait until he finds out that he is only playing a few minutes each quarter, if that. Right now, it’s only going to be until halftime.”

      “I don’t think it’ll matter. Joshua just wants to be a normal little boy.”

      They settled down to eat.

      Zaire sat down beside Sage.

      Ari cleared his throat loudly. “Before we get started, I have an announcement. I was going to wait until after we ate, but this can’t wait.” He looked at his wife and broke into a wide grin. “Natasha and I just found out that we are having twins.”

      “Congratulations,” Zaire yelled out.

      “Do you know the sex?” Livi asked.

      Natasha nodded. “We’re having a girl and a boy.”

      Joshua was delighted. “I wanted a brother and a sister. Now we don’t have to have any more babies. I’m glad ’cause Mommy isn’t any fun.”

      Zaire bit back her laughter.

      “I don’t know what we’re going to do with that little boy,” Sage whispered.

      “We’re going to have to watch him play football,” Zaire responded.

      Sage glanced over at her. “So, they changed their minds about letting him play?”

      Zaire nodded. “Drayden is coaching his team, and Joshua’s only going to play for a few minutes per quarter. Starting off, he’s only going to play until halftime.”

      “I think it’s a good idea.”

      She agreed, “I know they are afraid he’ll get hurt.”

      Sage smiled. “Natasha is going to have him so padded up, he’ll probably bounce if he falls to the ground.”

      Zaire laughed and then took a bite of her hamburger.

      She decided to take a stroll on the beach after lunch. “I’ll be back shortly,” she announced. “I need to walk off some of this food.”