“A fighter like his mother,” Abbott says, brushing her hair out of her face. “I think it’s perfect.”
Swallowing hard, I nod. Cassidy fights both herself and others, and it’s something I love so much about her.
Welcome to the world, Ares and Helena. We’re so glad to meet you.
Chapter
Forty-Five
One year later
SHILOH
Our children area year old today. Helena and Ares are holding onto whatever they can to bounce and play, crawling everywhere, and taking their first steps.
“Okay, let’s do cake!” Cassidy says, picking up two small smash cakes.
Bending down, I pick Helena up who is the closest to me, and Ansel scoops Ares up like a football while our son giggles.
“Ya!” Ares squeals, making me grin.
God, they are so freaking cute.
We’re set up outside for cake, their high chairs ready for the occasion because this is sure to be messy. The kids don’t usually eat a lot of sugar, but Cass and Winter found a bakery that makes their cakes with applesauce and natural dyes for the buttercream icing.
The after cake poop is sure to be a nightmare, but Cassidy and Winter seem to have a plan for that too. Our celebration isjust made up of our pack, which is by choice. We’ll have a party with our friends later this week, but we wanted to enjoy today without having to entertain anyone.
We’re all eager to protect every moment with our kids. Our friends are good people, the best of people. Pack Mayor has commissioned several pieces from Bellamy, and his art career is doing better than he could ever have imagined.
He’s still apprenticing for another few years, and he’s enjoying every moment. Mr. Duvall keeps reminding him to let the art flow as it wishes to, and not to be too critical. It’s so difficult, because he is his own worst critic.
Helena bangs on her high chair tray excitedly once I have her in it, and Bellamy sets up a camera on a tripod so that he can take photos with the clicker in his hand and still be present.
The early afternoon sun isn’t too hot as we gather around the babies giving kisses, knowing that a nap time is imminent after this. Everything has to be perfectly timed to avoid unhappy meltdowns. Abbott says it’s an art form.
I think I have to agree.
“Raise your hands so you can eat,” Winter says, shooing Abbott and Ansel to help pull their birthday clothes off while she holds the other cake.
“Oh shi…shoot,” Abbott says, rushing over to help. This is definitely going to be messy. Diapers only are a much better option.
“Happy birthday…” Cassidy begins, placing a cake in front of each kid.
Their eyes grow wide, and I can’t help but chuckle softly. I clap my hands to keep them both from getting too excited and slamming their hands into the cake. Ares and Helena give me gummy smiles as their teeth slowly begin to come in, and follow my lead as they clap their hands with me.
“Happy birthday!” I say as we finish singing. “Ready to try your cake? It’s okay to get messy.”
The experimental pressing of their fingers into the icing is fun to watch. They’re still breastfed, and we’re introducing foods slowly since before one food is just for fun. This way, they can poke at their food, gnaw on it, and learn about texture and what they do and don’t like.
“Mmmm!” Ares says, nodding.
“Do you want to try the inside of the cake?” Cassidy asks cautiously.
Yes please, the further from the frosting, the better.
“We’re going to nurse them after they have cake,” Winter teases me. “That’ll help flush things.”
“The poop is going to be blue and pink,” I groan.
