"Addie!" I heard 'Hide yelling, from my place at the counter in the living room, "Get back here!" Followed shortly by a crash and a giggle. I sighed, heavily. Our daughter was a handful. At nearly a year old, she could already walk and say quite a few words. Already. We attributed it to the fact that she wasn't 100% human. But dear lord, it made her difficult to handle.
Did I say she could already 'walk'?
I meant run. She could already run. And she made it a habbit to always run from us, and her baby-sitters, and anyone else we tried to stick her from. The only one she didn't run from was the dog, Torch. And that was only because he was always a few feet ahead of her. And she could run fast, too.
A few seconds later, I saw her fly into the kitchen and try to scurry by me, but I already had a hand ready to snatch her. And I pulled her up into my grasp.
"Addie, baby, why are you running from Daddy?" I asked, pushing some loose hairs back from her face.
"Momma!" she said, and giggled at me, pressing her chubby hands to my cheeks. I sighed, shaking my head.
"You're too much, Adelaide," I said. Ironhide walked into the kitchen, seeming winded from chasing her.
"Adelaide, why are you running from me?" 'Hide asked, his voice stern. She pushed out her bottom lip, and her heterochromatic eyes glistened with unshed tears.
"Daddy," she said, her voice quivering. I rolled my eyes at her melodramatics. She reached out her arms to her father, and he took her carefully in his arms, cradling her to his chest.
"How's it coming?" 'Hide asked, looking at my handiwork, which looked like a pile of colored goo on the counter. He snorted at the mess.
"It's not," I said, "but she probably won't be able to tell the difference, will you baby?" and I ruffled her hair. She giggled and shot a smile at me. Ironhide chuckled.
"What time are Sarah, Will and Anna getting here?" he asked.
"Any minute!" I said, and wiped my hands on my apron, "Speaking of which, why don't you put the dog downstairs. You know how Anna gets." He nodded, and I went about putting the cake in the refridgerator and putting some final touches on some of the food.
"We're here!" Sarah called, and Annabelle came barreling into the kitchen, attaching herself to my legs.
"Hi, 'Mona!" she said, happily.
"Hi, Annie. How're you doing today?" I asked, grinning down at my little sister.
"Good! Mommy said I get to have cake!" she giggled.
"Well, only after you eat some supper. Deal?" I asked.
"Deal, 'Mona!" and she was off again, "Hi, 'Hide!" she said, charging him as well. I laughed.
"Hi, Sarah," I turned to the blonde woman, "How are things?"
"They're great," she said, and hugged me over the counter, "Okay, I have cookies, rigatoni and a sandwich ring. I'll start setting things out?"
"Sounds good. I'm going to finish decorating before guests start getting here," I said. She nodded and we separated. Will followed me to the living room, where most of the party was going to be held.
"You look worn out," Will commented. I gave him a dry look.
"Wouldn't you be, with a kid like Addie?" I asked. He laughed.
"Probably," he agreed, "Now, what do I need to do first?" and he held up a roll of streamers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday, Dear Addie!
Happy birthday to you!"
She blew out her candles like someone only much older than her should know how to do, and then proceeded to smash her tiny fists into the cake, making everyone in the room promptly burst into laughter. She began shoving frosting and smiling when people held up a camera. She was covered with cake and frosting, and made for a great first birthday party pictures. I was leaning against the doorframe, taking a rest and watching as everyone else doted on our perfect little Addie. Arms snaked around my torso, and a chin rested on my shoulder.
"How are you feeling?" 'Hide breathed into my ear, making me shiver a little bit.
"Perfectly and wonderfully content," I sighed, "And just a little bit exhausted." He chuckled.
"I know how you feel," he responded.
"Oh you do, do you?" I jibed, but put my hands over his to hold him in place.
"I think so," he agreed, nodding against my neck, "I did have Addie-duty for most of the day after all."
"Yes, well, dear, I have Addie-duty almost all day, nearly every day. So, I think that means I win," I retorted.
"Do you think so?" he asked.
"I do," I nodded, firmly.
"We'll just have to see about that, Ramona!" he said, and then started kissing the side of my neck, making me squirm-but not in discomfort.
''Hide,' I hissed over the mental bond, 'Not with everyone here!'
'So after, then?' he asked, but continued to kiss and suck at my neck. I shivered again, trying weakly to push him away.
'Maybe,' I moaned, over the bond, 'If you behave.' He chuckled and stilled, but did not remove his lips from my neck. We were removed from our few seconds of privacy by a splattering of icing over the both of us.
"This is chaos," I laughed, wiping some of the icing off of my face.
"It is," he agreed, "So, when are you ready to make another one?" I started. Another? We could barely contain one! I laughed.
"Maybe in a few years!" I said. 'Hide laughed with me. We quieted again, just basking in the comfort of each-other, "You know, maybe more chaos wouldn't be such a bad thing." I felt 'Hide smirk against my sensitive skin.
"There's no time like the present, after all."
