Lesson Learned✔

Bonus 3

*Note. These are bonus bonus parts requested after I asked on my board. This takes place when the twins are one year old. No you don't have to read it. No. Plot. Just fun. Might catch a few characters though...* 

Aspen 

There was cyan, red and white streamers hanging across the ceiling, balloons floating mid air, tethered to the ground by small weights. An assortment of different pictures from the character of the Cat In The Hat- Thing 1 and Thing 2- hanging around the living room, dining area and kitchen, my husband wiping off his forehead with his arm as I walked in the kitchen with Jordan on the hip. 

"Is the cake here yet?" I asked, my gaze flickering to the counter, seeing only aluminum foiled covered trays and plastic containers. No sign of the cake I had ordered to make almost a month ago in advance in sight. 

My husband looked up from his spot behind the counter, a grin on his lips as he saw me. "Ah the most gorgeous human in this world-" he walked around the counter, his grin wide, my cheeks warming- "And my wife." 

The smile that was crawling up my lips faltered, Chris closing the gap between us and taking Jordan from me. His large hands going under her shoulders as he raised her, as if she were Simba from the Lion King. "Why aren't you sleeping like your brother?" he asked Jordan as he brought her close to his face, brushing his nose against hers. Jordan's hands stretching out to him, her little legs raising slightly in joy, giggling at her father. 

One year and I was jealous of that little girl. She had stolen my husband from me, had fallen to be daddy's little girl and I didn't know what to do. I remembered my father, I remembered his face and eyes and even his voice but to remember moments? I could only see him sitting across from me as he visited me in school, I could only remember the slight grin he gave me but I couldn't remember hugs or even affection. I couldn't remember being as attached to him as my daughter was to Chris. 

My wrinkled my nose, "Well-" my voice dropped but Chris didn't even blink- "Your most gorgeous human threw up and made me clean it and then wouldn't fall asleep so now she's awake and will probably fall asleep during her actual party," I said, crossing my arms over my chest. 

I watched them both, my throat tight as he beamed up at Jordan, "Did she now?" 

One year and I managed being a mother as well as I think I could. I figured out what worked for the best, my children did in fact love me but Jordan did prefer Chris over me. Then again, Austin preferred me over his father but right now he was sleeping. 

Nodding at him, I turned around, biting away some feelings as I looked around the kitchen. Seeing if I could do anything else but realizing Chris had everything under control, from the decoration to the food. 

It was the twins first birthday and I had planned it all out. I had talked to Chris about this, about a party even when I knew they wouldn't remember it but I wanted to give them this, to give them what my parents didn't give me. 

I had grown up without parties, without so much as attention from them and I didn't want my own children to think that. I just wanted them to know that I did love them, even if they did throw up on me. 

But since morning, both Jordan and Austin had occupied my time and I hadn't been able to do anything for the party. Not that I had anything to do because Chris had everything under control, like always. 

I was impressed to say the least, at the ability my husband had to do everything. It felt as if just yesterday he had left me on the footsteps of the library but now he had time for me and his children, he had all the time for us. No complaints. 

"Is there anything else to do?" I ask, turning around slowly, aware that I was still in a loose top and short. Very much not fit for a party unlike Chris who since morning was wearing a pair of jeans and a simple t- shirt, looking better than me even when he too had woken up in the middle of the night to check up on the kids.