Forever and ever 2. The adventure starts now.

Part 27.

"Happy birthday to you..."
"Happy birthday to you."
"Happy birthday Dear Parker-"
"Happy Birthday to you!" Tom and I sang while Parker stared at his cake with candle-lit eyes.

The big Toy story cake with three candles stuck on top definitely fascinating him.
"Now make a wish and blow out the candles sweet face!" I added, and he took a big, long breath with which he blew out all four candles at once.
Then we cheered up, clapped our hands and hugged him as tightly as never before.

With Tom lifting him up in his arms to give him a kiss on the cheek, and me filming my two boys goofing around.
"Look at how big you are already!" Tom said, and lifted Parker even higher than he was tall. So high that if Parker put his arms in the air, he could touch the ceiling. And Parker laughed, looking extremely happy.
"I am bigger than the world!" He shouted, waving at me from above until Tom put him back on his feet.
"Are you ready to unwrap your presents baby?" I asked, the presents still lying untouched on the table.
"Yess!" He answered, climbed onto his chair and curiously grabbed the first gift. Of course, the biggest one at the same time.

"A Spiderman scooter!" He cheered, as he unwrapped the gift, immediately wanting to open the package.
"Oh no Parks, go ahead and open your other presents first before we set up the scooter, yeah?" He nodded, and then continued with his gifts.
I sat on Tom's lap with his arms wrapped around my waist as we watched Parker open one present after another. From a new pair of Paw Patrol pyjamas to a Spiderman comic. He couldn't be more grateful for his gifts. Gave us a hug after each one.
When it came to the last present, the room slowly grew quieter, Tom just as eager as I for his reaction.
He ran his fingertips soothingly over my arm as he rested his chin on my shoulder, trying to take in Parker's expression.
"Glasses?" He asked as he held the small package with the glasses in his hands.
"Tony Stark glasses!" Tom confirmed with a wide smile on his lips. "It's even got your name engraved on it." He added as we watched Parker's eyes widen, suddenly excited about his new glasses. He immediately tore open the packaging and took the glasses out of the case.
"Wow! And it's all mine now?!" He questioned, his voice all high and cute, not being able to pronounce all the words correctly.
"Yes buddy! It's all yours!"
Parker put the little Tony Stark glasses on, and stared at us with a proud face, but when I tell you Parker's face looked only half as proud with the glasses on his nose as Tom's face, it was the truth.
Tom hadn't looked as happy as he did just now, in weeks. His son with the Stark glasses sitting on the bridge of his nose, somehow touching him.
"They look great on you little man!" He said and threw him a soft smile. Then we cut the cake and ate a piece. Enjoyed Parker's birthday breakfast before we had to get ready for the big day ahead.

~

Since Parker's birthday was in December, it was hard to find something fun to do outside in the cold, so Tom and I decided to take him to the aquarium. It was cozy and warm, plus Parker loved sea creatures.
"Where are we going?" he asked on the car ride, unaware of the surprise that awaited him.
"Patience, little man." Tom replied from the passenger seat.
Yeah, he was still sitting there, and I think he was starting to mind a bit more, even though he tried his best not to show.
I still noticed him gritting his teeth every time he saw me holding the car keys, or balling his hands into fists to stop himself from bringing up the subject.

Once Parker recognised the large aquarium building, he immediately started cheering. But he was only three and I was sure he would have cheered too, if he had seen a supermarket. As long as he was happy though, so was I.

~

Three hours passed, which we spent around jellyfish, crabs, turtles, sea urchins, shrimps, snails, and so on. But then Parker discovered the seahorses, one of which was giving birth to tiny little baby seahorses just now. His face practically glued to the glass as he watched the little creatures shoot out of the seahorse's belly.
"Wow" he whispered.
I stood a little further behind, watching him with a smile on my lips as Tom came up, put his hand around my waist and pressed a kiss to my temple.
"You're a great mother." He said, his voice all rough, pulling my hips closer.
That only made me smile even more, knowing that the Tom from two weeks ago, could have never said that.