The baby was sitting in her high chair, making cooing sounds while banging her spoon against the table. All the lights were out.
"Ready?" Argos asked Mr Plant, the candle illuminating his face. Mr Plant nodded.
Argos walked into the kitchen, singing happy birthday. Mr Plant stayed in the doorway, a Polaroid camera held up to his face.
Melanie's face lit up as she saw the giant light. She dropped her spoon immediately and reached for the cake.
There was a flash, a whir, and the photo was printed. Mr Plant took it out and looked back at Argos, who had just set the cake down.
A big candle with the number one sat upon a chocolate cake covered in rainbow-ombre frosting. Melanie's big smile widened right before her face fell into the cake.
Argos burst out laughing. One final flash, a whir, and Mr Plant is shaking a photo.
Argos was in the living room, rocking a sleeping Melanie. "Hey, Mr Plant," he called. Mr Plant came into the room from the kitchen.
"Can you hold Melanie, please? I'll be right back."
Mr Plant held the baby gently. It had been five months since they had found her. They knew it was her birthday because the date of her birth had been embroidered on her blanket.
Mr Plant stared down at the baby's eyes. They had never been good alone with the child.
Melanie smiled as she looked at her foster parent's eyes. Well, maybe they will get better at this parenting thing.
"I'm back!" Argos said to Mr Plant. "Aww, you guys are so cute! Let me get the camera!" He raced back off.
Mr Plant didn't mind. They looked at the baby again. She giggled. Mr Plant's heart swelled.
"Say cheese!" There was a flash. Mr Plant didn't look up, not daring to break eye contact.
Melanie simply laughed. "Papa!"
Mr Plant quickly looked up at Argos. His hold on the camera slipped, but he didn't let go. His mouth hung open as his eyes moved back and forth between the two.
"She-she just said...she called you...SHE SAID HER FIRST WORD!" Argos squealed.
Mr Plant's heart had never been this filled before. They silently promised themself that they would protect Melanie, no matter what.
Argos leaned against Mr Plant's shoulder. Melanie was asleep in their bedroom upstairs.
"You know," Argos said, his tiredness coating his voice. "I've read up on demons ever since we've found Melanie. Apparently, demons' powers develop around their first birthday. We should be prepared.
"Usually, the powers are random, and varied," Argos continued. "Until it eventually settles on a specific type of power at around one and a half years old.
"I wonder what power she'll develop?" Argos mumbled as he buried his face into Mr Plant's chest. They put their arm around Argos as he started to doze off.
(A/N: Hello my little bugs! Little lady is growing up!!! It's gonna be uphill from here! I'm sosososososososo sorry for the long wait!!! I hope it's ok! I'm going to be posting a lot more soon. Stay connected!)
