More than Expected

Part 60

October 2, 2014
She couldn't believe it. Today is the day her baby boy turns 1. She rolled out of bed and made her way to the nursery where Royce was standing up in his crib, "Hi baby!" She exclaims before lifting him and kissing his chunky cheek. "Happy birthday, sweet boy." She whispers. A tear escapes her eye as Royce stares into her eyes. He looks just like his Dada with his Mama's hair and eyes, and it takes her back to the day he was born — when she first laid her eyes on him:
Nurses Jordan and Taylor unbutton the top of Kate's gown and place a towel on her chest as Dr. Bells places her son on her chest. Kate begins to cry while Rick presses kisses to her forehead, "You did it, Bug. You did it." Johanna cries as she kisses her daughter's forehead. "He's so handsome." Kate cries as the two nurses wipe the blood and vernix off of him. Rick leans down and kisses her lips, "You did so good, baby. So good. I'm so proud of you." He whispers before kissing her again. Their eyes travel back down to their son.
       More tears spill down her cheeks. She wish Rick were here with her. She thinks back to his face when he told her that they had a son. The pure joy in his eyes of having a little man.
"They're perfect." He tells her. Tears begin to slip down Kate's temples, "About two more pushes and they'll be out." Dr. Bells says. Kate delivers another push and the baby's shoulders are free, "Rick, if you want to watch on this next push, they'll pop right out and you can tell Kate if you two have a son or daughter." Dr. Bells says. Rick looks to Kate for confirmation and she nods. He looks down and watches their child slip from her body as she gives one last push. "It's a boy." He tells her.
And no matter how much she thought she wanted a girl during pregnancy, she feels so lucky that she got a baby boy. She knows she would probably feel the same way if Royce was a girl, but there is something special in the bond she feels as a mother with a son. She kisses his cheek once more and walks out to the kitchen where her phone rings.
"Is that Dada?" She coos, "Dada." Royce repeats. She answers the phone and Rick's face appears, "Hi birthday boy!" He exclaims. "Say hi Dada!" "Dada." "Oh I miss you baby boy." "Let me get his cupcake and candle and we can sing to him." Kate says. In the kitchen, she puts the blue '1' candle in the chocolate cupcake. She doesn't bother lighting it to save them from the risk of injury and then goes back into the frame of the camera. "Are we ready?" Kate asks. Rick nods and they sing: Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Royce. Happy birthday to you.
Kate pretends to blow out the candle and then lets Royce taste some of the icing. "I miss you guys so much." Rick says. "We miss you too, babe." Kate sighs. A voice comes yelling from his line, "Time's up. I love you guys so much." "We love you too. Talk to you in a few days?" "Always." "Always." She whispers and hangs up the phone. She looks at Royce, "Thank God you won't remember this." She whispers as she moves some of his curls out of his head and kisses his forehead.

October 6, 2014
It was fun having Martha and her parents here. They flew in on Friday and leave on Wednesday, so today Kate got a little cake so that they can sing to Royce and give him a few presents. "Did Rick call on his birthday?" Johanna asks, "Yep and Royce was very excited to see his Dada." "Dada." Royce says from his high chair and claps his hands. "Yeah, Bubba, Dada." "Dada." He says again and they all chuckle. "Alright, let's sing to him." Kate places the small, blue Cookie Monster smash cake in front of Royce.
The baby boy is stripped down to his diaper in his seat. They sing the birthday song for him and then Kate puts the cake right in front of him and he begins digging in. "Is that good, Bubba?" Jim asks and Royce smiles. Johanna looks up at her daughter whose been oddly silent and notices the tears in her eyes. "Baby, what's wrong?" Kate shakes her head. "I just wish Rick was here." She cries. Johanna stands and wraps her arms around her daughter, "Baby, he's not going to remember this." Jim reminds her. "I know, but it's still a major milestone. I just wish we could experience this as a family." She says. Martha joins Johanna and hugging her future daughter-in-law, "Darling, if I know you and my son, there will be more first birthdays down the road." Martha jokes and it makes her laugh and she nods and wipes her eyes then walks over and kisses her baby boy. Her one year old.
Part 60! So idk if y'all saw my message, but I was gonna update Year in Time, but seeing as how today is October 2 and that's Royce's birthday, I thought this would be more fitting. Let me know what you think!