It Started With a Cake

Ch46. Party Guest

"You silly goose" I smile as Willow pulls herself up to standing with the couch.

She giggles madly at me as her wobbly legs take a couple of steps, using the couch as her support.

"Mama!" She exclaims at me taking her arms off the couch to reach towards me, imminently falling down to her knees in doing so.

Unfazed by falling down Willow quickly crawls over to me lifting her arms up towards me so I can lift her up.

I smile happily as I do so bouncing her onto my hip as she snuggles her head onto my chest.

"You're so sweet baby girl" I tell her softly as I rock us both back and forth, tempting her to close her eyes tiredly.

I grin to myself as she does, "are you tired little bug?" I ask her, whispering softly as I continue my rocking.

I'm convinced she's even about to fall asleep when a sudden knock at our front door brings her back into reality, lifting her head up to look over at the door curiously.

I laugh lightly, "is someone at the door?" I ask her cutely, slowly making my way over to the door to open it up.

Willow babbles at me as we walk but even she stops when I open it up to find someone she does not recognise.

Quickly she buries her face into my chest, hiding herself from this unknown person.

I however light up with a surprised smile, "Johanna" I exclaim, mildly shocked at seeing her at our front door out of the blue, "what are you doing here?" I ask her curiously, slowly moving out of the way so she can enter.

As she does I quickly close the door behind her leading her into our living room, cringing as I realise how messy the place is with toys, blankets and unfolded laundry nearly everywhere I look.

"Sorry about the mess" I'm quick to apologise but Joanna just laughs.

"You've really let yourself go brainless" she tells me teasingly.

I pause unsure what to say to that, I think about saying something to redeem myself by saying something about Willow being a handful, but Johanna beats me to it.

She smiles, "I'm kidding, you have a kid of course your place is going to look like this"

Sighing briefly the smile returns to my face slightly.

"Speaking of, how is little miss Willow?" As she asks Johanna directs her attention to the small girl who is still clinging desperately to my top.

"She gets a bit shy" I whisper over to Johanna rubbing Willow's back comfortingly.

"Can you say Hello Willow?" I then Whisper down to her slowly prompting her to turn her head so half of her face is now visible, her eyes sneakily inspecting Johanna.

Johanna surprises me When she smiles brightly at her, "hi pretty girl" she greets her, "I heard that it's almost someones birthday, do you know who that might be?"

At Johanna's question Willow lifts her gaze up towards me questioningly. I smile reassuringly at her, "that's you little bug, you're going to be one next month"

Willow looks over at Johanna again, still a little unsure but smiling curiously at her.

"Do you remember auntie JoJo?" I ask Willow sweetly, even though the answer is fairly obvious, she hasn't seen her in many months and if her shyness is any clue Willow does not remember.

"JoJo" her small voice finally says, though barely a whisper Johanna's face still lights up.

"She can talk?" She questions.