ONE SHOTS MARINA (ENGLISH)

20. Liam turns 1

P.O.V. CARINA DELUCA-BISHOP

The smell of burning invaded the kitchen, making my heart race. I ran to the oven, ignoring the weight of my nine-month-old belly and the feeling that I was about to collapse at any moment.

I opened the door with a nervous tug and of course, the cupcakes were ruined. All.

They were a dark, shapeless mass, nothing like the cute cupcakes I had imagined for Liam's birthday. My little boy... And now I had nothing special for him.

- Maledizione! - I cried, frustrated, turning off the oven harder than necessary.

The tears were already threatening to fall. How did I let this happen?

I ran my hand over my face, trying to wipe the drops of sweat and perhaps the first tears that formed in my eyes. As if it is possible to keep calm in this chaos. 

The party was about to start in a few hours, and now, the special cake I had promised, the cupcakes, were completely ruined. All I wanted was for my baby's birthday to be perfect.

A simple moment, but full of love. But now everything seemed to be falling apart.

I felt my body tremble with the mixture of hormones, the tiredness of being in the ninth month of pregnancy, and the pressure of wanting everything to be perfect. I was about to give myself up to tears when I heard footsteps behind me.

- Carina? - Katherine's firm, soft voice echoed through the kitchen. She came in holding a tray of snacks - Honey, you need a break.

I looked at her, trying not to lose control, but the words came out like a flutter.

— The cupcakes... I screwed up! Liam's birthday... I just wanted it to be perfect, and now I don't even have cupcakes for him - my voice came out shaky, and I felt the pressure of crying about to explode.

Katherine watched me with a calm and experienced look. She knew exactly what was going on, as all mothers seem to know. She dropped the tray on the table and came to me, wrapping my shoulders with a warm hug.

— Honey, breathe - her voice was low and comforting - It's just cupcakes. That's not what will make Liam's birthday special. He has all this love around him, and that's what matters.

I sighed, trying to make his words penetrate my mind, but everything seemed too difficult. Being pregnant, organizing a party, and dealing with the expectation of perfection that I created myself. Katherine must have realized how close I was to collapse, because she didn't hesitate before taking the next step.

- Maya! - she called, leaving the kitchen towards the yard where my wife was organizing things.

In a few seconds, she appeared at the kitchen door, looking worried as she saw my panicked expression. She ran to me, touching my hand.

- Carina, what's going on? - the concern in your voice was palpable.

I looked at her, holding my frustration as much as I could, but when I looked into her eyes, the dam broke.

— The cupcakes burned, Maya. I wanted everything to be perfect for Liam, and now... Now everything is falling apart - the words came out in a desperate whisper, as tears finally rolled down my face.

The beautiful woman in front of me frowned, but instead of despair, she just smiled and bowed her head, watching me with that look that always made me feel safe.

— Babe, calm down - she said softly, pulling me into her arms - Andy and Jack made a bunch of candy and are bringing it all over here. We don't need the cupcakes.