Poison Ivy | Jordan Poole

thirty seven| the butterfly.

Fortunate to have you girl
I'm so glad you're in my world
Just as sure as the sky is blue
I bless the day that I found you

The first light of dawn was just starting to peek through the curtains when Jordan quietly slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Ivy. She murmured and shifted slightly, still deep in sleep, while Jordan planted a soft kiss on her forehead before tiptoeing down the hall.

In the nursery, he found Blyss already awake, sitting in her bed and clutching the sparkly card she had colored herself-though most of the "sparkles" came from stickers and some errant crayon strokes. Alba, Ivy's cavalier spaniel glanced up at her, her tail wagging excitedly as Blyss spoke "Daddy! Is it time for Mommy's breakfast?" she whispered, her little voice carrying all the excitement of a grand secret.

Jordan smiled and scooped her up. "Yes, it's time, but remember, it's a surprise, so we have to be very quiet," he whispered back, tickling her nose lightly.

Blyss giggled, covering her mouth with both hands as if to hold in the laughter. Jordan picked up Logan from her crib next, gently cradling her in one arm, and they all made their way downstairs to prepare Ivy's surprise breakfast.

In the kitchen, Jordan set Logan in her high chair with a soft rattle to play with, while Blyss helped him with what she proudly called "the most important parts." Kai and Kota peaked into the kitchen at the noise before meowing and going back to their comfy places around the couch.

Carefully, Blyss added strawberries to a little bowl (though she taste-tested a few), sprinkled some powdered sugar over the pancakes with an enthusiastic shake, and clumsily arranged flowers from the bouquet Jordan had bought onto the tray, her small fingers tenderly arranging the blooms.

"Can I put the card on the tray, Daddy?" she asked, holding up her colorful creation.

"Of course, princess. Let's put it right here, so it's the first thing Mommy sees." Jordan set the card on the tray, admiring her handiwork as Blyss beamed up at him.

"Let me find out I got the next baby Picasso" he joked and Blyss' smile grew wider as she grabbed napkins.

Finally, with everything in place, they headed back up the stairs. Jordan balanced the tray carefully in one hand, holding Logan against him with the other, while Blyss tiptoed beside him, her tiny feet moving as quietly as she could manage. Kai and Kota trailed cautiously behind them while Alba raced ahead of them, nudging the door open with her nose.

When they entered the bedroom, Ivy's eyes fluttered open, and she smiled in sleepy surprise at the sight of them: Jordan with the breakfast tray, Blyss holding up her card proudly, and Logan wiggling happily in her dad's arms as she beamed at their fur babies.

"Happy birthday, Mommy!" Blyss announced in a loud whisper, bouncing slightly as she thrust the card forward.

"Oh my goodness," Ivy laughed, her eyes lighting up as she sat up in bed. She took the card from Blyss, admiring the colorful stars and stickers plastered across it. "This is beautiful, baby. Did you make this for me?"

Blyss nodded eagerly, her face glowing with pride. "Daddy helped me! I put your favorite color- yewwow And I put strawberries in the bowl!" she added, as if it were the most important job of all.

"You did amazing, sweetheart," Ivy said, pulling Blyss in for a gentle hug. She kissed her little girl's cheek, then looked up at Jordan, her smile deepening. "You really did all this?"

"Of course, butterfly," Jordan replied, setting down the tray and leaning in to kiss her softly. "We wanted to make sure your birthday started off right."