Photo: credit to owner
-Jessica POV-
*Few Weeks Later*
The living room is covered in balloons, wrapping paper, and toy boxes.
Today is Noah's fourth birthday.
Four.
He looks so different now. His dad got his hair cut, and without the curls he looks older. Still small. Still soft. But older.
"Noah, do you miss your hair?" I ask, kneeling in front of him.
He shakes his head confidently. "No. I like it like this."
"You look handsome either way," Danielle says, adjusting his little birthday crown.
"So how old are you now, little man?" Dylan asks, crouching down to Noah's level.
"Four!" Noah says proudly, holding up four fingers — except one keeps falling down.
Dylan gently fixes his fingers. "Oh really? So you're a big man now?"
"Yup. I'm a big man," Noah nods seriously.
"Well, big man," Danielle says, carrying the cake in, "it's time for cake."
"YAY!" Noah shouts, jumping up and running toward her.
"No running, Noah," Donald calls.
The cake is Spider-Man themed. Red frosting, blue icing webs. His eyes light up like it's Christmas.
"Make a wish!" Casandra yells dramatically.
Noah squeezes his eyes shut tight. Too tight.
"What'd you wish for?" Cameron asks immediately.
"You can't say it!" Casandra gasps.
Noah opens one eye. "Okay."
We all sing "Happy Birthday" — off key, loud, chaotic.
He blows the candles out in one breath.
Everyone claps.
Casandra attacks him with hugs.
He looks at me helplessly and gives a fake smile. Cameron and I lose it laughing.
"Seems like he's getting along with everyone," Cameron says.
"Yeah," I smile. "Especially her."
***********
Frosting ends up everywhere.
Noah has it on his cheeks, chin, even his eyebrow.
"Say cheese!" Danielle says as I pull out my phone.
"CHEEESE!" Noah screams with a mouth full of cake.
I snap the picture.
It's perfect.
Messy. Loud. Real.
Dylan walks over and high-fives Cameron before standing beside me.
"You're doing a great job," I whisper, kissing him quickly.
"Ewwww!" Noah shouts, covering his eyes.
"For real, get a room!" Casandra adds.
"That's not eww," Danielle says.
"That's love," Donald says — then kisses Danielle.
"Are y'all trying to traumatize us?" Cameron groans.
"Shut up," we all say at once.
"Okay, presents!" Casandra announces like she's hosting the event.
Noah tears into wrapping paper like it personally offended him.
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