The One (sequel)

Chapter 6

Even though Dylan and I were finally trying out a real relationship, I still couldn't get him to sleep in my bed, or my room. So most nights I would cuddle with him on the couch until one of us fell asleep. The nights he fell asleep I would sneak off to bed, the nights I fell asleep, he would put me in my bed.

I felt bad not being able to fully let him in, but he was very understanding about it. Our relationship, was basically the same, only at the end of the day we cuddled, kissed, and laughed together, which was nice.

I woke up feeling a little nostalgic, it was Ben's first birthday. This was gonna be a hard day for me. I got dressed into a nice gray long sleeved shirt, and skinny jeans, I rolled up the legs above my ankles. I ran my fingers through my hair and pulled it up into a messy bun. I brushed my teeth and drew some liner around my eyes.

I went to Ben's room, I flipped off his starry lights and opened his curtains letting the light in. He lifted his head and groggily looked around until his eyes settled on me. A big smile spread across his face.

"Happy Birthday buddy!" I lifted him out of his bed. He grabbed onto me and pressed his face into my shoulder lovingly. I turned to look at a picture of Ben, Fang, and I. I still can't believe that that happened, and that it had now been a year since. I still missed him all the time.

I really think it was time to move on, that's what Fang would want me to do. I laid Ben on to his changing table and started undressing him, and changing his diaper. I put him in a dark gray shirt with a big orange "1" on it, orange pants, and some little black converse on his feet. I sat him up and helped pull his wings out of the slits in the back of his shirt. He extended his wings and turned his head to look at them, he was in love with his wings.

"C'mon little guy." I picked him up and we went out to the living room, where Ella and Nudge were hanging decorations.

"Smile!" Dylan flashed his camera in my face." Ben is one year old today, holy crap!"

I could smell something delicious coming from the kitchen. I stepped into the kitchen to see my mom baking up a storm. She pushed a cake pan into the oven, while she pulled a full cupcake pan out. She closed the oven and set the baked cupcakes on the counter.

"Somebody's busy." She jumped.

"Oh, I didn't know you were there." She smiled and relaxed as she saw Ben smiling at her." Iggy and Gasman went to go get Pizzas for the party!" She said happily as she took Ben from me.

"It's only going to be us, we don't need to go so crazy." I said.

"Honey, it's Ben's first birthday, you always have to go big for firsts!" She put Ben down and he wobbly walked into the living room, to play with Angel.

"But he won't even remember it." I argued.

"Listen, the first birthday is more of a celebration for you, you kept the baby alive for a year, you guys made it!" She laughed and gave me a hug, blinking away the tears in her eyes." I wish I could've been there for all of your firsts, Max."

"Well now you'll be here for all of our firsts." I smiled at her.

Iggy and Gasman arrived with the pizzas an hour later." The food has arrived." Gasman landed on the porch and stepped in setting the pizza on the kitchen table.

Everyone stormed the pizza and quickly devoured it. Ben enjoyed his piece most of all, completely covering his face in it. After pizza I washed his face and hands, and it was time for presents.

Sand toys for the beach, a wagon, with storage compartments, an umbrella, shoes, clothes, hats, swimming suits, floaties, a small pool, of course sun screen. Living on the beach these gifts were expected. Learning books, a chalkboard to hang somewhere, along with chalk, a small table with a storage spot, and chair, and other learning toys. He loved everything.

We all dressed into our swimwear, put Ben's beach toys into the wagon, and sat him in it. I stuffed my beach bag with a few towels, sunscreen, and water. I placed Ben's sun hat on his head and we headed out to the beach.

After slathering Ben in sunscreen we went and splashed around in the waves. We filled up his small pool with water, and let him safely play in it with a few floaties. We played in the sand, and built lumps of sand. Ben loved every second of it.

After a few hours we went inside. Where my mom waited with a display of cupcakes and a small cake for Ben, frosted in white and orange. I sat Ben into his high chair, and we sang him happy birthday. I placed his cake in front of him, and he dug in, smashing cake into his face, devouring the whole thing.

I gave Ben his sippy cup full of milk, which was also quickly gone. Everyone enjoyed watching everything Ben did. After getting Ben bathed, and into bed, I went out to the living room, to talk to everyone.

"So when do you plan on teaching Ben to fly?" Nudge asked.

"I don't know, I don't see him flap his wings very often. He doesn't even use them when he falls down." I explained.

"Well maybe it's something you should start working on." Angel said.

"Maybe." I rubbed my arm.

After everyone left that's all I had to think about. Ben flying.