Nothing compared to being a parent. I loved it but there were also days were I missed my old life. I missed how careless and reckless I could be and how I was only responsible for myself. Now I have a kid who depends on me for every little thing and a partner who is part of my core. The first year flew by faster than I think my whole pregnancy did because before I knew it Simon and I were hosting a party at our new house to celebrate Angelo turning one. The weeks leading up to the celebration were spent with me crying every time Angelo fell asleep in my arms.
'He's still our baby.' Simon would say when he saw me. 'Not as much.' I would respond in protest.
Simon and I have both been so busy with Angelo and his daughter that we haven't even talked about having more babies. A part of me would love a girl but at the same time we already have one and it frightens me to go though all of this a second time. I'm sure if I were to ask Simon he would say he wanted another but lucky for him he doesn't have to carry it inside of himself for nine months.
The day of the party I woke up with Angelo snuggled into my chest and Simon's arm over his back. I loved waking up every morning with both of them next to me but I also knew that one day Angelo would have to sleep on his own.
'Simon... baby...babe wake up.' I said gently shaking him. He slowly opened his eyes and then pulled the covers over his head. 'Just five more minutes... please.' He moaned. 'Simon. We have to get ready for the party.' I said throwing the covers on the floor, making him angrily get out of bed. 'I'll reward you later!' I yelled after him as he went into the bathroom. 'Not in front of the baby, Adele.' He joked.
After all three of us got ready, I went downstairs to the kitchen and started preparing the food. Simon followed with Angelo and they went into the living to watch some television.
'Babe, come in here.' I called out for Simon. A few minutes later he made his way into the kitchen. 'What is it, love?' He asked as he stood next to me with his hand on my lower back. 'Does the name Katie ring a bell?' I asked in a stern voice.
He removed his hand and sat on a chair by the table. 'What are you talking about baby? I don't know anyone with that name.' His voice was shaky and for the first time in our relationship I didn't believe him. 'Simon. I love you and I love our family we've created but if I find out you've ever cheated on me, you'll regret it.' My focus remained on getting ready for Angelo's party. 'You should go pick up Scarlet.' I said.
Simon left without saying a word and returned promptly thirty minutes later with his daughter. 'I'm here!' Scarlett shouted throughout the house when she entered. 'We missed you darling girl.' I replied, reaching my arms out for her. 'Can I please spend the night? Daddy said no.' I glanced at Simon, who tried to avoid me. 'We'll talk about it later, alright? Go find bubby.' She ran off and before Simon could say anything I left the room.
I heard his footsteps behind me, 'we'll talk about this after the party. I don't wanna ruin our son's day.' I wanted so badly to believe that all this was a misunderstanding but my gut feeling was it wasn't. All I wanted was for Angelo to have the perfect day and I wasn't going to let anything get in the way.
People slowly started arriving and everyone was having a good time. For a minute I forgot about the fight Simon and I were in but little did I know, it would soon get much worse. After cake and presents were finished everyone was settling into the living room when the doorbell rang several times. On the other side of the door was a women who had a subtle baby bump beneath a black and white striped dress. 'Is Simon here? I'm Katie.'
The End
