My Baby Girl

An UnFOURgettable Birthday

One week later: August 6th
*Ashley's POV*

"Mommy wake up!" I feel two little hands shaking me awake. I open my eyes and roll over to see that Tyler is already awake, rubbing the last bit of sleep from his eyes.

"It's my birthday girl!" I exclaim, pulling Everleigh, along with Poppy, under the sheets and smuggling her with kisses. Tyler joins in moments later.

"Mommy, Daddy, I'm four today!" Everleigh says, proudly displaying four fingers. I smile as if I haven't already shed a few tears about it. It seems like just yesterday I was snuggling her against my chest for the very first time, and now we're celebrating her fourth year of life, with two more girls on the way. Just then I feel a sudden kick, followed by three more.

"Ev, your sisters are wishing you happy birthday!" I say with a laugh. Tyler and Everleigh join me in placing their hands on my, continual growing, baby bump, and giggle lightly when the babies kick the very same way for them too. Poppy curls up to us moments later, finding the occasional movement from the twins comforting to her. I could list off a million things that make this pregnancy better than my previous one with Everleigh. Every day I'm constantly reminded of the people who love me. My fiancé and my beautiful daughter treat me with the utter most genuine kindness, and I can already see it shining through to our babies. These girls are going to have the best daddy and the best big sister in the whole wide world.

"I'm so escited for my birfday party!" Everleigh squeals, bringing me back to the moment.

"I'm so glad! I hope it's everything you want and more!" I say, planting a kiss on her head. I've spent countless hours planning Ev's fairytale princess birthday party with my best friends and our amazing party planner. Everleigh is to that age now where she will remember her birthday parties, and I want to make sure it's everything she hopes for, because she deserves the world.

"Should we go downstairs for your special birthday surprise?" Tyler asks, discarding the bedsheets and stepping onto the carpet.

"Yeah!" Everleigh squeals, jumping up and down on the bed.

Tyler and I follow Everleigh through the hallways and down the stairs to the main level where my mom and dad stand around a table with balloons, streamers, and a plate of birthday pancakes.

"Happy birthday Ev!" They shout simultaneously. Everleigh's face lights up.

"Morning Nana and Papa!" She says, giving each of them a hug. It's been a tradition in the Benson household that the night before Everleigh's birthday her grandparents spend the night at our house. Its something special that Ev looks forward to every year.

"Good morning sweet Ev! I can't believe you're four years old today!" My mom says, squeezing back extra tight.

"Me either." My dad agrees, and gives me and Tyler a hug as well.

"How are my little girls doing in there?" He asks, bending down to my bellybutton and placing a hand on my baby bump.

"Wild and crazier than ever." I reply with a laugh.

"It's true!" Tyler interjects. "Ash and I will lie awake for hours just feeling those stinker bugs kick and move around in there. It's the best feeling in the world."