Growing Older (Travlyn Fic)

Travis

"Thanks for coming," I say for what feels like the millionth time. How I got stuck at the door, I really don't know. Jason nods at me. I really don't like that guy. He gets on my nerves. He use to be alright, but now... ugh. But Katie likes him and she can have whatever friends she wants. Also, nothing I say will change her mind. That's how Jason ended up spending Sunday's here for dinner despite my protests. Yay.
"Where's Katie?"
"With Kacey and Eric over in the kitchen."
He nods. I fiddle with my fingers. As I go to close the door, I watch him, carefully.
Be positive, a little voice whispers I'm my head. It's your daughter's birthday.
Boy, there are a lot of people here.
There's Kacey, Eric, Lucinda, K.C, Zane, Garroth, Laurence, Kim, Donna, Logan, Kitty, Rollo, Yip, Leelo, and of course Katie. I wonder where Aph is. She should be here by now. Just as I'm about to close the door, I hear pattering feet.
"Uncle Trav!" I throw the door open. Aphmau calls everyday, but it's been a month since I've seen her last.
Alina is running, her short hair flying out behind her. I open my arms and she runs into them and jumps into me. I stand up, swinging her around. One day I can do this with my daughter.
Her laughter fills the air.
Aphmau walks towards me, holding a present in one hand and Aaron's hand in the other. They are perfect for each other. Do they ever fight? I grimace thinking of the argument Katelyn and I about this party. This party has been stressing us both out.
"Hey, Travis," Aaron says waving half heartedly. Aphmau has the biggest smile, that makes me feel so happy. It's a good day.
"Travis! I've missed you and Kate! How's Abby?" I laugh, putting Alina down. She hugs my leg.
"Abby is great. She has started crawling around now."
"That's awesome. I remember when Lina started crawling. Next thing you know their walking and you have to baby proof everything," Aaron says.
"Yeah. Kate's already started."
"Little trouble makers," Aaron shakes his head. Alina looks up at him. He smiles. "I'm talking about you, Pumpkin."
"Come in," I say, beckoning them into our small apartment. We had moved into the other apartment above Donna's store. It is bigger, but still not big enough.
"I'm going to go find people. You staying here, Aph?"
"Yep," she nods.
"I want to come too, Daddy!" The littlest Lycan throws her arms up. My smile can't help but grow bigger.
Aaron scoops up Alina and walks in, probably to find Garroth.
"How have you been?" Aphmau asks, quickly embracing me.
"It's a good day," I tell her. And it's true. No lies.
"That's great." She has the biggest smile. It's always been so full of happiness.
"So how's married life suiting you?" Aphmau sighs happily. She leans against the wall.
"Amazing," she says lightly. I push her shoulder a bit and she laughs. "It's the truth."
I love feeling this happy. I love smiling.
I turn and see Garroth speaking to Jason. I drum my fingers against my thigh.
"I wonder how they'll get along," Aph says, her eyes watching as Aaron made his way over there. She's always watching him. Just like she is always watching me. It can seem kinda creepy for those who don't know us.
"Your sure your fine?"
I smile and wrap my arm around her.
"Yeah, no bad thoughts." She gives me another hug. I notice out of the corner of my eyes that Jason looking at us odd, but really, I don't care. He can say what he wants.
"Good." She taps her foot, like she's holding something back. "I was hoping... I was hoping." Her voice sounds tense now. Which is odd. Normally it's light and happy.
"Yes?"
"I was hoping you could speak to Laurence."
Confusion hits me. Laurence?
"Why?" I ask. I've talked to Garroth a lot since I got here, but Laurence hasn't said much.
"He's having a rough time, Travis. You know how it is." She smiles a sad smile.
"Yeah, of course. So you have two people to check up on now?"
"Yeah. My Not Alone Buddy and my Laurie," she says. She takes a step away. "Anyways, I'm going to go say hi to Katie and the birthday girl."
"Yeah. Watch out Jason's in there. I think he bites," I warn her. She laughs.
"I can handle myself, Trav. They didn't call me Alpha for nothing."
"Definitely not." And then she's gone.  I sigh.
I suppose it's time for me to talk to Laurence. I can't say I'm excited for this. It's like some of the happiness is gone, knowing that one of my friends is going through a rough patch.
Laurence is standing besides, Garroth who's talking with Aaron. Man, I feel short standing next to them. They are all over six feet. I feel like an imp.
"Hey, Trav," Garroth says, waving. Now that I look closer, I see the dark circles under Laurence's eyes.
"Hey." I look over at Laurence. "How are you guys?"
"Great. Man, I can't believe she's one." I nod, absentmindedly. I'm trying to think of the best way to bring it up. Laurence catches my gaze. He raises his eyebrows questioningly.
"I want to talk with you," I say. I try for a smile.
"Aph set you up?" I hope that I don't seem weird. I don't want to weird this out.
"Maybe. How'd you know. Wanna chat?"
"Magic. And no, not really." I don't feel taken back. Laurence has never been the most open. Kinda like Katie. "But I will."
"Oh.. okay." Now that he said that, I have no idea what to say.
"But maybe after the party?" He won't meet my gaze.
"Yeah. Of course." Time for me to think.
My thoughts are interrupted as my favourite four year old jumps on me.
"Ack!" I shriek.
"Auntie Katie says it's cake time!"
"Already?" Garroth says.
"Well it's food time. I want cake."
"I made that cake you know," I say. Alina makes a face.
"I guess it should still be good."
"Gee, thanks." I lift her up, she tugs on my hair.
"You know what I just noticed, Uncle Trav?"
"What?"
"Your hair is white. Are you old?"
I raise my eye brows. Is this the first time that she noticed?
"It's white because it is a very pale blond."
"No it's white, not blond." Aaron chuckles. He takes Alina from me.
"I'm taller than you now, Uncle Trav." Seriously? Garroth and Laurence double over laughing. I stick out my bottom lip.
"We all are, Lina," Laurence says between laughs. "It's not hard."
"Hey!"
"I think we should have cake now!" She says, impatiently. I smile.
"Cake it is!" I say. "Cake should be discussed, not my height."