No matter what happens I'll always stand by you

Noah's birthday

Somehow, just like that today was Noah's first birthday. Aljaz and I were having a party for him. Ashley and Chloe had been invited, even though she was heavily pregnant she wanted to come. Some of the pros were coming as well. It felt like ages since Ava had last seen them.

Ava has stayed over last night so she could help set up or look after Noah while Aljaz and I set up.

Aljaz and I went downstairs causing Noah's face to light up when he saw us.

Janette: "happy birthday"
Aljaz: "happy birthday. How long have you two been down here?"
Ava: "about an hour ish. I heard him waking up and wanted cuddles"
Janette: "he loves it when his big sister stays over"
Ava: "what's the plan for today? We haven't eaten yet"
Aljaz: "do you want to be my assistant chef again? Janette and Noah can watch"
Ava: "as long as I don't have to make the coffee"
Aljaz: "do you know who makes the best coffee?"
Ava: "who?"
Janette: "meeeeeee"
Aljaz: "she's right"
Ava: "Janette's on coffee duty then"

Noah just sat there enjoying everything. He especially enjoyed watching us tossing the pancakes really badly. He was still teething but he had most of his teeth now.

Once we'd finished breakfast, Ava helped me clean up while Aljaz started setting up for the party. Ava took Noah to get ready while Aljaz and I finished setting up.

Noah and Ava came to find usto make sure that everything was ready before everyone arrived. As soon as we walked in and Noah saw me he pointed to me and said "mama". We all stood there in shock and I was getting emotional. Ava pointed to me"Who is it Noah?" "Mama" I took him off Ava and hugged him. "That's right my little boy, I'm your mama"

Slowly but surely everyone started arriving.

When Ashley and Chloe arrived, Ava introduced them to the pros they hadn't met.

Ava could tell that Chloe wasn't herself as she was either with her or Ashley. She decided not to tell them about Noah saying his first word.

When everyone was there, we started playing games and eating. Then we sat down to give Noah his presents. He decided that Ava was the only person allowed to help him. Once he'd opened them, Karen and I went to put the paper in the bin. Noah decided that he wanted to play on the floor with his toys so Ava sat next to him. He took his cuddly monkey toy that Ava had brought him over to the sofa and tried to pull himself up. Ava quickly yelled for me to come and see.

Just as Karen and I entered, Noah had got the hang of it and let go to start walking towards Ava.

After a few hours of walking and playing Noah fell asleep in Ava's arms so she took him upstairs and put him to bed. As she was walking down the stairs she looked around looking for Chloe who she hadn't seen in a while.

"Has anyone seen Chloe?" She asked trying not to sound like she was panicking. No one had seen her and she knew that this wasn't good.