"Daddy….daddy….."
Damon awoke to the sound of a small voice chirping in his ear and a hand patting his cheek. It was the adorably exaggerated hushed whisper of his now 3 year old daughter, who was very excited for her birthday today. He cracked an eye and glanced at the bedside clock.
7:00 am
He groaned. Much too early for a Sunday morning; however, much like her mother, he couldn't deny his baby girl when she wanted something.
He opened his eyes fully and smiled "Who is this I see?" he whispered, careful not to wake Emily (who was now pregnant with baby number two a boy). "Is this my Bella? It can't be…she's two years old, and you are three!"
"Daddy" Isabella put her hands on her hips and stared down at him. "It's me! It's my birthday today, I grew by one!"
Damon put his finger on his chin, contemplating that thought. "Hmm..well, I have to test if you really are Isabella , so you have to answer a question. Are you ready?"
Isabella put on her best serious face and nodded. Damon stared on her for a moment, overcome by how much she looked like her mother. Her dark ringlets piled up on the top of her head, her soft hazel eyes with a hint of blue in them from Damon, and her 2 piece pajamas covered with purple and red owls (for which Emily had a matching set they got them on their mom and daughter trip to NY).
"OK…what is the name of your favorite stuffed horse?"
"Daddy, that's easy! It's Mustang after mom's nickname!"
Damon chuckled and tickled his daughter's sides, making her shriek with laughter. He stopped immediately and brought a finger to his lips, lowering his voice "So it is, my angel..You passed the test, you are in fact Isabella." He kissed her nose." But we need to be quiet now..Momma is sleeping and she needs her rest."
Isabella looked over at her mother sleeping on the bed. "For baby brother?" she whispered.
"Yes sweetheart…baby brother (they have not decided on a name yet) needs to sleep too. How about we go and have some daddy/Bella time while momma sleeps?"
"Yay!" Isabella whispered theatrically and threw her arms around her father's neck. Damon picked her up and carried her into the kitchen, where he set her on one of the kitchen stools and began gathering items for pancakes.
"What shaped Pancakes do you want today cats or goldfish ?" Damon asked.
Isabella tapped her bottom lip exaggeratedly, again reminding Damon of his wife. "Cats!" Isabella finally exclaimed. Damon laughed and shook his head, setting to work finding the cat molds in the closet for the pancakes.
45 minutes later, with strawberries and whipped- cream covered cats pancakes done and eaten, Damon brought Isabella into the living room and sat her down on the couch. "I have an early birthday present for you, little mustang" Damon said, holding a package behind his back.
"What is it daddy?" Isabella asked excitedly.
