Chapter 1: One Year Later One Year Older

"Come to Mummy and Daddy," Vivien encouraged her children as they sat out in the garden during a lovely day. A light breeze blew through the air as the sun shown high in the sky. The roses were blooming like they did every year. Like every year things grew and got older. It was hard to believe the children would be a year old very soon. How the first year flew.

"Come on," Larry chimed in as he crouched down next to his wife.

At hearing their parent's voices Madeline and Parker began waddling over to them one step at a time. Trying their best to keep steady they gripped the toys that were around them. One step, two step, three step. At a little at a time they began walking towards their proud parents. However, as they took their fourth step their little feet slipped and they fell into the lush grass.

"Uh-oh," Vivien answered as she began biting her lower lip.

"They are fine darling." Larry reassured her. Vivien nodded her head. Stumbling and tumbling were a part of the process. "No bumps, no bruises. They are fine." Vivien took a step forward. Larry reached out his arm to stop her. He shook his head. "They have to be able to do this by themselves. We won't always be there." And Vivien knew this as well, but being a new mother she wanted to do everything. Why wouldn't' she want to? After all at that age mothers and fathers did everything. It didn't bother her. She wanted to do it and she also knew Larry wanted to as well. She could see the pain and fear within his eyes. He too was having trouble holding himself back.

"The children won't learn that way you know." Richard said as he wheeled himself out into the garden. Vivien and Larry looked at Richard. Sure they would it was just going to take a little while.

"Yes, they will. They are doing quite fine for their age." Vivien answered as she knew they were learning. She looked once again at her children who had managed to get themselves back up. At seeing grandfather they made their way over to him. Step after step both Madeline and Parker were by their grandfather. "Daddy!"

"What Vivling?"

"They-and we-"Vivien couldn't get the words out of her mouth she was so shocked. They had been working all morning on getting them to walk. But in all honesty they would walk when they were ready. Not when her and Larry wanted them to walk.

"Vivien it's nothing to get upset about the children just want what your father is holding in his hand." Larry pointed as the children stood looking up at the object in their grandfather's hand. "Whatever it was it caught their attention."

"They want the cookie in your hand." Vivien laughed. They were just egger to get what he had.

Walking over to the children Vivien and Larry each picked one up. Sitting down at the small table they handed them animal crackers. Eating their crackers they picked up one at a time and placed them in their mouth.

"Is there anything they can't do?" Richard asked as he waved at them. They sure were smart, funny, curious little children.

"Walk, talk," but we are getting to it. "There is no rush in doing any of it. The children will do it when they are ready." Larry answered.

"Darling will you hold Parker for me for a moment." Vivien asked as the baby books sat under the big white umbrella. Taking Parker he sat him on his other leg. As Madeline shared her crackers with her brother Vivien picked up a baby book. Opening it she flipped to a page. Picking up a pen she began writing under walking.

May 25, 1948. Started walking, Mummy and Daddy are so very proud of you. Closing the pink baby book she opened the blue one and put the same thing. "Have you noticed that what one does the other tries to do right after?" Vivien asked as she placed Parker back on her lap.

"Starting to see who can do things the best already." Richard laughed. "Once one starts to ride their bike or when one of them looses their first tooth the other one will want to do the same thing right after their sibling." He took a sip of his tea. "Your Uncle Alexander and I were always doing that."

Picking up a sippy cup Vivien held it. "Drink?" she asked. Seeing the cup Parker dropped the cookie in his lap. Taking the cup he took a drink. My someone was thirsty. Picking up the cookie Vivien held it in her hand. A few seconds later Parker was done with his drink and picked up the half chewed up cookie that rested in his mother's hand.

Throwing a cookie Madeline began to get fussy. "I think someone needs a nap." Yes they did it was half past noon and normally they were asleep by now. Madeline began to squirm in Larry's lap. Making a fussy noise Larry put her down. Crawling on her hands and knees she went and grabbed a toy. As she picked up her blanket and her favorite doll she pointed at something sitting in the tree.

"I think someone wants to play with the bird." Richard replied as he finished his tea. At hearing the word bird Callie saw her chance.

Madeline seemed mesmerized by the thing. As she pointed at it she made a noise and looked at her parents. "That's a bird. Can you say bird?" Larry asked as he watched from the other side of the table.

Madeline looked back at it, but just pointed. Madeline was far too interested in it, let alone say it. As it sang Callie jumped in the tree. Scaring the little thing it flew off and to another tree, but this time much higher up.

"Bird," Madeline said with a slight giggle. The word somewhat stumbled out of her mouth. But none the less she had said her first word.

Vivien and Larry looked at one another. "Well I'll be." Richard said in awe.

"Say bird." Vivien encouraged her daughter with a smile, but Madeline didn't have any interest in saying the word. "I'm sure she will say it again." Picking up Madeline's book she opened it and wrote quickly. Already walking and talking. "Now it's Parker's turn."

"Darling," Larry said as he glanced over at her. "We can't rush him. He will do it in his own time."

"Your right, when he's ready he will talk." Vivien looked down at Parker. "Our little man," she began tickling the bottom of his feet. Laughing with delight a wide smile went across his lips.

"Mama,"

Vivien gasped, his first word. "I told you." Richard said quickly. "What did I tell you?" One after another.

"Next they will be losing teeth and will be entering school." Larry said as he realized his children were growing up….and they were only eleven months.

"Let's not rush things." Vivien said crossly. Passing Larry the baby book he wrote it down.

"When do you think they will say daddy?" Larry asked. Now he was eager for them to say it. After all saying mama was a big step.

"They have been learning quite quickly. Could be any day now." Vivien answered. But she didn't rightly know. "You know their one year is coming up shortly I need to get the invitations sent out sometime this week for their party."

"Did you figure out what the thyme was going to be?" Richard asked as the nurse brought him the newspaper.

"ABCs and 123s" Vivien answered as she placed Parker on the soft grass to play with his sister. Crawling over to Madeline Parker picked up a block and put it in his mouth. "The sisters said they would make the cake and help get things ready for the party." Opening a baby book Vivien began to think on that past year. So much had changed since that June day less than 11 months ago. Madeline having colic and now she was a healthy happy baby turning into a toddler every sing day. Parker growing alongside his sister, at just a little faster pace, but not by much, they were growing up right before their parents very eyes. Before long they would be toddlers, then school age and then college and then. Vivien shook her head she didn't want to think about that now. She just wanted to enjoy what was happening right then and there. "I'm sorry what did you say?" Vivien asked.

"I asked how many people were coming?' Larry asked. They had talked about the party a little, but not enough. Taking out a piece of paper Vivien unfolded it and laid it on the table. "Great. It's the baby list all over again," Picking up the piece of paper-two pieces of paper.

Vivien raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong with the list? As for the baby names you liked what was picked so there was no need to look at the list anyways."

"Nothing, it's just that it's quite long." Good thing they had the space for all of these people.

"Of course I wouldn't leave anyone out. I think I got everyone. All of your family, mother, father, brother and his wife and son, grandparents, aunt's uncles. Am I forgetting anyone?" Larry shook his head. Not that he knew of. "Putting a check mark next to the names she began listening off her side of the family. "Father, grandmother, aunts, uncles-" her voice trailed off as little giggles had been replaced with high screams and tears. Looking up from the list Vivien and the rest of them looked at Parker and Madeline. Madeline had taken Parkers toy. "Madeline, we don't take other kids toys." Even though she knew that Madeline couldn't comprehend what was being said it wasn't too early to start with being kind and gentle to one another. Getting up she went over to Parker and picked up his favorite toy. As she handed it to him he reached for it with delight. Waving the toy around in his hand he was content. As the children played they began yawning. "Will talk about the party later I think it's time for the children's naps." Larry and Richard nodded their heads yes. The children were getting quite restless.

Picking them up Vivien, Larry and Richard headed inside ready to unwind. Nap time was always a blessing in that house. Time to relax and to get things done before the children woke ready to play.

"What a wonderful party." Kay Alexander said with delight as she talked with her granddaughter and husband. It was a month later and the children turned a year old. "And the children just look like dolls in their outfits."

"Thank you, we are glad it turned our rather well." Vivien said with a smile. "Even though the children really don't know what's going on they still are having fun." Of course the outfits were cute her grandmother picked them out. Vivien laughed to herself.

Madeline's little purple dress went to her little chubby knees as a lighter purple lined the hem and the rim of the puffy sleeves. Her light brown hair was swooped back with a small purple bow, showing off her little pierced ears; while a little pair of purple socks covered her little feet to keep her feet from getting to hot inside her patent leather shoes.

Parker was dressed in a little black pair of bib overalls with a little purple undershirt to match his sister. His brown hair neat and was able to show off his handsome face. Just days before they got their first hair cut. Little black socks and shoes covered his feet. They were the life of the party.

"Aw, yes, well first birthday parties are more for the adults," Kay answered as more people came up and told them what a great party it had turned out to be. It was decided that most of the party would be outside in the open under the big oak trees. More room for the children, their cousins and neighbor children to run and play.

"She can say that again." Larry whispered into Vivien's ear. Vivien stayed quiet as she slightly rolled her eyes. Lifting his gaze up towards the party Larry saw his children looking up at the heaping of gifts sitting on a nearby white table. Larry nudged Vivien's shoulder.

"Hmm." She answered as she looked up into her husband's face. Pointing in the direction of the gift table Vivien followed his finger. She laughed slightly

"I think someone is ready to open gifts." Kay said as she joined in with the laugher.

"Will do gifts here in a little while, right now it's time for the cakes," Vivien answered. Larry shook his head. There was a schedule. Always a schedule when it came to parties and get together's of any kind.

As Vivien and Larry approached their children Sally ran up. "Can I pick one up?" she asked as she stood next to them.

"I don't see why not." Vivien answered as she saw no problem in this. Sally jumped up and down with delight as a smile appeared on her face. Going over to Madeline she picked up the little toddler. As she and Parker were lifted up into the air they both screamed and squirmed.

Madeline squirmed and wiggled in Sally's arms. Reaching for the big stuffy animal she cried. "Vivien, make her stop." Sally said as she felt bad.

"Madeline, you can have the animal in a little while." Vivien said softly as she held her little girl. But the little toddler still screamed and cried. Walking over to the highchairs they were placed into them. As people turned and watched the two little cakes were brought out. The children soon forgot about the gifts once the two baby block cakes sat before them. Sticking their hands into their cakes they began to giggle with delight. Throwing the cake, putting their faces into the cake and eating the cake they had a ball with it. Flashbulb after flashbulb popped as they enjoyed themselves. After getting a family picture taken Madeline and Parker thought it would be funny to throw the cake at their parents.

Not being able to doge the cake they were splattered with it. "At least it's a good cake." Larry answered. For his children to only be a year old they sure had arms on them.

"Yeah," Vivien answered as she wiped it away from her face. Not only did it get on her face, but it also got onto her powder blue dress. At least frosting came out easily. Hearing a flashbulb they both looked in that direction. That would be a keep sake picture. Hoping there weren't any more cameras Vivien walked over to the punch table and grabbed a few napkins. "Wow," came a few voices.

Turning around Vivien saw the seven sisters. "It's the new look apparently." Vivien said as she finished wiping her face free of the icing and pieces of cake.

"Apparently." They all laughed.

"Are you ladies having fun?" Vivien asked as she picked up a glass.

"Yes, it turned out great." Anna answered as they all agreed. "You can tell that a lot of work was put into the party; and Parker and Madeline look-looked so cute in their outfits."

"Thank you. Somehow I don't think Grandma is going to find that very funny."

"It doesn't matter, because as long as this is a remembered party then things should be fine and it doesn't look like you have to worry about that." Jacqueline said with a smile. That was a good thing Vivien thought for a quick moment.

"I best be getting back to Larry and the children I'm sure he's wanting to clean up as well." Vivien said as she excused herself with a handful of napkins. Walking back over she found the aftermath even worse. Trying her best she tried to hold back her laugher. It looked as if the cake had exploded. "Here you are darling." She handed some napkins to him.

"Thank you dear." Taking them he cleaned his face and his nice clean cut shirt. Which appeared to be no longer clean cut, "Do you think people will be forgetting this anytime soon?" he asked as he took care of the last little bit of icing.

Vivien shook her head. "I think people will be talking about this for a while. Especially dad," Taking an extra napkin she wiped down Parker's face. Parker squirmed as she wiped his nose. "Parker, you've got to sit still." Within moments his hands and face were clean. Luckily for them they had bibs on. No mess-well almost no mess on their nice clean party close.

After getting himself cleaned up Larry took care of Madeline. Just like her brother Madeline squirmed and whimpered. If they hated this what would it be like when it came to the harder things? Bath time? Bed time? "Good as new," Finally. Taking them out of their highchairs it was gift time. Not that Madeline or Parker knew the difference all they knew was that they wanted the big white bunny along with the big brown stuffed puppy dog.

Box after box the wrapping paper came off and each gift was reviled. Dolls, trucks, swing set, wagon, sandbox. The swing set and the sandbox they could grow into. It was never too early to get things ready for the next stage in their lives.

"After all the fuss over the toys the children would rather play with the boxes then the gifts." Larry said shaking his head. At least it kept them occupied while the trash was picked up.

"Don't get any ideas." Vivien said with a giggle as the last piece of wrapping paper was picked up.

"Can you blame me?" Larry asked as he watched his children play.

"No," Vivien replied as she turned her attention to her children. They sure looked content and happy. Soon everything was cleared and the party was ending.

"Thank you for coming." Viven thanked as the last people left the party. Shutting the door she let out a sigh. She was so tired. She could go to bed and sleep for hours. Heading into the sitting room she found Richard, Larry and the children. "It seems like we aren't the only ones who are wore out." nodding her head towards the children. They had fallen asleep as their little arms were wrapped around their new stuffed animals.

"I'm sure they will sleep well tonight." Richard whispered as he looked at his sleeping grandchildren.

Glancing up at the clock Larry saw 5:30. "All day and no nap no wonder they are so tired."

"Why don't we put them to bed and that way we can start to unwind as well." Vivien mentioned. Larry agreed. Picking them up they carried them upstairs. Moving in their arms a little they were scared that they would wake. But no worries they stayed asleep as they were put to bed in their new PJs that a neighbor had gotten them.

Giving them each a kiss Vivien and Larry left the nursery. Looking back once before shutting the door they stood there watching their little bundles of joys sleep. A year had past and within that year so many things had happened. Giving his wife a kiss on the forehead they stood watch for a few more moments before retiring themselves.

A/N: Hello everyone:) So I was finally able to get the first chapter finished. What do you think? Was it enough?