Miley's POV
"I see you planned everything to the last detail," I teased Nick as I saw the kids being led to another table by Frankie, Noah and Madison. He laughed, "I figured you'd like a hassle-free dinner that's not completely child-free, so I arranged for the teens to come along and watch the little ones. That way we can still have the kids with us."
"Honestly, you spoil me too much," I mumbled, poking him in the side. He shrugged and grinned, "Nah."
"Miley, just so you know, your birthday cake is courtesy of me, my husband and Demi," Sel informed me, squeezing my shoulders. I beamed, "Where is it? Coming from you, I'm sure it'll be terrific." She led me to the main table.
A three-tier white chocolate cake stood tall in the middle of the table. The bottom tier was striped orange, white, green and pink; the second tier was orange with green swirls and pink flowers; and the top tier was white with pink, green and orange polka dots. A big candle was in the middle of a big '25'.
"Selena Marie, this is the most gorgeous cake I've ever set my eyes on," I exclaimed, giving her a hug. She grinned, "I'm glad you like it!"
"Like it? I love it!" I hugged Taylor and Demi, too.
"Speaking of which, I thought you had a doctor's appointment today. So, is our little addition a little man or a little lady?" I asked, sitting across Selena with a plate of fettuccini. She gave a little laugh.
"Unfortunately, although the baby's healthy, he or she refused to turn the right way, so we couldn't determine the gender. But I have a strong feeling that it's a boy," she said decisively.
"Usually the mother's guess is correct. How was Taylor?" I teased. Taylor, who was standing nearby, talking to Trace and Nick, turned his head in our direction, "Miley, I heard that. Just so you know, I'm very happy, very grateful and blessed; and wouldn't mind if the baby's a boy or a girl." I giggled.
Taylor's POV
"Honey, why're you so restless?" I demanded after trying hard to ignore my husband fidgeting in his seat. Joe whined, "Tay, why won't Miley cut the cake? I want cake!" I shook my head, "You are utterly ridiculous, Joseph Jonas." He shrugged.
"When I found out you were going to be a boy, I was so happy and wished that you'd be a great person just like your daddy. But I hope this is one trait that you won't inherit," I informed our seven-month-old son, who grinned in response.
"Just so you know, this trait of mine is considered very charming," smirked Joe. I laughed, "Of course it is. It's the main reason I'm attracted to you." He shrugged as if to say 'so there'.
"Alright, y'all, it's cake time!" announced Miley. Joe practically fainted with relief.
"Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday, dear Miley,
Happy Birthday to you!"
Miley blew out the candle with the help of Nick and the girls. After impatiently receiving his slice of cake, Joe sat back down next to me. "Ah, it's heaven," he moaned, his eyes rolling. I couldn't help but laugh. He fed me a forkful.
"You gotta admit, this thing is fabulous. Good choice, Sel," I said to Selena, who was sitting across from me with Taylor. She shrugged modestly, "What can I say? I have such excellent taste." I rolled my eyes playfully.
Miley's POV
"Mommy, I got you a present," Madlyn said excitedly, rushing up to me. I smiled at her, "Did you now? I can't wait to see it!" Like a shot, she took off to the other side of the room, where Noah was. My sister handed her a package and an envelope.
"She worked really hard on it. Laurel helped, too," Nick gave Laurel a little bounce in his arms. She giggled. I kissed the baby's forehead, "I'm sure you did, sweetheart." Madlyn ran up to us again and held out the package and the envelope.
"I made you the present and Laurel helped me to make the card," she informed me as I carefully tore open the gift. I unwrapped a picture frame.
It was a plain wooden one, but decorated with colorful buttons, sequins, glitter and feathers; I bet Nick or Noah helped her with that. It framed a photo of me, Nick, Maddie and Laurel during Maddie's recent birthday.
Although her artwork was messy, I knew she'd worked so hard on it. The writing on the paper card was smudged, but I could make out 'Happy Birthday, Mommy' and 'We Love You'.
"Oh, Madlyn, this is beautiful. I love it so much," I hugged her and Laurel tightly, tears welling up in my eyes. I feel so overwhelmed. To have children is one thing, but to be appreciated by them is another, greater thing altogether.
Nick's POV
"So, what'd you get her other than some birthday sex?" asked my brother nonchalantly, downing a can of Gatorade. I stared at him incredulously. "Excuse me?" Joe looked at me, "What? Oh, come on. It's practically a global surprise that you and Miley only have two kids judging by the amount of sex you guys have."
Kevin smacked the back of his head, "Joe! You're just so obscene. You don't hear us talking about your sex life with Taylor."
"Ah, this is the first time you've mentioned that. Our sex life is just so—"
"That wasn't an invitation, Joseph."
"Oh, sorry."
"But if you really wanna know, I got her gift vouchers to the most expensive spa in LA; plus a new BCBG Max Azria dress, a brand new pair of Jimmy Choos, a new Louis Vuitton handbag and a Tiffany diamond necklace with matching earrings." I said triumphantly. My brothers stared at me, wide-eyed.
"Are you trying to fit in her birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas and anniversary presentsall into one?" muttered Joe. I laughed, "No, Joe, I'm just trying to show my wife that I really, really love her."
"And last but not least, a present from me, your amazing, incredibly handsome husband," I joked, handing her two paper bags and a small box. Miley glared at me. "Nick, I told you that I did't want anything. This is all too much!" she admonished.
I ran my hand over her cheek, "I know, I know, but I just had to get you something to show you how much I love you." She blushed as our friends 'awww'd. My mother teased, "Nicholas, remember: no PDA." We laughed. "Of course not, Mom. Come on, babe, open up."
Laurel leaned out of my arms as she curiously watched her mother opening her birthday gifts. Maddie was next to Miley, secure in Mandy's lap. Miley opened the first paper bag and peered inside.
"Oh, my God, a new dress and a pair of new shoes? Nick!" she scolded, but her face was flushed; she was happy nevertheless. I grinned, "Glad you liked it. Second bag!" She reached for the second bag and shoved her hand inside.
"The newest design of Louis Vuitton handbags? Oh, my gosh!" she was screaming with excitement. Finally, she opened the small box. "Oh, my God. Diamond jewelry. Oh, Nick, thank you so much. And a spa voucher, too." She threw her arms around my neck.
"I love you so much."
"I love you."
Selena's POV
"Selena," whined Demi, "when are you going to find out the baby's sex? We need to plan your baby shower."
My best friend, the champion whiner.
"It's not my fault that he won't turn the right way! I know it's a boy, so it doesn't really matter," I argued.
Taylor squeezed my shoulder. "Don't be so confident, babe. What if it's a girl and you just get disappointed?" I glared at him, "Even if it's a girl, I wouldn't have minded. Boy or girl, as long as it's healthy, is perfectly okay with me."
"Okay, people, I have a photo shoot to get to," said Demi, standing up. "Bye, Taylor," she hugged my husband and reached out for me. "Bye, Selly. And bye, little trooper." She kissed my protruding stomach before hopping out of the room.
"You know, Daddy's really sick of waiting," Taylor warned our baby, lying down next to my stomach. I sighed, "To tell you the truth, Mommy's sick of waiting, too. As sure as I am that he's a boy, I just want to confirm it."
"When's our next appointment?" asked my husband. I answered, "Next week. Maybe by then our little trooper here will behave." He rubbed my belly and kissed it, "Maybe."
Nick's POV
"Miley, Maddie's three years old. You seriously want her to start nursery school so early?" I asked doubtfully. My wife crossed her arms over her chest, "Nick, our daughter is the smartest three-year-old I know." I chuckled and rubbed her back.
"Of course she's smart, but are you sure about this? I mean, letting her go out into the world so soon?" Without realizing it, my mouth had drooped. Miley took one look at me and wrapped me in her arms.
"Oh, honey, she'll always be your little girl. Nothing's gonna ever change that," she murmured.
"Sweetie, I appreciate this, but you're talking as if this is Madlyn's wedding day. It's getting a bit much."
"Whoops, sorry."
"Happy Birthday, Laurel," I whispered, running my thumb over her soft, pink cheek. Her eyes fluttered open, revealing dark, almost black eyes that I knew all too well. An exact copy of my own. I lifted her out of the crib and cuddled her against my chest.
When I first found out that Miley was pregnant with our second child, I was scared. Oh, forget it, I was terrified. Of course I was ecstatic at the prospect of becoming a father again. But will I love this baby the same as I love Madlyn? Will I find him or her as special as Maddie is to me? I remembered the talk that I had with my mother.
"Mom, I'm worried. What if I can't love this baby?" I murmured. My mother squeezed my hand, "Nicholas, that's not likely. One or another, you're going to fall in love with this baby; just like the way you fell in love with Madlyn when she was born."
I shook my head. "What if I don't love her the same? What if I love her less? What if Madlyn doesn't even like her?" I whimpered, feeling more vulnerable at that time than I had in years.
"Nick, no, it won't be like that. You will love her as much as you love Madlyn. You will love them both equally; I promise you. Madlyn is a lovely, bright and sweet little girl. She's so excited about becoming a big sister. She'll love this baby more than you'll ever know, sweetheart."
I was silent for a while before asking, "Mom? How did you make yourself love Joe? I mean, Kevin was your first child and you thought the world of him, and now suddenly there's somebody else to love. How did you do that?"
Mom laughed softly. "I felt the same way you did. I was so happy, but I was scared, too. Do I have enough love in me to love both of them? I didn't know. But when Joe was born, I was thrilled. It's an automatic reaction. I just immediately and instantly loved Joe, and not more or less than I love Kevin. When you came along, my life became better. I had three boys that I love equally in different ways. I couldn't be happier. And now I have four boys, three daughters-in-law and five grandbabies. My life is perfect."
I hugged my mother. "I know I'm not usually a very demonstrative person, but I need you to know that I love you, Mom. I love you as much as you love me, and probably more. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Tears fell from her dark eyes as she whispered, "I'll always be here as long as you need me. I love you so much, Nicholas."
"And you," I flicked my finger on Laurel's nose, "have Grandma to thank for this immense love I am able to give you." She giggled. We were interrupted as Miley stepped into the room, grinning.
"There's my baby girl!" she cooed, making a beeline for Laurel. She covered the toddler's little face with kisses. "I can't believe you're already one year old! Oh, I love you so much!"
"Happy Birthday, Laurie," Madlyn shrieked as she tore into the room. I lifted her off the ground, "Hey, big sister." She kissed me on the cheek before giving Laurel a big hug. "Happy Birthday, Laurie. I love you."
R&R! :)