Sam sits down in the chair in the living room holding the baby, "That was some party, wasn't it, kiddo? It's not every day that you get to turn a year old. I think everyone wanted to know that you were really special. You know that. I'm glad everyone's gone, though. 'Cause I get you all to myself."
The newly one year old reaches out, "Yeah, I know. You see all those presents? Daddy agreed to do cleanup duty. Yes, he did."
Picking up a stuffed bunny, "Look at this."
The baby squeals happily, "Oh you like this one don't you sweetheart."
Jason walks into the room, "Well, it's too soon to clean up because we have one more present."
"We do? Where?" Sam asks.
"Right here," a five year old Danny answers bringing over a gift with him.
"Wow!" Sam exclaims, "This is great buddy!"
"Go ahead and give it to her. You wanted to give it to her once everyone had gone home," Jason reminds his son.
"Oh, thank you, Danny," Sam responds as she takes the gift, "Look at this baby girl."
Sam smiles warmly at her son, "Did you wrap this all by yourself?"
"Yes," Danny answers proudly, "Daddy helped."
"Well, it was Danny's idea. He wanted Emily to know everything that happened to our family before she was born so she wouldn't feel left out."
"That is so sweet. I don't want you to feel left out, so come over here. Let's open it together."
Sam makes room for her son beside her in the chair.
"It's a book, mommy."
Jason: laughs, "You're not supposed to tell her what it is."
Sam gasps looking through the book, "Oh, wow! Look at daddy in Mickey mouse ears. It's Disneyland! Emily's going to love it. Thank you so much." Sam hugs Danny to her giving him a kiss on his forehead.
"One more thing," Jason tells her as he hands her a picture.
"What's that?" Sam looks at the picture taken earlier today, during the birthday party for Emily. "Wow. That is a perfect picture for the picture-perfect family. Look it - there you are. Emily, there you are. And there's daddy."
Her eyes fill with happy tears as she looks at her little family. Once upon a time she felt so alone but Sam no longer feels incomplete as she is surrounded by her loved ones.
~~~~~Somewhere to Run~~~~~
I have worked on this story for years and I am proud to say I finished it today. Thank you all for reading it and supporting me in this journey.