Chapter Thirteen, Jace's First Birthday
Valerie couldn't believe it, her beautiful, baby boy was one today and she was left feeling mix of emotions until Jasper pulled her closer and kissed her head. Offering her a semblance of calm without the use of his powers.
"Morning darlin." Jasper whispered tenderly.
"Morning babe." Valerie yawned, snuggling closer to her mate. "I can't believe our baby is one today. He's growing up so fast." She finished sadly.
"I know. But he'll always be our little prince." Jasper soothed.
"Mama. Dada." Jace's voice came over the baby monitor.
"Let's go see the birthday boy." Valerie said, smiling as he babbled away to one of his toys. "Do you want the shower first? We have to be at Esme's soon, before everyone arrives." She added, stretching which made Jasper groan as her shirt rode up a little.
"First; don't tease me." Jasper said, kissing down her neck, nibbling a little. "Second; you don't have to worry as Alice would've had everyone set up last night." Jasper stated, kissing her lovingly. They had decided to hold the party at the Cullen's house due to the sheer number of people coming. Her Dad's back garden was large but not that large. There was Valerie's Mum and Phil coming from Jacksonville; Jean-Paul and Melinda from Arizona; the whole pack and their imprints, including Angela; there was also Billy, Harry and Sue; all the Cullen's, and not to mention Valerie, her Dad, Jace and Jasper. Bella decided she wanted no part in her sister's or brat of a nephew's life.
"True." Valerie laughed. "I'm glad I got to make the Mickey Mouse birthday cake though, I wanted to do that. I'm just thankful Esme agreed to help me make everything. The pack eats tons, I'm not kidding. Being a wolf you have a fast metabolism." She added, as she got out of bed.
"You know Esme is more than happy to cook." Jasper assured, following behind her into the nursery. As soon as Jace saw his parents a wide smile spread across his face as he pulled himself up with the bars and started jumping excitedly.
"Mama. Dada." He repeated excitedly, making his parents smile endearingly at him.
"Good morning Jace. Happy birthday my love." Valerie greeted, scooping her son up into her arms and rubbing their noses together as Jasper wrapped his arms around them both.
"Good morning my lil wolf. Happy birthday, Dada loves you so much." Jasper greeted, kissing his son's head and then Valerie's.
"And Mama loves you so much." Valerie added, kissing his head just as a click of a camera went off. All three looked up at the sound and spotted Charlie standing in the other doorway with the camera.
"Hi Dad." Valerie smiled.
"Hi sweetheart. Morning Jasper, and hello my birthday boy." Charlie greeted, plucking Jace from his parents arms for a cuddle. Charlie was already dressed for the party in jeans, a red and black plaid shirt and trainers, but he also had Mickey Mouse ears on his head that was a party favour, and had attracted Jace's attention as he tried to grab them, making the three laugh.
After they had all gotten ready for the day; Jasper in blue jeans, a white T-shirt, brown boots, a brown leather jacket and the MM ears sat in his blonde curls. He didn't care if he looked silly this was for his son. Valerie wore a burgundy long sleeved, skater dress, skin coloured tights, black high heeled ankle boots, a black leather jacket, brown slightly smokey-eye eyeshadow, black mascara, black winged eyeliner and red lipstick. For her hair the sides of were twisted back leaving the rest of her blonde hair to fall down her back in natural curls like a waterfall, and finally the MM ears sat on top of her head. And finally the birthday boy wore a white personalised T-shirt with a pattern going down each side, his name and a large letter one in red sat centre on his shirt, red shorts with a black Mickey Mouse logo in the corner, thick, long grey socks, white trainers and a red jumper, and finally his winter coat.
"Wow sweetheart. That's amazing." Charlie said amazed, as she carried the cake in an airtight container into the living room from the kitchen, where he and Jasper sat playing with Jace. Bella had stormed out when they were getting ready - Charlie was going to talk to Renee and Phil about taking her with them back to Jacksonville. Shaking his head of those troublesome thoughts; Charlie looked at the amazing cake his youngest had slaved over for the last few days. It looked like Mickey was stuck inside the cake; the bottom tier was red with white circles of marzipan representing the shorts, and with his yellow shoes sticking out. The next was white, with his white gloved hands at the side, and in the middle inside a red banner and written in yellow icing was, 'Jace'. The next tier was red and on top was the ironic black logo of Mickey Mouse with a yellow number one inside it.
"You truly have outdone yourself darlin', you could give Esme a run for her money." Jasper praised, dropping a sweet kiss to her lips.
"Thank you." Valerie replied, blushing. "We better get going as Alice has already text me to find out where we were, apparently Billy and the others are there already. Mum, Phil, Melinda and Jean-Paul are on there way too." She added.
"We better get going then. The presents are all in the car along with a fully stocked changing bag." Charlie informed his daughter.
"Thanks Dad." Valerie said gratefully, kissing his cheek. Charlie picked up Jace as they all headed towards the Impala, once Jace was safely strapped in and Charlie was in the back with him - he took the cake so Valerie could get in - once they were all in Valerie started the car, holding Jasper's hand as she drove.
It didn't take long to get the Cullen's and they were pulling into the vast driveway just as Phil's car was pulling in.
"Valerie!" Renee shouted, enveloping her daughter into a hug as soon as they were both out of the car. "Oh, I've missed you so much! How have you been? Have you been alright on the Full Moons? What about school?" She asked rapidly.
"Let her get a word in Renee." Phil laughed, kissing his wife's temple, then his stepdaughter's, before shaking Charlie's hand and helping him out of the car with the cake. "You've out done yourself this time, Val." Phil whistled spotting the cake.
"I'm fine Mum. Jasper helps a lot with Jace, schools fine and so is the Full Moon the pack helps. But what bout you?" Valerie asked worriedly.
"Sweetie, I'm perfectly fine. It's not like I'm a lone wolf I have you even though we're apart on the Full Moons. You needed this and I'm so proud of you for taking it with both hands and making something with it. I love you." Renee praised, kissing and hugging her daughter.
"Thanks Mum." Valerie said happily, relishing the hug from her mother. "Hi Phil. Hi Melinda, Jean-Paul." She greeted, finally able to say hello to them now that her mother had calmed down, hugging them as they had been talking to her Dad and getting the presents from the car while Jasper got Jace out.
"This is Jasper, I know you met on the phone but that's different, and of course you know the birthday boy. Jasper this my Mum, Renee; Stepdad, Phil; and Jason's parents, Jean-Paul and Melinda." Valerie introduced.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Jasper." Jean-Paul said, shaking Jasper's free hand. "Thank you for looking after my grandson and Valerie, she means a lot to us."
"Pleasures all mine, Sir. They both mean a lot to me too and I love them with all my heart." Jasper proclaimed, as they walked through the house, pausing to put the cake in the fridge then headed out into the garden.
"That's what we like to hear." Phil said, with a large grin, before he too became distracted with the garden. It was amazing. There were red, yellow and black balloons in the shape of Mickey, a large red number one balloon, a red table cloth with an assortment of Mickey Mouse themed food, a large black banner taped to the wall that was personalised to say, 'Happy Birthday Jace'. There was also red and yellow 'happy birthday' banners streamed around. It was perfect and the plus side Emmett was even wearing the MM ears which Valerie quickly got a picture of.
Phil, Charlie and Jean-Paul put the presents on or next to the second table that contained a large amount of presents, which Valerie was shocked over. Her son had well and truly been spoiled. While Charlie and Jasper went and greeted the pack; Renee and Melinda watched over Jace as he played on the slide and climbing frame for toddlers that Esme and Carlisle had set up for him; Valerie went in search for the owners of the house and found them talking to Sam and Emily.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Valerie ranted, as she ran over to them. "This is amazing, more than I had thought of." She cried, tears filling her eyes that she blinked back.
"Oh, sweetie." Esme exclaimed, embracing the young mother. "You're family of course we were more than happy to make Jace's birthday special for him, but you're welcome." She said said, kissing the top of her head.
After greeting everyone and thanking the rest of the Cullen's, Valerie stood watching her son with a happy smile on her face as she saw the wide one on his, his happy laughter filling the garden and her with joy. Arms suddenly wrapped around her waist pulling her from her thoughts. Looking up she spotted Jasper looking down at her, planting a kiss to her lips before she righted her head again, letting out a relaxed sigh.
"You okay darlin?" Jasper asked concerned, leaning his head on her shoulder as he held her close to his chest.
"I'm perfect Jazz." Valerie sighed happily. "Are you okay? I know you're feeling a lot of emotions." She asked worriedly.
"I'm fine darlin, I promise. If it starts to overwhelm me all I need to do is lock on to your scent and it blocks everyone else's or if you're too far away, all I need to do is lock on to the simple bliss coming from our son." Jasper assured, kissing her temple lovingly.
"He's so happy." Valerie agreed, laughing when he got Leah to catch him on the slide again. After lunch they'll open presents before he had his nap, but right now they were content to just let Jace play. Smiling at his giggles as he interacted with his large and extensive family.
"Are you feeling broody?" Jasper asked, raising an eyebrow at his mate when he caught the feeling coming from her.
"Maybe." Valerie said slyly, making Jasper laugh as he kissed her lips once again.
"Once we graduate darlin, I promise we'll try for a sibling for Jace." He promised, kissing her lips.
Or more.' He thought happily.
Smiling happily Valerie kissed his cheek before she skipped over to Emmett and let him call everyone for lunch, his booming voice carrying above everyone else.
Lunch had been an entertaining affair just by watching Jace eat all the new foods and seeing his little face when his mother brought out a sparkly cake (the candle on top), and everyone singing happy birthday to him, sent him to a peal of giggles. Especially when they cheered for him blowing out the candle (Jasper blowing it out). Once lunch had been cleared away it was time for presents: Jace had well and truly been spoiled by everyone. But he was only interested in the paper at first until certain things caught his eye, but one present had brought tears to Valerie's eyes. It was from Jason, Melinda and Jean-Paul had brought it and signed it as such as they knew that's what their son would want, plus Jace now had something brought by him.
From Jason; he'd gotten a personalised blue and white puzzle in his name, along with a multicoloured train where the middle spelled out, 'Jace'.
From Melinda and Jean-Paul; Jace had gotten a four-in-one blue and black trike and a personalised plate set made from bamboo, in the shape of a tiger. The plate, knife, spoon and fork all had his name carved into it.
From Valerie and Jasper; he'd gotten a Goofy ball pit and a personalised book that they read twice to him (first Valerie than Jasper) before they moved on.
From Charlie; he'd gotten a rocking horse but it was an elephant and two maracas with dragons on them.
From Rosalie and Emmett; Jace had gotten a personalised, wooden and colourful Xylophone, a music box full of all sorts of instruments suitable for a baby/toddler.
From Jacob and Angela; they had gotten a set of ball but the balls were in blue, grey and white and another set in Slytherin colours as Jake put it as they were green, grey and white. Which went straight into the Goofy ball pit that Emmett had put up. Next; from Renee and Phil they had gotten Jace a set of blocks and different puzzle toys.
From Alice, Iris and most of the pack they had gotten Jace sets of clothing for various seasons and in different sizes so he would grow into them. From Esme and Carlisle; they had also gotten Jace some wooden puzzle toys, a red car you had to put shapes in the right holes and a blue dragon you put balls in and it would spit them back out which caused Jace to laugh and clap his tiny hands before he would do it again, and again. He was completely enthralled with it and ignored everything else until a red push along car from Billy, Harry and Sue was revealed and he spent the rest of the afternoon being pushed around in that until he went down for his nap.
Valerie and Jasper couldn't be happier as their son was happy and had an amazing birthday so far, what was going on with Bella was completely wiped from their minds, although, Valerie had a feeling it wouldn't stay that way. But she ignored it for now so she could enjoy her son's first birthday. She would not let her selfish sister ruin this. She only hoped she would go to Jacksonville so she and Jace could be away from her toxicity as it wasn't healthy for either of them. All she could do was hope. And as an Alpha she did not like relying on only hope.