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November 18th, 2015 (Sophia 8 months on 20th)
That chaotic period of the year is back between Halloween and New Year's Day where it seems like there are nonstop events, parties, and everyone is going a thousand miles per hour. This year was particularly exciting now that they have Miss Sophia included in the family. Last year they were dreaming about what Thanksgiving would be like with their baby and now they get to experience it for themselves. They truly had so much to be thankful for this year.
Sophia was two days away from being eight months old. She's extremely clingy and snuggly at the moment because she's getting two bottom teeth and it's uncomfortable for her.
Dr. Laine had first noticed the feeling of a tooth and inflamed gums at her appointment several days ago and pointed it out to the girls when they mentioned she was extra attached and restless. The doctor instructed the girls to keep her on milk and a very soft food diet until they pop through the gums.
Sure enough, a couple of days ago the tooth appeared. They could tell she felt some relief but knew she was still uncomfortable and still very snuggly. She rarely ever cried though even with all the pain she was experiencing. Heather and Naya felt awful and so helpless for their baby girl.
Sophia learned to stand and balance on her own but hasn't tried walking as of yet. She's a stubborn one just like her mami. Anytime they try and coax her to walk she drops down on her bottom and smirks. Naya's DNA is to blame for that.
Heather and Naya can detect how ready Sophia is to start talking as well. She's beginning to mimic and sound out everything she hears, so the girls have established a no swearing rule around the baby. Oddly enough, Naya is the one who enforced that rule, which Heather teases her about often since she's without a doubt has the biggest potty mouth.
The group of friends decided to start an annual Friendsgiving celebration to take place the weekend before the holiday. They all agreed to bring a dish and just spend the day together. Sophia was certainly the inspiration behind this new tradition as everyone wanted to see her as often as possible. The Glee cast was such an extraordinarily tight-knit group so they wanted to spend holidays together too...as if going to work with these people daily isn't enough togetherness, however, they genuinely adored one another.
It was just after 7:30 am the day before their Friendsgiving. Heather had woken up about an hour prior and brought Sophia into the living room with her since she was already awake in her crib playing with her bunny. The second she caught sight of her momma peeking through the door she instantly tugged herself up and raised her arms for Heather to hold her. She made sure to grab her daughter's blanket and bunny before they walked out of the room.
Naya was still sleeping in the master bedroom so Heather took Sophia to the kitchen to have their breakfast and some milk that Naya had pumped the other evening.
Naya wanted to have her on breastmilk for as long as she could supply and physically produce enough. Now that she was getting teeth it wasn't as easy to feed her directly from the source but it was easy to pump in the evenings while she caught up on some reading. During the evenings or if Sophia is having a particularly hard time, Naya will happily breastfeed their daughter.
"You're so beautiful just like your mami Sophia," Heather whispered as her daughter nuzzled her little face into her momma's neck. "Take your time to wake up sweet girl. Momma's got you." Heather said sweetly to her drowsy daughter. Like her mami, Heather simply knew not to ask a bunch of questions the first half-hour after she woke up. Naya and Sophia were both sloths in the morning. They were always extra clingy and quiet until their brains finally decided they wanted to join planet earth. Heather thought it was hilarious and incredibly endearing to see the similarities between her two favorite girls.
Sophia draped her arms securely around her momma and buried her face in Heather's neck the same way she had done since the day she was born.
Heather is completely surprised when she hears footsteps coming up behind her and turns around just in time to embrace her sleepy wife. The two most valuable things to Heather are right there in her arms. She kisses both of her dark-haired beauties on the head and pulls them impossibly closer.
"You are so beautiful, Naya. Good morning my love." Heather smiled and kissed the crown of her head while gesturing over to the island and pulling out the chair for her wife. "Here, my love. Take a seat and I'll pour you a cup of coffee." Heather says as she takes her hand and steadies her wife until she's on the chair.
"Would you like coffee creamer this morning, my love?" Heather inquired while holding their barely awake daughter with her other arm. Naya nods shyly and Heather winks back at her.
"I still don't know why you treat me like this..." Naya asked looking down at the countertop and tracing random patterns with her fingertip. Heather looks over from where she's pouring the caramel macchiato creamer into her wife's coffee and looks at her slightly perplexed.
"Sweetheart, how do you believe you deserve to be treated?" Heather asked genuinely curious as to how her wife would answer back. Naya looked down as if she were ashamed and shrugged.
"Sometimes, or I guess a lot of the time, I don't think I deserve someone as good as you." Naya finished as her eyes glassed over with tears. Heather grabbed Naya's hand and helped her off the chair while motioning her to bring her coffee with them. Naya follows her wife's cues and walks with her wife into the living room where she is led to the couch.
Heather lays a sleeping Sophia on the couch behind her against the pillow before turning around and looking back over at her wife.
"Hey, love don't cry. Come here, beautiful. What's going on love? You know I can't see you sad like this." Heather whispers as she settles back against the couch and pulls her wife close to her but leaves enough room in between them to where she can still see her face. Naya sniffles and wipes her tears with her long sleeve sleep shirt.
"God I don't know. I think it's just the holiday and reflecting but I do feel that way a lot. I just hope you know how thankful I am for you." Naya sniffles out. Heather frowns and looks Naya in the eyes before she speaks.
"You, my love show me every single day. Look at last night! That was beyond unbelievable. You do countless special things to show me how much you love me and I have never doubted that. Naya, look at her..." Heather says gesturing back to their sleeping daughter behind her. "Look at that perfect human you gave me. We combined all our love and made that little girl, and if that's not the embodiment of pure love I don't know what would be." Heather whispers with a smile as she dries her wife's tears with her thumbs.
"You're just so remarkable, and I..." Naya starts but is promptly interrupted by her wife's lips crashing into hers. They kiss for a moment before separating.
"You are everything to me Naya. Everything. You and my baby girl are my entire world. You will always be that for me. There will never be anyone else for me. It was always you and it will always be you. My beautiful, Naya. Thank you for being open and talking to me about how you feel. I'm so glad you did instead of keeping those feelings inside. Those are not nice feelings and it makes me unhappy that you're carrying those feelings. You are so strong and brave my love. It's going to be you, me, Sophia, and any other babies, pets, and whatever else Sophia decides to bring inside from the backyard one day." Heather giggles kissing her wife on the lips. Naya can't help but chuckle because she can just picture Sophia being a crazy animal person like her wife. Her house will evolve into a damn zoo and she knows it.
"You want more kids with me?" Naya asked making Heather raise an eyebrow.
"Of course! My love, you carrying my child was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life. As many babies as you want is as many as we will have, and yes I want them all with you. You are the only woman that will ever carry my children." Heather confesses while tucking a piece of hair behind Naya's ear. Naya smiles shyly.
Naya doesn't know where that flood of insecurity just came from but Heather can be so damn perfect that it's hard to not feel like you're not measuring up.
"I love you so much." Naya choked out with a small smile. Heather smiles back and kisses her lips. "I love you more than anything. You and my Soph" Heather grinned.
"mhhffffstmmm" Sophia murmured as she was waking up. Heather and Naya giggle and Heather twists around to pick up their daughter and bring her in between them.
"Hey, Soph!" Heather says and sees her daughter frowning and pointing to a tear on Naya's cheek. "Mami was a little sad little love, but do you know what? I think a family hug might make mami feel better. Can we give mami a snuggle my angel?" Heather asked her baby girl. Sophia lifted her arms out for Naya who choked out a sob as Heather moved closer and the two of them surrounded Naya in a tight embrace.
"Thank you. That was exactly what I needed. I love you both so much." Naya mumbled tearfully.
"How much do we love mami, Soph?" Heather asked her daughter. Sophia sat back a little bit on Naya's lap and spread her arms as wide as they could go, a new thing that Heather taught her.
"Looooooo" Sophia tried to say to her mami.
"Love" Heather encouraged making Naya beam with pride that her daughter knew what it meant and was trying so badly to let her know that.
"Oooovvvvv" Sophia attempted again and both of the girls scooped her up and kissed her all over.
"We love you the most Naya. Never forget that. You're our whole world." Heather said making fresh tears come out of her wife's chocolate eyes.
"You're my whole world too. God, I'm sorry that was a lot for so early in the morning." Naya utters internally scolding herself for her mini-breakdown.
"Naya, my love, never apologize for your feelings. Would we ever tell Sophia not to tell us something because she thinks she's not supposed to feel that way?" Heather asks her wife who rapidly shakes her head. "Exactly," Heather says kissing her wife.
"I know. God, maybe I'm getting my period or something. I'm a fucking mess." Naya said annoyed with herself.
"How about tonight you and I take a bath when this troublemaker goes to bed. If we need to talk more we can, or if you need to sit in silence we can do that too." Heather says which makes Naya look up lovingly.
"God, you are amazing." Naya breathed out.
"For my wife and child, I would do anything in a heartbeat," Heather tells honestly making Naya smile. Heather happens to glance over at the right time and sees Naya cringe slightly.
"You okay my love? What happened" Heather asked worriedly.
"Ahh, not really. I was right...cramps." Naya sighed. Naya always had bad cramping whereas Heather didn't have nearly any symptoms during her period.
"Oh, sweetheart. Here, love do you think you can hold Sophia?" Heather asked as she handed the sleepy little girl to her mami.
"Of course. Why what are you doing?" Naya asked with a raised brow.
"I'm going to carry my girls up to the bed and I'm going to grab your heating pad and we will spend a day as a family just relaxing and snuggling. I think that's exactly what you need today love." Heather smiled as she effortlessly lifted Naya and their daughter to the bedroom.
"Lay here my loves. I'm going to get mami her heating pad so we can make her tummy feel better." Heather said. Sophia pointed to Naya's tummy and kissed it right above her belly button.
"Aww thanks, Mija, the amo bebe," Naya said swooning at her sweet little girl.
"Alright, love. This usually helps you." Heather said as turned the heating pad on placing it on her wife's abdomen before walking around to the other side of the bed to crawl in on her side. She shuffled under the covers and grabbed Sophia's blanket and patted the left side of her chest letting her daughter know that was her spot. Sophia smiled and came with her blanket to lay on her momma.
"Who are we missing Soph?" Heather asked and their daughter pointed right to Naya. Naya giggled at them and shook her head lightly. She couldn't comprehend how much she was loved. It seemed surreal.
"That's right my little love, I'm missing my love. Come here beautiful." Heather says and Naya scoots over with a smile until she's flush with Heather and leaning her head on the other side of Heather's chest opposite Sophia. Sophia's nearly asleep and Naya is very relaxed laying against her wife. Heather Is gently moving her fingers along Naya's abdomen trying and distract her from the cramping.
"Thank you. I love you." Naya says half asleep.
"Love you the most. My everything" Heather replied.
Later that night around 7:00 pm Naya was waking up after taking another nap which made her feel so much better. She slept on and off most of the day and the three of them snuggled and enjoyed their lazy day as a family. She was laying on her side and looked over to see Heather with Sophia in her lap and they were sharing a bowl of yogurt while watching The Lion King. All Naya could do is grin wildly watching the two people she loved more than anything.
"Raaaaaaaaa" Sophia looked at Heather and smiled.
"That's what those lions do. Good girl Soph! Then they put out their claws like this." Heather says as she shows Sophia how to curl her fingers and act like a scary lion.
"Raaaaaaaaa" Sophia exclaimed with her hands up and fingers curled. Heather giggles and so does Naya making them both twist in her direction.
"Raaaaaaaaa" Sophia says while showing Naya her new scary lion. Naya pretends she's scared and goes completely under the blanket causing Heather and Sophia to giggle. Suddenly Naya pops out from under the blanket making Sophia squeal and laugh hysterically as her mami tickles her everywhere before Heather joins in. Sophia's tiny high-pitched raspy voice was music to their ears. She had to be the cutest thing on this planet.
They continue to watch The Lion King and Naya isn't sure who's enjoying it more, Heather or their daughter. She's staring at them with a smile on her face when she gets a FaceTime call from Lea. She answers it right away while holding the phone back as far as her as will go.
"Hey, Nay!" Lea said. Heather came into the frame to wave to her. "Hi, Hemo!" Lea added
"Hey, Lea, what's up?" Heather asked. Sophia recognized the voice and the name and stuck her head in Infront of the phone and waved making Lea laugh.
"Hi, Sophia! I can't wait to see you tomorrow! Are you gonna eat lots of treats?!"
"Twwwwwww" Sophia attempts making the girls laugh.
"Almost kiddo! So I wanted to just confirm to come over anytime between 11:00 am and noon. Since your bringing the casserole you can bake it here and we will put it in with the potatoes and stuffing." Lea says earning a thumbs up from Heather. On the other side of the bed, Naya is freaking out because they were supposed to make that damn casserole today and it was already almost 8:00 pm and they still haven't yet. Heather knows exactly what her wife is worried about. Lea asks them to hold for one moment while she leaves the room and sets the phone on the table so they are looking at the ceiling.
"Naya, love I made the casserole this afternoon and some cookies. It's all taken care of. You needed to rest my love. Relax honey." Heather assures while caressing her wife's cheek causing Naya to look up in shock and affection at her wife who is always being so thoughtful.
"Why are you..." Naya is immediately cut off.
"Only for the loves of my life. My girls." Heather winks causing Naya to shake her head in disbelief.
"Sorry guys! Hey Soph?" Lea said getting the little girl's attention so she looks at the phone. "Look what I found..." Lea finishes and the three girls look into the phone as it points in another direction.
"My darling!" Chris hollers from the kitchen. Sophia squeals and claps before shocking everyone and pouting her bottom lip hard making everyone on the call frown. Sophia gets big tears in her eyes blue eyes and holds her arms up to the phone effectively breaking everyone's hearts.
"Oh god..." Naya said with her hand over her heart having to look away before she completely broke down. she was way too emotional today to see this. She looked over at her wife and Heather was also wiping a tear.
"Aww Hi, my favorite girl! I'm so excited I get to see you tomorrow! I came over to aunt Lea's to make a couple of treats for my Sophia tomorrow! I love you, baby girl." Chris says wiping his hands on a kitchen towel and coming closer to the phone taking it from Lea before sitting at the table so he could talk to his niece. Sophia instantly puts her chin down and Chris kisses the camera of the phone to make it seem like he kissed her forehead.
That's officially what causes the tears to free flow for Heather and Naya. These two made them laugh like no other but broke their hearts like no other too.
"I can't wait to see my favorite girl tomorrow. What are you wearing tomorrow, pretty girl? Do you have your outfit picked?" Chris asked and Sophia points to the phone screen at her uncle. "You want uncle to bring you your special Thanksgiving outfit?" Chris asks with a smile and Sophia smiles back at him.
"It's already here baby girl. Come in your pj's and we will put you in your Thanksgiving outfit when you get here sweet girl. Ok, honey?" Chris said as Sophia wiped her teary eyes and waved at her uncle. Naya and Heather didn't even bother to talk since they probably couldn't get any words out anyway. They were emotional wrecks.
"How are you, ladies?" Chris giggles waiting for the moms to come into view. He can't help shake his head when he sees their wet faces. "So at what point during this conversation did you officially lose it?" Chris asked.
"I haven't cried..." Naya said roughly
"Liar." Chris laughed
"We turned into saps when you fake kissed her forehead... It all went downhill from there," Heather admitted through a giggle. Can't help that you and my daughter are beyond adorable!" Heather said making Chris shake his head and giggle.
"Alright my darling, I have to go help auntie Lea make some special treats for you my dear, but I'll see you tomorrow ok my sweets?" Chris reassured while waving to the little girl. The moment he did that she burst into tears and looked down in her lap. She never sobs like this so the girls are alarmed. Sophia never even cries when she's wet or hungry, she just signs and lets her moms know what she wants. They were very quick to teach her how to let them know what she wanted so she didn't get upset trying to express her needs and feelings. Heather and Naya are quick to reach out to her when she breaks down. Chris looks completely shattered on the other side of the phone.
"Sophia honey, can you listen to me, sweetheart?" Chris asks softly. When Sophia hears his voice she quiets down. "Girls, what time does she go to bed?" Chris asked.
"By 9:00 pm so in about forty-five minutes. We were just going to bathe her." Heather replies while wiping a few tears off her cheek with her pointer finger.
"Sophia?" Chris asks and she wipes her eyes trying to catch her breath and looks at the phone. "How about Uncle Chris comes over to read you a story and then I'll come back and help auntie Lea finish your treats. Can I read you your story tonight darling?" Chris asks the little girl. Sophia nods slightly as if she's not completely sure what he said.
Naya and Heather stare at the phone in disbelief that he would volunteer to drive twenty minutes to their house and then twenty minutes back to Lea's just to read their baby a bedtime story.
"I'll be there soon baby girl. Go take your bath and I'll hurry there okay? Dry those tears because uncle doesn't like when you cry." Chris said softly and giggles when Sophia wipes her eyes with her little fists and waved her little hand back at him.
"Looooooo" Sophia tries to say making Heather and Naya tear up once again. These two will be the death of them
"Love you too my angel. I'm coming. Alright, Hemo I'll text you when I'm outside the gate." Chris said
"Chris you can just come on in, the gate code is 921214. I think we trust you not to rob us. The front door code is the same. I'll have Heather text it to you too in case you forget. Seriously, Colfer, you are amazing for doing this. She will be beside herself when she sees you." Naya says and Chris sees Heather smile and nod in agreement.
"Anything for my mini-me. I'll be there soon!" Chris said before hanging up.
"Alright...that had to have been the most unexpected and heartbreaking thing I've ever seen," Heather said as they both sighed and wiped their wet faces. They looked at Sophia who still seemed upset because she didn't understand Chris was coming over, she just knew she didn't see him anymore.
"Honey let's go take your bath so uncle Chris can read you a story!" Heather says which makes a smile break out on her face at her uncle's name.
"Mija you have that man wrapped around your little finger don't you..." Naya giggled.
Sophia giggles back causing Naya to tip her head back in laughter. God, she loved that child.
"Knock knock!" Chris announces as he opened the front door. Heather was giving Sophia her bath while Naya was washing the dishes that were in the sink.
"Hey uncle whipped!" Naya calls out from the kitchen where she picked up the hand towel to dry her hands before coming to the living room to greet her friend.
"Shut up! That was fucking heartbreaking." Chris mumbled and Naya nodded.
"She loves you so much. You know that right?" Naya said sincerely.
"I love her more. She's such a special little girl. I'm going to wait in her bedroom so just bring her in when she's ready. What book is her favorite?" Chris asked as he set his keys on the table and shrugged off his jacket.
"Sounds good. I'll tell Heather. Goodnight moon is her story of choice at the moment." Naya says with a smile. Chris salutes and heads upstairs quietly. Nays goes up right behind him and while Chris goes to Sophia's room and she heads to their master bathroom and tells Heather where Chris is waiting just as she's lifting Sophia out of the tub and starts wrapping her in a soft white towel.
Five minutes later she's in her lilac purple footie pajamas. Her hair is down to her shoulders and in ringlets, her bright blue eyes are so exotic and vibrant, and her cheeks are pink from teething. She's clutching her pink bunny in her hand which was always given to her right after her bath.
Sophia still seemed uncharacteristically somber, which bothered Naya and Heather because she was never sad. They both knew why she was upset right now though. She didn't get why her uncle was right in front of her and then went away. The second they ended Facetime, Sophia was looking behind the phone trying to figure out where her uncle went. She was beyond confused about how the technology worked.
"Should we read a story baby girl?" Heather asked her daughter. Sophia looked down and fell on all fours and began crawling unhurriedly to her room since she refused to walk as of yet. Naya and Heather frowned but followed their daughter to her room. Sophia knew it was right across from her mothers' bedroom. When she walks into the elegant nursery she doesn't notice anything since the rocking chair is on the side of the room and not right there when you walk in which is the direction she was facing. She sits on her bottom in the middle of the carpet and looks at her mothers sadly.
"Hey, where's my bedtime pal?" Chris said from the rocking chair where he is perched. Sophia whips her little head around and twists her body to the opposite side and squeals crawling as fast as she can towards her uncle. She pulls herself up against the chair which he stopped rocking so she wouldn't fall and scoops her up kissing all over her face.
"My Soph!" Chris says happily. Sophia is wiping her eyes while Naya and Heather rapidly move to kneel next to the chair wondering why she's crying again. Sophia simply wraps her arms around her uncle and clings to him. Both of the girls cover their mouths and wipe a few tears. They knew she would love her uncle Chris, but those two had some unexplainable bond that was extra special.
"I'm right here darling. Uncle Chris will cuddle and read to you honey. This is my favorite book, how did you know that!?" Chris lets out as she slowly turns and he gives her tummy a little tickle making her giggle.
The girls just look on at the two in admiration when Chris looks over and mouths blanket towards the girls and Heather nods running to the bedroom to grab it from the bed. He smiles gratefully when she brings it back and covers their daughter with her quilt.
"Here darling let's cuddle for the second half of the story. She sits up so he can tuck the blanket around her and lays her against his chest while he flips through the pages with one hand while the other runs through her freshly washed dark ringlets.
Naya has been taking photos and Heather took a video. The moment was way too pure and perfect not to be able to look back on it. They would later send them to Chris.
"You're my best girl, sweetheart. Uncle Chris loves you so much. I'll always be here for you baby girl." Chris said before kissing her forehead.
"Dammit Colfer..." Naya mutters tearfully before leaving the room and wiping her eyes. Heather wipes a few tears as she chuckles and shakes her head at her wife. Chris looks up and smiles before his attention goes back to his niece.
Twenty minutes later Chris was in the entryway getting ready to go back to Lea's. Sophia fell asleep in his arms before he gently placed the sleeping infant in her crib before stepping out of the dark bedroom quietly.
"Here let me take that casserole and I'll stick it in the fridge over at Lea's since we are baking it there anyway. One less thing for you to carry tomorrow." Chris says as Heather smiles gratefully and turns to the kitchen to grab it out of the refrigerator. "The bag with the crunchy topping laying on lid is spread across the top before it's put in the oven tomorrow," Heather informs while carrying it into the entry and handing it over to Chris.
"Seriously Chris, you made that little girl's night and you made me cry way too much for my liking," Naya mumbled trying to be serious but failing miserably causing the other two to shake their heads.
"I thought you didn't cry, you big shot." Chris laughed nudging her shoulder.
"Ugh fine! When my daughter cries, I cry. I can't help it! She never cries like that!" Naya says shaking her head.
"No kidding. She has my heart that's for sure. She's the only lady that can make me do whatever she tells me to." "Chris groaned making the girls laugh.
"Well, we won't take up any more of your night than we already have. Tomorrow morning we should be there around 11:30 am, or possibly closer to 11:00 am. We will have to see how mad Sophia is when she wakes up and finds out you are not here." Naya cackles causing Chris to shake his head knowingly.
"Do you really have an outfit for her tomorrow or should we get her dressed before we come over?" Heather asked
"Nope her outfit is at Lea's house. If she needs to call me tomorrow when she wakes up just let her. I'll be up by 6:00 am" Chris said causing the girls to nod gratefully.
"We love you, thank you for everything," Heather said as she hugged her friend followed by Naya.
"Anytime. See you all tomorrow! Love you!" Chris waves goodbye to the girls.
November 19th, 2015 (Friendsgiving)
Heather rolled over in bed and it was just after 8:00 am. She's shocked she slept as long as she did. Normally she's an extremely early riser but concludes that she must have needed the extra hours of sleep. She rolls over and spoons her wife wrapping her arm around her thin waist and kissing the back of her head and shoulder. Naya hums and turns over to face her blonde wife.
"Happy Friendsgiving Beautiful," Heather said as she kissed her wife's forehead. "I can't wait for today. It will be so much fun." Heather admits while grinning widely. Naya beams at Heather and also can't hide her enthusiasm for their first-ever friend's Thanksgiving. This will be an awesome tradition.
"You too baby. I can't wait. It will be a great day." Naya said. They were in the middle of the kiss when they heard their daughter mumbling from her crib through the baby monitor.
"Someone is up," Naya said sitting up and stretching. Heather does the same before throwing her legs off the bed and standing making her way towards the door. The girls hold hands and walk to Sophia's room where she's standing in her crib with her head laying on the railing not looking incredibly impressed.
"Good morning love!" Heather said approaching the crib
"Morning, Mija!" Naya replied to her daughter who just pointed at the vacated rocking chair where her uncle last was and sulked. The girls snicker a little and shake their heads.
"Baby girl, should we go see Chris and everyone else? They are all waiting for you!" Naya said excitedly hoping to cheer her daughter up which ends up working and Sophia starts mirroring her mami's excitement.
"Alright honey let's get ready and he will head over!" Heather smiles as she lifts her petite little girl from her crib.
The girls just arrived at Lea's house just after 11:15 am. Naya was removing their daughter from the car seat, while Heather opened the trunk and grabbed their bags. When Heather closed the back door, Naya and Sophia were already waiting for her leaning against the Mercedes. They think Sophia was realizing she was getting to see everyone so she was fidgeting and wiggling around in Naya's embrace.
"Ready my loves?" Heather asked her girls with a smile. Sophia gleamed as well as Naya and they walked towards Lea's front door and turned the handle. They could hear the guys in the living room watching ESPN while the girls were all in the kitchen working on desserts, or at least that's what it smells like from where they were standing. Naya puts Sophia on the floor and she crawls quickly around the corner and squeals at the guys.
"Soph!" they all shout happily and wave to her. She giggles and waves back happily before making her way to the kitchen and squealing to make her presence known.
"My girl!" Amber announces as she turned from where she stood at the counter and twisted around with her hands caked in flour as she worked on the cookies.
"Hi, Sophia girl!" Jenna exclaims as she bends down and grabs the little girl who was using her aunty's jeans to pull herself up before being scooped up by Jenna. She excitedly points to all the treats spread across the counter.
"Don't they look yummy?!" Vanessa said as she walks over kisses the little girl's hand.
"Here Soph," Diana says as she grabs a spoon from the drawer and dips it in the whipped cream so Sophia can sample it. Sophia smiles as Diana holds the spoon out and she wraps her lips around it and points to the bowl signaling she would like more.
"Hey, I was just letting you taste test! We will give you more for dessert little girl." Diana giggles while tickling the baby's tummy.
Sophia is back on the ground and is looking around for something. She makes her way to the entrance of the living room and points towards the guys who are completely focused on the tv. The girls are trying to figure out what she wants by asking her random questions but she just continues to shake her head. Finally, a light bulb goes off in Heather's mind.
"Hey, where's Chris? We haven't seen him yet?" Heather inquires making Naya look up right away. That's what her daughter must have been trying to ask. Duh.
"He ran to the store super quick to grab the ladies some eggs and butter so they could finish their desserts. They decided to make an extra one they found online and Jenna realized they didn't have enough of those two ingredients. He should be back any minute though." Harry explained which earned nods from the girls.
"Soph, uncle Chris is coming soon!" Naya clapped causing Sophia to look down and grab her footed pajamas and try to pull them off.
"Honey, he has your pretty outfit for you. We don't know where it is. Uncle Chris will be here soon." Heather reiterated to her impatient baby girl. Of course, the second Chris is mentioned she automatically thinks of her outfit choice. The girls shake their heads at their little diva.
The ladies were gathered in the kitchen preparing the final dessert. Vanessa was holding Sophia in her lap at the table when they heard the front door open.
"Oh, Soph! Who's here?!" Vanessa said excitedly setting the baby down where she quickly took off on all fours towards the front door. Naya and Heather turn their heads quickly from there they were placing the dough on the baking sheet. They smiled when they heard Sophia squeal and giggle from the hallway.
"My darling!" The girls hear Chris holler from the hallway and shake their heads when they hear Sophia's excited squeaks.
Chris comes in the kitchen moments later with a plastic bag of groceries and his brown-haired, blue-eyed sidekick on this opposite hip.
"You found him, Soph! She's been waiting for you... very impatiently I might add." Heather giggled. When Chris smiled and placed the bag on the table as he hugged his niece with both arms and she tightly wrapped her little arms around his neck. Naya, Heather, and the other girls chuckle when Sophia starts babbling in a seemingly serious tone pointing to her pajamas.
"Oh, you want your Thanksgiving outfit on now, little miss?" Chris giggles and kisses her forehead. "Alright, let's go, honey," Chris says as they make their way down the hallway. The girls laugh as they see Sophia clapping excitedly. Only Chris could manage to make an eight-month-old this thrilled about wardrobe changes.
About ten minutes later, Chris and Sophia came back out and everyone covered their mouths. Sophia was wearing a pair of dark wash skinny jeggings, a raspberry-colored chunky cable knit sweater with the hem of the top tucked in in a small section in the front for a polished chic look. Sophia's hair was half up with a matching raspberry-colored velvet bow which looked gorgeous and elegant with her extra dark hair. She looked like such a big girl.
"Oh, I actually can't take this..." Naya said reaching her arms out for their daughter who looked like such a little lady already. Heather walks over to her girls and kisses both of their heads and looks over her daughter's adorable outfit.
"Chris, this is adorable! My girl looks so grown up!" Heather frowns but giggles when Sophia is pointing to her sweater and smiling. This girl might end up making Chris' dreams come true and enjoy the fashion world as much as he does.
"Doesn't she look fabulous!" Chris bounced happily. "Oh Nay, set her down!" Chris says excitedly. Naya and Heather both look at him with a raised eyebrow and Naya sets her down so she's standing on her own but can still hang on to Naya's leg for support. Heather leans forward so she can see what the fuss is about and Chris kneels in front of the infant and smiles.
"Sophia...show your mom's fabulous," Chris says as he smiles and nods to the little girl who raises one arm and flips her hair back like the sassy princess she is. Naya and Heather look on with their jaws dropped.
"That's brilliant," Vanessa says while cracking up from her place on the chair.
"What are you doing to our baby girl Chris?!" Heather laughed.
"I'm obsessed with her!" Lea says while putting the topping on her pie.
"Chris and Sophia get in here! Games about to start!" Cory yelled from his place on the couch.
Chris turns around with his eyebrows scrunched together. "Do we look like avid football watchers to you people?" Chris says flatly making the girls laugh and the guys shake their heads. "Lea, can we turn on the TV in the kitchen to stream the parade from last year? I want to show Soph the Snoopy and the Mickey balloons." Chris asks
Lea had a medium-sized flat screen tv in the corner of her kitchen near the table. She loved to watch cooking and baking shows while she prepared food.
Sophia looks up with her mouth wide open and points to the tv after hearing her uncle say Snoopy and Mickey.
"Eyyyyyyyyy" Sophia squeaks out as Chris streams last year's parade from his phone onto the big tv. Chris hurriedly takes a chair and turns it out while holding his arms out for Sophia who hastily makes her way over and sits on his lap and screeches at all the characters she recognizes. The girls are just looking over and cracking up at those two.
While those two are fixated on the tv, Harry comes Into the kitchen to refill his beverage and looks over at the two, and just shakes his head.
"You two gave up football for this?" Harry points to the tv in disbelief. Chris and Sophia turn and scowl with their fingers pressed against their lips signaling him to be quiet. The girls break out in a fit of giggles at the two parade watchers in the chair. Harry kisses Jenna before shaking his head and walking out of the room.
"Soph it's Simba!" Chris squeals making Sophia giggle and point to the tv while clapping her little hands.
"Who wants the rest of the whipped cream? There's a little bit left that won't fit on the pie." Lea calls out making Chris and Sophia look over trying to see it.
"Chris holds his hands for the small bowl with the leftover whip cream and Diana hands Chris a spoon and Sophia a rubber spatula. The two of them look at each other like they just won the jackpot before settling back into the chair was scraping every ounce of whip cream from that little bowl.
"You two are ridiculous..." Naya giggles watching them go crazy over the whipped cream.
Sophia has her mouth full and tries to babble and respond but there's no way anyone can understand what she's saying although Heather is almost positive she was asking for more.
"No honey you have to eat an actual dinner too." Heather laughed with Naya at their adorable little girl. The ladies continued to watch the two most adorable but least helpful duo in the kitchen as they put the last of the finished dishes in the oven to cook.
The group was gathered around the living room. They were having a super casual dinner and didn't feel the need to get fancy around the kitchen table. They all dished up their plates and found a place in the living room to enjoy their food. Heather and Naya set their plates on the coffee table and a curious Sophia was right in between them begging for food like a hungry puppy.
"Oh Soph, you're such a beggar." Heather giggles as she gives her daughter a small spoonful of mashed potatoes. Naya giggles and kisses the side of her head when Sophia instantly signs for more.
"In the spirit of the day we are celebrating, what is everyone thankful for?" Lea asked. The group smiles and decides to go around the room.
"I guess I'll start us off. I'm incredibly grateful to spend time with all of you. Thank you all for your awesome help with dinner too!" Lea smiled.
"I'm thankful for this girl, of course!" Harry says before placing a kiss on Jenna's cheek. "I'm so thankful we are together and have that little one with us this year." Harry finishes gesturing to Sophia who's helping herself to everything her moms will allow her to eat on their plates.
Chord, Diana, Jenna, Cory, Kevin all take their turns telling everyone what they are grateful for. Everything from family, friends, Glee, Sophia, and being able to spend so much time together were all on the top of everyone's list.
"I agree with everything they said. Having Sophia here this year with us is a highlight for me without a doubt. She's such a light in our group. What did we ever do without her?!" Amber says making the group laugh.
"I have to say I am grateful to be spending this day with all of you. I'm especially thankful for my little fashionista right here." Chris says as he kissed the little girl's head who had sat on his lap when her moms ran out of everything she could have so she moved on. "She's such a joy and it's been my absolute pleasure to watch her grow up into this beautiful little girl." Chris finishes and claps causing his niece to copy his actions.
"Gosh, I'm thankful for so much this year. My gorgeous wife who without her I would never even be here to begin with. For my stunning and healthy baby girl who I love more than anything in this entire world. We are so glad she could be part of the celebrations this year. Of course, I'm also thankful for you all who have helped us and have been there for us since she came into this world. We love you guys." Naya finishes with a smile and blows her daughter a kiss from Chris' lap. She's currently dipping her fingers into his pie and is taking all of his whipped cream toppings. He doesn't mind and is letting her help herself. Pushover, Chris.
"Am I second to last?! Well first of all..." Heather turns to her wife and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. "My gorgeous, beautiful, strong wife. The way you have changed my life is beyond my wildest imaginations. You have given me the most precious little girl and if I start talking about her I will for sure start bawling, so I'll spare you guys. Just know you both are my entire world, my whole heart, and soul." Heather says placing a tender kiss on her wife's lips before turning to the group. "You all have been amazing. Naya was right, we couldn't ask for better friends, uncles, and aunts for our baby girl." Heather finished with another kiss on her wife's forehead and she blows a kiss to her baby girl.
"Sophia what are you grateful for?" Chris smiled down at Sophia who shocks him a little bit by twisting in his lap and wrapping her small arms around his neck. He hugs her right back and everyone coos at the display of affection. Naya and Heather both have a hand to their heart and Heather pulls Naya between her legs just watching their beautiful baby girl.
Sophia looks up and stretches out her hands to Amber who immediately takes her in for a hug. After Amber gets her snuggles, Sophia reaches for Jenna and gives each of their friends a big hug in a counter-clockwise direction saving her mommies for last. After she hugged Lea, Lea carefully sets her on the floor on her feet so she can crawl over to her mothers who are waiting with their arms outstretched for their baby girl.
Sophia smiles and stands on her feet wobbling only slightly and shocks everyone by taking two steps before steadying herself and taking two more. Naya and Heather are crying hard as Heather still holds Naya from behind as they sit on the floor and wait for their big girl to reach them.
Sophia is now determined and keeps on going until Naya can touch her outstretched tiny fingers and help her with the last step before pulling their beautiful little girl into a sobbing hug. Heather quickly wraps her arms around her girls as she cries equally as hard.
"Oh my god, Sophia! You did it, angel! Mami and I are so proud of you baby girl!" Heather chokes out as Naya cradles their baby girl with Heather kissing her cheeks
"Oh, my Mija! That was the perfect thing to be thankful for!" Naya tearfully says.
Everyone is clapping and cheering for their niece. Sophia relishes all the praise she's receiving. Naya and Heather are just appreciating this moment with their daughter.
"Damn I wish we had that on video! Our parents would have died to see that! Naya pouts while twisting back to Heather who looks just as disappointed. It was the most perfect moment in the world.
"Ugh, yes they would have." Heather sighs out. They both turn their heads when their phones chime from the kitchen counter.
"I'll get them, love. It's most likely one of our moms. They've been messaging us most of the day." Heather giggles as she gets up from behind Naya and Sophia slowly walked over to Chris but when she remembers she ate all his whipped cream she slides over to Amber who has some left and points to her aunt's plate causing Amber to laugh widely.
"God I love this kid! Here Soph, have at it." Amber giggles with the entire group. Naya shakes her head because every single one of them is such a pushover when it comes to Sophia. Heather comes back and sees her little dessert thief.
"Seriously, Soph?" Heather chuckles while sitting down next to her wife and handing Naya her phone as she unlocks her own.
Heather looks down and glances at Naya who got the same video attachment from Vanessa. They glance at her who smiles and nods for them to check it out.
Naya leans over to watch it on Heather's phone since it's the same video and Heather hits play. The girls see their precious baby hugging Chris, then Amber, and going down the line to all of their friends before seeing Lea put their daughter on the ground and begin walking towards her weeping mothers. The video ends after they both embrace their daughter. The entire moment from when Chris asked her what she was thankful for, to the end when she embraced her mothers is fully captured on video.
Both moms tearfully beckon Vanessa over to them and they watch her slowly get up and walk over and around everyone's feet. Naya and Heather pull her into the tightest hug they can without actually crushing the poor girl.
"Vanessa thank you! You're amazing! Thank you for always surprising us and making these videos for us. That moment we will never get back but we can watch it over and over again thanks to you." Heather says as Naya nods and pulls her into another hug. Vanessa suddenly feels something grab her pants and tug on them slightly. She looks down and spots her niece with her arms raised. Vanessa got up to record earlier so she stepped out of the circle and missed Sophia's hug earlier. The little girl must have realized this and wanted her hug. Vanessa smiles and backs away from Naya and Heather to lift the baby in her arms and hug her tightly.
Heather and Naya look at their daughter in complete awe. She was so intelligent and self-aware. They could already tell how sensitive and caring she was going to be.
You could say the first annual Friendsgiving was a major success. Between all the special moments they shared with their friends who were honestly more like family to the girls, Sophia's incredible milestone achievement on such a special day, and having it all on video was more than they could ask for.
November 25th, 2015
The girls woke up Thanksgiving morning to the incredible smell of Susan and Yolanda baking all the delicious specialties that they remember from their childhoods. The entire house smelled so familiar and delicious at the same time.
Their families had both arrived the previous evening as well as their siblings. Everyone was dying to see Sophia even though they see her about every three weeks, sometimes more if it works out. Ever since the girls sent over the video of her walking, the grandparents have been impatiently waiting to see her.
Heather comes back up to the master bedroom after grabbing her and her wife a cup of coffee. It was just after 8:30 am and Naya was just beginning to stir. Heather smiled at the beautiful woman she married and walked across the room just as Naya opened one of her eyes and smirked at the blonde.
Heather giggles and holds out the steaming cup to her wife so smiles instantly and sits up so she's against the headboard and grabs the coffee cup from her wife.
"Thank you, baby." Naya hums as she smells the dark roast blend with her favorite caramel macchiato creamer added in, just the way she loved it.
"Absolutely. Good morning, beautiful. Happy Thanksgiving my love." Heather says before kissing her wife on the lips and the tip of her nose. Naya smiles and returns the kiss.
"Happy Thanksgiving, baby. Where's our baby girl?" Naya asked just realizing their busy baby is nowhere to be found.
"Moms are working on desserts. She's currently sitting on the counter taste testing. Oh, I have a photo!" Heather giggles as she pulls her phone from her back pocket and unlocks the device pulling up the last photo she took.
Susan, Yolanda, and Sophia were balling cookies and putting them on the cookie sheet. Sophia was eating one that just came out of the oven with the biggest smile on her face. They should be mad she's eating a cookie in the morning but this is priceless and it's just one day, these memories are more important.
"Oh, God! Yep, that looks about right." Naya giggles and zooms in to see the flour on her daughter's cheek.
"I fucking love her," Heather says shaking her head at the thoughts surrounding her love for that little girl.
"Hey, you two!" Yolanda says while the moms were cleaning off the counter after finishing the cookies they had made. Naya and Heather decided to finish their coffee upstairs together since their daughter was more than occupied and spending time with her grandma and abuela.
"Good morning, Happy Thanksgiving!" Naya greets cheerfully while embracing both of the older women.
"Good morning, sunshine," Susan says hugging her daughter-in-law.
"Wheres our baby?" Heather asked looking around. Susan smiles and points to the living room where they see their daughter in her uncle's lap asleep. The girls smile and turn their heads back to their moms.
"She's loving all this attention." Naya laughs out. Heather walks up behind her wife and wrapped her arms around her while kissing the side of her head.
"She kept trying to say cookie whenever we said it and she was getting pretty darn close!" Yolanda says with a big smile making the girls laugh.
"She better say momma or mami first before damn cookie..." Naya huff's out and Heather tightens her grip around her wife and giggles into her shoulder.
"It will probably be momma as it is with most babies. Mami can be a little harder for them to say." Yolanda says to her daughter.
"Yeah, that's what the pediatrician told us too," Heather says kissing her wife. "If it's momma we will probably both just be momma to her until she can say mami," Heather assures kissing her wife on the side of her face.
Nickayla and Ashley were up late watching tv, and by 9:10 am the girls had finally waltzed into the living room and joined the rest of the family who was watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
"Well, there's the two stragglers!" Antonio smiled.
"Ya, ya. Some housewives episodes needed to be watched. We were up late." Ashley said while stretching her arms over her head.
"Very Thanksgivingy of you two." Andrew laughs earning a soft giggle from Mychal.
"Sorry, we didn't watch cartoons! Lisa Rinna had a crisis that had to be watched. I don't DVR that trainwreck for no reason!" Nickayla countered whole going to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee.
"Hey, kid!" Ashley said waving to her niece who held her arms out for her aunt from where she was now sitting awake in Mychal's lap. Ashley smiles and picks her up twirling around in a circle as Nickayla walks into the room with two cups of coffee for her and Ashley.
"Thanks!" Ashley says as she gently sets her niece down making sure she's steady on her feet before accepting the cup from her sister. The girls and Mychal were all so close they were just siblings to each other now. Their parents loved how close all the kids were.
Since their Friendsgiving, Sophia has been walking everywhere and using her little legs as much as possible. She was pretty advanced as far as milestones and was about a month and a half earlier than most other babies her age as far as the milestones she was accomplishing. She was just a delight and everyone adored that little girl.
It was just after 7:00 pm and they had finished their Thanksgiving feast about an hour ago. Sophia was in seventh heaven with all the food and of course, Susan and Yolanda made sure there were plenty of safe and soft options for her to enjoy.
Since she was covered in dinner, Nickayla and Ashley offered to bathe her and let their sisters relax with their parents. The girls had no problem taking the other two up on their offer and thanked them religiously. Sophia was excited to have some one-on-one time with her aunties as she waved to her moms while she was smirking over Nickayla's shoulder. Naya and Heather shake their heads at their sloppy eater.
"God she's the cutest." Michael laughs out
"She can still come with Andrew, Mychal, and myself tomorrow to a couple of stores, right?" Antonio asked the girls who nodded right away.
"Of course, she can. She will love that special time with her Abuela, Grandpa, and uncle without these two constantly breathing down your necks." Heather chuckled pointing to their mothers.
"Hey!" Yolanda and Susan reply offended.
"Don't deny it." Naya shook her head. She was happy the guys would get some one-on-one time with their daughter. Plus that is a lot of strong men surrounding her so she knew their little girl was more than safe.
Twenty minutes later a squeaky clean Sophia came in the room swinging between her aunties who each held on to one of her arms. Sophia was giggling like crazy which made everyone twist around and see the three of them enter the room.
"Hi, my baby!" Heather said as the girls made sure Sophia was steady on her feet before letting her go and she began walking over to her mothers with a smile.
Sophia was wearing baby pink footie pajamas and her hair was past her shoulders in adorable ringlets. Her crystal clear aqua eyes were shining in contrast to her darker features and her mothers would often look at her in disbelief at the stunning human they created.
The other seven adults looked on admiringly as their granddaughter and niece started snuggling in between her mothers. Nickayla was taking a video because it was the holidays and Sophia was being extra adorable with both of her moms. Naya was laying against Heather's shoulder hugging her side. Sophia climbed up and wrapped an arm around both of her mother's necks while her head was lying between them.
Naya and Heather could have easily melted right there but what happened next was the most unexpected surprise of the evening.
"Maaaaaaaa" Sophia says making the girls look up and everyone else lifted their heads from where they were currently focused.
"Moooommaaaa" Sophia said and everyone cheered while Naya and Heather hugged their baby girl as she looked at them with a smile. Sophia must have realized she did something really good.
"Aaaammmii" Sophia tries and Naya is sobbing at her efforts. Heather isn't any better at the moment as she is sobbing right along with her wife.
"Sophia!" Naya tearfully says while kissing her daughter's forehead.
"Oh baby girl, good job honey!" Heather adds tearfully.
"Maaaaammmiii." Sophia says making everyone pause and look up. She said both of their names at the same time, their sweet girl always making sure nobody ever felt left out, especially her mommies.
Naya wraps her arms around the innocent baby girl between them and Heather does the same. They both take this moment with just the three of them.
Once the girls are able to gain back some of their composure the family cheers and takes their turns snuggling and praising the little girl who is loving all this attention.
"Oh my God!" Naya says while turning to her wife with big tears running down her cheeks. Heather smiles and wipes her wife's tears with the pad of her thumb and brings her into a hug.
"Our gorgeous baby girl Naya. She's incredible. We have so much to be thankful for this year. I couldn't and wouldn't do any of it without you. My love, my soulmate, my everything. Happy Thanksgiving, beautiful." Heather says while wrapping her arms around her wife as she falls into her arms. She hears something about happiness, Thanksgiving, and love but her wife is too emotional so she can't make out most of her words, but she gets the gist. She hugs her wife close while she scans the room looking at everyone she loves so deeply and landing on the curly-haired, blue-eyed little girl that changed their whole world.
Just then their phones chime with a video message from Nickayla, they get another shock when they see the full video of their daughter's first words and look over to Nickayla with beaming smiles.
Happy Thanksgiving indeed.
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