This chapter is LONG overdue and I apologize. Life got busy and also I don't see Abby as much as I would like too so I don't have as much to write with. I will definitely try harder to get chapters written though. I'll probably just do 1 a year now seeing as she is nearly 3 (that's how behind I am) unless something big happens. Thank you to anyone who has read!

1 Year

Time had gone by so fast. Their little Abby was already a year old.

They decided not to have a huge party, just friends and family at their apartment. Everyone wanted time with Abby; and she had no problem with that. She loved the attention. She wasn't quite sure what was going on though. Having people over wasn't really anything new, but it was different this time. There were colorful things hanging from to doors and windows, there were a bunch of colorful boxes and bags in the corner of the room, and something smelled really good. And then, just when she thought things couldn't get any stranger… they did.

Harry put her in her high chair as Christine brought out some round thing with sticks of light sticking out. And then- everyone began to sing.

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday dear Abby, Happy Birthday to you!"

Who knew what the other words meant; all she heard was Abby. Everyone was here for her. But weren't they always?

Harry crouched down beside her, "Make a wish and blow out the candles." he said. Abby just looked at him with a confused expression. Christine demonstrated how to blow the candles out. Abby copied and successfully blew them out- with a little help from Harry. Still unsure of what was going on, she saw and heard everyone clapping and cheering. She hadn't gotten that much praise since she took her first steps.

The next thing she knew there was a plate of… something in front of her. This was unlike any food she had ever seen before. Harry put some of this mysterious food on her spoon. Abby took it and tasted it.

Now she knew what all the fuss was about. This stuff was delicious! She continued grabbing spoonfuls and eating it, but it was taking too long. She wanted as much of this as possible. With help from her free hand, she lifted up the cake and put the whole thing on the spoon and brought it towards her mouth. Now she was faced with another problem; the food was now too big to fit in to her mouth. Maybe if she took some off… with her hand she then ripped off as much as she could fit in her hand and put it on the spoon. Better, but still too big. This was a lot of work. As she ditched the spoon she just began taking handfuls and taking bites out of those. It took her a while to realize how much this was entertaining the adults.

Again, just when she thought nothing more out of the ordinary could happen- it did. Now she was being brought over to the pile of boxes and bags. What good are these? They don't make any fun noises, they don't have and flashing lights or fun buttons and switches. Christine handed her a box, "This is from Uncle Bull." Other than her parents, the first face Abby learned was Uncle Bull's. He was so much fun, and his head made a great drum. She looked at Bull and then the box in her hands. What was she supposed to do with this? Sure, it was pretty, but it was fairly boring. Christine showed her that she had to rip the paper off. Abby copied and learned that this was even better than cake. Okay, maybe better. Underneath the pretty paper was a box, and on the box was a picture of a doll! Why wasn't every day like this? Apparently all of the boxes had toys! So did some of the bags, but those mostly had books or clothes.

Abby was so busy having fun with all of her new things and entertaining her guests (unintentionally), that she was mad when it was time for bed. The entire time Harry was getting her ready for bed, she kept saying, "No!" but she then started feeling very tired. It was way past her bedtime and her nap was cut short. She ran back out into the party once she was cleaned up and in her pajamas to say good night to everyone. "Goo-nigh, goo-nigh, goo-nigh." she said continuously as she waved. It was fun saying good night to a whole bunch of people!

Once the guests had left, Harry, Christine, and Christine's father, Jack, were cleaning up.

"Dad," Christine began, "you really don't need to help. It's late and you must be tired."

He insisted, "I'm no more tired than you are."

"I'm fine."

Harry chimed in, "Abby sure had fun with the wrapping paper didn't she?"

Jack rolled his eyes, "I told you two to tell everyone to wrap the presents in bags- it's a lot less messy that way."

"I know, but you have to admit, it was much more fun watching her rip open the boxes." Harry laughed.

Jack rolled his eyes once again, not saying anything, and continued cleaning. Christine set down her broom. "Daddy, this feud between you and Harry has got to end."

Innocently, Jack defended, "What feud? All I did was offer some fatherly advice."

Harry added, "I'd just like to say that I've never had a problem with Jack."

"Oh please!" Jack snapped.

"Daddy, Daddy… I know that you've never 'approved' of Harry, but he's my husband and I'd like to be in the same room with both of you without hearing you bicker."

"Think you can handle that, Harry?" he said accusingly.

"Daddy!" she yelled, "I mean you!"

"Angel, when people bicker it takes two." he once again said innocently.

"Well so far tonight I'm only hearing bickering from you." She walked away and went back to sweeping.

Jack sighed and followed her, "Okay, okay. I'm sorry. And I apologize to you too Harry." then in a hushed tone he asked Christine, "But can you just answer me one thing… What do you see in him?"

Christine smiled as she gazed at Harry across the room. "He's smart, funny, loving… he's just a great, great guy. I just wish you could see those qualities in him."

Jack glanced at Harry and then back at Christine, "Alright… if he really makes you happy I will try to like him. I guess he is the father of my granddaughter also."

"I'm not asking for you two to become best friends, I just want mutual respect and familial harmony. That's all."

"Okay," he smiled, "anything for my little girl."