A/N: Sorry for a serious delay in updates. Hope you enjoy this fluffy one-shot! WARNING: The next installment will be extremely, EXTREMELY emotional and dark.
Saturday, October 31st, 2015
Goldsworthy Apartment
12:47 PM
Clare Goldsworthy smiled at her surroundings. She and Eli had completely decked out their living room and kitchen in Halloween themes. Above the sofa hung a banner that, in orange and black letters, read: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHARLOTTE!
Her baby girl was ONE today.
It didn't seem possible; just yesterday she was inside of Clare, growing, bonding with her mother and getting ready to meet the world. No…that WASN'T one day ago…it was a YEAR and one day before.
Clare didn't notice the tears streaming down her cheeks until her husband wrapped his arms around her and asked "Why are you crying?"
"What?" Clare asked, wiping her eyes. "Oh. I don't know." She turned around and grinned sheepishly at Eli. "I can't believe our baby is a whole year old."
Eli smirked. "I know." He kissed his wife. "Have I ever told you thank you?"
"For what?" she asked curiously.
"For giving me a beautiful daughter." Eli held Clare close.
"Eli…stop it! I'm already crying!" She laughed through her tears. "Come on, we better change into our costumes and get Char in hers before the guests arrive!"
Eli happily followed his wife into their bedroom.
Saturday, October 31st, 2015
Goldsworthy Apartment
2:21 PM
Eli smiled at his baby girl; Charlotte's big blue eyes fell upon her new toys with joy. He always thought his daughter seemed far too smart for an infant; she followed you with her gaze as though she knew exactly what was going on and just what you were thinking.
Everything for the party turned out extremely well: Clare and Eli dressed up as Peter Pan and Wendy; Charlotte was their little Tinkerbell. Jenna came as Dorothy and Gabby was dressed up as Toto. Drew and Alli were Raggedy Andy and Ann, Adam and Fiona were Barney and Betty Rubble, Clare's dad was a doctor (real fun for a baby's party, right?), Leah (Eli's mom) and his Bubbi dressed up as gypsies, Darcy dolled up like Belle from Beauty and the Beast, and Sav and Anya as Antony and Cleopatra.
Charlotte got quite a haul: plenty of new toys, picture books for Clare and Eli to read to her, and tons of cute new outfits. "You guys really didn't have to get her this much," Clare noted, gazing around the room.
"I'm sure we all wanted to!" Alli squealed, leaning town to pat Charlotte's raven patch of hair.
"Indeed," Adam chimed in, picking Charlotte up. "I love my little goddaughter!" His voice rose, and he spoke to Charlotte in baby-talk: "Yes, I DO! Wittle girl, I wuv you!"
"Dude," Eli said, shaking his head.
"Oh, like you don't use that voice on her every single day!" Adam defended himself.
"Hey, I'm her daddy!" He motioned for his best friend to hand over his child. "Can you say "Da-da", Baby?"
"Mmmmph," Charlotte responded, a wide grin on her chubby face.
"Close enough," Eli shrugged.
"Cake time!" Clare exclaimed. They all headed into the kitchen, where a big vanilla cake with cream cheese icing (dyed orange) awaited them. Clare picked up one of the large matching cupcakes she made and placed a candle on it. Eli lit it, and everyone started singing "Happy Birthday" to the little girl. Gabby blew out the candle for Charlotte, and Clare placed the baby in her high chair. "Go nuts!" Clare cried.
Charlotte mushed the cake under her fingers and threw it everywhere but her face. A piece landed smack dab on Adam's forehead.
"That's my girl!" Eli laughed.
"Yeah, she's lucky she's cute," Adam muttered, earning a laugh.
Saturday, October 31st, 2015
Goldsworthy Apartment
9:15 PM
Clare finished cleaning up after the party while Eli put Charlotte down for the night. After washing the last dish, she changed into her pajamas and padded towards the nursery to see if Eli was done with Charlotte. Clare had something rather important to tell him. Arriving at the door, she stopped outside to hear what Eli was murmuring to their daughter.
"So you see, Baby girl, you need to promise me something," Eli spoke softly. "You may be a year old, but you need to not grow up so fast, okay?" He ran his hand over her head, watching her chest move up and down in her sleep. "Daddy loves you. Your mommy does too. Happy Birthday Charlotte." He turned around to see his wife watching him lovingly.
"Hey," he whispered and made his way to her.
"You softy," Clare whispered back. Eli turned out the nursery light and motioned for them to head for their bedroom.
Eli changed into his pajamas and Clare just sat there, staring. "Staring, Mrs. Goldsworthy?" Eli smirked.
"I still love hearing that. A year and a half later!" Clare laughed and motioned for Eli to sit next to her. "So," she began.
"So." Eli raised an eyebrow. "Something on your mind, Blue Eyes?"
"Yes. I'd say this past year has been great with Charlotte, wouldn't you?"
"It's been amazing," Eli responded warmly. "Hectic, but wonderful." Clare smiled at the look of adoration on his face.
"I think we're pretty good parents." She took his hand.
"Babe," Eli rolled his eyes. "We are KICKASS parents."
"Eli!" Clare laughed. "That's hardly appropriate." She took in a deep breath as she shook her head. "Eli, I'm pregnant."
Eli smiled widely. "What?"
"You heard me," Clare whispered.
"Wow, and only a year later…I am GOOD!"
"Eli!"
"Clare!"
He grabbed her and kissed her fully. "Are you okay with this?" Clare asked in a quiet voice.
"Of course!" Eli exclaimed. "I have a steady job, neither of us have any student debt, you're making good money, Charlotte NEEDS a sibling!"
"So you're happy?"
"YES!" He kissed her again. "How far along are you?"
"Only five weeks."
"Maybe we'll get a boy."
She grinned. "I really think we will."
"I love you, Mrs. Goldsworthy."
Hope you liked it! Please review.