Long over due! But here is the next instalment!

Chapter 17

It was the morning of Harry's 7th birthday, family and friends were to be coming over to celebrate the day. Karen was nearing the end of her pregnancy and at 7 months things were getting difficult, especially with two young children already who didn't quite understand how pregnant mummy was and what that meant. Rob had taken control being the over protective daddy to be and determined to make Harry's birthday special, he'd left Karen blowing up balloons in the lounge. Karen had been determined to help whilst Rob was determined she didn't over do it, so this had been the compromise! Jess was sweetly putting out the party food as instructed by Rob and Harry was sat playing with Bullseye in the garden which he'd finally gotten! Rob went to check how Karen was getting on to find her asleep with the balloon she'd been working on slowly deflating in her hand. He smiled warmly before going and slowly removing the balloon from her hands and caressing her cheek.

"Seems like we've worn you out already"

"Did I doze off?" Karen asked.

"Yep. With the balloon in your hand"

"Now you have to admit that's quite impressive!" Karen teased Rob before being given a kiss. He sat down next to her, his hand on her belly he just found it so magical that their little girl was growing inside.

"Is everything ready?"

"I think so! Harry's playing outside and Jess was just helping me to plate up party food" Karen smiled.

"I can't believe my little boy is 7!" Karen was bittersweet at how her sweet little Harry was growing up.

"But there'll be a new kid on the block soon" Karen had to laugh at his wording. Time really was nearly up and this little baby would soon be here.

"How are you feeling now? Still tired?"

"Always tired" Karen replied honestly.

"Why don't you just rest your eyes for a while before everyone gets here, I'll watch the terrors"

"Who you calling terrors?" Karen teased Rob before for once doing as he suggested and resting so she'd have enough energy to deal with a house of children. Rob returned to the kitchen and checked on Jess's progress.

"DONE!" She declared before bouncing off to the lounge.

"Where are you going?"

"To play in the lounge"

Jess replied sweetly.

"Mummy's having a little nap, why don't you come and play outside for a bit"

"I'll be very quiet"

"I know you would, but I'm not sure if Harry could be and he'd get jealous"

"Ok" Jess replied sweetly before high fiving Rob really hard, the poor man had to squeeze his hand afterwards to check it had its function to the sound of Jess in hysterics as she made her way outside. The doorbell rang waking Karen up, she didn't move presuming Rob was around to answer it. But when it rang again Karen was quick (as quick as a pregnant lady can move) to answer it. Luckily it was only her mum and dad.

"Hello sweetheart"

"How're you?" Her dad asked sweetly.

"Tired. I'd forgotten how tiering being pregnant is"

"Were you asleep?" Karen's mum suddenly panicked that they'd woken her up.

"I was but its fine. Come in think everyone's in the garden."

They walked out and Harry ran into his Grandad's arms.

"Happy birthday!" Harry was thrown around in his Grandad's arms.

"Careful Jim! I think maybe we should give the birthday boy his presents!" Harry very excitedly say down as waited for his presents to appear. Jess perched on Karen's knees sweetly as Karen wrapped her arms as best as she could around her little girl, rob was taking photos.

"Go on then bud let's see what you got?" Harry was waiting patiently to open it, he tentatively ripped at the paper. His whole face lit up at the sight of his new toy story pyjamas.

"Look mummy!" He practically threw them at Jess and his mum which made them laugh.

"They're cool!"

There was one more present from his grandparents, a mini skateboard.

Rob and Karen shared a slightly worried look.

"Since you've mastered your bike, nanny and I thought you could try a skateboard."

"I don't know about this nanny business" Ellen added which reassured her daughter who was to be honest wondering what they were thinking.

Rob however was up and holding on to Harry's hands as he dragged him along the patio, the pair laughing away.

"Be careful you two!" Karen could just see the accident waiting to happen. Jess got up to go investigate.

"Really dad?" Karen commented once her children were out of earshot.

"I mean did you get this idea from Craig?"

"Well yes... Look it's something for him to tackle and get good at"

"And force mummy into early labour" Karen teased reassuring her dad she wasn't angry. Soon their garden was filled with 10 little boys and girls enjoying Harry's party, family were also there and Noah was attempting to stand on the skateboard.

"Maybe not Noah that's a little big for you" his mummy, Emma was luckily stood nearby. Ella was dancing around in a circle with her big cousin Jess it was a very cute moment.

"Ella can you touch your... Toes" Jess said sweetly as Ella showed her proudly.

"Ella can, I'm not sure whether auntie Karen can though"emma teased her big sister, who was sat with her feet up clearly feeling like a whale.

"Shu" Ella added as she again pointed to her feet, Jess couldn't quite work out what she meant.

"She's trying to tell you shoes go on your feet" Emma added.

"She is getting clever!" Karen added sweetly, she loved watching her niece and nephew grow up. She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like at Harry's next birthday with a little sister around.

Rob's mum had arrived with Archie and Rob's sister sarah and her girls. Harry had been really lucky and been given some temporary tattoos and a woody hat.

"Rob will you put them on!" Karen loved that Harry was able to rely on Rob as much as herself.

"Cool dude!" Rob commented once removing the damp paper on his arm to reveal the tattoo. Harry ran off to his skateboard with his new tattoos and wearing his woody hat, bullseye was now under his arm also.

"He's a right little picture" Karen commented still sat down, Jess was keeping her company sweetly and talking to the baby with Ella on her lap who was pointing and giggling. Karen knew that Jess was going to be the best big sister. Karen caught sight of Harry and some his friends attempting tricks on his skateboard.

"I think this should" before Karen could finish Harry stepped on the edge of the skateboard and landed on the floor. The sound of his cries resonated throughout the garden and everyone was worried about the birthday boy! Archie sweetly sat with Harry and helped him up, he even asked Karen where she kept special plasters before getting one and placing it on Harry's knee.

"Thanks Arch" rob ruffled his nephews hair.

"It's alright, think Harry's ok now too! Shall we go play some football"

"Yeah" Harry brushed away the rest of his tears and followed Archie.

Karen stood watching Harry and Archie interact before placing the skateboard out of sight, a toy for another day.

"I think this could be my sister but it could also be a walrus"

"Oi!" Craig loved teasing his sister and gave her a big hug!

"How's the birthday boy!"

"Good now I think"

"What happened?"

"Oh dad took your idea of a skateboard for Harry"

"God did he think I was serious! I was joking! Anyway where's the little man want to give him his present."

Harry raced over to his uncle who quickly gave him his present, excited to see Harry's reaction.

"Now this took me a while to find and I hope it's right"

Karen was touched at how much effort her brother had gone to and watched carefully as Harry unwrapped his present.

"MARTIANS!"

"I haven't found them anywhere!" Karen replied, giving her brother a big hug! She could see how happy he'd made her little boy.

"He's wanted those for ages! Karen sent me to 5 different shops to find those! Nice job mate" Rob studied the toys with as much excitement as Harry. He was such a big kid at times!

Jess had found Harry's woody hat and had placed it on Ella's head. She looked hilarious! She even happened to take it off in a way that would resemble a cowboy purely by accident! The adults were in hysterics! The party was going really well and all that was left to do was to give Harry the rest of the presents from his mummy and Rob. He soon found himself surrounded by wrapping paper, he'd been such a lucky boy and been given Lego sets, a buzz light year dress up costume, art kits and even a basketball hoop! Harry was one very lucky boy. They day finished with laughter, Archie teaching Harry how to slam dunk by picking him up, Jess tattooing Noah's arm, the adults eating cake and Ella falling asleep in Rob's arms. Karen was all starry eyed looking at her niece in her partners arms knowing that soon it would be their own little girl. This was the last birthday before they went from the fishers and Rob to a family with a new addition.