It's Friday, April 7th, 2017
It's been a whole week since everything has returned to normal. The gang wanted to forget all the craziness and fear of the past few months. It was brought to the group's attention that Diana had a birthday, as well as Rosalee. Adalind also has an upcoming birthday on the 14th. Everyone decided it would be a great idea to relax and throw a triple birthday bash for the girls.
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Waking up at 7:30 am, Nick quietly shifted out from under Adalind who was splayed out on his chest. Tiptoeing to Kelly's crib, he saw his son already awake and sitting up, ready to start the day. Nick smiled, his son definitely got his "early morning" trait from his mother. If Nick had not insisted that it was imparitive for Adalind to rest and sleep in on the day of her birthday party, she would've already been up and waiting for everyone else to start the day. Luckily, Nick had managed to persuade her to sleep in and got her tired with quite a few rounds of "physical exercise" last night.
"Hey buddy. Good morning." He whispered to his toddler. Kelly smiled and waved his hand at Nick. "Hii Dada." He babbled.
Not wanting to waste any time, Nick got Kelly out of his bed and put some fresh clothes on him and himself. He even went all out and attempted to comb his son's unruly curly head of fuzz, another trait he gained from Adalind. However, no one on planet Earth could argue that Kelly didn't have his daddy's color hair and eyes. He was absolutely a beautiful angel with the best of both his parents genes.
When the guys were properly ready, they went to check on Diana. As usual, she was sleeping beauty. Diana was almost an exact copy of Adalind, save for her facial structure, which she gained from her father. Even though Nick's relationship with Renard was rocky at best, he had to give him credit for helping bring an amazing daughter into the world.
Gently exiting her room and closing the door, Nick took Kelly with him to the kitchen. He had planned to make the girls a special birthday breakfast. Nick placed Kelly in his highchair, giving him a teething ring to chew on from the freezer along with a bottle of milk.
"Alright buddy, are you going to help me surprise Mommy and Sissy by being as quiet as you can?" Nick playfully asked his son, raising his eyebrow and smiling. Kelly let out the cutest smile while still holding his bottle in his mouth. "Hmm, I'll take that as a 'I'll try my best, Dad' and be satisfied." Nick sighed.
Nick set out to find all of the needed ingredients, as well as putting the coffee on. He was going to make waffles, french toast, biscuits and gravy, along with grits and strawberries to top it all off.
By 9 am, Nick was just about done with the grits, and was placing the strawberries on the table from the refrigerator. He cut up a waffle he had set aside and gave it to Kelly. "I gotta hand it to you, dude. You've impressed me so far with how quiet you've been." He smiled at his son. He gave a bow and expressed "Your reward, my good sir." with a flourish, making Kelly giggle. Nick chuckled at this.
When the table was set perfectly to his liking, Nick cleaned Kelly up and changed his diaper. They then went back to the bedroom to get Adalind up. She was still elegantly splayed across the bed, her blonde locks cascading around her face. Her chest was rising and falling in a slow and steady fashion. The sun was coming through the window and was illuminating her body. She was absolutely beautiful and Nick was awestruck.
He walked up to the bed and sat down. He placed their son on the bed right beside her, watching him dive bomb into her shoulder. Adalind slowly stirred awake, trying to take in her surroundings. She let out the cutest groaning noises, before finally settling her gaze on the guys. A smile broke out on her face.
"Hii Mama." Kelly said while still laying on her. Nick chuckled at the sight. "Yes, good morning, Mommy." He beamed at her.
"Mm, good morning guys. I love it when you wake me up." Adalind sighed.
"Well, good. You've slept in until..." Nick checked his watch, "9:10." He looked back at Adalind. "You better get moving now, we've got a big day ahead of us." He mused to her.
Adalind took a deep breath and looked beyond happy. Then her face fell into a frown. "Ugh, I can't wait to try and raise the demon from the dead." She rolled her eyes. Nick laughed at her, "Um, don't worry, I'll go wake up Diana." Adalind regained her smile once more, "Thank you!" She sighed.
Adalind stood up and disappeared into the bathroom. Nick grabbed Kelly and headed to Diana's room. "Ok, let's go wake up your sister."
Nick set his son on Diana's bed. He then sat down on it as well. Nick gently tapped her shoulder, "Diana. Time to get up." He said. Not getting a reaction, he shook her shoulder a little. "Diana, hey come on, wake up please." At this she grumbled and rolled over. "Come on, it's a big day for the birthday girl. Wakey-wakey, Diana." He expressed. Just then, as if on cue, Kelly was dive bombing into Diana.
She rolled back over, her eyes open now. "Ugh. What time is it?" She asked with a grumpy face. "10:30." Nick lied. "Hmph, fine." Diana groaned as she sat up, "I'm up." Nick smiled, "Great! Just get ready and then we can start the day." "Mmm." She grumbled as she shuffled out of bed and to her closet to find something to wear. Nick gave Kelly a high five and they returned to the kitchen.
A few minutes later, Adalind emerged from the bedroom as Diana crossed her path on the way to the bathroom. "Hey." Adalind said as she walked up to Nick and Kelly. Nick walked around the table to stand behind her after putting Kelly back in his high chair.
He wrapped his hands around her waist, "Hello, beautiful." The scent of her perfume wafted to his nose, and he couldn't resist nibbling a trail from her earlobe down her neck to her bare shoulder. She turned to face him, eyes wide. "Is this breakast?" She gestured to the table. "Why, yes it is. Kelly and I have been at it all morning. It's all your and Diana's favorites." He explained. Nick lowered his voice, with his mouth a mere inch from Adalind's ear. "Happy early birthday." She closed her eyes, feeling hot and bothered. "Ahem, thank you." She said as she opened her eyes and took a deep breath. The lidded gaze they were giving each other was almost too much for them to bear. Nick lent in, and was less than an inch from her lips. Adalind's heart beat faster in anticipation.
"UGH!" They heard a loud scoff. They quickly jumped apart from their closeness as if they were two teenagers who had been caught. When they recovered from their daze of fear, they saw none other than Diana giving them the stink eye; mainly directed at Nick.
Adalind looked sheepish as she rubbed the back of her neck with her hand. "Diana...umm, what's up?" She tried to think of a coherent greeting.
Diana had a raised eyebrow and a slight smirk on her face from seeing them jump like they heard a bomb was about to go off. With a graceful stride, she walked to the table, never taking her eyes from her mother or Nick. "First of all, ew, I did not want to see that this early." She grimaced. "Second of all..." She growled. Nick tried to hide his grin, he knew exactly what had her so mad. "you lied to me. It's NOT already 10:30." She narrowed her eyes till they were almost shut. "No, it's only 9:15!" She snapped.
Nick failed to hold in his snort. Adalind looked at him with scrutinizing eyes, but he could still make out a smirk forming on her face. "Sweetie, I'm sure Nick only did it cause he needed to...right?"
Adalind chuckled as Diana rolled her eyes when Nick started to speak. "Well gosh Diana, if you weren't such an opposer of waking up in the morning, maybe I wouldn't have done it." He managed to say with a straight face.
Nick watched as her face changed from annoyance to consideration. He saw the bulb click in her head and she smiled. Playfully she rolled her eyes again, "Ok..." She drew out. "Maybe I AM a bit of a menace to wake up." She admitted. Nick grinned and gave her a wink, "It's alright. Afterall, this is your day too. No need for you to overthink your choices in life." With that, he spun around to showcase all the breakfast he had prepared before promptly bowing while saying, "Thank you, thank you."
Adalind and Diana shared a look and busted out laughing at Nick's antics. Kelly started to giggle from his highchair as well. "Well, dig in girls! Happy birthday breakfast!" He said as they all shuffled to grab a plate.
Around 2:30 pm, Monroe was relaxing with his wife Rosalee. They had went on a picnic for lunch and had just returned home. Currently they were sitting on the couch while Monroe talked to Rosalee's round belly. "And, I won't lie to you. You guys...or gals...whatever you decide to be, are going to be very bombarded when you're born. However, I'll just let you know that with all of the hectic buzzing that will surround you, is also an imeasurable amount of deep love and care. Not only from me and your mom, but from all your other family, too." He rubbed light circle patterns on her tummy, feeling how each triplet was making a bouncy house out of it.
Monroe gazed at his wife, who was smiling adoringly at him. He grinned back at her stomach, lost in thought. "I mean seriously, there is seven whole people that will cherish you guys and would drop whatever they were doing if you needed them." He said. "Wait, which seven?" Rosalee asked. He nodded his head while smirking. "Oh you know, just Nick, Adalind, Diana, Hank, Wu, Trubel, and Eve." She nodded in agreement, "Oh yea. But that's on top of me, you, your parents, my mom and my sister." Rosalee chuckled. "And one day soon so will Kelly." She said. Rosalee placed a hand on the other side of her belly. "And who knows? Maybe with time, you guys will win over Renard." She mused.
Monroe shook his head, "Possibly. You three really do have it lucky. And I can't wait for you to get here and watch you experience life." He suddenly felt Rosalee's hand come to touch his, making him look at her.
"I can't wait." She told him. "I know I tell you this all the time, but I really didn't ever expect my life would be this great. I'm so thankful that it sent me you and these guys," she glanced to her belly, "life has given me everything I never knew I even wanted." She said. He gave her a small smile, "Honey...I love you." He told her. Monroe then sat upright to properly brush her cheeks and kiss her tenderly.
Their bliss was short lived as they heard knocking at the door. Breaking apart, Monroe stood up to answer it. "Speak of the devil..." He mused. Rosalee wondered who it was, when she turned to see Adalind lugging Kelly inside with Nick and Diana on her heels. Slowly, she stood up to greet them, "Hi guys!" She said. "Hi." Adalind greeted. "Not that I don't love you guys, but what are you doing here? Our party's not until 5." She wondered aloud. Adalind gave her a knowing look as she shook her head and shrugged.
"Well, we're sending the three of you..." Nick gestured to Adalind, Rosalee and Diana. "...away as a birthday present while we get everything ready." Monroe finished. Rosalee raised her brows in surprise, "Away? Where?" She asked. "Well, you've got appointments for a full-out spa day. The whole package, already paid for." Monroe answered. "All you have to do is get there by 3:15 and start relaxing." Nick added.
"Wow!" Diana said. "Oh my God!" Rosalee said. "I can't believe it!" Adalind smiled. "Thank you guys so much!" The girls exclaimed. Nick walked over to get Kelly from Adalind. "Yes, yes, we know. Now go have a girls outing, or whatever the term is that you chicks use." He chuckled at her, making her laugh.
After she was done hugging Monroe, Rosalee turned to Adalind. "Well, we can take my car and leave the guys your car to use. Could you drive though? I'm too big to fit behind the wheel now." She explained. Adalind shook her head, "Yea, of course." She smiled. "Great. Thank you!" Rosalee praised. As the girls were walking out the door after saying a quick bye, Nick called out "Just make sure you're back here by 4:40!" In unison the girls replied "Ok!" and were gone.
Monroe sighed as he looked at Nick and Kelly, "Well, I guess we should start with getting the drinks and snacks. Then maybe we could grab Hank and Wu to help with decorations?" Nick nodded in agreement, "Sure. And then when that's done, we can worry about getting everyone's presents." They soon were headed for Nick's car with Kelly in tow.
By 4:30, everything was going smoothly. Nick looked around him, taking in the view. On the dining table, there were snacks, all being in the range of; cookies, cupcakes, chips dip, fruit trays, to even a charcuterie board. And all of it topped off with the three-layer combo birthday cake covered with buttercream frosting. The bottom layer was Caremel flavored cake for Rosalee (being that her pregnancy was causing her to crave the decadent gooey flavor), the middle layer was Coffee flavored cake for Adalind, and the top layer was chocolate flavored cake for Diana. Honestly, it was a very astounding and delicous looking cake.
The fridge had been stocked with all the refreshments. The drinks consisted of Iced Tea, Water, and Coke. And of course, on the island counter was fresh-made Coffee.
There were plenty of decorations around the house. Nick and Monroe had stopped by the precinct to enlist Hank and Wu, when Renard had also pled his case that he wished to help. He reiterated the fact that Diana was in fact, his daughter, and he was just as entitled to participate in her life as much as Nick was, while giving off the unsaid vibe that he actually deserved it more.
The guys had relented any criticism they might have had towards Renard for the evening, and agreed with him. Nick had said to the guys in private that today was a happy day, and he didn't want to waste any time or energy fighting with Renard. Besides that fact, Renard had a very complicated relationship with the group over the course of history and was now back on the side where he was their friend and ally. Nick thought it would genuinely be a good idea to rekindle the groups positive acquaintanceship with him.
Walking into the living room, Nick could see the three distinct areas of presents, respectively for each of the girls. Nick had returned home to grab all the presents stashed there, and Monroe stayed at his house collecting all the presents him and Rosalee had gathered. Renard, Wu, and Hank had drove back to their houses to collect their presents as well.
Just twenty minutes ago, Monroe's parents and Rosalee's mom and sister, DeEtta, had arrived with all their presents. Nearly ten minutes ago, Eve and Trubel had come with their presents too. Currently he could see Trubel and Monroe's mom, Alice, talking animatedly to each other. Over in the corner, he saw his three best buds (Hank, Wu, and Monroe) in a discussion while watching Kelly swinging in his toddler swing.
It seemed everything was going according to plan, and everyone was there, except for the guests of honor. Nick had told them to be back by 4:40, but he hoped the girls didn't think he was joking.
Just then, as if on cue, the girls came bustling through the door at 4:39. They looked very relaxed and content. When they took in their surroundings of the transformed house, their faces lit up in bright smiles. Monroe walked to Rosalee and gave her a kiss before promptly telling her to sit down. Diana and Adalind both walked to were Kelly was sitting in his toddler swing. After greeting the guys and Kelly, Adalind left to go to Nick's side. Diana went off to go sit with her father and Eve on the couch.
"Wow, everything looks amazing." Adalind said. "You really think so?" Nick asked. She gave him a tight hug from the side, "Of course! You thought everything through." She smiled. He looked over at Diana, then glanced at Rosalee talking to Monroe's dad, Bart, and DeEtta. "Well, only the best for you three." He expressed. Adalind gazed lovingly at him, and when he caught her looking eyes, Nick lent into her for a very hot kiss to make up for their interuption this morning. "Mmm, that was good." She stated, a smirk on her face. He rolled his eyes playfully, "Yes well, I'm glad you liked it." He sighed, causing her to laugh.
"Ok, well I say let's get this party started." Wu said loudly for all to hear. There were scattered cheers of support from all over the members, and people started to sing to the girls. It was especially funny when there was an out-of-sync, very different combination of Rosalee, Adalind, and Diana from people, while others just simply said girls. After that, they started cutting and handing out cake and other snacks and drinks.
Soon the girls were told it was presents time. Rosalee got an assortment of things; her favorite tea mix from Monroe, some maternity clothes from Hank and Wu, tea mugs from Eve and Trubel, a handmade bracelet and necklace from Diana, the complete series of F.R.I.E.N.D.S from DeEtta, and a whole bunch of baby clothes from Nick and Adalind, along with Monroe and Rosalee's families. Adalind recieved a variety of items too; 3 pairs of sunglasses from Eve, 6 pairs of jeans from Trubel, her favorite shampoo, conditioner and body wash set from Nick, a handmade bracelet and necklace from Diana, colorful assorted hair ties from Hank and Wu, beautiful knit sweaters from Monroe and Rosalee, along with an extra potion book from Renard to add to the collection at the spice shop.
Diana was given; a cute watch from Monroe, jewelry making kits from Hank and Wu, coloring pencils and sketchbooks from Eve, scented bubble bath and bath bombs from Adalind, squishmellow plushies from Renard, new stylish boots from Trubel, the complete series of Buffy the Vampire Slayer from Rosalee, and her favorite brand of hot chocolate mix from Nick.
After the party was pretty much over, Monroe's parents and Rosalee's mom and DeEtta left to head home. The rest of the gang was just hanging out and talking. Nick was sitting in the chair, with Adalind sitting on his lap. Monroe, Rosalee, Diana, and Trubel were all sitting on the couch. Renard was on the ottoman, while Hank, Wu, and Eve were on the other couch watching Kelly crawl around under the coffee table.
"So, Diana, how old are you again?" Rosalee asked her, while sneaking a glance at Adalind for backup. Adalind noticed the subtle move and sighed as she tried to explain. "Well, she was only born three years ago, but because she ages faster than normal she looks like she's already six." Adalind said. Diana's head perked up from her new sketchbook, "But let's be honest; we all know I'm mentally 12." Diana added, causing everyone to laugh. Adalind soon stated, "Yes, I'm pretty sure that mentally she seriously does progress faster than her physical age as well. Because in reality let's face it, she looks six but acts way older, I'd guess around double her physical age." Adalind cast a worried glance at Nick, then to Renard.
Renard spoke up, "And this may pose a problem if it doesn't come to a stop, or a decreased rate at least. It could lead to her life slipping right by us, not getting to spend as much time with her as normal parents do their children." He said. Luckily Diana's attention had been diverted to Trubel, telling her all about what she was drawing. Adalind sent Renard a glare, before speaking again. "Yes well, best not to dwell on what MIGHT happen in the future without any strong indication that it will." She scolded.
Renard held his hands up in surrender, silently mouthing the word "sorry". Changing the subject to something lighter, Monroe asked "So...does this mean that she has more than one birthday in a years time??" Adalind shook her head, "Not technically, but I guess if you wanted to mark her aging by her mental and emotional state, then yes. It's kinda complicated and not an easy thing to think about." She said, looking deep in thought and slightly confused.
"Well, just think how ironic it'll be when she's 8... are you going to classify her as 8 chronologically, 16 physically, or 32 emotionally and mentally?" Monroe chided. Rosalee sent him a loaded look, silently telling him that was not a good question for the moment. He took a deep breath, starting to stutter. "O-or you know...hope-hopfully, umm, you know...th-that her, uh, aging process will j-just...umm, slow down to normal b-by that stage...y-you know...in her life." He fought to get out. Nick and Adalind shared a smirk at their friend's behavior. They always secretly liked it whenever Monroe would try to lighten the mood, only to end up saying something embarassing and awkward.
"Ahem, well I guess I should get going now." Renard said, giving Adalind and Nick a nod before making his way to Diana. He gave her a tight hug and told her that she'd have to come spend time with him again sometime soon. Then he was out the door.
Noting the time was 7:15, Nick lent to Adalind's ear. "You know, I bet if we leave now, we could have the kids asleep and in bed by 9." He slowly traced his hand up and down her thigh in deliberate strokes. Subtly glancing at him and nodding her head, they were both soon standing to their feet. "Alrighty, I think we're also gonna head home for the night." Adalind announced.
"Yea, not to throw anybody out, but pregnant lady wants her sleep now." Rosalee exhaled, with a "sorry but not sorry" look on her face. The whole group laughed, and assured Monroe and his wife that it was getting late and they would gladly let them rest. As Diana went to collect all her things, Eve noticed Kelly's tiny figure doing something strange. It was well known that Nick and Adalind's son could crawl, and even stand up...but Eve couldn't recall hearing that he had learned to walk.
"Hey, guys?" Eve said. They all looked at her. "When did Kelly learn to walk?" She asked as she saw him take 4 more tiny steps. Adalind could only open and close her mouth, gaping at the sight. Nick shook his head with an exuberant smile, "he hasn't." The whole group watched Kelly walk with smiles on their faces...to what seemed to be where Diana was standing.
"Diana..." Adalind murmured. "Turn around..." Hank added. Diana's body twisted to her mothers direction. "Huh?" She asked right before her brother came into her view. Her eyes went wide as she gasped, "Oh my God! His first steps!" Slowly, Kelly wobbled his way to Diana's leg before hugging it and flopping back down to sit on the floor.
Everyone was so surprised and impressed. "All right, dude!" Monroe said. Rosalee chuckled, "What a trek for you, huh Kelly?" Trubel stood up and smirked, "Told you you'd be walking like us before you knew it." She said. Hank and Wu were smiling as they stood from their seats. "That was so cool." Hank said. "Ok, I'm really glad I stayed to see that." Wu joked. Eve laughed at the gang, "Right?! Like he didn't even hesitate...he just took off." She rambled in awe.
Nick and Adalind made their way over to the kids. Kelly was giggling with a lop-sided grin on his face. "I can't believe it! My baby boy's walking!" Adalind gushed. "That's what I'm talking about, son!" Nick cheered as he picked Kelly up in his arms. "Are you gonna be Daddy's big boy now? Maybe walk to work with me?" He asked.
Adalind rolled her eyes while smiling big. "Not for about another 3 years, ok?" She replied as she took Kelly from Nick, hugging him. "Alright Mr. Walking Man, let's get you home and in the bed." Adalind walked over to his carseat to place him in it.
When everybody was done gathering their things and exchanging goodbyes with everyone, they all left with the promise to see each other soon.
Author's Note: Thanks so much for reading this chapter ;) I really hope yall think it was good, with it being the first chapter containing MY OWN ideas and all...8-)
Please leave any constructive criticism, thoughts, or other comments; they will be greatly appreciated!