When the Story Continues (Sequel to When the Script Changes)

Chapter 11: Mon's First Birthday - A Celebration of Love

And so?

Mon's "small and simple" birthday party turned into a full-on event.

A backyard transformed with balloons, banners, and fairy lights.

A princess theme, because Mon had recently become obsessed with her stuffed princess doll.

A giant number one balloon standing proudly in the center of the decorations.

And, of course, a massive three-tiered cake because, as Freen argued, "We need leftovers!"

By the time the party was ready, Becky sighed in defeat.

"It's ridiculous," she admitted.

Freen grinned. "It's perfect."

And when Mon saw the decorations, her eyes went wide in pure, innocent wonder.

She clapped her little hands together, bouncing excitedly in Becky's arms.

"Ba! Ba! Ba!" she babbled.

Becky turned to Freen. "Okay. Maybe it is perfect."

Freen smirked. "Told you."

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Before long, the backyard was buzzing with excitement.

Their closest friends, family members, and Mon's tiny baby friends arrived one by one.

BonBon, Fluffy, and Boba—Mon's loyal fluffy bodyguards—trotted around, eagerly sniffing every new arrival.

Mon's grandparents arrived, showering her with hugs, kisses, and gifts bigger than Mon herself.

Her tiny best friends from baby playgroup waddled around, some still unsteady on their feet, their chubby hands reaching for anything colorful and shiny.

And the moment May and Fay walked in, carrying an obnoxiously large pink gift bag, Becky groaned.

"I told you guys, nothing too big!"

May grinned, setting the gift down with a dramatic thud. "Oops?"

Mon, completely unaware of the adult conversations around her, shrieked happily and slapped her hands on the gift bag.

Fay laughed. "See? Mon loves it. That's all that matters."

Becky sighed. "You deal with her when she starts expecting this every year."

Freen just whispered, "It's okay, baby. We'll spoil her forever."

Becky shot her a look. "We?"

Freen grinned. "Okay, I will spoil her forever."

Becky groaned. "I knew it."

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As the party went on, it was finally time for the main event—

Mon's birthday cake.

Everyone gathered around the huge, overly extravagant cake that Freen had absolutely insisted on.

Mon sat in her high chair, eyes wide at the colorful cake in front of her.

Becky held up a tiny birthday hat. "Should we put this on her?"

Freen raised an eyebrow. "You really think she's gonna keep that on?"

Becky sighed. "No. But we can try."

They tried.

Mon immediately ripped it off and threw it to the ground.

Freen and Becky laughed.

"Okay, fair enough," Freen said.

The entire party sang Happy Birthday, voices loud and joyful.

Mon bounced in her seat, clapping along, even though she had no idea what was happening.

And when Becky helped her blow out the candle, Mon immediately did what babies do best—

She smashed her tiny hands straight into the cake.

The crowd cheered.

Freen?

She looked devastated.

"MY CAKE!" she cried dramatically.

Becky laughed so hard she almost fell over.

Mon, now covered in frosting, giggled mischievously and smacked her frosting-covered hand onto Freen's cheek.

The entire backyard exploded with laughter.

Freen slowly wiped the frosting off her face, narrowing her eyes at their one-year-old.

"Okay," she said. "I see how it is."

Mon shrieked happily.

And in that moment, Freen realized—

There was no greater joy in the world than this.

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By the time the party ended, Mon was exhausted.

She lay against Becky's chest, fighting sleep but slowly losing.

Freen kissed her forehead softly. "Did you have a good birthday, baby girl?"

Mon sleepily nuzzled into Becky's shoulder, letting out a tiny, content sigh.

Becky smiled. "That's a yes."

And as they sat there, holding their daughter, watching the fairy lights twinkle above them—

Freen and Becky knew.

This was everything.

This was love.

And they couldn't wait to celebrate her for the rest of their lives.