Fate - Chapter 49 - Happy First Birthday
Fate
Chapter 49 - Happy First Birthday
POV: Zac
June 10, 2007:
Cassie was at 30 weeks and one day, she was doing a lot better now. Once we got home we did the Hanson Day weekend thing and then she and I focused on getting ready for this baby. The first thing we did was clean the other bedroom out, the bed went to her parents because they had found a house not far from my parents and it had extra rooms. We then bought a new crib because Joshua’s would convert, but I went ahead and put the crib in our room.
We painted the room a light pink with white trim, something easier to cover when we eventually moved. Anything of Joshua’s that was too small she put into that room which told us what we needed for her and what we didn’t. It let her update the registry for the baby shower Saphira was giving her the 24 th also. We truly didn’t have a big list, so she asked for more girl type colors, pinks and purples mostly and dresses. Girly stuff.
I was glad that she was fully embracing that she isn’t going to lose her and that things were fine. The doctor checked each visit just to make sure and as each appointment passed she was feeling better and better, at this point she was accepting that nothing would happen. She also had expanded quite a bit the last few weeks, she clearly looked pregnant and was now wearing mostly maternity clothes and my sweat pants.
Today however we both celebrated a big event, today was Joshua’s first birthday!
Saphira came over at ten to help us set up and get things ready, but then she was going with us across to the park for some pictures. Cassie was taking them of him alone and with me but Saphira was doing family pictures. I could legitimately say that now because the papers had arrived Friday, Cassandra was officially Joshua’s mother.
We decorated first and we had chosen a fish theme, he loved watching fish and since he did we’d gone with that theme. The invitations had been white with a blue section across the bottom and an orange fish, it had his picture in the upper left corner and read ‘Swim on over to have some fun, our little fishy Joshua is turning ONE’. It was just cute enough without being cheesy. His birthday cake was two tiers, the bottom was blue with dark blue spots and orange beads across the bottom and the top layer looked like a fish bowl with a few orange fishes around it. A banner read Happy Birthday Joshua and there was a 1 on top of the cake.
Cassie had used a Photoshop class to do his other decorations including some streamers that had fish in various colors hanging from a black cord and read Happy 1 st Birthday. Her biggest project was 12 photos arranged in a line each one representing a month. They were the monthly pictures we’d taken, while they didn’t all match it was fine.
“You want to get Joshua ready for pictures?” She asked.
“Sure. What outfit?”
“He’ll have his fishy overalls on with a blue shirt. They’re laying out.”
“We doing family pictures in that too?”
“Yeah, when Emily does the maternity pictures we’ll do non-fish themed family ones.”
I paused. “Maternity pictures?”
“She’s doing them the first of July, so probably do a theme around that. She said I’d be big enough then and since you have dates pretty much the entire end of July and August it’ll work. She put me down for the 8 th.”
“Okay. I’ll make sure we’re clear then. Are you changing?”
“No.”
She had worn maternity shorts in brown and a sleeveless shirt, it had various shades of blue like making squares and a belt over her belly. I got him and headed up. I changed Joshua first and then while he walked around getting into everything I changed into matching kaki pants and a blue and white checked shirt, using a white undershirt. I got our shoes on and we headed downstairs, we just walked across the street to the park. There was no need in driving a few hundred feet. She got his first, capturing him running around the open fields and playing. She got some of me and him as well and then Saphira took some family shots.
As we were sitting on the ground waiting for Saphira to change the camera batteries Joshua laid his head over on her tummy.
“Baby?” he asked.
“That’s right, baby is there.”
I saw Saphira take the picture, I knew what my new desktop background would be.
“Zac can you scoot up behind her, without him moving.”
“Maybe.”
I carefully moved and Cassie kept talking to him and he kept his head laying there. When we were done we headed back to the house, he needed his nap and then it would be party time! We made it back to the house and I got him laid down for his nap. I then helped them finish fixing the sandwiches and party favors. We were almost done when the doorbell rang and I went to get it, assuming it was family members. But the couple at my door were not my family.
“Mr. and Mrs. Rosen, what can I do for you?”
“We were wondering if we could see our grandson. It’s his birthday after all.” She said.
“We understand that Megan cannot be around him but we’re his grandparents.” He said.
I felt Cassie when she came up beside me but she rather got in front of me.
“I’m sorry but I don’t think that’s a good idea.” She said.
“Who are you?” She asked.
“I’m his mother and while I understand that you feel like you have some right to see him, you don’t. I read all the papers from the court and from the law so that I fully understood them. Your daughter gave up her rights and thus she gave up yours.”
“Our daughter was under stress and you cannot possibly understand that.”
“I’m sorry Mr. Rosen, but your daughter was doing drugs and even when she held him in that court room she was high. It is not wise to subject Joshua to confusing situations until he is old enough to understand and be explained what happened and why. When that day comes, if he chooses to get to know you we will not stop him. But, until then we appreciate if you’d just go about your life. You haven’t spent the last year with him and he doesn’t know you. Likewise, you don’t know him.”
“He is our grandson. He is not your son, you have no right to make any decisions.”
I laid my hands on her shoulder. “Actually, she does. Not only is she my wife but she is legally his mother now. Having formally adopted him. Not that it matters to you because as his father I agree with her. You didn’t bother to protect him from your daughter and I do not want you near him now. At such time if he ever wants to know you or them, then I will certainly allow it. But, until then it’s best if you stay away.”
They acted like they were going to continue but after heavy sighs they nodded and left peacefully.
“There’s nothing they can do legally, is there?” Saphira asked.
“No.” we said.
“Good.” She said.
We finished the trays and got the decorations up, she printed off one of the 12 month pictures to complete the 12 pictures. I couldn’t believe my son was now one. It had been a long year filled with lots of ups and downs, but I had been able to raise him for a full twelve months with help. He was healthy, he was happy, and he was loved. Cassie had come in and healed my family and that was great for everyone here. I was hoping the sweet little girl she was carrying would finish healing us all.
Joshua was still asleep when my parents arrived but it seems Mom was okay with that because she had to talk to the new baby and see how Cassie was. I got Joshua when he woke up and after a clean diaper we headed down. By four everyone was present. We were eating and talking, Joshua was playing with Paul and everyone was just happy.
“I saw Megan a few days ago.” Reed said.
I glanced at him. “Is she staying clean?”
“H.e.l.l. No.”
I’d cautioned everyone on the cuss words because Joshua was learning new words now, so he had spelled out hell instead of saying it. I shook my head.
“Her parents came over today to see him, Cassie said no."
“Good, I wouldn’t let them ever see him Zac.”
“I’m not. I really don’t trust them. Besides, Joshua has two sets of grandparents that truly love him, he doesn’t need them.”
The presents were super fun to watch, he had learned how to tear paper and while the new clothes didn’t really excite him the new toys did. Sometimes to the point where I had to open it so he could play a few moments. Watching him dig into his own cake was quite messy. I now understood why Cassie took the overalls off. His high chair was covered in cake, he was covered, and I was pretty sure it would take an army to get the cake out of those curls.
But after all the festivities when everyone was just talking I noticed Cassie wasn’t downstairs.
“Saphira, where is Cassie?”
“Last I seen she was going upstairs.”
That was odd as she usually didn’t go back upstairs until she was going to bed. Knowing Joshua was well taken care of here, I headed up. She was sitting on the side of the bed.
“Cassie? Are you okay?”
“Yeah.”
I went over to the bed and sat down beside her. While she said yeah, it didn’t sound convincing to me.
“Cassie.”
“I just felt sick, I think I over ate on the cake.”
“Maybe. Is that all?”
“She hasn’t moved since I sat down, but she maybe asleep.”
It was rude of me to even try and wake her, but Cassie’s voice sounded down and when I felt her foot kick me I smiled.
“She was sleeping.”
“So rude, but thank you. I mean, common sense told me things were fine.”
I kissed her cheek. “But sometimes it’s okay to calm your fears down. So…you want to wait and I’ll bring up the messy one year old for you to bathe?”
“Let him get dirty it’s fine.”
We headed back downstairs after that and sure enough, he was playing in the backyard with Paul again. We took a moment to gather the new clothes and toys and put them inside and even mild cleaning up. By seven everyone had headed home except Saphira who was helping us clean up.
“Are you ever going to bathe him?”
“I’m about to take him. But, um..So..I know this could be kind of short notice but Zac and I talked about it and I would like for you to travel with us. You would technically be a helper too, but only to unload the trailer and you would be paid for that. But, basically you’ll be my helper.”
She blinked. “Are you…do you mean during the tour?”
“Yes. It wouldn’t be before she’s born, we’ve established that it would be safer if I stayed home until then. But, once she is here and a few weeks old then myself and the kids are joining and I’ll need help.”
“I would love to and I’ll speak to Peggy about taking extended time off.”
Cassie smiled and Saphira gave us both hugs but then Cassie got Joshua and his messy self.
“He and I are going for a bath. Saphira, thank you for the help today and the pictures. I’ll have to wait for Zac to come up to get us out of the tub.”
“No problem. Enjoy your bath and you’re welcome. I’ll finish helping him clean then head out.”
Cassie headed up with him and we finished cleaning up. I thanked her again before she left and once the downstairs was clean I headed up. Joshua was sitting in the tub still playing but she was beside the tub.
“You didn’t want to get in?”
“I figured I would wait until he was asleep and then we can have a bath.”
“I like that idea much better.”
“He’s just been playing, I can’t quite bend over the tub.”
I smiled and bathed him good before getting him ready for bed. He had a bottle about 8 and he played a bit more before I laid him down. He was very tired because he was asleep before 9:15, after that I drew us a bath and helped her in, joining.
“Is there anything we need to do for her?”
“Nope. The baby shower should finish out whatever we could need and then it’s just waiting.”
“She needs a name…”
She sighed. “I’ve thought about it and I think I do want to use Destiny Marie. It’s really the only name we both agree on and like truly. Is that what you want?”
“I think it’s perfect really. It’s your middle name which we both like and your mother’s middle name. Worse case, next time we have a girl we can use Diana.”
“Next time?” She asked.
I giggled. “We did agree on more than two. Just with space.”
“What if we have all boys and this is the only girl?”
“I don’t think we will have all boys after her, we could have all girls and Joshua be the only boy. Either way, my mom’s not going to be mad or anything.”
“I worried if she would, but as you said you do have four other siblings and I don’t.”
“Do you feel okay?”
“I do. I mean, she is moving so I don’t feel like something happened. I just got scared I guess. I am tired and a little hungry.”
“We had leftovers, once we’re out I’ll run down and get something.”
After a long bath I did run down for us both, eating in bed was always nice and then we both crashed for the night, she would toss and turn a bit anyway because of being pregnant. Two more months before we welcomed her into our lives. I honestly couldn’t wait.
Chapter 49 - Happy First Birthday
POV: Zac
June 10, 2007:
Cassie was at 30 weeks and one day, she was doing a lot better now. Once we got home we did the Hanson Day weekend thing and then she and I focused on getting ready for this baby. The first thing we did was clean the other bedroom out, the bed went to her parents because they had found a house not far from my parents and it had extra rooms. We then bought a new crib because Joshua’s would convert, but I went ahead and put the crib in our room.
We painted the room a light pink with white trim, something easier to cover when we eventually moved. Anything of Joshua’s that was too small she put into that room which told us what we needed for her and what we didn’t. It let her update the registry for the baby shower Saphira was giving her the 24 th also. We truly didn’t have a big list, so she asked for more girl type colors, pinks and purples mostly and dresses. Girly stuff.
I was glad that she was fully embracing that she isn’t going to lose her and that things were fine. The doctor checked each visit just to make sure and as each appointment passed she was feeling better and better, at this point she was accepting that nothing would happen. She also had expanded quite a bit the last few weeks, she clearly looked pregnant and was now wearing mostly maternity clothes and my sweat pants.
Today however we both celebrated a big event, today was Joshua’s first birthday!
Saphira came over at ten to help us set up and get things ready, but then she was going with us across to the park for some pictures. Cassie was taking them of him alone and with me but Saphira was doing family pictures. I could legitimately say that now because the papers had arrived Friday, Cassandra was officially Joshua’s mother.
We decorated first and we had chosen a fish theme, he loved watching fish and since he did we’d gone with that theme. The invitations had been white with a blue section across the bottom and an orange fish, it had his picture in the upper left corner and read ‘Swim on over to have some fun, our little fishy Joshua is turning ONE’. It was just cute enough without being cheesy. His birthday cake was two tiers, the bottom was blue with dark blue spots and orange beads across the bottom and the top layer looked like a fish bowl with a few orange fishes around it. A banner read Happy Birthday Joshua and there was a 1 on top of the cake.
Cassie had used a Photoshop class to do his other decorations including some streamers that had fish in various colors hanging from a black cord and read Happy 1 st Birthday. Her biggest project was 12 photos arranged in a line each one representing a month. They were the monthly pictures we’d taken, while they didn’t all match it was fine.
“You want to get Joshua ready for pictures?” She asked.
“Sure. What outfit?”
“He’ll have his fishy overalls on with a blue shirt. They’re laying out.”
“We doing family pictures in that too?”
“Yeah, when Emily does the maternity pictures we’ll do non-fish themed family ones.”
I paused. “Maternity pictures?”
“She’s doing them the first of July, so probably do a theme around that. She said I’d be big enough then and since you have dates pretty much the entire end of July and August it’ll work. She put me down for the 8 th.”
“Okay. I’ll make sure we’re clear then. Are you changing?”
“No.”
She had worn maternity shorts in brown and a sleeveless shirt, it had various shades of blue like making squares and a belt over her belly. I got him and headed up. I changed Joshua first and then while he walked around getting into everything I changed into matching kaki pants and a blue and white checked shirt, using a white undershirt. I got our shoes on and we headed downstairs, we just walked across the street to the park. There was no need in driving a few hundred feet. She got his first, capturing him running around the open fields and playing. She got some of me and him as well and then Saphira took some family shots.
As we were sitting on the ground waiting for Saphira to change the camera batteries Joshua laid his head over on her tummy.
“Baby?” he asked.
“That’s right, baby is there.”
I saw Saphira take the picture, I knew what my new desktop background would be.
“Zac can you scoot up behind her, without him moving.”
“Maybe.”
I carefully moved and Cassie kept talking to him and he kept his head laying there. When we were done we headed back to the house, he needed his nap and then it would be party time! We made it back to the house and I got him laid down for his nap. I then helped them finish fixing the sandwiches and party favors. We were almost done when the doorbell rang and I went to get it, assuming it was family members. But the couple at my door were not my family.
“Mr. and Mrs. Rosen, what can I do for you?”
“We were wondering if we could see our grandson. It’s his birthday after all.” She said.
“We understand that Megan cannot be around him but we’re his grandparents.” He said.
I felt Cassie when she came up beside me but she rather got in front of me.
“I’m sorry but I don’t think that’s a good idea.” She said.
“Who are you?” She asked.
“I’m his mother and while I understand that you feel like you have some right to see him, you don’t. I read all the papers from the court and from the law so that I fully understood them. Your daughter gave up her rights and thus she gave up yours.”
“Our daughter was under stress and you cannot possibly understand that.”
“I’m sorry Mr. Rosen, but your daughter was doing drugs and even when she held him in that court room she was high. It is not wise to subject Joshua to confusing situations until he is old enough to understand and be explained what happened and why. When that day comes, if he chooses to get to know you we will not stop him. But, until then we appreciate if you’d just go about your life. You haven’t spent the last year with him and he doesn’t know you. Likewise, you don’t know him.”
“He is our grandson. He is not your son, you have no right to make any decisions.”
I laid my hands on her shoulder. “Actually, she does. Not only is she my wife but she is legally his mother now. Having formally adopted him. Not that it matters to you because as his father I agree with her. You didn’t bother to protect him from your daughter and I do not want you near him now. At such time if he ever wants to know you or them, then I will certainly allow it. But, until then it’s best if you stay away.”
They acted like they were going to continue but after heavy sighs they nodded and left peacefully.
“There’s nothing they can do legally, is there?” Saphira asked.
“No.” we said.
“Good.” She said.
We finished the trays and got the decorations up, she printed off one of the 12 month pictures to complete the 12 pictures. I couldn’t believe my son was now one. It had been a long year filled with lots of ups and downs, but I had been able to raise him for a full twelve months with help. He was healthy, he was happy, and he was loved. Cassie had come in and healed my family and that was great for everyone here. I was hoping the sweet little girl she was carrying would finish healing us all.
Joshua was still asleep when my parents arrived but it seems Mom was okay with that because she had to talk to the new baby and see how Cassie was. I got Joshua when he woke up and after a clean diaper we headed down. By four everyone was present. We were eating and talking, Joshua was playing with Paul and everyone was just happy.
“I saw Megan a few days ago.” Reed said.
I glanced at him. “Is she staying clean?”
“H.e.l.l. No.”
I’d cautioned everyone on the cuss words because Joshua was learning new words now, so he had spelled out hell instead of saying it. I shook my head.
“Her parents came over today to see him, Cassie said no."
“Good, I wouldn’t let them ever see him Zac.”
“I’m not. I really don’t trust them. Besides, Joshua has two sets of grandparents that truly love him, he doesn’t need them.”
The presents were super fun to watch, he had learned how to tear paper and while the new clothes didn’t really excite him the new toys did. Sometimes to the point where I had to open it so he could play a few moments. Watching him dig into his own cake was quite messy. I now understood why Cassie took the overalls off. His high chair was covered in cake, he was covered, and I was pretty sure it would take an army to get the cake out of those curls.
But after all the festivities when everyone was just talking I noticed Cassie wasn’t downstairs.
“Saphira, where is Cassie?”
“Last I seen she was going upstairs.”
That was odd as she usually didn’t go back upstairs until she was going to bed. Knowing Joshua was well taken care of here, I headed up. She was sitting on the side of the bed.
“Cassie? Are you okay?”
“Yeah.”
I went over to the bed and sat down beside her. While she said yeah, it didn’t sound convincing to me.
“Cassie.”
“I just felt sick, I think I over ate on the cake.”
“Maybe. Is that all?”
“She hasn’t moved since I sat down, but she maybe asleep.”
It was rude of me to even try and wake her, but Cassie’s voice sounded down and when I felt her foot kick me I smiled.
“She was sleeping.”
“So rude, but thank you. I mean, common sense told me things were fine.”
I kissed her cheek. “But sometimes it’s okay to calm your fears down. So…you want to wait and I’ll bring up the messy one year old for you to bathe?”
“Let him get dirty it’s fine.”
We headed back downstairs after that and sure enough, he was playing in the backyard with Paul again. We took a moment to gather the new clothes and toys and put them inside and even mild cleaning up. By seven everyone had headed home except Saphira who was helping us clean up.
“Are you ever going to bathe him?”
“I’m about to take him. But, um..So..I know this could be kind of short notice but Zac and I talked about it and I would like for you to travel with us. You would technically be a helper too, but only to unload the trailer and you would be paid for that. But, basically you’ll be my helper.”
She blinked. “Are you…do you mean during the tour?”
“Yes. It wouldn’t be before she’s born, we’ve established that it would be safer if I stayed home until then. But, once she is here and a few weeks old then myself and the kids are joining and I’ll need help.”
“I would love to and I’ll speak to Peggy about taking extended time off.”
Cassie smiled and Saphira gave us both hugs but then Cassie got Joshua and his messy self.
“He and I are going for a bath. Saphira, thank you for the help today and the pictures. I’ll have to wait for Zac to come up to get us out of the tub.”
“No problem. Enjoy your bath and you’re welcome. I’ll finish helping him clean then head out.”
Cassie headed up with him and we finished cleaning up. I thanked her again before she left and once the downstairs was clean I headed up. Joshua was sitting in the tub still playing but she was beside the tub.
“You didn’t want to get in?”
“I figured I would wait until he was asleep and then we can have a bath.”
“I like that idea much better.”
“He’s just been playing, I can’t quite bend over the tub.”
I smiled and bathed him good before getting him ready for bed. He had a bottle about 8 and he played a bit more before I laid him down. He was very tired because he was asleep before 9:15, after that I drew us a bath and helped her in, joining.
“Is there anything we need to do for her?”
“Nope. The baby shower should finish out whatever we could need and then it’s just waiting.”
“She needs a name…”
She sighed. “I’ve thought about it and I think I do want to use Destiny Marie. It’s really the only name we both agree on and like truly. Is that what you want?”
“I think it’s perfect really. It’s your middle name which we both like and your mother’s middle name. Worse case, next time we have a girl we can use Diana.”
“Next time?” She asked.
I giggled. “We did agree on more than two. Just with space.”
“What if we have all boys and this is the only girl?”
“I don’t think we will have all boys after her, we could have all girls and Joshua be the only boy. Either way, my mom’s not going to be mad or anything.”
“I worried if she would, but as you said you do have four other siblings and I don’t.”
“Do you feel okay?”
“I do. I mean, she is moving so I don’t feel like something happened. I just got scared I guess. I am tired and a little hungry.”
“We had leftovers, once we’re out I’ll run down and get something.”
After a long bath I did run down for us both, eating in bed was always nice and then we both crashed for the night, she would toss and turn a bit anyway because of being pregnant. Two more months before we welcomed her into our lives. I honestly couldn’t wait.