I turned just as Judy squealed and jumped out of my arms. I shook my head, smirking as she ran across the training grounds and into her best friend’s arms. Nanughed and wrapped Judy in a tight embrace.


    I looked at Chester, who was carrying a toddler in his arms and slinging the diaper bag over his shoulder, I nodded my greeting to him and returned it with a grin as he approached me.


    <b>“</b>Hey, Alpha,” Chester said.


    I rolled my eyes.


    “You know you can call me Gavin,” I reminded him. “We are practically family now.”


    Heughed.


    “Yeah, I guess it’s a habit I can’t quite break.”


    “Where’s the birthday girl?” Nan asked, looking around for my now one–year–old daughter. (


    “Getting changed with Irene,” I told her. “She’ll be down soon.”


    “She’s going to love the present we got her,” Nan said, a bright smile on her face.


    “Hi, Uncle Gavin and Auntie Judy,” Emalyn said as she walked towards us, her blonde pigtails bouncing around her and her dress flowing evenly around her small body. It was strange that she looked so much like Ethan, and yet she was uniquely her. “Hey, Emmy,” I said, kneeling to give her a big squeeze.


    She giggled as she hugged me back and then hugged Judy just as tightly.


    “Hey, sweetheart,” Judy said, twirling her around.


    “Whoa, I’m dizzy,” Emalyn teased.


    “Emmy!!” Den squealed as he ran to her.


    They were close in age and best friends. Emalyn chuckled and ran towards him, hugging him tightly, both tumbling to the ground from the force of their collided bodies and bursting out intoughter.


    It made the rest of usugh as well.


    “We should get inside before more guests arrive,” Judy said, turning to me. “I need to shower and get dressed myself. My parents will be arriving soon, as will your mother.”


    I nodded, though it took my mother a little while to get used to the idea that I was marrying Judy; she eventually stopped fighting me every step of the way, especially when Den was born. Now she’s just a typical grandmother who loves to spoil her grandchildren, and she even gets along with Judy.


    We headed inside so Judy could finish getting dressed, and I could finish setting up for the party.


    In the front parlor, I had everything set up. The party balloons were all over the ce, along with streamers and a banner that read: Happy 1(st) Birthday, Lilith.


    There was a table for the representatives that were quickly piling up, and another table for finger foods, mainly for the kids. The food the adults were going to be eating was catered by the staff I hired; all the food was from the Howling Spoon, Nan’s thriving restaurant.


    I opened up the doors for the back patio, where all the outdoor activities were going to take ce; it was pretty much a carnival out there at this point with all the stuff I got for the party. Not that a 1–year–old can enjoy most of it, but slie’ll like some of the activities<b>, </b>and all the colors around the ce… also, there will be a ton of children running around<b>, </b>so it’s something for them to enjoy as well.


    +15 <b>BONUS </b>


    “Where’s my grandbaby?” my mother asked as she arrived 30 minutester; Judy’s parents weren’t far behind her. They <b>had </b>gotten to know each other well over thest few years, and now they were practically friends, which was nice to see.


    Thugged my mother and shook Judy’s father’s hand.


    “She’ll be down in a minute. I’m pretty sure Irene is hogging her.


    “Well, now it’s my turn,” my mother said as she went upstairs in arch of my daughters.


    Iughed as I greeted Judy’s mother with a hug.


    “It’s good to see you both,” I said, pulling back.


    “I know we’ve been so busytely. Sorry, we haven’t been around muchtely,” Michelle, Judy’s mother, said.


    “I get how it is,” I told her. “No need to apologize.”


    Soon, Sampson and Lucy were arriving along with their two kids, Samantha and Austin.


    Samanth was 4 years old, and Austin was <b>2. </b>They immediately ran off to find my other young kids.


    The party was starting, music was ying, and everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves. Irene went off thenjoy some of


    the festivities, while my mother carried Emalyn around, making my little girl giggle with delight.


    Judy stepped beside me, a rxed look on her face. We sat on the back patio, watching our friends and family enjoy themselves; it was a nice sight to see. She leaned into me, her scent stronger than usual. 1


    “You seem happy,” I said to her, kissing her temple.


    “I am,” she said, looking up at me. “I have something to tell you. Something I did when I got dressed earlier.<b>” </b>


    I frowned, my heart thudding as I looked down at her.


    “What is it?” I asked; she didn’t sound upset; she sounded happy.


    She reached into her pocket and pulled something out; it was wrapped in a tissue as she handed it to me.


    Unwrapping the tissue, my eyes widened.


    “My breasts were feeling tender, and I was feeling a bit nauseous the other day. So, I decided to take a pregnancy test,” she told <ol><li>me. </li></ol>


    I stared at the 2 lines on the stick, my heart swelling with pure bliss as I looked at her. Her eyes lingered with hundreds of tears, and a wide smile spread across her face.


    In unison, we both said the words out loud.


    “We are having another baby.” 7


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