< February >

{ Tate }

Ashton and I were up bright and early today. Today's a big day. It's Riley's first birthday. We're having a party today with our friends. Luke and Michael's parents are in town so they will be joining us too, along with Calum's sister Mali. Emma wasn't going to make it since she's at home with her family. Our families had to go home but they already did their own thing with Riley while they were here.

I woke up in Ashton's tight hold. My back pressed up against his chest. I moved slowly, causing Ashton to let out a grunt. His grip loosed, allowing me to turn over and face him.

"Wake up babe. It's Riley's birthday" I grinned and put my lips to his. Ashton laughed into the kiss.

I pulled back and his eyes flicked open.

"Give me a minute. You wore me out last night" he smirked. I playfully smacked his arm with a smirk on my own face and got out of the bed.

I walked down to the kitchen, after slipping on one of Ashton's shirts, and began making us coffee while he woke himself up a bit. He and the boys have been in the studio non-stop. I don't think he got home until after midnight last night then he and I stayed up a while.

Ashton dragged in, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind and resting his chin on my shoulder.

"Morning love" his voice rasped.

"Morning" I smiled, slightly turning my head so I could quickly kiss him.

"Mhm, can you believe our little boy is one years old" Ashton spoke, burying his head in my neck.

"I know! It's crazy" I laughed then turned to face him once I poured coffee into the cups.

We just stood there for a little bit before we decided to go wake Riley. We decided we'd start a tradition for birthdays. We'd wake Riley up with a cupcake and candle. So Ashton grabbed the cupcake and lit the candle and we walked into Riley's room.

I flicked on the light and saw Riley standing up already.

"Happy birthday Riley!" Ashton and I grinned and walked over.

"Mama Dada" he bounced.

"Can you blow the candle out?" Ashton asked and demonstrated, then helped him. Riley was all giggles and went to grab the cupcake.

"Oh no. That will be eaten in the kitchen" I laughed, picking Riley up and following Ashton to the kitchen.

As Riley slowly, and I mean slowly, ate his cupcake and drank his milk, Ashton and I sat down to have breakfast before we had to get the house ready for Riley's party.

"Since when has he ever eaten that slow" Ashton laughed as he watched Riley look around the room.

"No clue. But he needs to speed it up because we have stuff to do and you have pizza to pick up" I said.

"I know I know" Ashton sighed, standing and taking our finished plates to the sink then putting them in the dishwasher.

****

We headed out back and started getting ready for Riley's birthday party. It's his first one so Ash and I are making this a big deal as it should be. Ashton and I were setting up and Riley was running around.

"We need a bigger yard. All we got is this gravel shit with a little bit a grass area" Ashton spoke coming next to me.

"I know we want to move, but I think we need to wait until we get Riley's health under control" I turned to him. Ashton nodded and kissed me quickly before walking into the house to grab something.

We finished up and I was sitting in a lounge chair watching Riley and Ashton play, the mix of their giggles filling my ears. My head snapped back when I heard the back door open and saw Duke run past. Calum followed laughing as Duke jumped up on Riley. Surprisingly Riley wasn't scared,

Mali walked out a few seconds later and sat next to me while Calum went right to Riley and Ashton.

"He has gotten so big since the last time I saw him" Mali gaped.

"He's walking and talking now" I smiled.

"Ashton's a really good dad isn't he?" She smiled.

"Oh he is" I laughed as Calum picked Riley up and held him upside down by his ankles.

"The favorite uncle is here!" Luke yelled walking in.

"Wu!" Riley yelled and ran as fast as his legs could take him into Luke's arms.

"If he's the favorite uncle, then I'm the favorite aunt" Sierra laughed and took Riley from Luke.

"I'm offended" Crystal gasped walking from behind.

"Same. I thought I was the favorite" Michael pouted as Ashton walked over and I stood to greet Luke and Michael's parents.

"Is he doing okay since his heart scare?" Karen asked.

"Yeah. He recovered quickly thankfully. Took more of a toll on us than him" Ashton answered. We both still feel awful for missing the wedding. We were lucky our friends are so understanding of the fact that Ash and I just needed to be home with Riley.

****

Riley wore down fast from playing with his uncles. His heart causes him to stop a little sooner than most kids. He wobbled over to me and I lifted him up, setting him in my lap as I talked with the girls and parents at the outdoor table. The boys walked past and into the house, returning seconds later with beers in their hands.

Riley fell asleep on me as we ate. Ashton and I didn't bother to wake him up. He wouldn't nap long considering how loud his dad and uncles are.

"Every time I see him, he looks more and more like Ashton everyday" Liz laughed.

"Oh I know. I have a feeling he's gonna act like Ashton too" I smiled.

"He already follows him around" Michael laughed, I nodded agreeing.

Riley shifted and sat up, his hands forming to first to rub his eyes.

"Hi bubby. Did you have a good nap?" I asked and pushed the hair from his face. He looked around then reached across for Ashton. I lifted Riley and put him on his feet on the table and he walked across and fell into Ashton's lap.

Riley looked at the table then grabbed for the pizza Ashton left on his plate.

"Just tear it up. He can eat it" I laughed as Ashton looked at me for approval.

"Make your own parenting decisions" I joked. Ashton rolled his eyes and fed Riley with his hands.

When Riley finished, we went inside so we could do his cake. Ashton insisted that Riley had his own cake so he can tear it apart. I of course agreed.

Luke filmed and Ashton and I stood next to Riley who was in his high chair. Everyone started singing happy birthday and when we finished, Ashton, being a typical dad, pushed Riley's face in the cake.

Riley blew up. He started screaming and Ashton felt bad. Riley was so upset that he wouldn't let Ashton touch him.

"I'm sorry Riley" Ashton kept trying as Riley burrowed into my shoulder once his face was clean. Riley wanted nothing to do with him.

"He's fine Ash" I tried to reassure him. He just sighed and nodded and started cleaning up the high chair tray.

****

After everyone left, Riley wore himself out playing with all his new toys he was spoiled with.

"Okay Riles. I think it's bedtime" I laughed and picked him up. Ashton followed me and Riley to our bathroom where I stood him up to brush his teeth.

Riley reached down and picked up his toothbrush and toothpaste and started attempting to do it himself. I busted with laughter as I grabbed my phone and took a picture. Ashton was giggling hard next to me.

"I'm so posting that as his birthday picture" I smiled.

Riley kept trying then turned and saw himself in the mirror.

"Me!" He yelled and hit his hand on it.

"Yeah that's you buddy," Ashton smiled, "and there's Mommy and Daddy" Ashton pointed to us. Riley giggled and collapsed into his arms.

****

Once Riley was asleep and settled in bed, Ashton and I climbed in together and I grabbed my phone to post:

-instagram-

liked by calumhood and 234,585 others
@tateberklee: You turn one and suddenly you can do it all by yourself 😂 Happy 1st Birthday to my baby boy. Riley, you've been through so much in just a short year. You're truly the strongest little boy I know of. Daddy and I love you so much...but please stop growing up. Be my baby forever🥺🥰
^@ashtonirwin: truly the bravest little boy. Sorry I pushed your face in the cake. But I love you kiddo, so so much 🥰😊

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I laughed and turned over to wrap my arms around his body and snuggle into the warmth of his skin.

"You know, a year ago was the scariest day of my life" Ashton mumbled, kissing my head and rubbing the skin above my hip with his thumb.

"Mine too" I sighed and kissed his chest.

"I'm so glad you both are okay" he whispered. I could tell he was falling asleep by the way his voice trailed. I smiled and leaned my head up, kissing his lips briefly.

"I love you" he spoke.

"I love you too".