Stephanie Rotten didn't know it took so long to plan a child's birthday party. With her parent's work taking up as much time as it did, she needed to make sure that it was planned far enough ahead and with enough details, so that they would be able to attend. Then there was her own work, which was a set schedule of three month blocks that she had to plan further ahead for this one tiny party half a year before it would be held. The only consolation she got for all the work was that everyone who was a part of Aurora's life would be there for her first birthday celebration. She wasn't surprised when, her mind already predicting when, her child began calling out, her nap over with and a hungry belly to feed. As she walked into the room, she found her husband, Robbie Rotten, taking care of their daughter. She watched him work a while before speaking, aware he knew she was there.

"I could have done that."

"I'm fine; I enjoying helping."

"You enjoy changing diapers?"

"Not really, just helping you in general." He was fastening the clean diaper and beginning to redress the little girl in the swimsuit she had been wearing, the heat causing almost nothing else to be comfortable.

"And you do help me, often. I think you just have too much time on your hands."

"Sometimes, so do I."

He carried Aurora out of the room, his wife following, and put the little girl in her playpen that faced the sports field. The windows had recently been tinted, allowing for people to see outside but not inside and for less heat to get in. The past week had been relatively cool, compared to the week before, but the week ahead was projected as the hottest so far this summer, and in anticipation, many people were getting air conditioners installed in their homes, or placing them in windows if they could find them. Fans were in high demand, and the local stores had trouble keeping up. When the building was being constructed, Robbie had the foresight to have both a heating and cooling system installed, and the temperature was always just right.

Being close to the sports field also was helpful, to the children who played there at least, and to the mothers and older siblings who had classes with Stephanie, so that they were constantly under an adults watchful eye. Kristinn and Ásta were often making the children take breaks in the shade for water and sports candy, checking each one so they could prevent any from having heat stroke. With a little donation from Robbie, the sports park had had trees planted around it, in places that didn't interfere with game play, as well as a wooden shelter and more seating. The town was also having a residential pool build, but the permits weren't granted in time for the heat.

Stephanie got ready for her next class, kissing her child and husband on the forehead as a means of goodbye, and left them in the living room. On the table she had left her list, hoping Robbie would pick it up, look it over, maybe even make a note of two. He was helpful in the best of ways, and there were times she knew he looked for things she had written down or left out and would scribble his two-cents or take care of it, surprising her with his thoughtfulness. Those were the times she knew, without a single doubt, how much she had changed him for the better, and she could see just how much he truly loved her.

Robbie, taking advantage of his wife being preoccupied by her business, did take the hint and looked over the note precariously, wondered what he could add or if he should just take care of everything. Although the heat was horribly high recently, and didn't seem to be going down soon, he knew that everyone would expect some of the party outside, and had already bought a few canopies to be set up in the large backyard. The biggest challenge was making sure there would be enough food, since it was an open party to everyone in town, and those in Stephanie's classes who wanted to celebrate their child's birthday. Being a Saturday just meant that there would definitely be quite a crowd, which in turn meant they had to ensure there would be enough of everything.

Granted, there was no limit to how prepared they could be, the one thing he didn't want was to find they weren't prepared enough. Over-compensation was better than being unprepared, at least that was what his father had always stressed when he was growing up. He wasn't entirely sure what his wife's views on this were, but he knew how she felt about being ready for the unexpected, and he was always very certain to expect the unexpected for her benefit. He also wanted to raise Aurora in a home where that was the 'family motto', if possible, so that she was better able to deal with life and its randomness.

So, with steel determination, Robbie sat down at his desk and began making the necessary calls that would allow Stephanie the chance to take it easy in planning this gala she seemed set on having. Although why a one-year old barely able to understand the meaning of the party being held on her account needed such a party he would never know.

The heat was beginning to cause more problems than anyone was ready for, and the news was giving hearty advice on ways to counter any possible adversity that may occur. As tiresome as it was, the children were not playing outside any more, so the risk of heat stroke was eliminated. Kristinn and Ásta had taken them to the gym, a building that was rarely used in the summer months, but was finally seeing activity this year. There wasn't much of an air condition system, but out of the kind-hearted nature that he had found developing, Robbie found himself donating more money to the town, prompting Stephanie to wonder what was becoming of her snarky husband. When he suggestion that Aurora's party be held there instead of the studio, she knew she hadn't lost him just yet.

It appeared that over the year since Aurora came into the world and their lives, both Robbie and Stephanie had been changing, slowly but surely. It was the common effect of having children, even just the one, and although it was unknown to those affected, it was obvious to those around. The kind of get-together that was being planned was a sign, considering the father was known for being not very sociable and the mother quite the opposite, allowing so many people the opportunity to be a part of their child's life.

The response to the invitations, as informal as they were, was much more exuberant than either parent expected, causing the number of expected persons to almost double. Unable to decline anyone, Stephanie made sure that the budget was big enough to accommodate the quantity, and finding amusement in the shocked faces Robbie gave her when he saw the final guest list. But he gave in, without must resistance, and by the afternoon of the party, he was beginning to see why she wanted to do everything they had done.

Aurora, not entirely understanding the point of the party but loving the avid attention nonetheless, was crawling around the guest's feet, weaving in and out of sandals and flip-flops and tennis shoes, trying to find a certain pair of feet. Although the party was for her, it seemed as if none of the people she passed by noticed her, and that was just how she liked it. Even at such a young age, she was very aware of her surroundings, and knowledgeable beyond where she should be, much like her father had been. Sometimes she found it hard to scurry around, her hair giving her away easily. Not daunted by this, Aurora kept on task, searching for the one pair of feet she wanted. Finally, she found her mark.

"Momma!" She cried, sitting on her bottom and reaching up her arms for Stephanie to take. It took slapping her Mother's ankles for the woman to realise her daughter was below, but once she did, up in the air Aurora went.

"She is so sweet Stephanie."

"Thank you Trixie. Maybe someday you and Stingy could have one just like her."

"Yeah, that's rich. Stingy is too possessive of me to let that happen."

"I think it's romantic, that way he fawns over you."

"And I do too, sometimes. Most of the time its annoying."

"Give him a break, just a little. He's been that way all his life, and we haven't had much luck changing him yet."

"I wish Kristinn had been able to do something about it though, after all these years."

"Yeah, but have you tried?"

"A little."

"Does it seem to work?"

"A little."

"Trixie!"

"Steph, I can't even talk to my male teachers without him getting mad at me and thinking I'm cheating on him, and sometimes, sex just doesn't convince him otherwise."

"All right, I suppose I can understand that. Robbie had issues, even after proposing, about our relationship. Maybe Stingy just needs the right person to talk to him about the situation, like my dad with Robbie, and help him see the light, so to speak."

"Yeah, sounds great. Got any ideas?"

"Daddy!" Aurora spoke up suddenly, slapping at Stephanie's arm. Trixie, caught off guard by the hand on her shoulder, couldn't believe her luck when Robbie gave her a little hug, and then took his daughter from his wife's arms.

"So, how have you been?"

"Other than the issues I was telling Steph about, fine. And you, oh great and terrible daddy?" The trouble-maker couldn't resist the jibe.

"Better to be someone's daddy than a curmudgeon. Any thing I can help with?"

"Yes, if you can convince her boyfriend to get his head out of his ass and realise he has the best woman in the world in love with him, whose patience is running thin on how possessive he is over her, although it is sweet, and that it's about time he proposed, before someone steals her away because of his stupidity." Robbie just looked stunned, gaping at Stephanie, unable to respond.

"You don't have to Robbie, I wouldn't blame you. Stingy can be exceptionally hard to talk to sometimes."

"Actually," He began breathlessly, adjusting Aurora in his arms a bit, her little hands reaching up and around his neck as well as possible. "I would give it a try. I kind of understand the acting stupid role in a relationship, and it would be a shame not to pass up this chance to get under someone's skin. I haven't done that for a long time."

"Robbie..."

"What? That used to be the best part of playing the villain!" He smiled, giving away the humour he felt, waving a goodbye to the two friends and taking his child to another area of the party, so she could mingle with her guest.

Some people were beginning to leave, and Aurora was beginning to get tired. Eydís took her and put her down, curling up around the strange child and falling asleep with her. Neither pair of parents could upset the children, who seemed to have created a strong bond. It was very sweet to see how protective the elven child was over the toddler, and she also made for a great baby-sitter whenever Robbie and Stephanie had need of her.

By the end of the day, after they had dinner and set Aurora down for bed, did Robbie and Stephanie actually take in that it had truly been a year since their darling daughter was born.

"A whole year..."

"You know... I didn't think we'd last this long."

"I know. Hey, that means we've got three weeks until our anniversary!"

"I suppose you're right."

"Have any plans?"

"No, you?"

"All ready took that day off."

"How long ago?"

"Two weeks."

"Does this mean I have to do something for you?"

"Nope, just keep August 27th free and I'll be happy to just sit around the house with you and Aurora, doing nothing."

"Are you suggesting we take a Lazy Day for our anniversary?"

"Aren't you happy?"

"Completely."