Thank you to Berenakiss2, AdamaGirl, dinki66, nexis44, ozzlover, walkerdude1 and the guest for reviewing the last chapter of a reason to smile, I hope you all like the sequel just as much.
Chapter rating: T
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
All mistakes are my own. I hope you enjoy :)
8th October
"Mama, Mama, Dada, out" Laura heard Katie call through the baby monitor. Rolling over she looked at the time, 6:30am and sighed knowing that Katie wouldn't go back to sleep now. Yawing she turned towards Bill and smiled, he was out like a light, still looking rumpled from last night's activities, they were getting too old to stay up to the early hours of the morning, but she definitely didn't regret it and they'd certainly stay up late again.
"Hi pumpkin" Laura said as she walked into Katie's room, a smile on her face.
"Mama" Katie squealed in reply lifting her arms up towards Laura from where she was standing in her crib.
"Oh someone is smelly" Laura said lifting Katie and quickly changing her nappy.
"Let's go see Daddy" Laura said excitedly, picking up the little girl and heading back to her room.
"Dada Dada Dada" Katie happily repeated upon seeing her father, holing her arms out towards him, a large grin on her face.
"Hey my little princess" Bill said sitting up against the headboard and taking the little girl, peppering kisses over her face.
"Dada" she replied enthusiastically wrapping her little arms around his neck, and placing a wet kiss on his cheek.
"I can't believe she's one today, it doesn't seem like it's been a year since I gave birth to this little wonder" Laura said running her hand softly over Katie's strawberry blonde hair.
"I know, my little girl's growing up too quickly" Bill replied looking down at Katie, who had her head resting on Bill's chest.
"Before we know it she's going to want to wear makeup and hang out with boys" Laura said a little shocked at the thought.
"As long as she doesn't date those boys, and stays at home until she's 30, I'm okay with that" Bill replied slightly seriously.
"Oh, Daddy's going to be wreck when you get older" Laura said chuckling, before adding" but for now you're going to have a fun day, aren't you".
"Mamamama" Katie squealed in reply, grinning and crawling from Bill over to Laura.
"Come on, let's go have some breakfast, and your Daddy can go tell the boys it's time for breakfast" Laura said lifting up Katie.
"Do you want some cheerio's?" Laura asked excitedly, placing Katie in her high chair.
"Ya" Katie replied, banging her hands on the high chair tray.
"Here you go" Laura said, placing a large handful of cheerios in front of Katie, and watching as she picked them up in her pudgy little fingers, focusing hard to ensure they reached her mouth safely.
"Hey Mom" Lee said as he walked with his brother and father into the kitchen.
"Hi buddy, how are you today?" Laura asked ruffling his hair, as he walked by her towards the pantry.
"Alright, Galen told me he's going to bring over his new pyramid ball, it's the newest release by the buccaneers, so I'm excited to play with it" Lee replied excitedly, grabbing a bowl out of the cupboard.
"Hi Mommy" Zak said running over to give her a hug, before looking up at her with puppy dog eyes and asking "can we have pancakes for breakfast?"
"Not today bub, we're going to be having a lot of sweet food for Katie's Birthday today, how about I make you some eggs instead?" Laura offered.
"Okay, can you poach them for me, so they're really runny?" Zak replied.
"Sure, do you want some eggs to honey?" Laura asked Bill, as he walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Sure, sounds great" Bill replied turning her around slightly to kiss her softly.
"Ewwww" Zak and Lee chorused together.
"Can you not, while I'm trying to eat" Lee replied, grabbing a spoon and taking his cereal to the table.
"Oh dear" Laura said chuckling, "they're definitely growing up".
"Look at you, you look adorable" Evelyn said as she walked into the kitchen, to where Laura and Katie were sitting at the dining room table, playing with her new musical activity train.
"You got a new dress just for your birthday, didn't you" Laura replied, smiling down at Katie who was wearing a pink sleeveless cotton dress, with a tulle skirt.
"Well it looks fantastic on her" Evelyn said picking up Katie who began cooing at her grandmother excitedly.
"How was the drive, was there much traffic?" Laura asked placing the toy away in Katie's toy chest.
"It was pretty good, just some minor build up in the city, so everyone should be able to make it to the party without any trouble" Evelyn told Laura, knowing she was worried that the recent roadworks, which were causing havoc in Caprica City, were going to affect Katie's friends from arriving.
After seeing how much Katie enjoyed bath time, when the little girl was seven months old, Laura enrolled the two of them in a Moms and bubs swimming class. Katie immediately took like a duck to water and made a couple of friends, a little girl called Ella and a little boy called Samuel. The trio often had play dates outside of the swimming class, and Laura had become close friends with the mother's as well, even going out for dinners by themselves, while the husbands took care of the children.
"Okay that's good" Laura replied, still a bit nervous about her daughters first birthday going well.
"We're here" Saul said walking into the kitchen carrying a large elegantly wrapped present, Ellen waddling close behind.
"How are you feeling?" Laura asked Ellen who was now 34 weeks pregnant.
"Like a beached whale" Ellen replied pouting, "I'm definitely getting to the stage where I'm ready to pop the kid out".
"I know the feeling, but enjoy the quiet time you have at the moment, because it's never going to be the same again" Laura said grinning.
"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Katie, Happy Birthday to you" the group sand as Laura brought out a one shaped cake and placed it in front of Katie who was sitting on Bill's lap.
"Hip, hip hooray….hip, hip hooray".
"Blow the candle out" Bill told Katie leaning forward and helping her extinguish the flame, before everybody clapped, and Katie beamed proudly. Laura quickly cut the cake into enough pieces for everybody, and presented Katie with her slice.
Katie's eyes grew wide at the sight of the cake and she tentatively reach a hand out, grabbing a fist full and bringing it to her mouth. "Is that yummy?" Bill asked smiling, as a satisfied grin graced her face.
"Ya" Katie replied reaching out for more cake, as Laura took a picture of the moment. By the time Katie had finished her slice, there was probably about as much cake on her face as in her stomach, but the little girl was happy and everyone else enjoyed the cake nearly as much as her.
"Time for presents" Evelyn said excitedly lifting Katie and placing her on the living room floor next to her two friends, between her father's legs, while Laura placed the paper plates in the bin.
"This is from Grandma and Grandpa" Joseph said placing the present in front of Katie, who immediately attempted to rip the wrapping paper. With some help from her father, she found a wooden walker with sliding beads at the front and 24 lettered and numbered blocks inside.
"Here you go sweetie" Ellen said handing her a bucket, full of 10 multi-coloured shapes, which she could empty out and then try to put back in through the correct holes.
30 minutes later Katie was surrounded by presents, excitedly looking from item to item. Ella brought Katie a pop-up farm animals game, and Samuel gave Katie some Winnie the Pooh themed bath toys. Katie also received a baby doll from Marcy, a toy xylophone from Elosha, clothes from Abigail and Larry, and a toy phone from Cheryl and David.
"I think today went well" Bill said as he hopped into bed
"Me too, the kids are going to sleep well tonight after all that excitement" Laura replied, sliding in next to him.
"Bill?" Laura asked tentatively, as she made herself comfortable against the headboard.
"Yes sweetheart" Bill said looking over at her.
"What do you think about trying for another one?" Laura asked, turning to Bill and smiling softly.
"Really? You want to have another baby?" Bill replied excitedly.
"Yeah I do, seeing Katie and the boys together today, made me realise I want another child and for Katie to have someone closer to her age to play with" Laura explained.
"I would love to have another mini Laura" Bill said beaming.
"It would be pretty great to have a little version of you" Laura replied, snuggling up against him.
"You want to get started on the trying part right now?" Bill asked with a grin.
"It can't hurt" Laura replied leaning over to kiss him.
I hope you all liked the start to the sequel, if you want more please review:)