May.

"Mommy, I know daddy has to work, but I'm sad that he's gonna miss my birthday.."

"I know, baby.  Daddy feels bad.. He wants to be here, but-"

"I know.. He has to work." Sofia looks down.

"Awe baby, he wants to be here, you know that!"

"What if he doesn't?"

"Sofia, of course he does!  Why would you say that?"

"He came back for your birthday."

Jessica sighs and rubs her back.
"Why don't you call daddy and tell him how you feel?"

"No, he'll think that I think he doesn't love me."

"Well sweetie, I want you to know that daddy loves you more than anything.  You're his biggest little baby... The reason he's working is for all of us."

"Okay.. I understand."

"Don't be sad.  You're too cute for that pout.
Besides, you're almost nine!  Nine year olds don't pout." She holds her chin in her hand and smiles.

Sofia gives her a small smile.

"Oh there's that pretty smile!" Jessica kisses her cheek.

***

Sofia's ninth birthday.

"My goodness, mommy is going crazy! Come on Bella Boo, you need to take your inhaler, sweet girl."

Arabella starts to fuss and hits Jessica hands away.

"Bella, please! Your sister is going to be down any minute, and the boys have already given me a hard time this morning."

"Mommy, the eggs are burning!" Jackson shouts.

"Shit!" She puts Arabella on her hip and runs to the stove.

"Hey, you swore!" Jackson points.

"I'm sorry! Ugh, how did I do that?!"

The twins suddenly start crying in the playpen.

"Oh gosh.. *Sighs* Okay. Breathe. You can do this." Jessica takes a deep breath.

"They're fighting, momma." Jackson says staring at them.

"Boys, stop!" Jessica walks over to them.

The boys have gotten into the habit of sticking their nails in each other's cheeks and screaming bloody murder.

"What is that? That is not how we behave!"

They push each other in the face so Jessica bends over and takes Joshua out of the play pen.

"You boys are a mess! Here, Jackson, will you sit and play with Josh, please?"

"Sure, mommy!"

"Thank you, baby."

"Now.. What was I doing? Oh Bella!
You need to take your medicine."

"Nuhhh!"

"Yes!"

"Nuhhh!!" She pushes her away.

"Arabella, you know you need this, why are you acting like this today?"

"Hi!" Sofia walks down with a smile.

"Oh! Oh, happy birthday, baby!" Jessica walks to her and gives her a hug and kiss.

"My little girl is nine years old today!"

Sofia smiles and walks to the kitchen.

"Mmm! Smells... Burnt."

"Yeah.. I'm sorry, sweetie. It's been a crazy morning, but I'm gonna make you something else. You want some waffles?"

"Yes ma'am." Sofia smiles softly.

"Okay. Can you hold your sister, please?"

"Yes!" She smiles and takes her from her mother.

"She's in a mood today and won't take her inhaler."

"Oh no! Arabella, you have to take your medicine, sweet girl! You don't want to get sick again, do you?
No you don't!
Momma, can I try to give it to her?"

"Yeah. You know what you're supposed to do?"

"Mhm! Put the mask on her face and give her one puff, hold for ten seconds, then give her a break and do it one more time."

"You've got it!" Jessica smiles.

"I've watched you do it a lot." Sofia smiles and sits Arabella on the table.

"Nuhhh!"

"Nuh-uh, we're not gonna do that. You have to take it, okay?"

Arabella fusses and arches her back.

"Hey, stop that, silly! It's my birthday today and you have to be nice and listen to me."

Jessica listens to Sofia as she quickly gets the waffle mix ready.

"Look at me.. Look in my eyes and breathe."

Jessica turned over her shoulder and was shocked that Arabella was actually letting her place the mask on her face.

"Good girl! You did it! Just one more, okay? Breathe, breathe, breathe... Okay, you ready?"

...

"Good girl! I'm so proud of you!"
Sofia kisses her forehead and smiles.

"Here you go, mommy." She turns to Jessica and hands her the inhaler.

"Heh! Thank you, baby.
Oh and before I forget! Let me take your first picture as a nine year old!" She takes Arabella from her and places her in her walker.

"Okay, but come out to the porch!"

"Sof, your waffles are gonna burn."

"Just real quick!"

Jessica follows her and Sofia strikes a pose.

"Haha! You're so cute."

"One take, I'm a pro!" She smirks and stands up to walk back into the house.

"Yes you are!" Jessica chuckles.

**

During breakfast Danny called Jessica.

"Sofia! I think it's for you." She smiles.

"Is it daddy?!" Sofia gets excited and answers the phone.

"Daddy?!"

"Hey princess! Happy Birthday!"

"Thank you!! I miss you!"

"Oh I miss you more, baby! How's your day going so far?"

"Good! I just had some waffles!"

"Oh yum!"

"How's mommy?"

Sofia looks at Jessica and chuckles, "She looks tired."

"Awe.. Well I think your birthday present will come in handy for both of you then."

"My birthday present?!"

"Yeah! Go to the front door. It should be delivered by now."

Sofia jumps up and runs to the front and quickly opens the door.

*Gasp* "DADDY!!" Sofia drops the phone and jumps up and wraps her arms and legs around him.

"My pretty princess!! Happy Birthday!!"

"Thank you! You're here! You're here, daddy!!"

"I am!"

"Sofia, what in the world are you-" Jessica stops talking when she sees Danny.

"Haha! What are you doing here?" She says with the twins on her hips.

"It's my princess' ninth birthday! I couldn't miss her last single digit birthday!"

"Awe!"

"This is the best birthday present ever!"

"You haven't even gotten the real gifts yet!" Danny chuckles.

"I don't care. All I need is for us to be together."

"You are just the sweetest little bean, do you know that?" Jessica says making her smile grow bigger.

"Last year we got the news that Arabella was coming home, and this year daddy came home! My birthday is always so special!"

"It always has been, because it was the day we got you." Jessica smiles.

"That's true!" Danny walks in and kisses Jessica.
"Poor thing, you look exhausted."

"Oh just a tad!" She giggles.

"Well daddy's home for the weekend. Today is all about my princess and fun, fun, fun! The rest of the time I'm gonna work and mommy's gonna get a break!"

"Oh I've missed you!" Jessica smiles big.