The sun shone brightly through the windows of the grand palace as the warm breeze swept through the gardens outside. The air smelled of freshly bloomed flowers, and the whole atmosphere felt like a celebration was in the air. Inside, the royal chambers were filled with laughter, chatter, and the bustle of preparations. Today was a special day—a day that Ash had been anticipating since the moment Audrey was born.

It was Audrey’s first birthday.

Ash could hardly believe how quickly the year had passed. It felt like only yesterday that she had been holding her newborn daughter in her arms, marveling at how tiny and fragile she had been. And now, Audrey was a one-year-old, running around, babbling her first words, and lighting up every room she entered with her infectious smile.

As Ash stood in front of a mirror, adjusting her dress, she couldn’t help but smile at the reflection staring back at her. She wore a beautiful gown, her hair loosely curled, and her makeup was soft and natural—nothing too fancy, just a look that matched the joy she felt in her heart. Today wasn’t about her or the prince—it was about their daughter.

“Are you ready for your big day, sweetheart?” Ash said softly, her voice filled with warmth as she glanced over at Audrey, who was busy playing with a set of colorful building blocks on the floor. Audrey looked up from her toys, her big eyes sparkling as she giggled.

"Da-da!" she exclaimed, her tiny voice full of excitement. She clapped her hands and kicked her little legs in delight, her eyes fixed on the prince who was sitting nearby, watching her with an affectionate smile.

The prince chuckled and held his arms out to her. “What is it, my little one?” He scooped Audrey up into his arms, his heart full of pride and love as he nuzzled her cheek.

Ash watched the scene with fondness, her heart swelling with love for both of them. Seeing the bond between her daughter and the prince filled her with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Audrey may have been their child, but every day felt like a new adventure, filled with moments of laughter, joy, and wonder.

“Let’s go see if everything’s ready for the party,” Ash said, taking one last look at herself in the mirror before stepping into the hallway. The prince followed closely behind, holding Audrey in his arms.

As they made their way through the palace, they passed by grand banquet tables that were covered with beautiful decorations—balloons, ribbons, and sparkling lights. The royal chefs had outdone themselves with an array of delicious treats, cakes, and pastries, all of which were carefully arranged on a long, gilded table.

“Audrey’s going to love this,” the prince said with a grin, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “Look at all the cake!”

Ash smiled, though she felt a little apprehensive. “I just hope she doesn’t eat too much sugar. We don’t want to deal with a sugar rush later.”

The prince raised an eyebrow and chuckled. “Let her enjoy it. It’s her special day.”

Ash laughed, shaking her head. “You’re right. She deserves to have fun.”

As they entered the grand ballroom, Ash couldn’t help but take in the sight before her. The entire room was decorated in shades of gold and lavender, with flowers hanging from the ceiling in cascading arrangements. It looked like something out of a dream. Soft music played in the background, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. Guests were already starting to arrive, greeting Ash and the prince with smiles and congratulations for their daughter’s milestone.

Soon enough, Audrey’s grandparents arrived, both sets—Ash’s parents from Heaven and the prince’s parents from Hell. Ash’s mother, who still had her delicate wings shining in the sunlight, embraced her daughter with a soft chuckle.

“My beautiful granddaughter, look at you!” Ash’s mother said, lifting Audrey up into her arms with a soft laugh. “I can hardly believe it’s been a year already. It seems like just yesterday we were holding you in our arms.”

Audrey giggled and clapped her hands, clearly happy to be the center of attention.

“You’re growing up so quickly, little one,” Ash’s father added, his proud smile brightening his face. He gently patted Audrey’s head, which was still soft and fine, her hair just beginning to grow out in golden curls.

“I can’t believe how fast she’s growing,” the prince’s mother said as she stepped forward, eyes filled with affection. “You both have done an incredible job.”

The king of Hell, who had always been a bit more reserved, nodded approvingly. “She’s a fine little girl. You’ve raised her well.”

“Thank you,” Ash said softly, her heart full of appreciation for her parents and in-laws. She knew how much they loved Audrey, how proud they were of her and how much they had supported her through this journey. Today was a day for all of them to celebrate together.

After the guests had mingled for a while, it was time for the cake cutting. Ash and the prince stood at the head of the table, holding Audrey together between them as they prepared to cut the first slice of cake. It was a beautiful cake, covered in soft lavender frosting, decorated with delicate sugar flowers and topped with a single, shining candle.

“Ready, sweetheart?” Ash asked as she looked down at Audrey, whose eyes were wide with curiosity. She clapped her hands in excitement when she saw the cake, as if she already knew what it was.

The prince gently placed Audrey on the floor in front of the cake. He held her little hands, guiding her as they made their way to the cake together. With a little help from her parents, Audrey grabbed the small knife and helped cut the first piece.

Everyone clapped and cheered as Ash and the prince shared the first piece of cake, feeding each other a bite before turning to feed their daughter. Audrey eagerly took her bite, her face lighting up in delight at the sweetness of the cake.

“Look at her face,” Ash said, her voice filled with emotion. “She’s so happy.”

The prince nodded, his voice thick with emotion. “She’s growing up so fast.”

As they sat down to enjoy the party, laughter and music filled the air. Guests danced and celebrated, and Audrey was the center of it all, showered with gifts and affection. But for Ash, the most precious moment of the day was watching her daughter laugh and play, her joy infectious as she took her first steps in the world as a one-year-old.

As the evening wore on, Ash couldn’t help but reflect on everything they had built together—the love, the challenges, the triumphs. Audrey was the symbol of their journey, the bond between Heaven and Hell, and the future they had worked so hard to create. Today was her first birthday, but Ash knew that it was only the beginning of the incredible adventures that lay ahead for their little family.

Audrey’s laughter rang out again, and Ash smiled, her heart full of gratitude and love. This was the beginning of something beautiful, something that would last forever.