Chapter 213. One Year Old

Athena

The backyard was full of chaos—the beautiful, loud, messy kind of chaos that came from having a joint first birthday party for twins.

I stood on the back porch, watching the scene unfold before me with a smile that felt permanently fixed on my face. Colorful balloons bobbed in the October breeze, tied to every available surface.

Two high chairs sat at the head of a long table decorated with streamers and a banner that read "Happy 1st Birthday Adrian & Arianna!" in glittering letters.

The guest list had gotten completely out of hand, of course. What had started as "just family" had expanded to include both packs, close friends, and apparently half the town. But looking at all these people who loved our children, I couldn't bring myself to regret a single invitation.

"Mama!"