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For the past year, Motherhood has been an absolute joy to Ann. Her daughter, Mari, was the apple of her eye, and she was just the cutest little thing on Earth. She loved taking pictures and making home videos about Mari's little adventures and discoveries. She loved feeding her, playing with her, and even though changing her diaper and calming her down at late nights could be strenuous at times, it was all worth it if she could see Mari's satisfied little face in the end.
And now, Mari's first birthday has come in the blink of an eye, and Ann wanted that day to be special. So to mark that special occasion, Ann bought this cute red frock from a baby catalog that she thought would be absolutely perfect for her daughter to wear.
Ann carefully raised her arms up so that Mari could copy her movements. It was her go-to method to get Mari to help dress herself in recent weeks. Once Mari raised her arms, Ann then carefully slipped the sleeves through them so that she could fit the dress properly into Mari's little body. Once everything seemed to be in place, she smoothed out the skirts. When Ann looked back up, she noticed that Mari still had her little arms up; though they were now a little slump.
Ann giggled at the sight.
"You're so silly, MariMari. ~" she cooed, gently placing her fingers against one of Mari's forearms. "Okay, arms down…"
With Ann’s subtle guidance, Mari's arms went down, landing with a plop! against her skirts. Ann giggled again as she reached for a headband that was lying nearby. It was something that came with the dress; a red headband with a big red bow attached to it. Ann picked it up and carefully placed it atop of Mari's head. The bow was slightly obscured by Mari's wild black curls – a trait that she and her father shared. Ann lifted the band up slightly and parted the curls beneath it before setting it back down. Now Mari's little birthday outfit was complete.
"Ooh, look at this little cutie ~ !!" Ann squealed, peppering kisses against Mari's round cheek. Mari giggled in delight as she received the full brunt of her mother's affection.
"Yes, you're the little cutie, birthday girl!" Ann cooed, slipping some little red shoes upon Mari's feet. "Wait until Papa and your grandparents see you! Ooh, you're already getting so big…!"
She took out her phone and quickly turned on the camera so that she could take a picture of her baby girl. It was a very common occurrence. Ann just loved taking pictures of Mari at any given moment. It helps that Mari was a very photogenic baby. (Something from her mother, perhaps?) After a few snapshots of Mari's smiling face, Ann put her phone away, intending to upload them to her private Snapgram later.
But for now…
"C'mon, sweetie. Up we go." Ann beckoned, bending down to pick Mari up. The smooth fabric of Mari's red frock brushed against Ann’s hand as she adjusted her arms to accommodate for her baby. Once Mari was in her arms, Ann began to walk out of Mari's nursery so that she and Mari could join everyone else in the celebration.
Everyone that could make it to Mari's first birthday party were mingling with Akira in the living room. The guests were made up of Akira’s parents – Yoshiaki, Akane and Sojiro, Ryuji and Futaba. Ann’s parents and the rest of the gang couldn't quite make it, but they sent their gifts and well wishes to Mari in advance. (Shiho especially was broken up about it because she wanted to be there in person, but Olympic training had other plans. Ann promised her a lot of pictures of Mari and the party to make up for that.) Once Ann stepped into the room with Mari in tow, all eyes were drawn towards the birthday girl in question.
"There she is."
Ann smiled at Akira as he approached, knowing that he wanted to hold their daughter and admire her cuteness. She carefully shifted her arms and held Mari up for Akira to grab. Throughout this exchange, Mari was looking around the room, curious as to what was going on around her.
"Well, aren't you beautiful in red?" Akira mused sweetly, placing a kiss upon Mari's cheek. "Stealing the show just like Mama."
"Pfft. I thought you were gonna say 'Papa'." Ann laughed.
"I would if she was wearing black," Akira chuckled, fiddling with Mari's little bow. "But like mother, like daughter. Nobody wears red like you two."
"Oh, you." Ann sighed, smiling despite her shaking her head.
"Man, do you guys have to flirt in front of the baby?" Ryuji groaned.
"Don't act like you don't do the same thing at home, Ryuji." Ann scoffed.
"That’s cuz I don't! Not like you two anyway!" he exclaimed. "Agh, whatever! It's Mari-chan's day anyway!"
"It sure is! Now make like a tree, Ryuji!" Futaba exclaimed, lightly pushing Ryuji aside so that she could get to Akira and Mari.
"Hey!" Ryuji cried.
"Aww, look at the precious bean!!" Futaba squealed, lending a finger for Mari to hold. Mari looked over at her aunt's finger and grabbed at it with her little fingers, making Futaba laugh all the more.
"Yeah, that's right! And then you shake like this!" she said excitedly. Futaba then moved her finger up and down to make it look like she and Mari were shaking hands. Mari stared at Futaba's finger and smiled, which made Futaba grin even wider.
"Yeah, you get it! Mwehehe, Mari-chan's already so civilized!" Futaba praised.
"Of course she is," Akira said, bouncing Mari in his arms a little and making her giggle in the process. "She’s a lady, after all."
"At least someone has manners." Ryuji grumbled, eying Futaba in particular.
"I agree! You could learn a thing or two from Mari-chan, Ryuji." Futaba snickered.
"Look who's talking! You're the one who pushed your way over here!" Ryuji exclaimed, before turning his head towards Mari and leaning in close as if he was sharing a secret.
"See that, Mari-chan? Aunt Futaba over there is showing ya what not to do to your friends." he said, pointing at Futaba.
Mari innocently tilted her head at Ryuji, staring at him with curiosity in her wide blue eyes. Futaba snickered even more, greatly amused over Mari's reaction.
"She has noooo idea what you're talking about, Ryuji." Futaba laughed.
"Sure she does! Mari-chan's pretty bright, ain't she?" Ryuji countered.
"It’s how you're moving that's confusing her," Akira pointed out. "She’s trying to figure out what you two are doing."
"Aww…" Futaba cooed.
"Oh, well… you'll understand when you get more birthdays under your belt, Mari-chan." Ryuji assured, gently patting her head. That little gesture earned a giggle from the birthday girl.
"How about letting the grandparents take a turn with our grandbaby?" Akane suddenly called out from within the crowd. "I think we've been pretty patient."
"Whoops…! Sorry, Akira’s mom!" Futaba gasped. "I know Sojiro’s been talking about seeing Mari-chan a lot, so uh… hehe… Me and Ryuji should give you guys your space."
"You really had to put that out there, didn't you?" Sojiro sighed, tiredly rubbing the back of his neck.
"Well, she isn't wrong," Yoshiaki pointed out. "I know I want to see how much my little sheep grew."
"Ah, well… we shouldn't keep all of ya waitin' long," Ryuji said, taking a few steps back from Akira and Mari. "Yo, Ann! Where's Morgana hiding? Figured that me and Futaba would keep him company."
"He's been over there the whole time." Ann said easily, gesturing over to one of the small tables that had a lamp on top of it. There, under it, was Morgana.
"Leave it to Lady Ann to spot me easily among a crowd of people," Morgana praised, before narrowing his eyes at Ryuji. "And why did you make it sound like I'm some charity case, Ryuji?!" he hissed.
"Oh, so that's where you were!" Ryuji exclaimed. "I knew you gotta be around somewhere. Hiding from the baby, huh?"
"Don't be stupid. This special occasion is for little Mari, so of course all the attention should rightfully be on her," Morgana said matter of factly. "I'm simply staying out of the way during the party, keeping watch over everything."
Futaba simply bent down and lifted Morgana up into her arms. Morgana let out a sudden 'mrow?!' in reaction to this, but quickly calmed down. This was a common occurrence between the two of them, after all.
"Come along, kitty. We'll play catch up until it's time for cake," Futaba eased, moving to sit down in one of the other rooms. "Besides, you can give us your own inside scoop about the birthday girl!"
"Like how he constantly runs away from her when she gets excited?" Ryuji laughed, following Futaba and Morgana. "Mari-chan does love herself some Mona!"
"She’s a baby! And a really curious one at that! Of course she's fascinated!" Morgana cried. "And I do not just run away!"
"I dunno, Akira’s got you on camera." Ryuji snickered.
Ann waved at Futaba and Ryuji as they carried Morgana off to another room to chat and catch up. She switched her attention back to Akira and Mari, where they were approached by the grandparents.
"Well, well…" Sojiro spoke up, stroking his beard. "I heard that it was your birthday today, little lady."
"Yes, it is! Hello, gorgeous!" Akane cooed, playfully tickling Mari's soft cheeks. Mari giggled sweetly at this, her little feet kicking in the air.
"Oh, look how big she's getting already," Yoshiaki mused as he gazed down at Mari warmly. "At this rate, you might not be able to carry her like that for long, Akira."
"I'll manage." Akira responded simply, bouncing Mari in his arms once more. Mari clapped her little hands even as Akane and Sojiro were doting over her.
Throughout all of this, Ann’s smile grew as she watched everybody from where she was. She can see the wry smirk on Akira's face as Sojiro leaned close to Mari and played with Mari's hands. Sojiro, in turn, shot Akira a look the minute that Mari turned her head to look at something else that caught her eye. Akane and Yoshiaki kept crowding around Akira so that they could keep doting on Mari. All the while, Mari was smiling as she raised her head and looked back and forth at her grandparents, which made Akira laugh as he held her steady.
It did Ann’s heart good to know that Mari was so loved by her family.
-----
"Hey, you three! Why don't we get some good pictures in before we do cake?" Futaba suggested, holding up a camera.
"Ooh, great idea!" Ann agreed. She was the one holding Mari this time, who was amusing herself by playing with her mother's pretty hair. Luckily for Ann, Mari wasn't pulling at it. She's done it before, and it could get… a little painful for Mama.
"We could even clear out for you to take your pictures of them, Futaba-chan." Yoshiaki offered.
"Lit! That'll help me out a lot, Akira’s dad!" Futaba said gladly. Now confident with a little assistance on her side, Futaba shooed Akira and Ann towards the couch in her excitement. "Now let's get our butts on the sofa, Mari-chan's mom and dad!"
"Sheesh, such a bossy photographer…" Akira tutted. Futaba playfully stuck her tongue out at him once she heard that.
"Oh, it's fine. That's actually normal for me," Ann said with a shrug. She then looked towards Mari and smiled, gently pulling away some of her hair from Mari's mouth.
"Besides, we always take some great pictures, don't we, Mari?" she said sweetly. Mari started to babble in response, as if trying to answer her mother. Mari may not be able to talk properly yet, but she was still a bright little thing. That first word might come soon.
"That’s right, sweetie!" Ann praised, peppering little kisses against Mari's cheek again. This time, Mari squeaked in response, surprised over the barrage of kisses this time. Akira laughed warmly at the sight as he walked towards her and their daughter.
"So… shall we, ladies?" he asked, wrapping his arm around Ann’s shoulders before pulling her and Mari close.
"Of course, Papa. ~" Ann answered sweetly, giving him a quick peck on the cheek. Together, the Kurusu family gathered around the couch and sat down, ready for the upcoming barrage of flashing lights Futaba was about to unleash.
"Sorta feels like I'm pulling an Inari with all this spacing and angles and stuff," Futaba murmured, taking the floor with the camera. "And he's not even here!"
"I can't wait to tell him all about it," Ryuji grinned. "He'll be throwing all kinds of artsy mumbo jumbo at your face."
"Don't you even!! Photos aren't even his forté!" Futaba gasped. She then paused, feeling like she heard something weird. "...Wait, 'mumbo jumbo'?"
"Well obviously I can't say what I usually say in front of the baby!" Ryuji pointed out.
"You'd better not!" Ann growled from her seat.
"Wow. Ryuji with a filter. Never thought that would happen in a million years!" Futaba whistled, impressed. "Guess Akira and Ann weren't the only ones who changed thanks to a baby at home, huh?"
"Just snap the pics already!" Ryuji exclaimed in a hushed voice.
"Mwehehe… you can't rush this kind of thing! You've gotta get it juuuuuuust right," Futaba said with a grin. She then held up the camera to her face, and pointed the lens on the happy family. "Alright, you three! Strike a pose!"
Akira and Ann calmly adjusted themselves on the couch. They placed Mari in between both of them, having her rest on their touching legs. Ann smoothed out Mari's dress and headband while Akira simply wrapped an arm around Ann’s shoulder. Ann rested her head against the crook of Akira’s neck, and they both gently grasped Mari's little hands. All the while, Mari was still looking around the room, wondering what was going on at this moment.
"Look at Aunt Futaba, MariMari!" Ann goaded on softly. Mari looked up at her mother, tilting her head in confusion.
"See her, Mari? She's waving at you." Akira said. Mari then turned her head towards her father, then her eyes fell to Futaba, who was waving her hand. Noticing that, Mari reached out her hand, probably in an attempt to wave back at her aunt.
"'Atta girl!" Futaba praised, still waving at her. At the sound of her praise, Mari formed an open mouthed smile, which in turn made Futaba grin even wider.
"Perfect! Okay, one… two… say cheese!"
-----
After many family pictures were taken, it was finally time for cake.
Mari's first birthday cake was a small thing. It was a smash cake with red ombre frosting from bottom to top, accompanied with strawberries and blueberries strewn across the top. Ann carefully took out the cake and set it upon Mari's high chair. And since things were about to get a bit messy, Mari had to change out of her pretty dress. So Akira took a moment to bring Mari to her nursery and change her clothes into something they'd be more than happy to wash later.
They came back out some moments later, with Mari now wearing a seafoam onesie. Once Akira approached the high chair, he carefully set Mari upon it and put a bib around her neck. Mari's attention was immediately drawn to the cake in front of her, her eyes widening a bit at the unfamiliar sight.
"See that, Mari? It's cake." Akira said softly, leaning close to her.
"It's really yummy! Mama just loves cake!" Ann gushed sweetly.
Mari looked back and forth between her parents, wondering why they looked so excited. But once she laid eyes on the cake again, curiosity took hold of her as she reached into the cake with her fingers. She babbled as she felt the soft cake and frosting in-between her fingers, and eventually she brought her hand to her mouth, wanting to taste it.
"...!"
At that moment, Mari's eyes grew wide. It made for a great picture, thanks to Yoshiaki being in charge of the camera this time.
"Oh?" Akira voiced, raising his brows.
Mari suddenly squealed with excitement as she reached for the cake with both hands. A good chunk of the cake was smashed by Mari's show of force, with frosting and cake flying all around Mari's high chair. Mari herself, with cake and blueberries smeared in her hands, gleefully ate the handful of cake that she managed to grab.
"Looks like she likes it!" Akira laughed.
"Ahh, I'm so proud!!" Ann squealed, clapping her hands excitedly.
"You're proud that you got poor Mari-chan addicted to sweets?" Ryuji questioned flatly.
"Like how you're gonna get your son addicted to soda in the future, Mr. Sodaholic?" Ann countered with a huff.
"Hey, leave my kid outta this!" Ryuji cried. "Focus on yours and her cute, messy face!"
"Gladly!" Ann exclaimed, before turning her attention to her daughter and her cake-smeared face.
Mari was giggling as she repeatedly patted her hands against the now flattened cake, letting pieces fly against her parents' faces. Akira and Ann both laughed as they wiped away cake from their faces. After eating some of the cake on her hand, Mari then suddenly smeared cake against Akira's cheek.
"Ahahaha!" Ann laughed, pointing at Akira. "She got you good –"
Bap!
Mari smeared cake on Ann’s face just as she was laughing at Akira. Some of the cake got in her hair as well as her face. Akira erupted in laughter as he pointed at Ann, enjoying that little bit of karma. Ann began laughing at herself now, and eventually the whole suite was joined together in laughter.
-----
Night fell, and the party was finally over.
One by one, everyone eventually went back home for the night, saying their goodbyes and their congratulations to Mari as they left. Akira and Ann went to clean up the dining room – namely Mari's high chair – and rearranged everything back where it normally was. They cleaned Mari up and changed her onesie again – this one now purple instead of seafoam green. Eventually after a moment's respite, the birthday girl herself grew quiet and dozed off in her mother's arms.
"She’s finally asleep…" Akira murmured softly.
"Yeah, she's had such a busy day…" Ann said in a hushed whisper.
The two of them walked towards Mari's nursery, with a sleeping Mari in tow. Ann stepped forward once they entered and gently lowered Mari down in her crib. She wore a warm smile as she gently ran her hand through Mari's dark curls and gazed at her sleeping face.
"I can't believe it's already been a year…" she said.
"Right? It almost feels like yesterday that we were bringing her home." Akira reminisced. He approached the crib and stood next to Ann, resting his arms against the rail.
"...I love this little girl so much," Ann said warmly, gently stroking her daughter's cheek. "She just makes everything so much brighter. And time just flies by so fast…"
"And every day is so fulfilling, thanks to her," Akira added. "...Told you we'd do a good job. One year in and we're doing fine."
"Hehe, yeah…" Ann giggled, laying her head against Akira's shoulder. "I almost can't wait until her 2nd birthday. Maybe then she'll learn how to eat a little neater."
"We could always teach her tomorrow," Akira pointed out with a grin. "She’s a bright little lady. She'll get it."
"Haha! Yeah, Mari's a smart girl." Ann laughed. "Okay, I'm changing my statement. I can't wait to see what she learns tomorrow."
"That, I can get behind." Akira agreed easily.
The two young parents share a loving kiss as their one year old daughter slumbers peacefully in her crib. After parting, Ann and Akira walked out of the nursery and turned off the lights as they left, eagerly waiting for that tomorrow to come.