Chapter Text
Even though Evan felt like he was running on empty lately, he was pushing everything out of his head, ignoring every little dread and negative nudge, to focus completely on Willow and her birthday. He’d done the same thing on Friday when they were celebrating Zoe, especially since Zoe had noticed how tired he’d been and he didn’t want that to change any of their plans for this huge weekend.
Evan just couldn’t believe his baby was one today, that he’d lived a full year being her dad. He remembered cutting her umbilical cord and holding her for the first time, watching over her protectively as the nurses ran newborn tests, waiting until the moment he could bring her back to Zoe.
He remembered sitting on Zoe’s hospital bed together, both of them being so transfixed by their little blueberry, with her downy soft hair and striking blue eyes, thinking about what they were going to name her. He adored Willow and knew it was right the second Zoe suggested it and it fit her sassy little personality perfectly. And he loved every little derivation they’d come up with over the year, and he’d never tell Jared, but Evan even loved the crazy nicknames he gave her too.
He remembered taking her to Ellison for the first time over the summer, keeping her carefully wrapped up in her sling because she was so small. And her Halloween costume, the cutest pumpkin he’d ever seen. Crawling for the very first time as him and Zoe got her ready for Thanksgiving at the Kleinman’s. Opening her Hanukah presents and delightedly shaking the shiny wrapping paper more than her new mittens. Hearing her say “Dada” for the first time intentionally. Taking her to New York and spending the whole day walking around with her in the front carrier. Watching her scrunch her nose in delight when he let her poke the bread dough they were making together.
Willow Laine, his darling baby.
All of those memories still seemed so fresh, like they’d happened yesterday, but he had a walking, talking one-year-old who progressed every day on his hands to prove they hadn’t.
Evan remembered every detail of her birth and her first year and he was going to remember everything that came next. He loved being her father and was going to continue to be involved in every aspect of her life. His love for her was unconditional and everlasting and there was nothing that would change that.
Willow was simply perfection and without a doubt the best part of his life, his greatest joy. Evan would always be thankful that fate stepped in when it did, that the universe had given her to him and Zoe to raise and love and cherish.
And right now, that meant that Evan was going to do everything in his power to make sure today went smoothly and Willow had fun, even if she wouldn’t remember through anything other than pictures.
He had opened this morning, so he hadn’t been there when Willow woke up this morning, which had made him sad all through work, even with Zoe sending him a little video of her eating birthday pancakes. But he wasn’t working a full shift, only six-hours, so he’d gotten home right as she was waking up from her morning nap.
Willow had immediately reached for him from her crib, standing with her crazy hair and little footie pajamas and as soon as he had her, she’d snuggled into him and kicked her legs in excitement knowing that he was home. Waking her up like this was so sweet, something he’d never get tired of.
But they had a lot to do to get ready for the party, which was at 1 so that if it went a little long it wouldn’t interfere with Willow’s second nap too much. Zoe had spent the morning baking all the cupcakes and frosting them to look like beautiful pink and orange flowers and Evan was impressed by the stretch of her artistic talents. They looked like they were from a bakery, not box-mix with simple frosting. She’d also gotten all the food prepped (just sandwiches, chips, and fruit) and arranged on the platters and bowls they’d gotten (solid colors so they could reuse them every year), which meant everything that was left was setting up decorations and moving furniture, things that Zoe couldn’t do on her own this morning.
It was fun though, sorting through all the matching stuff they’d picked out (pink and orange and flowers to match Willow’s floral dress and sparkly crown) and seeing it all come together in their backyard. The were planning on moving the kitchen table out to put all the food on and the chairs around to have seating and their coffee table to put gifts on if people brought Willow presents. They’d gotten the cheap plastic tablecloths to cover everything but were adding twirls of crepe paper in the opposite colors and Evan thought everything was looking really nice.
But better than the party decorations was just being outside and together with Willow and Zoe. They were letting Willow roam the backyard and keeping a close eye on her (so she didn’t put any sticks or rocks in her mouth) while they set up and Evan finds it’s just easy. Him and Zoe were still incredibly stressed about making everything perfect, but Evan couldn’t wait for their friends to get there and the party to start. It was going to be fun and a happy memory for everyone.
“Hey Zo, did you ever hear back from Mr. Parry?” Evan asks, taping the crepe paper he’d been twisting to the corner of their coffee table. Since the kitchen table was going to be the hardest, they were waiting to do that last, get everything else perfect before tackling that.
“Yes, he said he could stop by,” Zoe tells him happily and Evan was excited for her. Mr. Parry was so nice to her and Willow, and Evan was glad he could essentially celebrate both of them today. And maybe he could see that Willow wouldn’t be a disruption to class so that Zoe could bring her and help out in the guitar classes again before they moved.
“That’s great! And what about Professor Aita? I can’t remember if you invited her when you took Willow to meet her,” Evan asks, even though he’s a little disappointed in himself for not remembering. He was sure Zoe had told him about her meeting with Professor Aita a few weeks ago, but he couldn’t recall any of the details. It had to have gone alright though, Zoe loved her music teacher.
Zoe gets a weird look on her face that even can’t really decipher and in a flash, it’s gone as she answers, “No I didn’t, it just didn’t seem appropriate.”
Evan’s not exactly sure how inviting Mr. Parry was appropriate if Professor Aita wasn’t, but he wasn’t going to bring that up. It was probably because Zoe had known him for longer and had known Willow since she’d been like 6 weeks old.
“Oh. That’s okay though, at least Mr. Parry’s coming,” Evan says, hoping that he didn’t just accidently upset Zoe by bringing up her old music teacher. But he worries he has as Zoe gives back a lackluster, “Yeah, totally.”
Evan felt horrible that everyone (except the Kleinman’s and Cass obviously) were people that Zoe didn’t really consider her friends, that their invitations were coming from him, not Zoe. Zoe didn’t really have anyone she could’ve invited to Willow’s party, especially since the party was more for them than Willow. The only person invited for Willow was Benji, but that’s because Evan was friends with Isaac and Lena. Evan had told her she could invite her friend Rachel if she wanted to, and his mom agreed she could even stay with them (as long as she didn’t mind sleeping on the couch) and Zoe told him she’d think about it and ask, but she hadn’t said anything about it after that. Rachel probably couldn’t come, and Evan didn’t want to remind Zoe of that right now either. Only that people who loved both of them and their daughter were coming.
“Hey party people, hey Tree,” Evan hears from the gate, seeing Jared and Cass walk through carrying two gift bags and a sack of ice.
“Jah!” Willow shrieks, dropping what she was playing with to toddle over to Jared and Cass. The party didn’t start for another hour, but Evan was perfectly happy to have his best friends around, and he was sure Zoe was too.
“Jared, Cass, the party doesn’t start until 1, you didn’t have to come early,” Zoe says even though she had a huge smile on her face, clearly happy that they’d disregarded the party start time completely. Evan knew that having Jared there was going to make things easier on Zoe, give her someone to stick by during the party in case she got anxious about being in a slightly larger crowd with a lot of attention. It would all be positive attention, but Evan knew she associated bigger crowds with being bullied and he just wanted her to have a good time.
“We know, we just thought we could help out,” Cass says sweetly, setting down Willow’s presents on the already decorated coffee table and crouching down to greet her more on her level.
“Yeah, Mom said that Heidi had to run into work this morning, so we figured it’d be nice to have some helping hands,” Jared tells them, scooping up Willow who had waved to each of them, and letting her immediately take his glasses and shake them.
Evan had been annoyed that Heidi was working this morning when she told them last night, but he knew she’d never miss the real party, not after promising him she’d be there. He knew she was working hard and getting prepared to leave the hospital when all her official paperwork at the firm went through next week, so he couldn’t be too mad that she wasn’t here right this second. Her new job was going to make more money (which she’d told Evan could go towards helping them in New York) and have better set hours, so he was genuinely excited for her.
“That’s so nice! Can you help us move the table over here for the food?” Zoe asks, gesturing to their kitchen table that they’d managed to move to the doorway but no further on their own.
“Jah Jah,” Willow says, giggling as Jared took his glasses back and blew a little raspberry on her neck, continuing to play with the baby and basically ignore Zoe’s request for help.
“Jar, a little help here,” Cass laughs while shoving him playfully, finally getting Jared to respond. But all he says is, “Nah Cass, all you. The little queen needs her godfather.”
Evan watches as Cass rolls his eyes, smiling at Jared’s antics, before coming to help them. Evan didn’t actually mind that Jared wasn’t helping because he was holding Willow, which was actually a huge help. He didn’t want her walking underneath them or behind him or Zoe while they were moving furniture, in case they tripped, and she got hurt. It was safer this way and they could move the table with just three people, him and Zoe had managed halfway just the two of them.
Zoe ends up directing and guiding him and Cass and they easily get the table up against the house and cover it with two tablecloths, matching the little coffee table off to the side. Evan still wanted to add a bundle of balloons (thankfully the Dollar Tree filled a few helium balloons so they didn’t need to buy a whole tank), some flowers that had bloomed from the front yard, and some crepe paper twirls, but then he thought everything would be set.
“It really looks great you guys,” Cass compliments, helping Zoe arrange the flowers over the table as he twirled and taped the crepe paper to the corners.
“Thanks, we really tried to get everything to mat…” Zoe starts, until she’s interrupted by Jared very loudly making airplane noises, like he was just saying “zoom, zoom, zoom” over and over again to Willow, running around the backyard while holding onto her waist, outstretched like she was flying.
Willow was very clearly loving it, kicking her legs in excitement and laughing so hard her little cheeks were flushed and Evan thinks it’s one of the cutest things he’s ever seen. Evan was so glad that Willow had so many people in her life who loved her and would do anything to make her happy. Jared had meant so much to him and Zoe during Zoe’s pregnancy and still was basically her only friend. They’d intentionally given him this special role in Willow’s life and Evan loved seeing their relationship grow. Jared took his job as Willow’s godparent more serious than anything else and it was comforting to know that Willow would always have him.
Evan got worried at times, knowing that Zoe didn’t talk to her parents, he didn’t have a dad, and his relationship with his own mom had been very strained at times, that Willow would feel like he or Zoe did. He never wanted that and actively tried every single day to parent his daughter differently, but where he and Zoe had no one to turn to when their parents were gone, Willow had someone who loved her deeply and that would always make Evan happy.
“Now, I was thinking we could set out the fruit and chips and cupcakes since it’s not too hot, but maybe keep the sandwiches in the fridge until more people arrive,” Zoe says, getting all of their attention back on party decorating, but she was smiling brightly, so Evan knew she loved seeing Jared play with Willow as much as he did. But she also loved sticking to plans and keeping things moving, especially when they were for Willow.
“Sounds great Zoe, do you need any help?” Cass asks her and Evan figured they’d probably get done decorating early with Cass and Jared here, seeing how before they were constantly checking on Willow as she played. Now that someone was watching her and someone was helping, they’d be done soon.
“Yeah, thanks. There’s several platters and bowls,” Zoe tells him, gesturing for Cass to follow her inside.
“I’ll finish this, then set out the plates and stuff,” Evan calls out to Zoe, letting her know that he was continuing with their decoration plan. The plates they’d gotten were in the shape of flowers and Evan couldn’t wait to see them in use. Willow would probably eat directly from her chair tray (which she was dangerously close to being too big for) but all the guests would use the cute pink forks and themed plates.
“Perfect Ev, we’ll be right back with the food,” Zoe says, leading Cass inside through the backdoor.
Evan continues to tape his crepe paper twirls until the perimeter of the table had nice even hanging loops and then he starts to take the packaging off the other stuff, setting them strategically at one side of the table, leaving plenty of room to set the platters and bowls.
“You’re a crazy girl Tree, did you know today is your birthday?” Evan hears Jared ask Willow since they’d calmed down from running around. He was just holding her, attempting to have a conversation.
“Jah,” is all Willow says, her baby-speak name for Jared but Evan sees her nodding along, like she did know. He figured she knew something was different about today but was still too little to grasp the concept of her birthday.
“We’ve been telling her all day, but I don’t think she quite understands. Probably next year though, huh Wills?” Evan says, walking over to them so he could tickle Willow’s belly playfully, making her laugh more and squirm in Jared’s arms.
“Dada, Dada,” Willow tells them, somewhat babbling to herself, but Evan liked to believe she was participating in their conversation, giving her input on the matter. It was good for her speech development, but Evan also wanted it engrained in Willow that he would always listen to her, about anything she wanted to tell him.
“Yeah? You agree with Daddy? I thought so cutie,” Evan says, ruffling her hair that was still a bit of a mess from her nap, which makes her scrunch her nose adorably.
“Do you ever think about how crazy it is she’s one?” Jared asks him, his tone slightly more serious, like he was trying to figure out how this last year could have possibly gone by this quickly.
“Literally all the time Jared,” Evan says softly, remembering how by this time last year Willow had been like 10-hours old and so small, mostly sleeping and trying to figure out how to nurse. Jared had been visiting them too, had brought her little dinosaur hat and onesies because he’d let Zoe convince him that Willow was a boy. If Evan thought too hard about that being a full year ago, he’d drive himself crazy. Time was a thief, but he loved all the new things he got to do with Willow as she got older.
“I feel like it was like yesterday you were punching Brian Harris in the face because people found out that Zoe was pregnant,” Jared tells him, and Evan’s not sure why that memory stuck out to Jared when there were plenty of other special ones that they’d had involving Zoe’s pregnancy and Willow’s birth.
“You punched him too, and that’s not exactly the marker I’d use, but I get it,” Evan says, thinking back to last March. There were so many more memories for him that came before that, like seeing Zoe’s picture pop-up on his phone and him nearly having a panic attack that she was calling him for real. Their first OB appointment where they heard Willow’s heartbeat for the first time. Getting back into a real relationship. Making sure Zoe was okay after what her mom had done. Hearing from Sarah that Willow was developing perfectly and right on schedule. So many things had happened before Jared even found out that Zoe was pregnant because Zoe had been so scared of people finding out and bullying her more.
But Jared hadn’t. Jared stuck by them through everything.
“Well, it was also the day you started talking to me again, so I remember it pretty well,” Jared tells him earnestly and Evan hadn’t even remembered that. He’d stopped talking to Jared after he yelled at him about the Connor Project, but then he became such an important part of his life, Evan just remembered him being back and being grateful that Jared was there to look out for Zoe when he couldn’t. It was like they hadn’t taken a friendship break at all.
“Yeah, it was and I’m glad I did. You’re my best friend Jared and Zoe’s too, and it means a lot to us, you being there for us and for Willow,” Evan says, feeling like he should hug Jared, but not wanting to disturb Willow and her new fascination with the design on Jared’s tee shirt, so he decides on a gentle clap on Jared’s back.
“Of course, and I wish I could’ve been home more this last year, I know how hard it was for you guys, dealing with everything,” Jared says, not a hint of joking or sarcasm in his voice. Evan appreciated hearing that, but he knew that Jared had been there when they truly needed him, like Zoe’s first college concert, or right after they found out about the custody case, the actual final verdict of the case, the most important times. It would have been amazing if Jared had been here all year, especially for Zoe, but Evan knew he needed to get away just as much as they did.
“No, Jared it’s okay. You’re allowed to do your own thing and be at college, you needed to get out of here and so does Zoe,” Evan says, hoping Jared didn’t harbor any guilt for leaving Zoe behind this year. She hadn’t made a single friend and it was hard, knowing your best friend was struggling and having no ability to help them, Evan and Jared were in the same boat this year in that regard.
“I know, but I miss you guys and Tree. And we’re going to be even further apart once you guys move,” Jared admits, and Evan knew that feeling well. Evan was nervous to leave the friends he’d made and his mom and put a bigger distance between them and Jared and Cass. But it was for Zoe, so Evan was going to do it and make it work.
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean we won’t see each other or come home at the same time for holidays and stuff. Willow needs her godfather and me and Zoe need you too,” Evan tells him, knowing that their visits home were going to be essential to them being okay in New York. Evan had a feeling that he was going to miss his mom especially and miss the little things she continued to do for him, Zoe, and Willow. Being able to come home to her once in a while, in their familiar town and check in with the friends he’d made was going to help him adjust to living in a huge city and being on their own for the first time.
“Is that true Wonka? You need your favorite godparent?” Jared asks Willow, and Evan refrains from teasing him by saying “only godparent” because they were having a sentimental moment.
“Jah nana, bipppppsssttt,” Willow says, attempting to make a little raspberry sound of her own, like she was asking to play again, so Jared makes a little raspberry on her belly before tossing her in the air and catching her. Then he bounces her on his hip and tells her, “Yeah I thought so, I’m your most fun grown-up.”
“And I’ll probably be texting you like all the time in New York, it’s not like I know anyone there,” Evan tells them, getting back to their conversation about moving. Evan would probably text his other friends too, to keep up with them, but he would probably lean on Jared the most when he felt lonely.
“Neither does Zoe though, you guys are both starting new,” Jared says comfortingly, like he knew Evan was worried about meeting new people. While it was easier for Evan to make friends here, Evan was positive it’d be the opposite once they moved. Zoe already had two friends at Juilliard and wasn’t even sure there’d be people his age at his new Starbucks. Or they’d want anything to do with the transfer who wasn’t going to fit in.
“She’s already made friends from like auditions and orientation and stuff. They all have music in common and Zoe’s easy to get along with,” Evan tells him, knowing that even with Zoe being nervous, she was already off to a great start with Rachel. But he didn’t want to sit around and complain to Jared on Willow’s birthday, so he’s about to apologize and circle back to Willow, when Jared tells him, “You are too Evan and you’ll make friends, same as Zoe once you transfer stores and meets parents from Willow’s daycare, you said she got into the Jewish one, right?”
“Yeah she did, and it’s near our apartment which is nice. And you’re right Jared, it’ll be fine once we get settled. But don’t be thinking this extra distance means anything. It’ll be just like this year, and maybe you and Cass can visit us in New York too, since it’s a little harder to travel with this little monster right now,” Evan suggests, knowing it was just his anxiety making him doubt New York. He’d made friends here and he’d make them again. And he really would love for them to come visit since they wouldn’t have to pack so much for Willow to stay overnight or figure out how to sleep in a dorm room. Their apartment was small, but probably a little bit bigger than a dorm room.
“Say I’m no monster Daddy, just a sweet little Tree,” Jared says, turning Willow to face Evan, moving her hand like she was waving, making her giggle.
“Oh Daddy already knows that. She really is the sweetest baby, I’m so lucky,” Evan says, taking Willow from Jared so he could kiss all over her little face. Willow was the best thing that ever happened to him, and she really was the sweetest, most delightful baby. But it was nice everyone else saw it too, it wasn’t just him and Zoe.
“Okay, here come the platters,” Zoe announces coming back out, balancing two plates of fruit and a bowl of chips, reminding him and Jared that there were still more things that needed to get done for the party. Not much, but it was better to have everything done before all the guests arrived.
“I think right here would be best Zo, then the sandwiches in the middle, right before people get here,” Evan tells here, directing her to the open space on the table besides the plates and napkins and forks.
“Yeah, that will look nice and cupcakes right here Cass,” Zoe says, pointing to end of the table. Everything looked so nice all set out and Evan was getting really excited for the party to start and for everyone to celebrate Willow.
“How’s it going out here?” Heidi asks, steps out from the backdoor, completely out of nowhere, but Evan was thrilled she was home, now he wouldn’t have to worry about if she’d be late or not.
“Mom! You’re home,” Evan says happily, knowing that Heidi was also an essential part of a surprise he’d set up for Zoe.
“Just in time so it seems, this looks great you guys. Is there anything else that needs to be set up?” Heidi asks, looking around the backyard, admiring all the decorations he and Zoe had put up already.
“We need to put the drinks in the ice and get Willow changed, me and Evan need to change, and then sandwiches and I think that’s it,” Zoe says, listing off the things that still needed to be done. And Evan couldn’t wait to change Willow into her dress and crown because he knew she was going to be adorable.
“We can do the drinks and you guys should get changed. You know my parents will be early and if you thought Hanukah and Passover were bad, just wait,” Jared tells them and Evan can only imagine the amount of presents Shana and David had bought for Willow. They loved to spoil her even though him and Zoe always told them they didn’t have to get her anything, just being around and supportive was enough.
“Do you think other people will be early?” Zoe asks and Evan can tell she’s nervous about that but trying to frame it as a normal question. He knew she was excited for the party, but that didn’t mean Zoe wasn’t nervous about a larger crowd of people being here.
“Maybe, let’s just get dressed and hang out until more people show up,” Evan says, walking with Willow over to Zoe, subtly trying to show he’d stick by her through the whole party if she was anxious. And it seems to work because he can see Zoe noticeably relax when he’s next to her and she tells Willow, “C’mon Willsy, it’s time to put your birthday dress on.”
Evan passes Willow to Zoe and tells everyone, “We’ll be right back,” before heading inside. His mom knew where the soda and water bottles were, so he figured she’d get them set up with Jared and Cass’s help. One less thing for them to worry about.
“Are you excited Ev? I think everything looks really nice and I’m excited we’re doing this for her. Her first birthday is huge and I can’t believe it’s here already,” Zoe says, and Evan thinks it’s a good thing they were getting a moment alone, just the three of them. Zoe was probably nervous about the people coming, but Evan felt like it was something more than that. Probably the same thing he’d been feeling all day, wondering where all this time went and wondering if it was always going to be like this, that Willow would be grown up before they knew it.
“Yeah everything looks great and I’m glad we’re getting to do this, celebrate her, celebrate us making it through this year,” Evan says, getting the outfits that Zoe had set aside out of their closet while she grabbed a clean diaper and wipes from their changing blanket.
“I’m just so happy that she’s here with us, that all of this is real,” Zoe says softly, almost whispering. And it makes him wonder if Zoe sometimes had the nightmare he had, where they’d lost their custody case and Willow was taken away from them, left to be hurt by Larry and Cynthia the same way Zoe had been and there was nothing him or Zoe could do about it. Whenever he woke up from those dreams, he always rushed to Willow and found her sleeping peacefully in her crib with her little arms above her head, the same way she’d slept since she was a newborn.
“Me too Zo,” Evan tells her, tossing their clothes on the bed so he could hug her and Willow fully. The coming weeks were going to be full of changes, the most important thing wouldn’t. They had their family intact and Evan loved his girlfriend and their daughter more than anything.
“It’s been kind of an emotional day for me, have you been feeling like that too?” Zoe asks him, breaking away from their hug to get Willow’s diaper changed. But Evan stops her, and just continues to hold both of them, both needing to feel connected for a little longer and knowing that Zoe needed it too, even if she was trying to do something else.
“Yeah, most definitely. I feel so happy, yet kind of like I might cry, and a little overwhelmed that this year went by so fast,” Evan confesses, finally letting go of Zoe so they could actually get ready, but not before kissing both her and Willow’s forehead sweetly.
“Our little baby isn’t so little anymore,” Zoe says wistfully, giving him a watery smile before focusing back on changing her, probably so she didn’t just burst into tears there on the spot. Evan felt the same way though and grabs his own clothes to change into, telling Zoe, “But she’ll always be our baby Zo, our firstborn, our little blueberry. She’ll always be the gift I know we were meant to have.”
“Yeah I know. And we’ll tell you all the time Wills,” Zoe says, standing her back up and tossing the wet diaper into the trash. It’s so adorable as Willow squeals, “Mama!” and blows her a kiss, which was really just bringing her hand to her open mouth and moving it forward, but it counted, and Evan loved to see her do it.
“Oh thank you, sweet girl, that was such a nice kiss,” Zoe tells her, doing the same back before passing her to Evan to get dresses now that he had his party clothes on, so she could change and do her hair.
Willow’s birthday dress wasn’t for today in particular, but it was so cute, they’d just known it was what she should wear for the big day. It wasn’t frilly or overbearing (like they’d seen in Zoe’s first birthday pictures) but gave her room to run around and play in the dirt and leaves. And it matched the crown he’d bought, that was just a bonus.
Evan quickly takes off her play clothes and slips the dress over her head and puts her little white sandals on even with Willow kicking her feet. But once she’s dressed, Evan starts on her hair, brushing it out and clipping her bangs off to the side. He wasn’t doing any little ponytails because of the crown, but it still looked nice for when she inevitably took the crown off.
“Oh, so pretty lovie. Here Daddy, do you want to put the birthday crown on, so we can get some pictures?” Zoe says, handing him the birthday crown, which he slips on like all of her other little headbands.
“Look how adorable, Wills, look at Mama,” Zoe prompts, snapping some pictures of Willow sitting on their bed, smiling, but also looking up curiously at the slightly larger thing her dad had put on her head.
“You are so cute Willow Laine,” Evan tells her, scooping her up and bouncing her just a tad to get her to have an even bigger smile, all while Zoe took pictures.
“I know you’re talking about Wills, but you’re looking mighty cute too Ev,” Zoe says flirtatiously, kissing his definitely blushing cheek. How was it that they’d been together for almost two years and a simple flirty line still got him all flustered?
“Maybe, but not as cute as you. I love when we match as family,” Evan says, flirting back and kissing Zoe for real. He did love when Zoe managed to coordinate their outfits and today was no exception. He had on a nice white polo and khaki shorts and Zoe had a light pink maternity dress from last year that she’d managed to pin and gather so it wasn’t too big. Everyone would know they were Willow’s parents, even if everyone who was coming did know that.
They take several more pictures of Willow on the bed, walking around, and in her parent’s arms before deciding to take her back outside so everyone could see her with the crown before pulling it off became a much more fun game. At the very least Jared and his mom needed to see her in the complete birthday outfit.
“Introducing the birthday girl, Miss Willow Hansen,” Evan calls out, opening the backdoor and letting Willow toddle out on her own, like she was making a grand entrance. Willow just starts clapping and walking out towards her family, who now included Shana and David Kleinman.
“Oh Willow, you are simply the cutest, could she get any sweeter?” Shana says, fawning over Willow and Evan happily lets her. Willow was the cutest and she deserved all the attention today.
And Evan sees that Jared was not wrong about the number of presents that his parents were bringing because there was now a big pile on the little coffee table where Jared and Cass had set theirs. Normally Evan wouldn’t want to accept that many gifts, but with things being so tight lately, he was happy about it. Willow’s birthday kind of gave him an excuse to ask for help with things without really asking.
He was assuming that most of her presents would be toys and new clothes and books, things that Evan wanted to give Willow all time, but didn’t because he knew they didn’t actually need them. When they did buy her new clothes, they were always sale or discounted items and they only got what they absolutely needed, not anything extra. So it was nice that Willow was going to get some nice things for the coming months, without him having to stress and worry about how they were going to pay for it.
With everyone distracted by Willow, Evan takes a moment to pull Heidi aside and ask her, “Mom, were you able to get Zoe’s cupcake?”
“Yes, and I hid it well, don’t worry love,” Heidi says, making Evan feel better about taking a moment later in the party to celebrate Zoe and her accomplishments when all the people they loved were already gathered. It was small, but it was something and Evan wanted to show Zoe he was always trying to make her feel special.
It only takes a few more minutes until more guests start to arrive, the first being Mariana, which Evan was incredibly happy about. She’d been able to switch shifts too, just to come today.
“Hey Mari! Welcome! There’s food, drinks, and um, Willow,” Evan tells her, realizing there wasn’t any activities they’d planned or anything, just hanging out, singing happy birthday, and opening presents, all of which wouldn’t happen until everyone was here.
“Thanks Evan. Well happy birthday Miss Hansen, don’t you look darling,” Mari tells Willow, who had walked over to them to investigate the new person and smiles with her teeth when she figures out it was Mariana.
“Bahhhh!” Willow shrieks excitedly, clapping her hands before reaching up directly at Evan, clearly wanting him to pick her up, which he does with ease, telling her back, “Oh my Wills, what an introduction.”
“Hi Mariana, thank you for coming, these are our friends, Jared and Cass. Guys this is Mariana, she works with Evan,” Zoe says, introducing everyone like a good host, but Evan thinks it’s to make sure she didn’t shut herself away the entire party, talking only to Jared and Cass or him. And Mariana was a good start and probably the only person coming that he’d invited that he could get her to believe was her friend too. He used to believe it could be Isaac and Lena too, but Zoe struggled so much when it came to believing that other people who knew about Willow genuinely wanted to be part of her life too. Evan was hoping New York would change that.
They all start talking and eventually everyone they had invited starts to shuffle into the backyard. Evan can tell both Zoe and Willow are a little overwhelmed at first by so many people being there, but eventually they warm up and start to relax, so Evan does too and enjoys catching up with his friends.
It starts to really get fun when Willow starts to enjoy all the attention, figuring out that everyone was there for her and starts toddling from one person to another, squealing and laughing. She even plays side-by-side with Benji, which is how her crown ends up coming off.
About an hour in (they’d only technically scheduled the party for 2 hours, knowing Willow would still need an afternoon nap), Evan pulls Zoe aside and asks her, “Do you think we should let Wills open some presents? Is that a normal thing to do, are people expecting it?”
Evan had only really experienced the party Zoe and Jared threw him last year and Benji’s first birthday a few weeks ago and he wasn’t exactly sure what the proper flow of events were now that it was halfway over, and everyone had socialized a little bit. He thought it’d be fun to see Willow play with wrapping paper like she’d done at other parties, and people might like to see him and Zoe appreciate whatever they’d gifted their daughter.
“Yeah, we can and I think it’d be fun, but Mr. Parry hasn’t gotten here yet, so maybe we could hold off, do her cupcake and singing instead? I was hoping to get to talk to him some and I don’t want to miss her cake,” Zoe asks, back to being a little nervous and Evan was sure it was because the one person she’d invited personally wasn’t there. She looked like she’d been having a good time, but he felt bad for her and even worse for not noticing he wasn’t there yet.
“That’s a really good idea and he’ll probably be here soon Zo, don’t worry,” Evan tells her, kissing her temple softly. He had no idea if Mr. Parry was going to show up, but he really hoped he did for Zoe. Yeah, his mom and Shana and David were here, but they weren’t the same and since Zoe hadn’t invited Professor Aita, Mr. Parry was the only other adult who had believed in her this year and he knew she wanted to show that she’d done everything she set out to do last summer when they met and talked.
“Okay, I hope so,” Zoe says, squeezing his waist comfortingly before announcing to the party, “We’re going to do cupcakes now, before it gets too late for this one’s sugar consumption, if everyone wants to grab one and circle round.”
Zoe scoops Willow up and gets her settled in her seat while people grabbed a cupcake and Evan gets the special one Zoe had designated as Willow’s this morning and the little one candle they’d picked out and a lighter. He was nervous to have a lit candle around Willow again (especially after she tried to grab them at Hanukah), but him and Zoe would be right there watching her the whole time.
Zoe waves at him to show Willow was ready and Evan catches Heidi’s eyeline to check that she was ready to video, and she nods, so he lights the candle and says proudly, “Here we go everyone!”
Evan slowly sets the cupcake on Willow’s tray and sits on her other side, holding the back of her seat with one hand and Zoe’s hand with the other. As people start to sing the traditional “Happy birthday to you,” Willow looks between him and Zoe, adorably confused as to what was going on (which Evan hopes was being captured on camera) and Evan takes a moment to be completely in awe of what was happening.
Their entire little village, the people who made getting through this year possible, were coming together to celebrate and support his daughter. It was amazing and Evan loved every person who was here right now. This year had tested both his and Zoe’s limits and there were times where he didn’t think they’d make it, even if he’d tried really hard to be optimistic. But here they were, singing and wishing happy birthday to the best thing that had ever happened to him and Zoe, to their beautiful, wonderful daughter.
After the final “happy birthday to you” in the song both Evan and Zoe say, “Willow, blow out your candle!”
Willow doesn’t understand in the slightest (they didn’t expect her to), but she bangs on her tray happily and Evan and Zoe take that as the cue to blow out the candle for her, removing it before she could try to grab it. Once the candle is set aside, Zoe carefully takes the wrapper off the cupcake and lets Willow finally have a go at it.
Evan can’t stop laughing as Willow smashes the cake and brings a handful to her mouth, smearing the orange and pink frosting all over her face, smiling the entire time. They’d given her some cake a few weeks ago so she’d know what to do with it (that it was a dessert she’d like) and honestly Evan didn’t think they needed to, the way she was gleefully eating the cupcake by the handful. Willow loved sweets, just like Zoe, and Evan knew that he was always going to give in and give her as much as she wanted because he knew how happy it made Zoe now and probably as a child.
It’s adorable when Willow scrunches up her nose in delight as she ate, but Evan knew now was the perfect time for Zoe’s special cupcake, before everyone was done eating theirs, but after the big fanfare around Willow. He catches his mom’s eye again to signal that now was the best time and she immediately understands and passes Jared her phone to keep recording while she slipped into the house unnoticed.
Evan wanted to keep watch on Heidi, but Willow offers him some smushed cake from her little hands, so of course he accepts, eating the bite out of her hand, laughing with Zoe about the joy of it all. Evan’s startled as Zoe practically jumps up out of nowhere and he thinks she’s seen Heidi, but she hasn’t, only seen someone else as she calls out, “Mr. Parry, you made it!”
Zoe runs to him and gives her music teacher a big hug and Evan’s so relieved and happy that he’d come. It was worth Zoe’s little bit of nerves earlier to see her this happy at the arrival of one guest. Mr. Parry hadn’t let her down and had probably even caught glimpses of Willow’s cake eating, just too polite to interrupt.
And it makes it even better that he’s here right now because Heidi comes back from the house, proclaiming, “Attention everyone. I know we’re all here to celebrate our lovely Willow, but you may not know that we have another thing to celebrate today as well.”
Zoe looked stunned and a little bit confused, like she hadn’t put together that Heidi was talking about her, and Evan wished he could run to her and hold her, but he couldn’t leave Willow unattended on the table. He’d just have to tell her this was his idea later when they talked about the party.
“On Friday our one and only Zoe graduated high school and next month will be off to the Big Apple, with Evan and Willow in tow, to go to the best music school in the world. Zoe, we love you and we are so proud of you,” Heidi finishes, presenting Zoe with the little red and blue cupcake, and sparkler candles (which he’d just found, leftover from something) and Zoe looked even more stunned, but grateful all the same.
Evan had really wanted to do something special and since he couldn’t afford the charm he wanted to get her (not when he got her one for Mother’s Day), Heidi had suggested a different cupcake with Juilliard colors for the party. Evan thought it was a great idea and hoped that in some ways made up for them not being able to do a whole lot.
They hadn’t thrown a party or done anything extra special Friday night and Evan knew that if things were different, Zoe’s parents would have thrown a huge party and gotten her lots of presents to decorate her dorm and probably a new guitar, anything she could have dreamed of. He was happy things were different and they weren’t involved with her parents, but he wanted something more than a dinner (at a fairly cheap restaurant) to show Zoe that they loved her and were sincerely and extremely proud of her and her accomplishments.
When Zoe searches for him and gives him her special half-smile, he just knew that she was letting him in on the secret that he’d absolutely nailed this surprise. And it’s perfection.
Evan didn’t know what New York was going to be like, if he’d make friends or even be able to afford everything without help, but he just knew that him and Zoe would figure it out together, just like they’d figured out balancing work and school, raising a baby, fighting her parents, standing together. Almost no one counted on them making it through the year, but they had, and they’d make it through the next one too.
Their lives might be extremely hard, especially right now, but not one part of it was bad.