Chapter 27: Alex's First Birthday
Time flew by in the blink of an eye, and Alex was now celebrating his first birthday. Simon and Gigi wanted to make the day as special as possible, not only for Alex but also for the family who had supported them throughout their journey.
The house was alive with excitement, decorated with balloons, streamers, and a big "Happy 1st Birthday, Alex!" banner hanging across the living room. The party theme was a mix of jungle animals and toy soldiers, a perfect blend of Alex's favorite things and a nod to Simon's military background.
The Morning of the Celebration
Simon woke up early, eager to get everything ready. He carried Alex downstairs, who was still rubbing his sleepy eyes, and pointed at the decorations.
"Look, buddy! All of this is for you!" Simon said, bouncing Alex in his arms.
Alex's eyes widened, and he giggled, reaching for the balloons. Simon laughed, kissing his son's forehead.
"Today's your big day, little man. Let's make it unforgettable."
Family and Friends Arrive
As the day went on, family and close friends began to arrive. Simon's battalion brothers made an appearance, bringing Alex a mini soldier uniform as a gift. Kris and the Kardashian-Jenner sisters brought a mountain of presents, ranging from clothes to toys.
Gigi's parents and siblings also joined, marveling at how much Alex had grown. Everyone was in high spirits, chatting and laughing as they watched Alex crawl around, exploring the room.
The Cake Smash
The highlight of the party was the cake smash. A small jungle-themed cake was placed in front of Alex, and everyone gathered around with their phones and cameras ready.
"Alright, buddy, it's all yours!" Simon encouraged, crouching beside him.
Alex hesitated at first, poking the cake with a tiny finger. But after Simon playfully smeared a bit of frosting on his own nose, Alex dove in with both hands, giggling as he made a mess.
The room erupted in laughter, and Gigi snapped a photo of Simon and Alex with frosting on their faces.
"This is going straight into the family album," Gigi said, grinning.
A Special Toast
As the party wound down, Simon gathered everyone around for a toast. Holding Alex in one arm and a glass of champagne in the other, he smiled at the group.
"Thank you all for being here to celebrate our little guy's first year," Simon began. "Alex has brought so much joy into our lives, and seeing him surrounded by so much love today means the world to us."
He looked at Gigi, his eyes soft. "And to my amazing wife, thank you for being the best partner and mother. I couldn't do any of this without you."
Everyone raised their glasses, cheering, "To Alex!"
A Quiet Moment
After the guests had left and the house was quiet again, Simon and Gigi sat on the couch, Alex asleep in Simon's arms.
"He had a great day," Gigi whispered, leaning against Simon.
Simon nodded, his voice soft. "He deserves it. I can't wait to see what kind of person he grows up to be."
Gigi smiled, resting her head on his shoulder. "With you as his dad, he'll grow up to be someone incredible."
Simon kissed her forehead, feeling a deep sense of fulfillment.
To Be Continued...