Never grow up

                                                               Matilda’s 2nd Birthday! 

“Good morning baby girl!” Syed says as he lifts Matilda out of her bed and into his arms.

“Shall we go find daddy?” Syed asks.

“Daddy! Find! Daddy!” Matilda yells as Syed laughs.

“Yes, let’s go and find him and get some grub in that belly!” Syed says as he tickles Matilda’s stomach as she roars with laughter.

“Daddy!” Matilda yells as she and Syed enter the kitchen.

“Hello, my lovebug! Happy birthday!” Christian says as he takes Matilda out of Syed’s arms and into his own.

“Burp day?” Matilda questions.

“Yes, it’s your birthday. You were born today. 2 years ago.” Christian says as he hugs Matilda.

He stands up and places Matilda in her booster seat so he can grab her breakfast.

“Happy birthday baby girl,” Christian says as he presents her with her breakfast. Her favourite, pancakes with whipped cream, chocolate sauce and rainbow sprinkles.

“Pancake!” Matilda says as she claps her hands happily before diving into her food.

While Matilda is eating, the two parents reminisce over the past 2 years.

“I can’t believe she’s two already,” Syed says as he pouts.

“I know. It’s crazy, it seems like just yesterday I was surprising you with her in the hospital.” Christian chuckles.

“Would you have another? I mean, another baby.” Syed asks as he helps Matilda cut her pancakes.

“Definitely. We were adopting but then that went out the window. I’d like to get a surrogate, and do it that way.” Christian replies.

“Same here. That’s definitely something we can look into once Yasmin is home.” Syed agrees. 

Currently, their time is divided by looking after Matilda, working, being with Yasmin and spending time as a family. They haven’t got the time currently to devote to another baby due to being so rushed off their feet.

“All done!” Matilda cries out, her face covered in the chocolate sauce while her clothes are covered head to toe in whipped cream.

“Matilda! Look at the state of you!” Syed groans, imagining the mess she’ll make once in the bath.

“Okay come on you, papa needs a break. Let’s get you washed and dressed, ready for your party later.” Christian says as he hoists the girl onto his hip and into their en-suite.

He quickly wastes no time stripping her out of her pyjamas and running the bath.

“Bubbles?” Matilda asks as she points to her favourite type of bubbles.

“Sure why not, after all, it is your birthday!” Christian replies as he grabs the bottle and shakes it a few times until the mixture comes out.

“Right then munchkin! In you get.” Christian says as he lifts Matilda into the bath. 

“Toys!” Matilda yells as she points to her basket full of bath toys in the corner of the room.

“Only a few. We’re on a tight schedule here.” Christian says as he grabs her octopus with rings and her foam ice-cream maker.

“There we go. You play with them while I wash your hair.” Christian orders as he grabs the shampoo and gets to work.

Meanwhile, Syed is preparing the square for Matilda’s birthday party.

“Right Tanya, can you go grab the decorations? And Alfie, can you organise the drinks? Alcoholic for the adults and non-alcoholic for the kids. And Roxy, can you go and get the marque?” Syed orders as everyone nods before setting off to complete their tasks.

Within 45 minutes, the square is decked out with fairy lights, a marquee with a buffet, children’s entertainment and a bouncy castle.

“Look here she is! "Syed says as he spots Christian walking over with Matilda in his arms, with Matilda dressed in a light pink dress with ballet pumps and a light blue headband, with her hair put in small pigtails. 

“Hello, gorgeous!” Syed says as he scoops Matilda into his arms.

“Papa!” The little girl cries as she hugs him.

“Are you ready to open some presents?” Syed asks as he walks her over to the medium pile of presents.

“Yeah!” Matilda yells, giggling.

“Everyone! Gather round, Matilda’s going to open her presents now.” Syed announces as all their friends and family gather around.

“Now Tilly, which one first?” Syed asks as Matilda points to the smallest one.

Christian and Syed sit on either side of her and watch her open her presents.

“Pony!” Matilda yells as she pulls out a set of farm animals.

“That’s right baby, what else is there?” Christian asks as he points to each individual animal.

“Doggy! Cow! Chicken! Piggy!” Matilda yells as she hugs the toy.

“Say thank you, nanny.” Syed orders.

“Tank woo!” Matilda yells as Zainab smiles softly.

The group slowly make their way through the large pile of presents that Tilly received. Alfie and Kat got her a training bike, Zainab and Massod got her a farmyard set, Tanya and Max got her a pretend picnic basket with food and knives and forks, Janine got her a personalised backpack,  Jack and Ronnie got her a variety of princess dresses including Cinderella, Aurora, Jasmine, Belle and Mulan.  Other presents included:

* A pretend kitchen with food 

* A music set (Drums, Cymbals, Triangle, Guitar and a microphone)

* A finger painting set

* An Elmo 'Lets dance' toy

* A light projector for her room

*Water doodle Mat

*Mega blocks building bag

*A play tent with fairy lights.

"Tank woo everywon!"Matilda said as they dispersed temporarily while Christian sorted out her birthday cake. 

While Christian was organising Matilda's cake, Syed carried her over to her highchair which had been decorated with gold and pink ribbons and streamers, with gold balloons on either side. 

Out of the corner of his eye, Syed spots Christian bringing out her cake so he starts singing and people start joining in.

(Authors note: Her cake says 'Oh little one' but it's just harder to see).

"Happy Birthday to You

 Happy Birthday to You

 Happy Birthday Dear Matilda

Happy Birthday to You!" Everyone sings as Matilda blows her candles out. 

"Good girl!" Syed says as Matilda claps her hands before diving in and eating some of her cake. 

Later that evening

"Come on you, it's bedtime," Christian says as he chases as hyped up-Matilda around the flat.

"Nuh-uh!"  Matilda giggled, hyped up on all the sugar she had been given during the day.

"Excuse me, madam!" Syed laughed as he poked his head around the corner while tidying away her presents.

"Someone's a bit hyper tonight." Christian chuckled as he grabbed Matilda and tickled her stomach, making her roar with laughter.

"And daddy isn't helping," Syed said as he rolled his eyes playfully, taking the two-year-old into his arms, hoping to settle her.

"Tilly, how would you like to watch 'Bolt'?" Syed suggested.

"Yeah! Watch!" Matilda exclaimed, clapping her hands.

"Go with daddy and he'll get you ready. Then we can snuggle in bed." Syed ordered as Tilly practically launched herself into Christian's arms. 

"Right cheeky, what Pjs are we wearing tonight?" Christian asks as he places Matilda on her bed and removes her shoes, tights and dress.

"unicorn!" Matilda yells, pointing to the pair in Christian's left hand. 

"Alrighty! Unicorns it is. Good choice princess." Christian praises as he quickly and effortlessly gets her dressed.

A/N: These are Tilly's pyjamas! 

"Shall we go and find papa?" Christian asks as he hands Matilda her dummy and her blanket, as she nods sleepily, the sugar rush wearing off.

"Someone's ready for bed by the looks of it." Syed chuckles as the three of them settled down for the evening.