The streams of winter sunlight that peaks through the curtain and into my eyes force me to turn around, and when I snuggle into the duvet a little more, the two arms that were around me pull me in even more.

He grunts, his face nuzzling in my hair, and I know exactly what's going through his mind. He doesn't want to wake up, he does want to cuddle, and in a few moments, he will turn me around so he can lazily kiss me good morning.

It's how it's been every time we have the day off, and I catch myself being excited about it way before we actually wake up.

Sure enough, one of his hands grabs a hand full of my shirt before he turns me around in one movement, pulling me flush against him right after.

"Good morn-"

"Nope." He shakes his head, his eyes still closed but a smirk that reveals one dimple present. "Not yet."

I begin to giggle, but his mouth on mine stops me successfully. He kisses me like he always does in these moments; first with a closed mouth, easing into it so we can both lose that sleep that lingers still. When we're both awake, he gently nudges my lips apart with his tongue, and when my tongue finds his, I wish that time stands still forever.

"Now it's a good morning," he husks, his voice full of sleep still but his body clearly waking up. I feel it, everything.

But while on other normal days, I would've probably done something to help him to an even better good morning -if our daughter grants us that much time- today I won't. Because I've been waiting for the start of today for what feels like months.

"Happy Anniversary, love," Hero mumbles after he's planted his face in my neck, making me blush.

Happy Anniversary. Hero insists on calling it that, and I have to admit it makes me nervous. It feels so adulty and unreal.

I can't believe it's been a whole year. I can't believe that I met Hero one year ago. It feels as if I've known him forever.

"You too," I somewhat awkwardly reply. He hears it because he chuckles before he pulls his head from my neck.

"And happy birthday, Dais." His eyes now glimmer, the excitement evident as he refers to the biggest reason for my excitement as well.

Daisy's one year old today. My little baby isn't a baby anymore. Twelve months ago, she was born, and today we celebrate how she makes my world -our world- so perfect and joyful.

"Happy birthday, Dais," I repeat, my finger sliding along the curve of his lip. He has that lazy smile, the one that's making me weak in the knees.

I still can't believe how lucky I got that he, of all people, found me twelve months ago.

"Shall we go wake her up?" Now that he's fully awake, it's clear that he's as excited as his green orbs tell me, and it warms my heart.

Hero and I have been planning this day for over two weeks now, and we've made sure everything is perfect. After we'd put Daisy to bed yesterday, we decorated the whole living room. Balloons with the number one on them, colorful flags that hang from the ceiling, her highchair decorated with two helium balloons, a huge cake -decorated with Charlie from baby TV- is in the fridge, and a present is waiting for her too.

We've decided to get her a rocking horse, and I have to admit it's a beautiful one. It has a vintage look. Decorated with white and gold, it's the kind of princess horse you would dream about as a little girl. I know I did when I was younger. And now, my little girl has one of them. It's surreal.

We're throwing a party for her later today as well. We've decided to keep it small; Martha, George, Mercy, Titan, and Maisie are naturally all coming, and we've also invited Felix, Elif, Miryam, Morgz, and Alex. Elif and Felix are now a couple, and Hero and I have been on a 'double date' with them two times already. Elif is the opposite of the person I thought she was when I first met her, and her, Miryam, and I have actually grown a little closer.

I think I can even call them my friends as well now, not just Hero's.

"Let's wake her up," I answer, my tone just as excited. I know she's probably too small to even understand what's happening around her, but I don't care. I don't care that she won't be able to remember this day, or that she doesn't realize that all the balloons and cake and presents are for her. I want her to always have an amazing birthday, whether she'll turn one, four, or sixteen.

She won't ever have a birthday like I did when I turned sixteen.

"Come on," Hero says, successfully stopping me from sinking back into those horrible memories. "I can't wait to see her face."

I giggle at our shared excitement as we jump from the bed and hurry to put some clothes on. I was already wearing the shirt he'd taken off last night, so I just slip into some joggings while Hero does the same before we walk out of the bedroom and to Daisy's bedroom.

While walking through the hallway, I can't help but scan Hero's back. The muscles dance underneath his skin, and I'm suddenly thankful he didn't put on a shirt, especially because I know he'll lift Daisy in a few.

Something about him holding Daisy while not wearing a shirt still makes me melt, every time.

When he's reached the door to her room, he stops for a moment, putting his ear against it to listen. And then, after listening for about ten seconds, his smile turns bigger, and his dimples turn deeper. "Still asleep," he excitedly says.

I giggle and then urge him to open her door by nodding my head. He does so quietly, and sure enough, Daisy's still in dreamland. Her arms are stretched above her head, her legs stretch too. Her long, brown lashes are resting on her cheeks, and her hair lies in a mess around her head. It's quite insane how much hair she has at just twelve months old.

She's so beautiful.

"Wake up, sleepy angel," I whisper, running my hand through her hair which causes her to stir. She doesn't open her eyes though, and it makes me smile. Waking up isn't her thing.

Hero's hands find their way to my front and his chin rests on my shoulder. "Wake up, birthday girl," he whispers, the love oozing from his words.

As her eyes begin to open slowly, a smile immediately forms her lips. I'm guessing it's because she's seeing both of us since she's not always this happy in the mornings, but her dreamy smile hurts my heart.

"She's happy today," Hero chuckles, referring to what I was thinking just now. "That's a good start."

I hum in agreement. I have no idea how she'll react to all the presents and cake, but the fact that she's happy now is giving me confidence. She's well rested, and she can go for a nap before everyone comes as well.

But for now, my one-year-old babygirl is happy, and that's making me happy too.

"Oh my God, she's looking so fresh." Mercy claps her hands which makes Daisy laugh. They are both sitting on the floor, and Mercy has just given her present to Daisy; white Air Force 1 sneakers.

Hero is over the moon.

I think Daisy is fine with them too; when Mercy put them on, she sat still which is an accomplishment on its own. And now, as Mercy takes her hands and urges her to stand, she happily does so, without trying to take off the shoes.

Daisy can take little steps when we hold her hands. She's still waggling and not secure at all, but she loves walking. She's getting so big.

After a few steps, Mercy lifts her on her arm to kiss her cheek. "Happy Birthday, little muppit," she says, nuzzling her nose against her cheek which makes Daisy giggle.

She's been spoiled rotten today. Titan and Maisie got her a walking bike for when she can walk, George got her a ball pit with colorful, plastic balls in it, and Hero's friends gifted her a complete pink jogging set from Young Goat. I can only imagine how it will match with her new shoes.

"Thank you, Auntie Mercy," I say, making my way to them and tickling Daisy's belly. I then reach for the shoes, having a better look at them. "They are really cute."

"And she matches with all of us," Mercy excitedly answers, referring to her own shoes, but also to Hero's. I have them too, only I'm not wearing them now. "Want to go to Nana, Dais? She's got you a present too."

Daisy immediately knows what Mercy means, because she searches for Martha right away. When she's spotted her, her arms reach for her, and Martha's smile oozes pride as she takes Daisy from Mercy.

Daisy loves Martha. Once a week, on Tuesdays, we bring her to Martha's house for the day. We've done so ever since the trial, and I can tell their bond has grown tight.

"Hello, darling." Martha kisses her cheek, and Daisy nuzzles against her for a moment. "I've got you this, but maybe your mummy needs to help you unpack." Looking at me, she gives me a small package. It's wrapped in pink and purple dotted paper, and the way she's handing it to me suggests it's fragile.

Carefully, I rip off the paper until I'm holding a white square box. When I open it, I find a thin, silver bracelet with in the middle a daisy flower. It's beautiful.

"Martha, this is amazing," I whisper, tracing the pearl-colored leaves of the flower. It's delicate, but it still looks kid-proof.

"I fell in love with it the moment I saw it," Martha answers. I nod and then pull her into a hug.

"Really, thank you." I don't know why this is making me emotional. It's all just so surreal still. When I was pregnant, I was convinced it would be just Daisy and me. And now, as I look around the room, she has a whole family. She has the sweetest, loving, and most caring dad in the world. She has an aunt that spoils her rotten and will without doubt be her partner in crime. She has George, who has helped me so much with the trial and who will no doubt help her too when she needs it. She has an uncle that adores her, just as his girlfriend does, and she has Martha, who has taken her under her wings as only a grandmother can do.

"That's alright, sweetheart. Don't cry," Martha mumbles in my ear, her free arm around me as she still holds Daisy with the other. "You're my family. You and Dais are my family now too."

I nod once again. Martha has told me this after I'd won. She said that the moment she heard Hero speak about me for the first time, she knew Hero was smitten and that I was there to stay. It made sense; she has been welcoming and caring from the first time I've met her, and she's the only one that truly understands what I've been through because she's been through it too, at least partly. Daisy is not the only one who is lucky to have her, I am too.

After I've pulled back from the embrace, I take the bracelet from the box and then click it around Daisy's wrist. It fits perfectly for now, but there are extra loops for when she grows, so she'll be able to wear it for a while.

"Perfect," Martha happily observes.

"Very pretty," Hero agrees. He's wrapping his arms around me as we speak, sensing I need it given all the emotions. While Martha takes Daisy to the ball pit she's got from George, Hero turns me in his arms, his head bowing so our foreheads touch. "You're good, love?"

"Yeah." I smile, making sure the tears that sting in the corner of my eyes won't fall. "It's just... I'm so happy and thankful."

Hero hums, putting my hair behind my ear before caressing my cheek. "I am too. I'm happy that Dais is happy, and I'm thankful for you."

Lifting to my toes, I kiss him, shortly but firm. "I love you."

"I love you," he counters. "I think it's about time for her cake, what do you think?"

I nod, excitement pushing away the heavy emotions. I can't wait to see how Daisy reacts to her cake. She's never had cake before, and I've seen videos of babies that are covered in whipped cream and frosting. I'm curious if Daisy will do that too.

With one last kiss on my forehead, Hero walks to the fridge where he takes out the cake. He puts one candle in the middle of it, and Felix is right next to him to light it with his lighter. Moving to Daisy -who's sitting in the middle of hundreds of balls- I lift her and bring her to the table, where everyone is gathered already. After putting her in her high chair, everyone starts to sing happy birthday while Hero puts the cake on the table in front of her.

The singing turns louder, and everyone starts to clap as well. Daisy's eyes are wide, first focuses on the little candle on top of the cake before she looks around the room until her eyes land on me.

She first seems surprised, but soon, her lower lip starts to tremble, and her eyes turn watery. Her little arm lifts, her hand reaching for me as tears spill over the rim. And then, while the singing winds down, she utters a soft, "M... Ma... Mama."

Everyone around me gasps, and Hero -who's crouched down next to Daisy- is looking at her adoringly. And I, I can't move. My heart is beating out of my chest, and I can't stop the tears from falling as I repeat that word, in her baby voice, over and over in my head.

Mama.

"Oh my Gosh," I whimper, reaching for her and taking her in my arms. She immediately hides her face on my shoulder, her chubby arms lacing around my neck as well. She's crying, but softly now that I'm holding her. "Mama is here baby," I softly whisper, burying my nose in her hair and closing my eyes.

Daisy sobs. "Mama," she repeats, this time just as softly as I spoke to her before her two fingers find her mouth and she starts to suck.

"Oh my God, my heart. I'm going to cry," Maisie says, and Martha, Mercy, Elif, and Miryam all hum in agreement.

While George and Titan cut the cake and give everyone a piece, I sit down on the couch. Within two seconds, Hero is by my side, handing Daisy her rabbit which she takes before she slumps against me.

Taking both of us in his arms, he kisses the side of my head. "That was fucking awesome," he whispers, and can't help but giggle at his enthusiasm.

"It was," I agree. "I can't believe she said mama."

"I can. I always knew it would be mama," he counters, kissing the top of her head. I can tell she's falling asleep; all the tension has left her body. "You're an amazing mummy, Jo. The best there is and Daisy's so lucky to have you." And after another kiss on my head, he adds, "We are so lucky to have you."

The house is a mess but both Hero and I are too tired to come off the couch. All our guests have left about twenty minutes ago, making it, without doubt, the longest birthday party for a one-year-old in history, but also the most loved one I'm sure.

Everyone offered to help clean up, but Hero and I declined. Daisy was tired because her nap after saying her first word was only a forty-minute one, so we wanted to focus on her in private first.

Her breathing has steadied now, and although we both said she should go to bed, neither of us seem to want to take her. The way she's laying across Hero's chest takes me back twelve months ago to when she was so tiny, she'd fit in the palm of his hand.

Right now, she's sprawled over his entire chest and stomach, her white pajama with pink stars almost getting too small as the fabric stops mid-calf. She's sucking on her two fingers, and in her other hand, the rabbit that is now slightly worn out is clenched in between her tiny fingers. Her brown, wavy hair is all over the place, tickling Hero's chin and lips as he kisses the top of her head repeatedly.

"Do you think she had fun?" Hero asks softly, clearly not wanting to wake her.

I lay my head on his shoulder while nodding. "I think she had fun, although she was confused more than ever." I laugh as I think about the frown between her brows every time she got handed a present. She liked the unpacking more than the actual gift every time.

"As long as she knows how loved she is. By everyone," Hero mumbles, kissing her head yet again.

"I'm sure she feels that. Every day."

For a moment, we hang on the couch in silence. The sound of Daisy's breathing has something soothing over it, and soon, I feel how this day has made me tired as well. All the excitement and planning did a number, and knowing that everything went well, I just want to close my eyes.

"December thirteenth will always be my favorite day," Hero mumbles, forcing me to stay awake a little longer. One of his hands moves up and down Daisy's back while the other is drawing circles on my shoulder, and I never want him to stop.

"Why's that?" I ask, even though I know his answer already. I'll admit that I like to hear it from his lips.

"It's because I met you. And that night, you gave me my little girl." He switches his head so he can look at me, leaving a kiss on my forehead in the process as well.

"And last night will always be my favorite night," I add, my stomach clenching with butterflies and happiness. I'm positive I am the luckiest girl in the world.

"Why's that?" Hero grins, repeating my words even though I think he knows the answer too.

I lean up and kiss him, slowly, making sure he feels the words even before I've uttered them. When I pull back, his eyes are glimmering, the love for me and our daughter dripping from his orbs. "Because you kicked in that door. Because you helped me have Daisy." I kiss him again, more urgently this time. "It's the night I was saved, the night my life finally began. And it's all because of you."

🖤