Chapter Nine

~*.*~ Six Months Later ~*.*~

I stretched my arms out and slid out of bed, hearing laughter and giggling. "What are those two up to now?" I questioned, pulling a sweatshirt on and exiting my bedroom.

The last few months were wonderful - I went to work and dropped Ember off at daycare so Dabi could get some sleep and relax at the apartment - which instead of doing either he's been cleaning the entire apartment except mine and Ember's room and picking Ember up at exactly 3:00, just like I asked him too.

Ember's gotten really attached to Dabi, too. They're practically inseparable. The moment he picks her up from daycare, she's never left his side. Even when I get home she'll come hug me but run back to him and continue doing whatever.

I entered the living room and saw them cooking breakfast together. Again.

Every single Saturday Dabi made breakfast for us, and Ember ✨insisted✨ she would help him out.

Suddenly the morning for tarnished by one question: "Daddy, do you and Mommy want another baby?"

I froze and watched Dabi's eyes widened as he almost dropped the spatula, nervously laughing. "Why do you say that?" He asked nervously.

"I don't know," Ember shrugged, looking up at him. "Aiko's stepmommy has a baby and he talks about her all the time."

"Well, I guess mommy and I will have to see where life takes us," Dabi stretched out before getting more confident with his answer. "But let's focus on the now, okay?"

"Okay!"

I chuckled before hearing my phone go off. I looked at the screen and widened my eyes, seeing a reminder notification....

For Ember's fourth birthday party.

That I completely forgot to plan.

"Fuck!" I muttered. 

"Mommy that's a bad word!"

"I know sweetie!" I responded back.

"Something the matter?" Dabi asked, looking over his shoulder at me as he slid my plate across the kitchen island.

"I'll tell you later." I sighed and punched the bridge of my nose. "Ember, eat up quick and go play in your room."

"Why?"

"Because I'm asking you too. You aren't in trouble."

"Why what's wrong?" Dabi raised an eyebrow at me as he carried Ember to the table with one arm and her plate in the other arm.

"I'll tell you after breakfast." I waved it off, grabbing my plate from the kitchen island.

Ember was done eating quickly and went to her room (after Dabi had promised her the evening together). He sat by me and raised an eyebrow, "What's on your mind?"

I took a deep breath, staring at my barely touch eggs. "I don't have anything for Ember's birthday."

"Oh? When is it?"

"Next week. Seven days."

"You mean six sleeps?"

I glared at Dabi, telling him with my face reactions I don't need him mimicking the same child whose birthday I forgot to plan

"Okay, when what needs to be done?" Dabi asked, adjusting his seating position in the kitchen chair so he was more over the table.

"I need to find a venue and get gifts and-" I started rambling on before freezing, my eyes wide. "Shit.." u muttered.

"What's wrong?" He frowned.

"Dabi.." I leaned back in my chair, dropping my phone to the table. "You can't to be there.."

There was silence that fell between the both of us. "Well..." he finally spoke. "What needs to be done?"

"Dabi-"

"My not being there doesn't mean she still can't have one-"

"Yes, but she's going to want her father there!" I insisted. "And neither of us have the heart to tell her otherwise!"

There was another silence before he asked, "Who's all going to be there!"

"My mom, maybe Mimi and Shoyo if Mimi can behave, maybe I'll invite some of the daycare kids.."

"Okay," Dabi reached over and gave a comforting squeeze on my shoulder. "I go wearing a hoodie, and we tell Mimi if she can't contain herself she can't come."

I looked at him. "Dabi, it's already risky having you pick her up from daycare, but that's also only five minutes of interaction. This can be for hours, or longer!"

"Her," he shouted his chair closer, leaning in and speaking in a soft whisper. "I told you I wanted to be there. If I gotta die of a heatstroke wearing a hoodie all day so Ember can have both parents there, I'm willing to do that."

I hesitated before nodding. "Okay. Fine. I'll have it bee for a few hours-"

"Don't restrict her fun because of me."

"Well that is true, but it also depends on what venue is available?" I took my phone out to look.

"Why not go to the park?" Dabi suggested. "Pals are cheap, it's outside, and the kids will be distracted for hours on end."

"We did that last year and she didn't have the greatest time.."

"Were there other three year olds there though?"

Good point.

"Okay, so place is set and I can pick up decorations after work..." I muttered, staring ahead. "What else..."

"Gifts." Dabi leaned back. "I can grab those."

"Are you sure?" I looked at him. "I can make a list of what Ember likes..."

"I've got it." Dabi insisted with a sincere smile. "So we have place, you have decorations, and I have gifts. Anything else?"

"I guess I can invite some of the moms when I do get off on Monday.." I rubbed my chin. "And I think-"

I heard his phone going off, which was rare because he always had it on mute. Dabi stood up and went to look at the screen, hanging up the call. "Not going to take that?" I asked.

"No." He answered a bit harshly.

I decided not to press into it any longer. Mainly because Princess Ember stepped out and demanded we play tea party with her.