Chapter 604

Time flies.

Nate was almost one.

In the span of that single year, the little guy had filled their home with more joy than Louisa could have imagined possible.

He'd gone from a tiny newborn who only knew how to cry to a wobbly, determined little person who could crawl, walk, and call out "Dada" and "Mama" with complete confidence.

Every single day, he grew. Every single day, he surprised them.

Louisa and Julian decided to throw Nate a real first birthday party — something warm, lively, and full of the people they loved.

"Julian, what do you think we should do for Nate's party?"

Louisa was curled against his side, scrolling through photos on her phone, a soft smile on her lips.

"Whatever you want."

Julian had his arms around her, his chin resting on top of her head, his voice low and easy. "As long as you and our son are happy, I'm good with anything."

"Then let's invite everyone over." Louisa thought for a moment. "Nothing too over the top — just cozy. Family and close friends."

"Done." Julian pressed a kiss to her hair. "Your call."

The day of the party, the house was full.

Nicholas arrived first, slipping a solid gold 'longevity lock' around Nate's neck — a traditional charm meant to bring the child a long, healthy life.

Adeline and Echo came together, arms loaded with tiny handmade outfits and soft little shoes they'd sewn themselves.

Sadie and Noah brought a set of educational toys. George showed up with a basket of calcium-rich snacks and supplements. Caden, ever the attorney, gifted Nate an illustrated children's book series about the law.

Vivian came too, carrying a small bouquet she'd arranged herself.

And then — to everyone's quiet surprise — Xanthe walked through the door. She handed over a smooth jade 'peace buckle', the kind meant to ward off harm and keep its wearer safe.

The living room buzzed with noise and laughter.

Balloons and ribbons covered every surface. The table groaned under platters of food. And at the center of it all was Nate, round-cheeked and beaming in a little red outfit, his gold longevity lock gleaming against his chest — the most cheerful baby any of them had ever seen.

He toddled around the room like he owned it, stopping every few steps to investigate something new, pat a knee, or flash his gap-toothed grin at whoever was closest.

"Come here, buddy. Say 'Uncle.'"

Nicholas crouched down and spread his arms wide, grinning.

Nate stared at him with those enormous dark eyes. Then he broke into a giggle.

"Unc… unc…"

The word came out soft and half-formed — but it was there. Nate lurched forward and crashed straight into Nicholas's chest.

Nicholas shot to his feet like he'd won the lottery.

"He said it! He called me Uncle!"

He scooped Nate up and spun him in a wide circle, laughing out loud.

"Nicholas." Louisa pressed her lips together, trying not to smile. "Slow down before you make him dizzy."

"I can't help it." Nicholas was still grinning as he set Nate back on his feet.

Nate swayed for a second, found his balance, then made a beeline straight for Louisa.

"Mama…"

He grabbed her around the neck and buried his face against her shoulder, all warmth and baby-soft skin.

"That's my boy." Louisa held him close and kissed his cheek.

Julian crossed the room toward them. He stopped just beside her, looking down at the two of them, something quiet and unguarded moving through his expression.

"Hey, Nate." He crouched down. "Say 'Dada.'"

Nate lifted his head. He studied Julian for a long moment, blinking slowly.

Then he smiled — wide, delighted — and pitched himself forward.

"Dada…"

Julian caught him. Held him.

Something deep in his chest went completely still.

He had a family. A real, whole, perfect family.

The highlight of any first birthday party was the 'zhuazhou' — the 'grab ceremony'. A red cloth was spread across the living room floor, and arranged on top of it was a careful spread of objects, each one carrying its own meaning: a book, a pen, coins, a toy abacus, an official seal, a small toy, a little sweet.

Whatever the baby reached for first was said to hint at the path ahead.

"Okay, Nate." Louisa set him down at the edge of the cloth and stepped back. "Go ahead, sweetheart. Pick something."

Nate surveyed the spread with the focused intensity of someone making a very important decision.

He looked at the coins. He looked at the book.

Then he reached out and closed his fist around the pen.

"Oh!" Adeline clapped her hands. "He grabbed the pen! This boy is going to be a scholar!"

"Wait — what's in his other hand?"

Echo pointed.

Everyone looked. Nate's second hand had closed around the official seal.

"The pen and the seal?" Nicholas let out a bark of laughter. "This kid's going to run the whole show someday."

The room erupted.

Nate looked around at all of them laughing, clutching his pen and seal, and laughed too — bright and unselfconscious, not entirely sure what was funny but certain that today was good.

Today was his birthday.

Everyone was here for him.

That was enough to know.

The party wound down slowly, the way the best ones do — people lingering at the door, one more hug, one more look at the birthday boy before heading out into the night.

When the last guest was gone, Louisa and Julian settled on the balcony together, the city lights spread out below them.

Nate was already asleep. His cheeks were flushed a soft pink, his mouth curved in a small, unconscious smile, the longevity lock still resting against his little chest.

"Julian." Louisa leaned into him. "Today was really good."

"Yeah." Julian tightened his arms around her, his chin coming to rest against her hair. "Louisa — thank you. For this. For all of it." His voice was low, unhurried. "For giving me a home that actually feels like one."

"I should be the one saying that." She tilted her head back to look at him. "If it weren't for you, I'd still be wandering. I wouldn't even know what I was looking for."

"Doesn't matter." His eyes met hers, steady and sure. "Wherever you went, I would have found you."

She held his gaze. Her throat tightened.

"Julian." Her voice came out soft. "I love you."

"I love you too."

He pulled her closer and said it again, quieter this time, just for her.

Moonlight fell across the balcony, pale and gentle, catching the line of her cheek and the curve of his shoulder.

Their story wasn't finished.

It was just getting good.