Melanie Martin, Aaron Carter’s fiancé, puts on a brave face to celebrate their son’s first birthday

Melanie Martin, Aaron Carter’s fiancée, put on a brave face as she celebrated their son Prince’s first birthday in Chuck E. Cheese just weeks after the star’s tragic passing at age 34.

Melanie tenderly carried her son in her arms as she celebrated the special occasion on Tuesday with her supportive family and friends in Costa Mesa, California.

Aaron’s presence was felt throughout the evening with Melanie wearing a huge photo collage featuring images of the late pop star and Prince’s birthday cake also featuring a photo of his dad.

Melanie adored her little boy as she carried him across the hall with her attentive friends by her side.

The young mother beamed with joy as she sat next to her son on a miniature merry-go-round.

The year-old also got a chance to meet Chuck E. Cheese, and Melanie helped her son give the mascot a high-five.

Her supportive friends also showered the youngster with love.

One of her friends gently helped Prince take a picture in a Chuck E. Cheese car, while another was wearing Prince as they stepped outside.

Melanie sauntered beside her with the photo collage in her possession.

In a symbolic gesture, she also floated a bouquet of balloons into the night sky.

Melanie posted a video of the moment to her Instagram Stories, writing, “… must be strong for our son.”

Melanie shared many moments from Prince’s birthday to her account, including photos of his birthday cake and celebrations, along with a video of a Times Square billboard featuring Aaron and his son.

She admitted that Prince’s birthday was going to be “heavy” in light of his father’s death when she shared a photo montage of Aaron and Prince.

“Happy Birthday to my little boy Prince Lyric Carter… Today is going to be a tough day for me, but I know your daddy is playing birthday songs for you in heaven.” I love you baby boy!!!” she captioned the post.

Carter was found dead in his bathtub at his Lancaster, California, home on November 5 at the age of 34.

An official cause of death has yet to be determined, but police are said to have found several cans of compressed air and bottles of prescription pills at the scene.

Aaron was cremated and his death certificate revealed that his ashes will be kept by his twin sister, Angel Carter.

Carter was discovered by his housekeeper, known only as Betty, who had been living in the house for three weeks. The woman had been homeless and Carter and his on-again, off-again girlfriend Melanie asked to take care of the house after a friend’s mansion was broken into.

Carter said in an August interview that he had been to rehab four times and “finally got it right.” But he went back to an outpatient program the following month to address his “triggers.”

At the time of his death, Carter was living with Melanie.

Neighbors described the relationship as tempestuous, saying they often heard the pair shouting at each other and the police were called at least three times.

A neighbor told the DailyMail.com that Carter often locked Martin out of the house, causing her to bang on the door and yell “let me in.”

The neighbor said that one day another resident knocked on Carter’s door and Melanie answered the door.

She was asked if they could turn the music down. Melanie said she would pass the information on to Aaron. Minutes later, Aaron banged on the neighbor’s door and started yelling at the neighbor, calling her a c**t and ab***ch.

Another person in the house told Aaron to leave their property. The police were called and Aaron tried to tell the police that the neighbor had attacked him. No arrests were made.

“Every neighbor has that ‘neighbor’ that you deal with, he was that ‘neighbor’. the man said.

Melanie came to the house after news of Carter’s death was announced. She was seen sobbing and comforted by Carter’s realtor Christie Limpus-Hathaway.

She released a statement saying, “My fiancé Aaron Carter passed away. I love Aaron with all my heart and it will be a journey raising a son without a father. Please respect my family’s privacy as we come to terms with the loss of someone we love dearly. We are still accepting this unfortunate reality. Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated.”

Earlier this year, Carter filed for custody of their son and filed a petition for protection from Martin at the Antelope Valley Courthouse in Los Angeles County.

In a lawsuit, he accused his ex of “emotional distress, fear, pushing and scratching,” and claimed she used the threat of suicide to “emotionally abuse” him.

Melanie was seen moving her belongings out of Carter’s house last week.

The former child star had tried to sell the house, but it was taken off the market after his death.

Carter died without leaving a will, meaning the will determines who will inherit his assets, it has been revealed.