“I don’t want to share today with anyone but you,” he says. “I’m selfish that way.”
“As long as you’re happy,” I say. And he’s been a lot happier of late, he is taking small steps with his mom, no huge leaps because we both know it has to be a small thing if and when he’s ready. They message from time to time, but he still hasn’t talked to her since he spoke to his uncle Leo. I don’t know if a visit will be on the cards anytime soon, but time will only tell.
“I’m happiest when I’m with you,” he says, reaching over to place his hand on my thigh. “I love you, J.”
“I love you, too.”
“Even in this reindeer sweater?
I giggle, pulling at his sleeve. “Yes, I bought it for you. So even then.”
We’re there in no time at all. We even brave it when the snow stops for a little bit, opening up the back of his SUV where he’s placed a beige checked blanket in the back. Lifting the boot, we sit on the edge and tuck into the picnic hamper I’ve packed. There’s hot coco in a flask, and a container with the homemade spinach and ricotta pastries he loves so much, they’ve kept warm in the tinfoil with some mini quiches. I’ve done a round of cheese and tomato sandwiches too.
“Are you sure you don’t love me just for my cooking?”
“I love you for other things too,” he says, “not just the cooking.”
“Well, you’re really gonna love this then.”
It’s time for me to grab the birthday cake from the back. Of course, he saw me making it last night because he spent the whole day in the cabin with me, but I wouldn’t let him peek at the final touches.
Retrieving the cake, I’m so glad it’s not snowing as I stick the sparklers in the top of it.
I walk around to the back of the SUV where I insisted he wait. He’s taken his jacket off and poured us both a mug of steaming coco. It’s actually a beautiful afternoon with the sun trying to break through the clouds.
“Happy birthday, Baby.” I rest the cake on the empty spot where I was sitting and pull the matches out of my pocket, quickly lighting the sparklers that fizz to life in an instant.
Jay is all smiles, glancing from the cake up to me. “You sneak,” he says, “Double chocolate frosting?”
“You guessed it.”
He reaches for me and pulls me close to him as the tiny flickers from the sparklers glow over the cake, fizzing away in the crisp air. “Thank you.” He kisses me and I melt into his arms.
“I just hope we don’t freeze to death before we get to eat the cake.”
Jay laughs heartily. “No chance of that happening with you around, plus, we have coco.” He nods towards the two cups he’s set down beside the cake.
“I should cut us a slice,” I say. “But since you can’t blow these kinds of candles out, maybe just make a wish before they fizzle.”
He quirks a smile up at me, cheeky and unassuming. “What if I have everything I need right here?”
I catch my breath on his words, he really is the sweetest. “There must be something else you want?”
He thinks for a moment, resting his head on his hand. “Maybe a week here with you in the cabin alone with no people or interruptions. We’d only get out of bed when absolutely necessary.”
“Off season is looking up,” I giggle.
“You have no idea.”
I cut us a slice of cake each using a knife from the picnic basket, and grab two plastic plates. Jay moans appreciatively when he bites into it. “This is the best fucking birthday ever,” he says. “And our first together. Thank you for making it so special.”
“I love doing this for you, and I can’t wait for many more.”
His phone buzzes right after I swipe some chocolate frosting from his face after he’s finished his cake, and lick my finger. “Ah shit,” he curses as he looks down at the screen, a second later he flashes it toward me.
Momflashed up on the screen.
My heart thuds.Oh shit. He folds his lip under and I’ve no idea what he’s gonna do for a moment. I don’t want anything to upset his special day.
