Page 34 of Retribution

I hadn’t foreseen it going like that. “What?”

“Just a surprise I’ve been working on.” He shuffled his feet as he looked at the ground, looking so damn boyish and shy it was almost cute.

“Me first?” It was his birthday, after all, and though I really wanted to see the surprise he had for me, this was his day, his time. “Please.”

He bit his lip, looking like he wanted to say no, but I knew that he could never deny me; none of them could. I might have tested that theory a time or two. The only two who came close were Oak and Justice. Finally, he let out a breath that shook his shoulders. So damn dramatic. “Fine.”

I squeezed his hand in mine, pulling him through the backdoor into our garden. On the surface, it appeared normal, but I knew that at a snap of Lenin’s fingers, the glamour would drop, and the streamers, balloons, and tables full of food and sweets would become visible, and the sounds of joy would pierce his ears.

“I-” I started to speak when my stomach tightened up. I closed my eyes, rubbing the pain away, waiting for it to pass.

Worry covered his face. “Are you okay?”

“Braxton hicks,” I mumbled, and when he didn’t seem like he understood, I added, “Just a normal cramp. Sometimes they are stronger than others.”

“Do you need to sit?” He took my elbow.

“It’s gone. Don’t worry.” I leaned forward and kissed him. When I pulled away, I said, “So there is something I’ve wanted to tell you all day.”

“Yeah?”

I looked toward Lenin off in the distance, his hand came in the air, and a single snap broke the silence as we all yelled, “Happy Birthday!”

Shock coated his face as he looked upon the people he knew. Those he formed old and new friendships with and family. “You – you –”

“Planned a surprise party.”

“For me?” His voice sounded breathless. “Is this safe? The wards? There’s a lot of people.”

“For today, don’t worry about wards, just worry about celebrating. We don’t have many days until the baby gets here; let's enjoy the peace while we can.” I brought his hand to my mouth, kissing his knuckle. “Okay?”

He seemed hesitant, but he nodded. “Okay.”

I pushed him forward into the crowd and watched him disappear as everyone surrounded him with wishes and jokes about age. When he was out of sight, I turned with determination and headed to the food table when a plate got put in front of my nose. I inhaled deeply, letting the aroma settle over my senses as my stomach growled.

“You know me well,” I told Justice.

“I’ll admit, it was Sterling who suggested I hit the food table for you before the crowds get there.”

“Smart men.” I leaned in to kiss him but instead ended up rubbing my nose in the crook of his neck. Imprinting his scent on me. It was a thing. A thing I never realized I was doing until it gradually just happened. And kept happening. Then one day, I noticed Lenin did it too.

“It’s a team effort,” he admitted.

“Aww, I like when my boys work together,” I cooed, and he rolled his eyes before picking off a chunk of food and sloppily shoveling it in his mouth.

“Hey! That was mine.” I pouted, but honestly, I wasn’t that annoyed.

“Well, you better eat up, or I’ll eat the whole plate,” he threatened, and he didn’t have to say say it twice before I turned away and enjoyed the food happily.

The sky was turningorange before I found Ellis again. He was hanging out with Rolland and a few other people who looked vaguely familiar drinking a beer. Not like it made a difference; the alcohol had little effect on them. But what did have an effect? The look of Ellis’ smile as he laughed and joked with people who obviously cared about him.

His eyes found mine, and he winked as I made my way toward him. “I think it’s time for cake, birthday boy.”

I wrapped my arm around him before snapping one of his suspenders. “Is that code for Liberty wants cake?”

“Possibly,” I admitted.

“Done.” He kissed my hairline before turning to his friends. “If you’ll excuse me, we have a baby who wants cake.”

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