Page 14 of Whimsical Ink

It takes three sips to hit me. My cheeks heat, and I edge away from him until I’m no longer touching his shoulder and invading his space. And if my hand’s shaking holding the cup, he doesn’t say anything.

In fact, he doesn’t say anything about the last few minutes, just sips his coffee and smiles at me.

“Happy birthday,” he says.

“Thanks.” I finish my coffee and lean to my bedside table to set it down. His T-shirt I’m wearing rides up, but I turn back to him quickly enough I don’t think he sees anything.

His eyes lift from the bedding and lock with mine. “Do you want your present now or later?”

“You got me a present?”

“Of course. The whole point of this is so you relax and enjoy your birthday. How can you do that without presents?”

I don’t know how to respond. I wasn’t expecting this, any of this. Not the coffee in bed, or the presents, or waking up on top of his warm body with his fingers stroking my face.

It’s too much.

“Let’s do it now. You’re thinking too much.” He rises and grabs something from his bag before collapsing on the bed again.

He carefully arranges three presents. One wide and thin, the second short and rectangular, while the third is a large box. The wrapping paper’s cream with tiny flowers scattered acrossit. Similar to the floral watercolour tattoo on my wrist. I brush a finger across a blue daisy and glance at him.

He shrugs. “Didn’t want something Christmas themed. It’s your birthday.”

I sniff to stop the burning sensation in my nose. Not only has he purchased my normal skincare so my eczema isn’t aggravated, he bought me birthday presents and wrapped it in something other than Santa. Usually this time of year, birthday wrapping paper doesn’t exist. He must have gone out of his way to find something I’d like. Something special.

All for me.

“Open them.” He nudges the widest one towards me.

“I like the wrapping paper,” I reply and take the present from him.

A glance shows his shoulders drop, and he relaxes against the headboard. As if he’s pleased I like what he chose. I haven’t opened the presents yet, but I know I’ll love them. If only to keep the soft look on his face.

I slide a gentle finger under the tape.

“You’re supposed to rip it. Have some fun, Maddy.”

“But it’s pretty.” My finger lifts the other taped side.

“You’re supposed to rip it. If you don’t rip one of the presents open, I’ll be upset.”

I roll my eyes. “You’ll be upset?”

“Yes.”

“Fine. I’ll rip the next one.” But not this one. I lift the last side open and pull out his present. It’s a sketchpad. And a nice one too. I open the cover and run a finger across heavy paper.

“You said you missed sketching on paper.”

How does he know that? “When did I say that?”

“When you got your tablet to work on tattoo designs instead of sketching them. You said it wasn’t the same.”

I stare at him and open my mouth to speak, but he stops me.

“Don’t thank me yet. Open the others first.”

I glare at him but keep my mouth shut, set the sketchpad carefully to the side and grasp the rectangular one.

---