Page 79 of Falling Together

Two weeks? Really?Erin was nowhere close to prepared for that. “What? How did I not know about this?”

Blair shrugged. “I guess we never had the birthday conversation. When is yours, by the way?”

“March 18th, but that’s not important right now. I’m shocked because you honestly strike me as one of those people who would celebrate your birthday for the whole month. No offense.”

“None taken.” Blair smiled coyly. “I am special like that. Plus, you’re right. I normallyamthat person.”

“So, what changed?”

Blair put her hands on Erin’s hips and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “I guess you could say my priorities changed. Some things orpeopleare more important than me.”

Erin had to bite her tongue so she didn’t say a certain L-word that was getting harder and harder to hold in. The fact that she was even thinking about it was completely insane. Blair wasn’t even her girlfriend. She didn’t even know her birthday until a minute ago. Still, she had to say something. She couldn’t leave Blair standing there thinking she was the only one experiencing this intense connection between them. “To me, there is no one in this world more important than you and Nolan.”

Blair’s smile blossomed bigger than Erin had ever seen it before. “If you were thinking about getting me a birthday present, forget it. Hearing you say those words is all I need.”

Even if that were the case, Erin’s mind was already buzzing with ideas of what she could do to make Blair’s birthday extra special.

Chapter 26

Blair

“Anything specific you want to do for your birthday this weekend?” Blair’s mom asked her just a few days before. She probably found it strange that Blair wasn’t already talking her ear off about everything she wanted and exactly what her plans were.

Blair shrugged. “Erin and Nolan have something special planned for me for Saturday, but they won’t tell me what it is. Aside from that, I figured I would also do something with Marisol and obviously you and dad, and Blake and Trinity if they end up coming home this weekend.”

“You’ve been spending a lot of time with Erin and Nolan lately. I take it that’s where you’ve been staying all the nights you don’t come home…?”

Blair’s parents had been very good at giving her space ever since she had started college. They said they understood she did whatever she wanted while she was there, so they were not going to try to control her when she was home. For that reason, even though Blair always let them know when she wasn’t coming home just so they wouldn’t worry, they never questioned where she was. Blair wasn’t sure if her mom even realized there was something going on between her and Erin. Although, the birthday party probably gave that one away.

“Yeah, but it’s not like that.”Kind of? Sort of? Beats me.

“Oh? That’s too bad. I really like Erin. Is it because she has a kid? I can’t blame you. I was also worried about that when I first noticed you watching her with that distinct sparkle you get in your eyes every time you have a crush. If I’m being brutally honest, I didn’t think you were ready for that.” She put up her hand as though she could sense how much that sentence crushed Blair, because really, was there anyone in her life who actually believed she could handle this? “If you were listening, which god knows if you were, because youareyour father’s daughter after all, I said Ididn’t think.As in past tense. You proved me completely wrong these past few months. I’ve seen a completely different side of you, and watching you with Nolan…” Blair was surprised when her mom grabbed a tissue and dabbed at her eyes. “I have no doubt that you are the perfect person for him and for Erin. If you’re questioning that, please don’t.”

Wow. So, her momdidbelieve in her. That meant more to Blair than she could ever imagine. Now all she had to do was convince the person she was trying to date of that. But what more could she do if Erin still didn’t realize it by now? “It’s notmewho’s questioning it.” Blair shook her head as she thought of how to explain it without making Erin look bad. She didn’t want her mom to have a bad taste in her mouth about the girl she was trying to spend her future with. “Erin had a really bad experience with her ex-wife. She left Erin and Nolan with pretty much no warning, and now Erin has trouble trusting people. It doesn’t help that her dadalsoleft her.”

Her mom’s face hardened slightly, and Blair worried that she revealed too much. “In that case, be careful. I really like Erin and I’m sorry she went through that, but you’re my daughter, so in the end, my loyalties are with you. I don’t want you to get wrapped up in her drama and end up hurt.”

“I won’t. I promise.” Blair hoped that was a promise she could keep.

“Good.” Her mom’s smile returned. “Why don’t you have everyone come here for your birthday on Friday night? I’ll ask your brother if he and Trinity can come home, and you can invite Marisol.” Her mom winked. “And Erin and Nolan, of course.”

Blair couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across her face as she took out her phone to text Marisol and Erin.This is going to be the greatest birthday ever.

***

“Happy birthday, beautiful.”

Blair felt like she had to be dreaming when she rolled over in bed and found Erin lying beside her. Except, it wasn’t a dream. After going for ice cream with Erin and Nolan then staying to watch a movie after Nolan went to bed, Erin had shyly asked her if she wanted to stay, and of course, Blair said yes. They were both exhausted after a long week, so they passed out without having sex. Although, sex hadn’t happened since their slip up at her parents’ house, so Blair didn’t actually know where things stood with that. She wanted to talk to Erin about it, especially since they still hadn’t had that talk she promised, but this weekend wasn’t the time for that. For her birthday, she wanted to just take things as they came. If they had sex, that would be awesome, but if not, that was fine too. She would be just as happy spending time with Nolan and Erin.

“Good morning,” Blair said sleepily, still in her dreamlike state, most likely because being with Erin was a dream come true.

Erin smiled and pushed a piece of hair behind Blair’s ear. “Have I ever told you that I adore your sleepy voice? It’s so cute.”

“You haven’t told me that, but I’m glad you did.” Blair snuggled closer to Erin. “I’m also happy to take any other birthday compliments you want to toss my way.”

“Well, I think you’re super sexy.” Erin leaned in and placed a kiss on Blair’s neck that already had her thinking about all of the things she wanted to do to her. “You also have a bigger heart than anyone I’ve ever met.” Another kiss. “You’re also amazing with Nolan, and I think, to me, that might be the hottest thing about you.” She ran a hand down Blair’s stomach, inching closer and closer to where Blair really needed her. “I also really love when I make you—”

“Mommy! Where are you? I wake up, Mommy.”

---