Surprise

Part 13

The night concluded as most nights do around our house, with a clean kitchen and two very satiated people. I fell asleep snuggled safely right where I wanted to be, home, naked, and in bed with Lizzie. It was absolutely perfect and a perfect way to wake up the next morning to the sound of birds and the sun streaming in the window. "Good Morning Love."

He had managed to take my mind off everything and I slept like a rock. I curled into him and smiled at him with my eyes closed. "Hmmm. Good morning." I was warm and the bed was soft and I remembered I still had a million things to take care of. I needed to reach out to Marisa, but I needed him to not be around when I did.

"Mmmm what are we gonna do about breakfast?"

"Pancakes, blueberry, with bacon." I stretched and giggled as my tummy rumbled. I opened one eye to catch his reaction.

"Okay." I laughed "Do we have blueberries? I know we have bacon. You ready to get out of bed?" I stretched and sat up.

"No idea." I made a face and shook my head. "Do we gotta?"

"Well there is the matter of needing to go to the bathroom and taking care of your growling tummy. But I don't have any specific plans. We could stay in bed or get out of it and eat some food, or we could just stay here and... well you know."

I looked at my phone on the nightstand and sighed. I met his eyes and bit my lip. "As tempting as that is, we should probably eat, but you are the almost birthday boy."

"Then you can help me cook us breakfast." I pulled the covers off and got out of bed. "I'll do the bacon. You feel up to making pancakes?"

I nodded. "I think so." I sat up on the edge of the bed and picked up my phone. I had messages from both Brad and Marisa. I responded to both of them quickly and got up to find some pajamas to put on.

As I wandered to the bathroom, I noticed that Lizzie was paying a bit more attention to her phone than she usually did. I shrugged and went on about my morning routine and met her back in the bedroom. I stole a kiss and headed downstairs to get started on breakfast. "Love you."

"I love you too. I'll be down in a minute." I glanced back at my phone and went to the bathroom. I only had one more day to get through before I could surprise him. I smiled at myself in the mirror and took a deep breath. "You got this Liz." I headed downstairs to meet him in the kitchen.

I dug around in the fridge and found blueberries and some strawberries and the bacon. I got everything out and started setting up by slicing a couple of strawberries because I wanted those. I smiled as she met me in the kitchen. I stole another kiss because I like them. "I found blueberries and strawberries. I would like strawberries. Is that okay?"

I kissed him back a little deeper and licked my lips. "Whatever you want." I smiled at him and began humming while I mixed up the batter and started heating the pan. My pancakes were not as good as his, but I was going to do my best. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and it startled me for a second. I decided that I would take care of it after breakfast.

I enjoyed working in the kitchen with Lizzie. It didn't take us long to get things put together and our food plated. We sat down at the bar to eat. "Do you have anything that you need to do today?" I looked out the door and back at the music room door. "I could always practice."

"That sounds fun." I thought for a moment. "I've got some work emails to deal with and my editor has been texting me. Other than that, I've got no big plans." That sounded like a decent excuse to communicate with the people I needed to get information to.

"Oh, okay. Your editor is being awfully demanding." I smiled. "I guess that's good." I took her plate and washed it then put it in the dishwasher. "I think I'm not gonna bother with real clothes just yet unless you have time for a quick shower?"

There would be nothing quick about any shower we would take together. I pretended to think for a minute. "How about a longer one later?" I gave him my best devious smile and pulled my phone out. "I really gotta take care of these. I love you so much." I kissed his cheek and headed into the living room. I had several texts from Esther, Brad, and Marisa to deal with. I also had an email from the caterer.

I found it all rather questionable but figured it was just that part of me that I hadn't worked through yet, so I smiled, "Well, I feel like I need a shower, so I guess I'll go do that and probably head out back after. I'll let you know wherever I end up so you can find me when you're done without having to look everywhere." I smiled and made my way upstairs to take that shower.

I frowned but delved into the messages. I finalized the catering order and confirmed the delivery time. I made sure that Esther, Marisa, Noah, and Brad knew what I needed from them and solidified plans. I messaged Shelly and Mike and made sure they knew what time to be at the rink. I called the rink and made sure everything was set. By the time I was finished, it was early afternoon. But I was feeling a little less frazzled.

I took my shower and fought my own demons then headed down to let Lizzie know I would be out back. I took my guitar but had lost the feel for writing, so I rested it near the hammock then fell asleep in the hammock reading the book I had brought out with me.

I stretched and went to find Avi. He had fallen asleep in the hammock and the scene looked super inviting. I took the book from his hands and laid it gently on the ground. I cleared my throat. "Mind if I join you?"

"Huh?! Shit! What time is it?"

"Shhh. It's a little after one. Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." I rubbed his shoulder.

"Oh. That's pretty late in the day huh? What's for lunch?" I moved to get up. I suddenly had to move and was actually hungry again. That wasn't so surprising given that it was past lunchtime. "I can't believe I fell asleep and slept past lunch. I'm hungry."

"How about turkey sandwiches?" I took his hand and pulled him towards the backdoor.

"I can't leave this out here." I reached for my guitar. "And I should bring the book in too." I stretched my back and yawned. "I'll be right in."

"Mmmkay." I turned and practically bounced back into the house. I was in my head trying to figure out how to let him know what I had planned for tomorrow, while I started making sandwiches.

Grabbed my guitar and book and headed in. I put them away and sat down at the bar since she was happily making lunch. "Water?"

"Hmmm? Oh, I can get it for you if you want. I think I'll have some iced tea." I plated the sandwiches and took them to the bar.

"I'll get it." I managed to get a glass down without getting in her way and put iced tea in it for her then sat back down. "So productive morning for you?"

"Thank you. Basically. I got all my messages answered, so I am all yours for the rest of today and tomorrow."

"That's pretty cool. Tomorrow is my Birthday. I want to make sure I get to see my mom and dad. I should check socials soon too. You never know what the fans are up to." I smiled. My phone was still upstairs. "This is good. Thanks."

I smiled. "You are welcome. We have dinner planned with your parents and sister at your favorite barbecue place tomorrow night." It was a little white lie, but I was very excited to surprise him with my actual plans. He would see his parents and sister and food was coming from his favorite barbecue place.

"Oh sounds awesome. I'm already thinking about that food." I finished my sandwich in short order, and went looking for a touch more to munch, and found the fruit in the fridge. "Want some?" I looked at her. "So, are you ready to separate yourself from your phone for a bit or are we going to have to deal with that thing the rest of today? I can have all of your attention tomorrow, yes?"

I nodded at the fruit and pulled my phone out of my pocket to check messages. "I need a shower, but I do believe I am done working. Yes, you have all of me tomorrow." I slid my phone back in my pocket and smiled at him. "Sorry I have been so absent lately."

"I like that. Off to the shower with you then. I'll clean up and do the things I have to do on my phone while you're there. Then we can take it from there."