Imperfectly Right for Me

Twenty Five: Diddy

Theo

I breathe a sigh of relief as I successfully finish the icing. After four wasted cakes, thirteen YouTube videos and a bunch of swearing, I had finally finished Lily's birthday cake. I add the candles carefully and set the lighter on the counter before jogging away to the bedroom.

I walk to the bed and kneel on the side of it. I rest my arms on the bed and kiss her forehead. "Lily, wake up."

She frowns, her eyes still closed. "I'm sleeping, Muffin, go away."

"Yeah, I know, but I really need to show you something."

Her eyes open slowly and I smile. She smiles back, "What'd you do?"

I stand up, "Just come look. I think I aced this thing."

She rubs her eyes before getting off of the bed. I pull her towards me and kiss her cheek before jogging ahead of her and into the kitchen. When she appears, I press play on the happy birthday song and light the candles.

Lily gasps as she stares at the cake. "You made this?"

"Damn right. Your man is a baker now, Lily."

She cheers and claps her hands happily before wrapping her arms around my body and hugging me tightly. "I love you, you little ole peach!"

"Happy birthday to the weirdo I call the love of my life."

She stands on her tippy toes and presses a small kiss to my lips before turning back to the cake. She closes her eyes and blows out the candles as I turn the music off. She turns back to me with a smile. "Thank you!"

I frown, "You think that's it?"

"It's not?"

"Go check the closet."

She points a finger at me as she walks away. "If there's a dead man in our closet, I promise I'm not talkin' to you for a month, Muffin!"

I hold my heart dramatically. "You think so low of me. I would never only leave one dead man in there. I like to be even, baby."

"That's not funny!" She shouts, entering the bedroom as I lean against the counter. A minute later, she screams and rushes back inside with a rack of clothes and shoe boxes. "Oh, my goodness gracious! They're beautiful!" She shouts, staring at the dresses and long skirts in awe.

"They should all fit perfectly. If they don't, I'll have to fire a few people."

Lily opens the shoe boxes and claps happily at the sandals inside. She picks up a pink one and I smile. "Turn it around."

She turns the sandal over and, after reading the date on it aloud, she faces me with tears in her eyes. "Is this the-"

"The day we met. I know it's corny, but I'm not good at this, Lily."

She stands up and holds my head in her hands. She smiles as a tear falls. "I don't think I've ever been so deeply in love with anyone like I am with you, Theo."

I smile and look away. Lily touches my cheek and turns me back toward her. "You're blushin' again." She whispers

I kiss her forehead and get out of her hold before I begin cheesing and giggling like a pre-teen. Wrapping my arm around her, I lead us to the backyard. I make sure she stands in the perfect spot before backing up.

"Knock, knock."

She smiles, "Who's there?"

"Your dad."

"What?"

"Turn around."

Lily turns around just as Mr. Hernandez begins walking toward her. She screeches and starts running towards him hastily. "Diddy!'