"I don't mean to whine; I really don't. I just can't believe that absolutely no one but Bobby and Robert are available tonight. I mean, I'm not expecting them all to just drop everything, but we always have a party. Every year."
Bradley had to stifle a chuckle at how hard she was trying to be diplomatic about the whole thing. Her obvious disappointment broke his heart, but he couldn't let on that it did.
"I know, love. I'm sorry. Bobby said next weekend when everybody's free, we'll celebrate."
"I'm being ridiculous, aren't I?"
Stefani plopped her feet up on his lap, sighing. Absently, she let her hand dangle over the edge of the sofa to scratch behind Koji's ears.
He shook his head. "Nope. It's understandable...like you said, you have a party every year. It'll still be a fun night, though. I made reservations at that little bistro in Santa Monica that you love and Bobby and Robert are bringing a cake. I know it's not the same..."
"I appreciate every single thing you've done to make tomorrow night special, B, I really do. And it's not that I'm not grateful, because nothing could be further from the truth. It's just... it's hard. It's hard every year not to be with my family because they have their own lives and my friends, they have lives, too. I dunno," she pursed her lips, "guess it's just because I'm getting older and I'm fully aware that people are here one day and then they're gone the next and I wanna spend as much time as possible with them."
"I think it makes perfect sense," Bradley ran his knuckles gently over her foot. "I feel the same way on my birthdays."
"I should just be thankful for what I do have. I get to spend my birthday with you again. That makes me pretty lucky."
"Oh, only *pretty* lucky?" Bradley questioned, dimples protruding.
"You and that shit eating grin," she laughed. "How could I forget your official title? I'm so incredibly lucky to be spending another birthday with Bradley Cooper, People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive. I think you should legally change your name to that exactly."
He felt his cheeks grow hot. "Fairly sure that you're the only one who still brings that up."
"Mmm," she stretched towards him, "somehow, I highly doubt that."
With all the prowess of a graceful cat, Stefani was in his lap, gifting him with a kiss so that there was no mistaking that she was absolutely, earnestly, sincere.
"Anything you want tomorrow, name it, okay?" He nuzzled her cheek. "The day's yours."
"That's highly dangerous." She was still slightly breathless and it made him smile into downy skin.
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
Shifting in his lap, she pointed to the growing darkness outdoors. "It's officially the night before my birthday. Do I get an early request?"
He quirked an eyebrow, "depends."
"On what?" She picked up the throw pillow, brandishing in front of her accusingly. "You said I could have anything I wanted, remember?"
"I said you could have anything you wanted tomorrow." He dug his phone out of his pocket, squinting at it. "It's not even close to midnight yet."
"A technicality," she waved her hand. "And I really wish you'd stop being so stubborn and wear your reading glasses. You're gonna totally fuck up your eyesight."
"I look old," he grumbled, putting the phone away.
"You look hot," she corrected. "C'mon, Bradley, don't make me beg."
