Golden Roses ★

Part Thirty Two: Preparations For David's Birthday

January 5, 1987.

• 6 o'clock in the early morning, it was still the weekend.

After a few beautiful days had passed, it was almost time for David's birthday. David was still recovering from his "Nicotine Poisoning" in the days.

David was feeling a little better, and I notice he has listened to the doctor and learned his lesson, he now smokes only twice a day instead of five times plus five.

It was still very early, the twins were still far deep in dreamland. David and I lay side by side reading a book in bed.

I get the shivers, it was very cold in the bedroom. "Why are you shaking a little?" David asked as he looked at me with concern. "It's just cold here." I chuckled.

David grabbed a thin soft blanket and put it over my shoulders, "Is that better?" David asked as he kissed me. "Much better, thank you sweetie!" I smiled.

I sighed deeply and was focused back on my book of the story. David was bored and closed his book, lying on his back and staring at the ceiling.

"I'm not sure if I want to celebrate my birthday." David said suddenly. I didn't expect this from him, "Why not? We were going to organize a party, weren't we?" I asked nagging.

David looked at me sadly, "I can't believe I'll be officially 40 years old in a few days."

I closed my book and curled up against David in bed. "See it as an opportunity, 40 years isn't as bad as it seems. Isn't it?" I chuckled.

A long silence came from David. "Maybe you're right, you only turn 40 once." He sighed again.

I rubbed David's cheek and kissed it, "I have to go to the shops today, I have to buy some of the twins." I whispered softly in David's ear, of course I lied about that. Because, in the afternoon, I was planning to stock up on David's birthday presents.

"Can I come with you?" David asked as he put his left arm on my thigh. What should I say to that, should I say no or make up an excuse, if I say yes then he knows what he gets from his birthday.

I thought, "Actually, I also want to pick up a surprise for you." I said as I gave David a wink. David thought I was playing a game with him, "Okay honey, if you say so!" David laughed when he suddenly started tickling my stomach.

David's tickling on my stomach caused me to tip over backwards, nearly falling off the bed. David was still able to grip my arm tightly and catch me. When I sat up, I looked straight into David's eyes. And we started laughing at the same time.

Suddenly the twins started crying in unison again from their bedroom. I got up from the bed and walked over to my beloved children that I want to have with me every day.

"Is everything alright, dear?" David asked me. "Yeah, they're just awake and hungry." I laughed. I carefully lifted my babies in my arms. They were so hungry that they ate their fingers.

I crawled back into bed and pulled down my t-shirt to make it easier for little Elin to drink from my breast.
Archie on the other side was drinking his stomach full, breastfeeding is the most grateful thing a mother can do for a child, in my opinion.

"Our dear children." David said as he lay on his stomach and stared at the twins. I smiled, "Our greatest darlings."

* Several hours later.

I had put the twins in the pram, it was time for the big shopping time. David stayed home, which made sense. I had to get him the biggest surprise, which he whined about for months.