Birthdays!

His Birthday

14 February, the year after their marriage in Switzerland.

Their apartment, Seoul

Seri placed the coffee cups on the tray and took the envelope she had prepared from its hiding place. She carried the tray back towards their bedroom.

She had known for weeks what to buy for him. The idea had suddenly come to her and the more she thought about it, the more she realised how perfect it was. She was glad she hadn't rushed into anything. Her first instinct had been to find the best and most expensive available, but that wouldn't have been the right thing at all. It could even have spoilt it. Instead, she had done her research.

As she walked into the room, she noticed that he still had the biggest smile on his face as he lay back against the pillows, arms clasped behind his head. Maybe even a little smug! Ah! He was gorgeous! And she'd been only too happy to tell him that just a little while ago. The look of a satisfied man on his birthday. She tingled still herself. And now she could fulfil another dream too. She only hoped he wouldn't get all honourable and refuse.

"Thank you for the coffee," he said, reaching out to take a cup. "What's this?" His fingers brushed against the envelope.

"It's to do with your birthday present, but you can't look yet."

He pouted a little and then smirked.

"I thought I'd already had my present!"

She smiled back at him and took a sip of coffee first, then she placed the cup at the side of the bed.

Now, let's see how long that smirk lasts!

"I've got you a present. I wanted something special as this is your first birthday we have ever spent together. So, for your birthday," she paused, enjoying the moment.

"I'm going to give you the one. The grand piano of your dreams."

She watched his face. Surprise at first and then a dreamy expression, perhaps the secret dream that he had never mentioned, but she knew was there, sweeping across him. She could almost see him sitting down at that piano for the first time, running his elegant fingers up and down the keys, loving the perfect sound it would make.

"That's.... but... how did you know?" His words stumbled out.

"That would be.... Seri!"

She was delighted by him, loving that he was lost for words. She had been right, the perfect present.

"I haven't bought it yet, of course. Only you can tell if it's the one. But when you find it, it's yours."

"Honey, that is the most incredible thing! It's ... I can't believe it. How did you know? I never mentioned it."

"I know what music means to you. I know how you love playing the grand piano at the academy. And I know that musicians always say that finding the right instrument is like finding their partner. So..."

He pulled her close.

"You're incredible. It's as if you looked into my heart. I can't tell you what this means; that you know me like that. That you could give me a present like that!"

His voice sounded thick with emotion as he buried his face into her shoulder, holding her tight. She held him back, running her fingers through his hair, so much longer now than when he'd had to live in the North. Over the last few months, since their marriage, his artistic side had had free rein to develop. She loved listening to him play, but loved even more watching as he challenged himself musically and explored his creativity. It was like seeing a caged bird set free. However beautiful it might be in the cage, it was so much more beautiful when it could spread its wings and soar. How high could he soar? There was still more to come, she knew it.