Birthdays!

The Honeymoon Birthday Part 3

(Spoiler warning: This chapter also references a significant plot twist in Twisted Rope)

The room was dark when he woke, and he looked towards the windows to gauge the time. The curtains were a heavy brocade designed to keep the room warm in the winter months, but they screened out the daylight, too. Only at the edge was a strip of yellowish grey light visible. Still early, he guessed. Seri was asleep, one arm lying across him outside the covers, her head side-on towards him. Not enough light to admire her by, but he indulged his usual habit of tracing the curve of her mouth and the line of her nose with his eyes. He would never lose the magic of her beside him. As he lay, his skin prickled into goosebumps. It was cold. Perhaps it was so early the heating wasn't on yet. Gently, he pulled the top cover over Seri's arm. So what if it was cold? They could just stay here. Her birthday today. Many birthdays they'd shared now, but this could be one of their favourites.

She stirred a little. He was certain her eyelids fluttered a little, as cat-like she licked her lips. The movement always delighted him. Yes, definitely stirring. He slid down the bed a little so his head would be level with hers when she opened her eyes. Just a tiny distance to cross for that first morning kiss.

'Happy birthday!' He gently brushed his lips against hers, feeling her sleepy smile form in response.

'Hello!'

His eyes had adjusted to the low light more and he could see her upturned face, waiting for him. No need to rush, just take our time. A long slow caress of her soft lips, adoring her awake, just as she deserved. He cradled her in his arms as she held him close. Just being.

The sliver of light was brighter, and Seri tipped her head from his chest to look at him.

'This is how our honeymoon should have been, isn't it?'

He nodded. Of all their wonderful mornings as husband and wife, that first had been overwhelmed. A harsh reminder of the risks they were taking. But never for a moment had it taken the glory of being her husband from him.

'No more threats,' he said. 'And at last we're here again.' So many years, so many mornings, but this one was like a stolen moment, frozen in time. A chance to live it as they should have lived it all those years ago.

She kissed him, a delicious flutter of her lips, and then she settled against him again. Ageless, timeless. His beautiful Seri, just as she was then.

The bell of the hotel phone. How could it ring now? Seri rolled aside but clutched his arm. And he swirled down the path of painful memories before he could stop himself. This was now, not then. And it was just the hotel phone, he reminded himself. Seri clicked on the reading light and looked first at the ringing phone and then at him. He knew she'd had the same ugly jolt as he had.

'I don't want to answer it,' she said.

The phone rang once more, then stopped.

'There can't be anything wrong,' he said, determined to be reasonable.

'Check your mobile,' and she reached for hers on the table. He did as she asked and checked his messages. Nothing to worry about. He looked at Seri and shook his head. She put her phone down too and lay down again.

'Just birthday greetings. One from Yeji saying to call when it's most convenient, as they don't want to disturb us.'

'There. Nothing to worry about. Probably a mistake.'

'But it's later than I thought. What time's breakfast?'

'Whenever we like.'

They lay comfortably together, but the interruption had changed the moment. Time was getting on; the dim light was deceptive. Perhaps they should stir soon.