Spices (FIRST DRAFT) ~ An Alejandro and Alfred Story

𝓣𝔀𝓮𝓷𝓽𝔂-𝓯𝓸𝓾𝓻

A/N: warning for 😏mature😏 content ahead ig
______________________________________

Alejandro wipes the water droplets creeping down the side of my glass, asking, "Do you know what day is coming up?"

"Selena's birthday, no?" I replied.

"Exactly. Last year was a little... disappointing for her, so I wanted to make up for it by doing something more memorable and fun. And I was hoping you could help."

I nodded slowly, recalling what happened last year. I wasn't there to see Selena's birthday, but remembering how I brought Alejandro home that one day black-out drunk and slathered in his own tears, it mustn't have been too exciting.

"Well, have you thought of a place to host the party, at least?" I ask. He answers no. "How about renting out a play place? Those are pretty popular."

He makes a face. "I would prefer for it to be at home, though. Just friends and family. I don't think I could handle managing a big event at a place like that."

"Then how about they go there for just a few hours then come home for the main party? It'll tire them out so we won't have to deal with them as much." Alejandro looks like he's actually considering it. I add, "Make Maria go and watch them while you and I get the house ready. You know, food and decorations and stuff."

"...Okay. Yeah, we can do that. You think the kids will like Mexican meatball skewers?"

I could see what Alejandro was doing, making me think about something totally separate from work so I don't dwell on it too much. As stubborn and pissed as I was, Selena's special day mattered more to me, and if Alejandro needed my help, I was here for both of them.

Selena was getting older, and she's starting to think more for herself, so trying to get away with small parties where Alejandro had to reuse the same old decorations would soon be noticed by her. I was all up for spending a couple bucks on that, I did worry if I would be able to see her turn four after all if Daryll was going to keep obsessing over work as he usually does.

We continued to discuss the details, with most of my ideas for the party being too expensive for Alejandro to allow. If it wasn't for him to keep me grounded with rules regarding money-spending limits, I would have peacock's greet Selena at the door in no time.

Alejandro argued that too lavish of a party would seem suspicious to the other adults because of his financial situation making it weird if I put in so much of my own money just for his daughter's party, or any other event or circumstance. We agreed on me being able to rent a bounce house and a few other pieces of entertainment of my choice for the kids that didn't seem too over the top. I've never been given a static budget, so I made a note to look around for something more suitable.

I didn't come back to the office after that- I couldn't bring myself to do it. I sat at the restaurant the rest of the day, brainstorming ideas, using their phone to ask stores some questions, and waiting for Alejandro to finish for the day.

He left the restaurant with Will and another girl named Florence to close because he wanted to stop by a furniture store downtown that he wanted to check out. On our way there, we passed a jewelry store that had a small pink diamond flower pendant necklace showcased in the window. I made another mental note to go there on my own later- I was never given a budget for gifts.

~~~

I awoke the following morning sprawled over Alejandro's back. He stirs in his sleep, and I move back to my side of the bed, turning my back to him. He moves away, hands searching for me in the bed. Slithering his arm around my torso, he pulls me back toward him and slips his other hand under my head. I effortlessly doze off again with the warmth of his body against mine.