Part 24

173 12 11

by Sskcin

by Sskcin

"You know how I feel about surprises." Lindsey sighed, trying to fish the keys to his apartment out of his pocket, while Stevie stood behind him, her palms covering his eyes. "I told you, I didn't want a big party or anything like that."

"Oh for the love of- give me the keys!" Stevie snatched them from him, adjusting her other hand on his face. "It's your birthday." She said, sliding the key into the lock. "You have friends and family who want to celebrate together. What's the big deal?"

"Well, the de-"

Stevie pushed the door open. "You can step inside now."

Lindsey took a deep breath and did so, waiting for the inevitable 'surprise!' to be yelled out. Silence. He frowned and reached for Stevie's hand to pull it away from his face, he opened his eyes.

"Surprise." Stevie smiled once he turned around to look at her, confused.

"But... what? There's no one here." Lindsey stated the obvious, wondering if Stevie had crammed a bunch of people into his bedroom. "I don't..."

"I know how you feel about surprises." Stevie shrugged. "And I know you hate parties." She added, taking a step closer, she rose up and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Happy birthday."

"You are the best." Lindsey grinned, circling his arms around her waist, he moved in to kiss her. "You could have gone against what I wanted, but you didn't. You listened."

"I could have." Stevie nodded, drawing back. "I really really wanted to, too. But today is about you, so..." She held up her hand and cupped his cheek, she brushed her thumb over his skin. She could tell he really appreciated that. "Would you like to change into something more comfortable?" Stevie asked, sliding her hand over the sleeve of his blazer that he put on that morning to go to work. "Our dinner should arrive any minute now."

"Oh? You're not gonna make me follow another one of those online recipes you found?" Lindsey teased, turning to go to his bedroom for a change of clothes.

"No, not this time." Stevie shook her head, picking up her overnight bag. "Like I said, this is all about you." She entered Lindsey's room and dropped the bag on the bed.

"Well, if it's all about me..." Lindsey wiggled his eyebrows when she began to undress. "You know what I would love to do?"

"Later." Stevie rolled her eyes. "We have to eat first, then watch one of those sci-fi movies you love, guzzle down some beers."

"You truly are perfect, you know?" Stevie just smiled in response. "Maybe I should jump in the shower. I won't take long." Lindsey kissed her on the cheek before walking to the bathroom.

It took 15 minutes or so for Lindsey to come out. Refreshed, smelling much better and finally in his sweatpants, he went to look for Stevie. He found her in the living room, two large takeout bags on the coffee table in front of her.

"Please don't let it be some stupid salad bowl." Lindsey joked, making her laugh.

"It would be if I hated you." Stevie replied and leaned forward to take their food out. Lindsey quietly approached her and sat down. "What?"

"Seriously?" Lindsey asked in disbelief. "You're gonna eat that?"

"Tonight I am." Stevie nodded, handing him a box with a massive greasy burger inside. "And I'm not gonna say a word about how bad it is for you."

"I... might ask you to marry me at some point tonight." Lindsey said, reaching for the TV remote to turn it on.

"Oh no." Stevie replied dryly, taking a bite of her slightly healthier option.

"Thank you." Lindsey turned a bit more serious. "I mean it. This is the best birthday I've ever had."

"You're welcome." Stevie smiled, reaching for a napkin.

"I love you." Lindsey leaned in to peck her on the lips after she'd used the napkin on her mouth.

A brief moment of silence followed and then... "I love you, too."

Lindsey was taken aback. He hadn't expected that. Even though he knew how she felt, she hadn't said those words out loud to him before. A smile slowly crossed his face and he kissed her again.

Maybe he did like some surprises after all.

THE END

AN: Thank you for reading! ♥ I enjoyed writing this story and thought this was a lovely way to wrap it up. It wasn't very dramatic and probably not too exciting, but it was a nice change.

I'm also thinking about writing something around Rumours next...