PATIENT LOVE

Chapter thirty-six

songs for the chapter:

Kodaline - Moving on 

Ben Howard - I forget where we where 

Ben Howard - Oats in the water

Alex & Sierra - I love you 

Rachel Platten - Stand By You

Passenger - Patient love acoustic

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Harry's not in the bed with me when I wake up this morning. Nothing happened, but we talked, talked about how scared he was if the baby turned out to really be his, how sorry he is for not telling me and that he didn't sleep with her and how he wants my forgiveness again. I could do nothing but listen, not promise him anything since I needed time to process this all. Taking a look around the room, I notice that the flowers and broken vase pieces had been cleaned up.

I throw the thick covers off me to check my phone, already having a missed call from my parents. After a call with them I manage to get dressed. When I try for my bedroom doorknob it's stuck in place. "What..." I try again until finally realizing that something has to be blocking the door. The palms of my hand hit the wood. "Jamie!!"

When he doesn't respond I press my ear to the door for any sound and furrow my brows when quiet approaching steps are heard. "Jamie let me out!" I yell louder knowing he has something barricading the door. Instead of a response, a slip of paper makes its way under the door and into my room. In a fancy script it reads, Open.

I crouch down, quickly picking up the paper and flipping it open to find the same script but different words: Twenty-three this day brings, Enjoy.

I smile at the card before trying for the lock again and I'm surprised when it opens freely.

"Jamie?" I call.

He doesn't respond and I'm left to wonder further. I stop in my tracks when I see that resting on the table is another note card, I hope work wasn't in your plans today, meet the girls for breakfast at Aunt Mae's

Excitement bubbles inside of me, a scavenger hunt. I hurry to my coat closet before stepping out into the chilly air.

"Good morning, Ms. Clarke and happy birthday," Keith, the buildings security says to me right before handing me a small box with the letter M on the top. "I was told to advise you to refrain from opening the gift until after the girls' surprise following breakfast."

"God, Jamie is so creative," I mutter under my breath. "Thank you, Keith."

The drive to Aunt Mae's is relatively short compared to other days, it's like Jamie somehow told all of London that it was my day. Through the glass windows I spot Jackie, Lana, and Alice talking. At entering the breakfast café they notice me and turn around with warming smiles.

"It's the birthday girl!"

"Happy birthday, Maddie,"

"Come over here and hug me."

Once finished greeting each other I sit down and set the box beside me, constantly looking at it as not knowing what's inside is driving me crazy.

"Oh my god, how did Jamie set this all up?" I ask them, looking to each for a reply.

They look to each other before coming up with a response. "He loves you," Lana smiles a sweet smile.