Forever

Part 21

Nick woke slowly, stretching leisurely. Sarah wasn't in bed, but he could smell food cooking, so he knew she was in the kitchen. He got out of bed, pulling on a pair of track pants before going in to the bathroom to brush his teeth. He went downstairs to the kitchen, sneaking up on Sarah, dropping a kiss on the back of her neck.

"Baby! I wanted to bring you breakfast in bed!" she pouted. 

Today was his actual birthday, and she wanted to make the day special for him. He laughed, looking over her shoulder to see what she was cooking. "Babe, it's one o'clock". 

She took a piece of bacon of a paper towel lined plate, turning to feed him. "It's never too late in the day for pancakes! I made my super fantastic banana chocolate chip ones!".

"Super fantastic, eh? Not just regular fantastic?"

"I don't do anything regular".

He gave her a long, drawn out kiss, rubbing the pad of his thumb over her cheek. "You're so beautiful", he murmured. He took her hand in his, looking at the ring on her finger. He kissed her hand. 

She gently cupped his face, smiling "go sit, birthday boy".

When he was seated at the kitchen table, Sarah brought him a stack of pancakes, candle in the middle. She sang the happy birthday song as she carried them to him. He chuckled when she placed the plate in front of them, pulling her on his lap. As much as he had loved the party last night, this is how he was happiest. Just the two of them. 

"Make a wish, baby" she said, hand stroking the back of his neck.

He closed his eyes for a moment, blowing the candle out when he opened them. Sarah clapped for him, kissing him quickly, before jumping off his lap to get the rest of the food. They ate slowly, talking about the party last night, and their upcoming wedding. 

"We should set a date", Nick said, mouthful of food. 

"Has anyone ever told you how sexy you are when you talk with your mouth full?" she teased.

He opened his mouth wide, letting her see the entire contents of his mouth. She laughed, taking her hand. Her ring glistened in the light. "I don't think I'll ever get tired of looking at this ring on your finger" he said, tickling the palm of her hand. 

"If it'd make you feel better, we can just stay engaged forever. No wedding", she quipped.

"You shut your mouth" he said, releasing her hand. She got up from the table, laughing, leaving the room. "Where are you going?" he called.

She returned, holding a small box, wrapped in a big bow. She sat back down beside him, sliding it across the table. He gave her a surprised look, taking the box. He removed the box, revealing the Cartier logo. "Cartier? Wow!"

"You're going to have to feed me for the next seventeen years, but no big deal", she joked. 

He opened the box to find a stunning black leather and platinum watch. His mouth dropped. He knew she would have paid for this with her own money, and he knew the kind of price tags these watches came with. "Babe.....".

She moved to sit in his lap, removing the watch already on his wrist, replacing it with hers. "Do you like it?".

"I love it, mama, but - "

She put a finger to his lips, silencing him. "That's it, baby. You love it. And, I love you".

He nodded, kissing her. "I love you too. Thank you. It's beautiful".

She smiled. "Now, when you're on the road or wherever, you can just look at your wrist and think of me".

He rubbed her butt. "I don't need anything to remind me to think of you".