Happy Birthday Gabe Brown

You were happily humming Christmas carols, and grinning ear to ear as you chopped up the red and yellow peppers and added them to your venison chili. Then you grabbed the onion, garlic, and green pepper and went to work chopping those veggies. You were famous for miles around for your chili, and everyone in town looked forward to your chili dinner fundraiser to support the local EMS and volunteer Firefighters. But today you were making it for someone special, so you got up early to get things going.

You had asked your new boyfriend to come over and help you get a Christmas tree. He never could resist you when you asked him if you could use his muscles. He loved showing off for you, and you loved watching him show off! After adding the stuff from your cutting board into the pot with the venison, you started cutting up the celery. Next you added the five kinds of beans that you always put in your chili. Then a tablespoon of cocoa powder, and two quart jars of your home made tomato sauce, and stirred.

Gabe would be here in half an hour, so you decided to go get cleaned up. You picked out a pair of jeans that were a little too snug, but you knew Gabe liked the way your butt looked in them, and a V-neck sweater that showed off your cleavage. Gabe wasn't the only one who liked to show off.

Gabe got to your door just as you were pulling on your boots. "Hey, Gabey! Thank you for coming to help me get my tree and stuff today! You know I couldn't do this without your muscles!", you gushed. Gabe smiled really big and his cheeks tinged a deep red. "I don't mind at all, Sweetheart, anything for you!" he said. So you leaned in to give him a big kiss. "It really smells wonderful in here. It smells like your fabulous chili! Am I going to get chili tonight?"

"Oh, sorry Honey, I promised I'd make it for the Firemen. They're having a fundraiser for some new equipment." you lied, and made careful sure to not look at him as you said it, because he could read your face like a book! "Well, let's get going! We have lots to do!"

It almost broke your heart the look of disappointment on his face. And you had made no mention of his birthday at all, you could tell he was a little hurt. You needed to get him out of there, fast! He didn't know it, but you had given his family a key to get in your house while you and Gabe were gone, under the ruse of getting your tree. His Mom and sisters were going to decorate with some balloons and streamers, and some signs they had made. His Dad and brothers were picking up the present you had all gone in on to surprise him.

You took your sweet time picking out the 'perfect tree', and then wasted some more time looking at ornaments and lights. It was starting to get on Gabe's nerves. He wasn't really into shopping, and he didn't understand why you didn't just have him bring a tree from Browntown. Gabe was looking miserable and getting crabby. Finally you decided his family should be done with their tasks, so you could start making your way home.

Gabe was whining all the way home, about everything, from the size of the tree, "Did you really need to get the biggest heaviest tree they had?", to "You already own a ton of lights and ornaments, why did you have to get more?" Finally you stopped him and said, "Gabe, why are you so cranky today? I thought you liked spending time with me."

"Sweetie, I do like spending time with you, but I am really not into shopping and well ...", he trailed off.

"Well what, Gabey?" you asked him.

"Well, it's my birthday, and I'm kind of disappointed that you didn't remember. I gave up a birthday dinner and cake with my family, and you didn't even wish me happy birthday."

"I'm so sorry, Gabey, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.", you said through tears. Even though you knew what was coming up, it hurt you to think that he thought you had forgotten his special day.

Just then, you pulled into the driveway. "Sweetie, did you leave the lights on?"

"Oh, I must've, I was in such a hurry to go!" you fibbed. "Lets carry these boxes in Honey, and then I'll make you dinner, and I promise I'll make it up to you about forgetting your birthday."

"Yeah, okay.", he sighed.

You opened the door and held it open for him to go through as everyone yelled, "Surprise!"

Gabe turned around and smiled at you, "Did you know about this?"

"Know about it... She planned it!", his mother told him and hugged you both. Everyone came and gave you guys hugs, as you all went into the dining room. The girls had really decorated everything so nicely. Ami had set the table and heated up the chili, and you all got seated around the table. Billy said grace and everybody started digging in. Gabe leaned over and kissed your cheek, "Thank you for inviting my family here so we could all be together! And thank you for making me your awesome chili!"

"It was my pleasure, Gabey! I just wanted you to be surrounded by love on your birthday! Happy Birthday my love!"

"Alright.", Ami asked, "Who's ready for cake?"

The end

I apologize that it wasn't steamy, but it was a first draft as I was putting away groceries and making dinner. I hope you liked it.