One day at a time. (Part 2 of the story of Joanne and Paul. Now complete!)

Chapter 25 - June 18th 2002.

"Happy birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday dear Paul.

Happy Birthday to you!"

Paul opened his eyes to find Joanne stood by the bed holding a breakfast tray. He sat up, smiling.

"Morning love!" She said cheerfully then placed the tray on his knee. She leaned over to kiss him. "Happy Birthday! Am I allowed to say how old you are?"

Paul smiled at her then rolled his eyes. Sometimes their fifteen year age difference bothered him. Knowing he'd reached sixty made him feel ANCIENT but then, as Jo had pointed out just a few days previously, after the last few months, at least he'd reached the milestone! He looked down at his tray and smiled.

"Joanne Johnson, you are truely truely mad!  Mr Men toast? And what's this...wow...a Mr Man cake! I'll need to hide this from Jo later!"

"I asked Mary to pick up a few bits so I could make your birthday extra special," she grinned.

Shaking his head, he picked up the knife and fork and began to eat the scrambled eggs with dry toast that was his favourite breakfast. Joanne poured them both a cup of tea.

"Are you not eating too?"

She shook her head. "I'm not hungry! I'm too excited!"

He eyed her suspiciously. "Why?"

"I can't wait for you to open your presents!" She pointed to  a small pile of wrapped parcels and four white envelopes waiting for him at the bottom of the bed.

"Are they ALL for me?"

She nodded, grinning. "I don't know anyone else who has a birthday, do you?"

"Who are they from?"

"Me mainly but also Grace, Luke and my James."

Once he'd finished eating, Joanne removed the tray. She handed a small parcel to him. He took it off her, grinning. He read the label out loud.

"Have a great birthday Paul mate. Glad to hear you're back to normal. We'll have to catch up for a beer ASAP. - James."

Paul took off the paper to find a book on the history of the mandolin. He looked through it, genuinely interested. Jo smiled softly to herself.

"Come on Paul, stop reading! Open more pressies!"

"It's a great book. I can't wait to read it. I've fancied having a go at the mandolin for years! " He smiled at her, almost shyly, "It's good of James to go to all the trouble of sorting it all out too. I'll give him a ring later to say thank you."

Jo nodded and handed him another parcel. It felt soft and squishy. "Paul, all the best on your special day love Grace and Luke xxx." He grinned as he read the label out loud, recognising Grace's handwriting.

He tore the paper. The item was further wrapped in tissue paper. After carefully taking it out, he unrolled a strip of fabric. It was a guitar strap, much narrower he noticed than the type he normally used, but it had been embroidered with both his and Joanne's name and several pictures of Mr Bump and Mr Happy. Two characters which has caused much amusement in the early days of his relationship with Joanne. "Wow! This is beautiful!"

"Grace has done all the embroidery work herself." Joanne explained softly, "Do you really like it?"

Looking up, Paul nodded. "It's beautiful...but it's not just that. Knowing she's done this for me, the time it must have taken." He shook his head. "I feel so touched Jo! Both Grace and James, they didn't need to do any of this.