South-Side Renascent || c.g.

My Valentine

Cailee

Valentine's Day had been a sore subject for me. I'd never gotten to spend the day with anyone but my aunt, or Aubrey.

Carl got locked up before we could share one together as a couple, and I didn't get together with Riley until after Valentine's. When Carl and I got back together, it was summer, and he left for military school— It's not like he could drive all the way up from school for one day.

I kinda just gave up on the holiday altogether.

_

I woke up to the smell of food and Carl's side of the bed was empty. I sat up and checked my phone, seeing that it was 10 am. I did my business in the bathroom and waddled down the stairs, into the kitchen.

Carl was facing away from me, flipping a pancake. I snuck up behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist.

"Good morning," I said into his back. He put the pancake on a plate next to the stove and turned to face me.

"Good morning, baby," He pecked me on the lips and I reached up to run my fingers through his grown out curls. I hated that he had to get it cut for school, his long hair was my favorite (even though he looked hot either way).

"What's the occasion?" I asked, eyeing the food on the counter. He turned around to grab the two plates and put them on the kitchen island.

"It's Valentine's Day," he smiled. I sat in front of one of the plates and he handed me a fork and the maple syrup before taking the seat next to me. "I know we've never got to spend it together, so I'm gonna make it special."

"Is that so?" I asked before stuffing my mouth with pancakes.

"Yup, I'm taking you out later," he grinned. He kissed my cheek and dug into his pancakes.

"Ooh, where are we-"

"Nope," he cut me off. "That's for me to know, and for you to find out."

"Well, can I know when we're going?"

"Later today."

_

Carl and I had gotten dressed (semi-casually) and we were in the car, driving to who-knows-where. I rubbed my lower back, which was hurting a bit. Braxton Hicks, or false contractions, had been bothering me for a couple of weeks and they weren't pleasant.

"You alright?" Carl asked.

"My back again. I need another massage," I pouted, shifting in my seat. Changing positions and Carl's massages usually made the pain subside.

"Don't worry, I'll give you one later, baby," he assured me.

We drove for a bit longer until we arrived at a nail salon. Carl parked the car and got out, coming around to my side to help me out of it.

"Oh my gosh, are we getting manicures?!" I joked.

"Ha, ha... I'm not, but you two are," He pointed inside and I saw Debbie through the glass, waving at me.