What If

27. July 22nd

Crowne Plaza Hotel Downtown
10:56am Wednesday July 22nd

Well, today was the day. It was Lydia's birthday and I wanted to do something special for her. After the disappointment yesterday she needed to have a good day today. She finally agreed to let me call Anne and have her check possible leads regarding her mother. I also asked if there was any update regarding my legal situation. Unfortunately, it wasn't going so well.

James was still trying to press charges while my lawyers were trying to convince him to accept a settlement offer. By the way it was going, I was going to end up in a jail cell. That is not what I fucking needed. But I guess, it was my own fault. Wasn't it?

I checked my reflection in the mirror. I still haven't decided exactly where I was going to take Lydia today for her birthday. At first, she told me she didn't want to do anything at all. Apparently birthday celebrations weren't her thing. Luckily, I was able to convince her to at least do something with me today

I was probably going to go with my first option. The Seattle Art Museum. When we first arrived in Seattle, she had mentioned it and said she never had a chance to go because of her parents. I know how much he loved art and how much she craved to be an artist one day. Which brings me to the gift I bought for her when we were in New Orleans. I still can't believe I've managed to hide it and keep it a secret for this long. I made sure it was wrapped and tucked safely under my duffle bag in the closet.

The adjoining door swung open and Lydia came through with a smile on her face. "Good morning," she said as she met me in the middle of the room.

I slid my hand around her waist pulling her lips to mine before I said, "Happy birthday, beautiful."

She gave me a real smile. Finally. "Thank you. So, what do you have planned for us today?"

"You know better than to ask me that. It's a surprise."

Now that I thought about it, I had a really good idea of how to make her surprise even better. In a way I think she would really appreciate. I sent a couple quick text messages to Anne to see if we can pull it off. When we got in the car to leave, my cell phone chimed and I read the text with a smile:

Anne: Done.

As we walked into the Seattle Art Museum, Lydia's eyes were full of delight and excitement.

"You remembered," she said matter-of-factly as we walked inside the doors.

"Of course." Like I would ever forget something like that. the entrance of the museum opened up straight into Taste Cafe. We had a small bite to eat before we started walking through the museum. We started on the first floor where we saw multiple paintings and sculptures. She knew most of the artists by name and pointed them out with joy.

We made it to the second floor and I was ecstatic that she was having a good time. As we got closer to the other surprise, I got super nervous.

When she approached the empty spot between two paintings, she frowned. "This is weird. They don't usually have an empty space."

"Yeah," I said absently. "Weird."

She bent down to read the name under the empty space and I heard her gasp.

"Sean?"

"Hmm?"

She never took her eyes off of the name plate."What is this?"

"I can't see with you blocking it, beautiful."

She stepped back and pointed at the name plate. Pretending I had no idea what it said, I looked down and read it.

"Oh, that's your name."

"Yes, that's my name. Why is it there?"

She had a mixture of joy, confusion, and anger on her face. "Sean-"

"No. Before you bite my head off, let me explain. I know you want to be a painter. And I know that you're talented and I believe you will get there. You still need to submit the painting on your own and be accepted. I didn't buy your way in. I only bought a home for the painting to hang when you do get accepted. Because...I know you will "

Lydia stayed silent as she stared at me, clearly processing everything I told her. After a few minutes I stepped closer into her body and cupped her face with my hand.

"I know your fears, Lydia. I just wanted to show you that there is someone out there who believes in you."

She let out the long breath she had been holding as a tear escaped in rolled down her cheek. She kissed the inside of my palm and said, "Thank you."

8:59pm

After we left the museum, we enjoyed a nice dinner before returning to the hotel. Lydia was in her room getting cleaned up. She had requested to watch a movie when we got back. I was more than happy to oblige.

I was standing in my bathroom checking myself in the mirror when she came in the room.

"I'll be right out," I called.

When I strode from the bathroom, I stopped dead in my tracks. Lydia was standing by my bed, wearing a black teddy. She looked..."Um...Beautiful doesn't begin to cover how you look right now."

She smiled and stepped towards me.

"Where did you get that?" I asked. We rarely shopped separately. We were together almost all the time.

"When we were in Atlantic City, the woman in one of the stores picked out all my clothes. She put this in the bag as well."

When she finally got within arms length, I pulled her close and buried my face in her neck. "This is very sexy."

"Really? I've never worn anything like this."

I pulled back and ran my finger around the outline of the teddy; slowing down over her breasts. I noticed when her breathing got more labored.

"So, to what do I owe this surprise? If I recall, it's your birthday today. Not mine."

She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me so deeply, I got dizzy. She led me to the bed and I sat down on the side when the back of my knees made contact.

"I want you," she said in a sultry voice.

I was so on board with that.

I was surprised when she climbed on my lap and straddled my legs. Once the kissing got heavy, I flipped her over and she stretched out in the middle of the bed.

I started from her neck and kissed a trail down between her breasts and over her stomach.

Her pleasurable moans were like music to my ears and I could listen to it forever. When I got to my favorite part of her body, she opened her thighs, welcoming me. I took her into my mouth and she arched her back.

I knew exactly what she liked and I took great satisfaction when she came twice for me, moaning my name. When I looked up at her, she had the best smile on her face. The next five words out of her mouth was something I didn't see coming and would never forget.

"I want you inside me."