Roommates

chapter 20 ( R )

Zola

I tied a neat bow around my torso and smoothed my silk robe.

Today is Lee's 22nd birthday and I plan to go all out, I love birthdays.

I asked the boys to keep Lee out until 8 and they agreed to. I've been decorating and working on his surprise ever since he left. First, I got Lennox to babysit Scampi for the night, he already celebrated his dad's birthday over breakfast.

Next, Daya and I went to a few stores to buy gold-themed decorations, she spent about 2 hours helping me hang them up. I dimmed the lights and lit a few rose-scented candles around the condo in safe spaces. A custom R&B playlist, filled with Lee's favorites, hummed out of the speakers in the living room and kitchen, setting an intimate mood.

With Healani's help, I made Lee's favorite poké bowl. The meal brings back pleasant memories from Lee's summer vacations to Honolulu with Healani. She usually makes it for his birthday, but she trusted me with it this year. It took some time and patience, but Lee is worth it.

I fixed the craft I made for Lee and smiled. I bought a pallet and painted it white, then lined it with fairy lights, under each row of lights are photos of us. Vaughn drilled a small blackboard above the pallet, I wrote 'Happy 22nd, Lee. I love you,' on it in my best calligraphy. He'll be able to write whatever he wants above it later.

Lee has been pretty tense since his meeting with Cullen and he won't tell me why. I assume it's because he had to see him and admit him to the hospital. Regardless of it all, I want to make my man feel good tonight.

The condo is ready and I have 15 minutes to spare.  My phone let out a low ding from the counter, I jogged to it and giggled once I read the message.

Bentley 🦠:

we just dropped him off. couldn't hold him any longer, his whipped ass nEeDeD tO sEe HiS BaBy

The front door opened and I could hear Lee's laughter followed by a few bags being dropped. I sat on a barstool and tried my best not to explode with excitement.

"I know she ain't... mama, where you at?" I laughed and called him to the kitchen.

Lee rounded the corner and stopped before he could reach me. He covered his mouth and looked around.

"Surprise." I smiled and sat up.

Lee stood there in shock, he looked down and laughed a little. I approached him and lifted his head, his eyes were glossy.

"Aw, baby, do you like it?" I pouted, holding his cheeks in my hands.

"Like it? I love it. Nobody's ever done something like this for me... thank you." Lee lifted me without difficulty and wrapped his arms around my torso. I snaked my arms around his neck and took in his light scent of cologne. 

"I love you, mama." He kissed me twice and looked ahead of us.

"I love you too."

Lee started to walk, without letting me down, and stopped at the island. He ran his fingers over the fairy lights on the pallet and began to grin.

"You... you made this?" He leaned in and looked at all of the pictures with a huge smile.

"Yeah, it took a whole week." I got down and brought the bowl to him.

"I also made your favorite poké bowl and my mom and dad ordered a cake for you, it's in the fridge."

Lee looked at all of this, speechless.