NANNY FOR MENDES.

Seventy-eight

𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗪𝗡'𝗦 𝗣𝗢𝗩

"SURPRISE!!!"

What? Oh, my God. That's why Soph was acting weird yesterday and today. It crossed my mind that it has something to do with my birthday, but the plan was going to Mom and Dad's. I never expected this.

But I'm beyond fucking happy right now. In front of me are Mom, Dad, my sister and Noah.

To have my girl today with me is fucking amazing. My girl is amazing. She planned this whole surprise party with my family, for me and my son. God, she is family.

I fucking love her so fucking much. I didn't know I could love her more than I already do, but somehow, at this moment I fucking love her more than ever.

I grab her by the waist and put my lips over hers. She's taken off-guard, but reacts almost instantly. She puts one hand on my arm and one on my waist.

We kiss for a little too long, and I hear some throat clearing.

I pull back and look at her. I mouth "I love you" and she smiles that fucking shy smile I grew to love. I wrap my hand around her waist and pull her as close to me as possible. I don't ever want to be away from her. Ever. Never fucking ever.

I take a look at my house; it's well decorated. They did a great job here. There are balloons everywhere, and on the wall, there are "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" ballons in blue, my favorite color.

I walk toward my family, hug and thank every one of them. Bear runs to Aaliyah and jumps in her arms.

"Thank you!" He yells in excitement, and kisses Aaliyah on the cheeks.

He then hugs his grandparents and Noah.

Noah's hand is around my sister's waist. I roll my eyes and decide to ignore it for now. No one notices, but they will tell everyone eventually. By everyone, I mean Mom, Dad and my son.

"Thank you guys so much. You didn't have to."

"It's nothing, son." Mom says, smiling widely.

We all walk to the living room; the table in here is filled with plates of different kinds of snacks. In the middle, there's a chocolate cake, on which is written "Happy Birthday Shawn and Raul!" with white frosting.

"I'll be right back." Sophia says and runs—literally runs—to our bedroom. What?

She comes back with two wrapped boxes in her hands. One is wide and the other is small.

"Hey, Bear, baby. Come here." She got him a gift?

She gives him the wide box and he unwraps it impatiently.

"Is it what I think it is?" Raul exclaims.

"Open it and you'll find out."

An iPad. She got my son the latest iPad. I don't fucking deserve her. I didn't think it was an iPad. I didn't even know she knew my son wanted that iPad. I got him the same thing, too. I won't tell her that, though; at least not right now.

"Thank you so so much! I love you so much, Soph!" He hugs her waist and she leans down and holds him in her arms.

Now that he's eye level with me, I ask him, "you like it, buddy?"

"I love it!"

I chuckle; my son's happiness makes me happy.

"Here. You open this." She hands me the small box.

I unwrap my box impatiently; I want to know what she got me. I'm very excited and curious to know.

A silver watch. I definitely love watches, and the fact that she knows this makes my heart swell with even more love for her. She knows better than I think. Fuck do I love her.