Happy Birthday

Chapter 2

Turning onto my back, I stretched out my legs under the covers. I grabbed my phone and checked the time, 7:27 AM. Yawning a big yawn, I tested all my toes and fingers, reveling in the fact that this is sleeping in at 32.

After getting out of bed and grabbing my robe, I headed downstairs. I love mornings. Fresh light filtering in through my windows, birds chirping in the trees right outside, and coffee. I love coffee. On days when I don't need to rush anywhere, I love to sit in my favorite chair and drink a cup of coffee, all curled up with Zeppelin.

I was sitting in my chair, chuckling to myself as I picked confetti out of Zeppelin's paws when I heard a knock on the door.

8:13. Who would be here? "Zepp, stay." I said and reached for the door handle.

Shocked, I felt myself freeze as I stared at the man in front of me. "Jamie." I managed to stutter. He was here, standing at my front door. Still in shock, I peered around him, looking for some clue as to why he was here. Finding nothing, I finally met his eyes.

"Hey, Dakota," he said sheepishly. "Can I come in?" In? In my house? I stepped aside and turned to face my living room with streamers and balloons and confetti still sprayed over every surface. Jamie walked in and bent down to pet Zeppelin, who quickly rolled over on his back. What was happening?

"Would you like a cup of coffee?"

He stood up and put his hands in his pockets. "Sure, that would be great, thank you." Jamie said, his eyes following me as I walked to the kitchen. I returned and offered him the mug. We both walked over to my couch and sat at opposite ends. I watched him take a sip of his coffee and hum appreciatively. "This is really good, thank you."

I raised my eyebrows and brought my own mug to my lips. Another few seconds passed in silence and he looked around my house, taking it all in. I shook my head to clear my thoughts. "So what's up, Jamie? Why are you here?" That came out a little more aggressive than I wanted, but I fixed my eyes on his.

He stared at me for a moment before taking a breath. "I don't know, Dak. I didn't know where else to go. Millie left me. And I didn't know what else to do." He looked down at his mug and my heart went out to him.

"When?"

The question hung in between us like a cloud drifting through the valley.

He glanced up at me and I could see his pain. The man before we was hurt, I could see that. But he also was here and I couldn't figure out why.

"About two months after we last spoke. I called you. You didn't pick up. She didn't want to be married to me anymore. And she was convinced I didn't want to be married to her."

"Oh, Jay. I'm so sorry." I scooted closer to him and put my hand on his forearm. "So what happened? What did you do?"

We sat on my couch and talked about all of it. How at first they thought they would eventually get back together but how after time apart, they realized this is what they both needed. They were both happier and healthier apart. The girls had adjusted as well.

"And I know it will be hard on them. Of course it will be. But we also realized staying together wasn't going to show them what love and marriage should be. We had just rushed into everything so quickly that we weren't even sure of what commitment we were making. And before we knew it we had woken up and didn't recognize ourselves or each other. We tried. We really did. Therapy, talking it. We tried. But ultimately we knew what we had to do." He gave me a small smile. "I know it's a big deal. And intense. But I think I'm okay."

I returned his smile. "Jay, I'm glad you're okay. But can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Amelia left you what, about a year ago? Why are you here today? You could have called-or mentioned something in your text. Why are you..." I looked around again. At my house, my once quiet morning, Zeppelin curled up on a chair, this man who once had my heart sitting on the end of my couch and threw my hand in the air, "here?"

He had the good grace to flush. "I'm sorry if I'm intruding. I had missed your birthday. I was on my way to get coffee this morning and before I knew it I was turning on your street. I meant it when I said I missed you."

Oh man. I looked down at my hands. I took a deep breath. "I've missed you too. And I've moved past my feelings for you. I'm glad you're here." Looking up, I thought I saw a flash of disappoint move across his face. But he steeled himself and chuckled.

"I got you something for your birthday. Well your birthday last year but I held onto it." He pulled a small box out of his jacket pocket and handed it to me. "I got it in Paris." He explained as I opened the box.

I gasped despite myself. Slowly I picked up a small silver cigarette case with an engraving across the top.

Après la pluie, le beau temps.
After the rain, good weather.

"I remembered the story you told me about your grandma?" He offered. "She had a cigarette case you liked to play with when you were a girl. You told me it made you feel fancy. You never really talked about your childhood but I remembered that story. I was walking in Paris and a merchant was selling it and I knew I wanted you to have it."

I traced my fingers over the engraving and met his eyes. They were deep with emotion I wasn't able to read. Hope? Anticipation? The possibility of both scared me.

"Thank you, Jamie. I love it. After the rain, good weather indeed." I moved over towards him and he pulled me into a hug. I melted into his arms and laid my head in his chest. He smelled of Jamie and rain on a Sunday morning and something new.

"Happy birthday, Dak." He whispered gently, stroking my hair. I closed my eyes as feeling welled up in the base of my throat like a warning. Suddenly my phone pinged and I jumped.

Shit. My mom was on her way over. And Jamie was here. Oh god.

"Jamie you have to go." He looked shocked but laughed. "What?"

"Just trust me. You need to leave. My mom is not your number one fan after everything that happened. You should go."

He held his hands up. "Okay okay. Just promise me one thing: go to dinner with me tonight. One meal."

I rolled my eyes. "Okay, dinner. Tonight. As friends."

It was only after I had closed the door behind him that I wondered what I had agreed to and why oh why was I putting myself in this position again. I wrapped my robe around me tighter and looked over at the gift box on my table. Warily, I realized I could feel promise in the air.