I’d planned Hunt’s Birthday, wanting to do something amazing for him,
but it couldn’t have gone worse if I’d planned it…
I had woken him with
breakfast in bed, but when his eyes opened, I could see he wasn’t in a good
mood. He choked down his breakfast almost reluctantly, as if he were only doing
it for my sake. I knew something was really wrong then. He loved my cooking,
devoured every bite as if it was his first and last meal.
I shook it off. I was hell-bent on making it a wonderful day for him, to
change it from a day of mourning his parents’ deaths to a day of celebrating
his life.
While we were in the shower, I gave him his first birthday present, my
hungry mouth wrapped about his cock. Though he enjoyed it, he seemed distant.
I’d begged him to stay home with me, but he insisted on going into the
office. Even though it hurt me, I understood he needed time to lose himself in
work. It also gave me time to put the finishing touches on my plans. I asked
him not to work late and he promised he wouldn’t. With that, he left me, and I
set out on my day.
I had spent it thinking about him and running errands. I wanted
everything to be perfect. No detail left undone.
Later that evening, when everything was ready, Liam called to let me
know they were about to arrive home. Everyone hid behind couches and chairs,
anywhere they could find, dressed in their costumes, giggling to each other.
When we heard the elevator open, the lights came on and everyone jumped up to
yell, “Surprise!”
The look on his face was devastating. His jaw was clenched and his mouth
was in a sharp line, brows furrowed, face a vibrant red. He stared me down with
a look I’ve never seen from him before, as if I’d betrayed him. He turned
without a word and got back in the elevator. Just as the doors were about to
shut, I slid in next to him.
He didn’t look at me or acknowledge my presence. It had killed me.
“Would you please say something?” I pleaded with him.
“What do you want me to say?” His eyes remained on the elevator doors.
“Why did you leave?”
He whipped around, pinning me against the wall. “Why the fuck did you do
this, Gabrielle? You know I hate my birthday, you know it brings me nothing but
pain. Why would you think I’d want to celebrate that?”
“I was hoping I could change it for you, make it a day of happiness. I
see this as a day to celebrate…It was the day you came into this world, the day
that started your journey toward me. I think that’s worth celebrating.”
He shut his eyes and took a deep breath, pushing away from me.
“I can’t do this right now,” he murmured, pinching the bridge of his
nose. “I can’t be here.”
“Where are you going to go?” I asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Damian, don’t be this way. Please. I love you. I want to spend your
birthday with you.”
The doors opened into the underground garage and he stepped out. “I’ll
be home later.”
I stood there, watching him walk away, too scared to go after him.
Later, well after two, he finally came home, smelling of expensive
whiskey and cigar smoke. I could smell it across the room. I’d pretended I was
asleep as he undressed and headed to the shower to rinse some of the stink off
him. When he was done, he came to bed and crawled in behind me. He scooped his
arm about my waist and brings me into his very naked body, squeezing me.
He kissed me on the neck tenderly and whispered, “I’m sorry, angel. I’m
sorry I’m so fucked up.”
I turned to him, shifting in his grasp.
“I know you’re sorry. But you aren’t fucked up. You’re wonderful, flaws
and all.”
“I still miss them, Elle. I would give anything to have them back.”
He broke down, and I enfolded myself about him, holding his head against
my chest. I held him until he cried himself out, falling asleep in my loving
embrace.
I laid awake that night, replaying his words in my head. They broke my
heart, because unlike so many, he had the means to back up his statement. He
could obtain anything he desired, except the one thing he’d give it all up to
have. It couldn’t be bought. And I couldn’t fix it.
copyright © Lena Black
