Chapter Forty-Eight
Melonie
A fter a long Friday, I walk through the door. I set my laptop bag down and kick off my shoes. I have officially transitioned to flats.
“Linc?”
The apartment is still silent. Maybe he had to work late or run an errand. I walk to the kitchen to get a water, and there’s a huge bouquet of pink roses and purple-tinted hydrangeas on the island with a card propped against the vase. I reach for the envelope and open it.
Mel,
Happy birthday!
Tonight, I want to celebrate with you. Get ready, wear what makes you feel beautiful, and I’ll be back at 6:30 to pick you up. We’re meeting the crew at 7.
Yours,
Linc
How did he know it was my birthday? Maybe he saw it on a form or heard it mentioned at a doctor’s visit. I smile as I close the card and smell one of the roses. I don’t remember the last time someone got me flowers. And the thought of getting out of the apartment sounds fun.
Heading to my room, I start getting ready. I only have a few “going out worthy” items now, so I pair a red satin button down top with black leggings. I freshen up my makeup and put a few new waves in my hair. I’m applying a fresh coat of my favorite red lipstick when I hear the front door close. I take one last look in the mirror, unplug my flat iron, and walk out to the kitchen, where I find Linc with a cupcake in his hands, topped with a candle.
He looks at me and smiles as he sets the cupcake down on the counter.
“Happy birthday, Mel.”
“Thank you. And thank you for the flowers. They’re beautiful.”
He proceeds to light the candle on the cupcake. “You’re welcome. Come make a wish.”
I walk to the counter and close my eyes. The first wish that enters my mind is to have a happy, healthy baby. I blow out the candle, and Linc removes it.
“Have at it, Mama. It’s blackberry blackout.” He pushes the plate toward me as he licks a bit of icing off his finger.
“Are we going somewhere with food? If we are, you’re eating half.”
“We are.”
I grab a knife and cut the cupcake in half. I take the first bite, and it’s just as good as I remember.
“No moan this time?” He gives me a grin.
I shake my head. “Maybe it takes more than cake to make me moan now.”
He eyes me for a moment, then rinses off the plate.
“Get your purse, Melonie. We don’t have time to figure out what you mean by that.”
We take a car to Grill 23. When we walk in, Linc talks with the hostess, and they take us to a table where Jax, Audrey, Gigi, and Marcus are already sitting. As we approach, Marcus sees us and stands, grabbing the attention of the rest of the table.
“Happy birthday, Melonie.”
“Thank you, Marcus.” I greet the rest of the table. “Thank you all for coming to dinner.”
Gigi hugs me. “Pretty boy organized it all.”
I look at Linc. “Thank you, Linc. This is so nice.”
He pulls out my chair. “You’re welcome. I know dinner isn’t as exciting as past birthdays, but you’ve been eating steak like crazy, and I thought a night out would be nice.”
“It’s perfect.” I place a hand on his thigh as he sits beside me. “Really, thank you.”
He smiles. “I just wanted you to feel special today.”
“I do.”
He nods with a satisfied look on his face. As we move through dinner, I begin to realize the changes that have happened in my life this year. Closing down bars is replaced with early bedtimes. Nights on the couch are better than trying to meet someone at a club. And I’m more peaceful because of it. Being happy with the friends that surround me and having a place I like to come home to. Having Linc as my roommate has given me someone to share my days with, and it’s comforting not to come home to an empty apartment.
Audrey raises her water once we finish our desserts. Yes, I had cake a second time.
“Cheers and happy birthday, Melonie. We all love you so much, and just think, next birthday, we’ll have another person at the table!”
We cheers and Gigi picks up a gift bag from the floor beside her chair.
“Time for presents!”
“G, you didn’t need to get me a gift.”
“You say that every year.”
I open the bag and pull out a small box. I open it and see a gold bracelet with five different stones along the links.
“Those stones all help with pregnancy. Carnelian for stamina, rose quartz to bond with the baby. There’s a card inside with all the explanations.”
The gift is so Gigi. “Thank you, G, this is so thoughtful.” Linc helps me put it on.
Audrey and Jax got me a certificate for a spa day, including a prenatal massage. I seriously look forward to cashing that in. Marcus got me a gift card to a local juice bar that will certainly go to good use.
Lastly, Linc hands me a square box. “You didn’t have to get me anything. You organized dinner.”
“It’s sort of for both of us and the baby.”
“Okay.” I grin as I open the box. Inside, I find a baby scrapbook.
“It’s a baby scrapbook. I didn’t know it was a thing, but I think it’s cool.”
“It’s great!” I open the cover and see Linc has already written in it, filling out our information and little tidbits about us. As I turn the pages, I find he’s already filled out the first couple of months, and he’s included pictures of me for each month of the pregnancy so far.
“There are pictures of me?”
“I wanted to document how you’re changing. I hope it doesn’t creep you out, but I try to take a picture of you around the fifteenth of each month.”
I look at the pictures, and I see the changes. I see how he views me through the lens of a camera. There’s one of me making coffee, one of me as I’m about to walk out the door for work. And I remember the moment each one was taken. He always says or does something to make me laugh. I just thought he was preparing his routine of dad jokes, but he was making me smile for these pictures. I didn’t even think of documenting the pregnancy, but he did. I try my best to not let tears collect in my eyes.
“I hadn’t even noticed you were taking them.”
“I’m good at sneaking pictures. I’m in media.” He laughs.
“Linc, that’s so sweet.” Audrey reaches for the book, and I hand it to her.
I turn to him. “It really is. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Mel.” He squeezes my thigh under the table. My heart flips in my chest because he put work into my gift. It isn’t something mundane, it’s something he put planning into. For me, for us.
“Although, now I’m concerned your phone is full of pictures of me.”
He shakes his head, looking down at his glass. “If you only knew.”