Chapter 42
Chapter Forty-Two
DAISY
Two months later
“Baby, why did I just get a text from Drea to enjoy my day off?” The confused look on Kaia’s face was utterly adorable, and I had to kiss it away.
I brought her closer, kissing her forehead, nose, chin, and cheeks before landing on her lips. I pulled back and smiled mischievously. “Happy birthday, baby. The whole day is yours and we are spending it together, doing whatever you want.”
“Really? The whole day doing whatever I want? What if I want to go skydiving or take a spontaneous trip out of the country?”
I gave her a look. I knew my Kaia too well to think she’d ever want to do any of that. The trip idea would be spontaneous followed by weeks of planning and packing. Man, I loved this woman.
“Do you want to do those things, darling?”
She made a face and shook her head. “Definitely not. Honestly, I’d rather stay in the house with you and Duke. Maybe pig out all day and snuggle on the couch and read, or do something together. As long as I’m with you, I’ll be perfectly content.”
“That sounds like a wonderful way to start the last year in your twenties. But we have to go big for your thirties next year. Maybe a trip somewhere? Just the two of us? Or you can invite your friends if you’d like.”
She nodded excitedly. “Yes, a trip sounds amazing. I’ll start thinking of ideas now.”
I laughed because of course she would start planning a year in advance. I knew my woman.
We lay in bed, fooling around a little bit longer, before Duke wanted to say happy birthday to Kaia, too, and let me know my attention was required outside. We pouted but dutifully got up together to take our fur child to do his business.
After Duke was finished, I forced Kaia to snuggle up on the couch with her favorite blanket while I made her breakfast. I added snickerdoodle cookies on the side for a little morning sweet treat.
I also added a bowl of cut up pineapple because she’d been really into eating it lately.
I stole a few pieces for myself and rolled my eyes at how juicy and good it tasted.
“Thank you, babe. It smells incredible.”
I smiled. “You’re very welcome. I love you, Kaia. Happy birthday.” I leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips.
While she ate her breakfast and scrolled social media, I checked up on some work emails. After breakfast, the rest of the day was hers, so I wanted to knock out as many work-related things as I could.
I tapped her shoulder when I saw she was looking at her phone for a long time. “Are you done with breakfast?”
She nodded. “Yes. I finished a while ago, but I saw you were working, so I didn’t want to disturb you. I’ve just been watching funny baby videos.”
I closed my laptop and walked over to her.
“Today is your day, my love. You could’ve interrupted me.
What do you want to do first? We could go get some hot chocolate and stop by that bakery you love by the bookstore and get a cake?
The weather’s not too bad, so we could take Duke to the park and you could eat your cake there, or we could bring it back here?
Or we don’t have to go out at all and I can have everything delivered. ”
“Yes to delivery. I’d like to be a hermit today.”
“I approve of this plan. How about I run you a bath so you can relax while I get everything ordered? Then I’ll come join you.”
“You are so incredible, you know that?”
I shrugged and kissed her forehead before taking off to set up the bathroom.
I had just bought her a projection light that made you feel like you were in the ocean. It changed colors, so I set it to red and turned on the relaxing sounds.
She was a big bath person, so I also bought her a tray to go over the tub, a bathtub mat that had jets on it, and a pillow with suction cups on the side for her to rest her head.
Okay, so I might have gone a little overboard, but it wasn’t my fault. I was obsessed with her, and I wanted to give her everything I could. Hopefully she loved it all.
I threw in some relaxing bath salts and bubble bath and smiled at my work. It looked so peaceful and smelled amazing. I propped up her e-reader in its waterproof case I just bought, too, and made my way to show the birthday girl my presentation.
I practically floated out of the bathroom, so excited to show her. “Are you ready for a relaxing bath, baby? I know how much you love taking a bath, so I got you a few things.”
She smiled at me and put down her phone before standing up and accepting the hand I held out for her. She nodded and I led her to the bathroom, motioning for her to go in first.
The way her eyes lit up at the sight of what I’d done made my shoulders sink back to their original position. She liked it. I did a good job! Yay me!
She turned toward me, eyes glistening with unshed tears. “You did all this? For me? I love it, and I love you.”
I pulled her in for a hug. The kind of hug that warmed my soul and calmed my racing thoughts. The kind of hug that made me feel safe and seen and loved. The kind of hug that I could get with only Kaia.
When we parted, she asked, “Can you help me? I’m just so weak that I don’t think I can undress myself.”
I rolled my eyes at her joke. “Hey, I was sick! I actually didn’t have the energy. But of course I’ll help you. I’d never say no at the opportunity to get you naked, doodle.”
Winking, I started to unbutton her pajama shirt. I shrugged it off her shoulders and placed it in the hamper by the door. I had to force myself not to linger as I curled my fingers underneath the band of her sleep shorts and pulled them down, watching them pool to the floor.
I’d have plenty of time to enjoy her in her birthday suit, and I would, but right now, I wanted her to take time for herself and relax, something she rarely did. That was one of the reasons I texted Drea for her while she was sleeping. She would’ve never taken her birthday off on her own.
I helped her step into the tub and loved that I could stare at her while she sank down and enjoyed the warm water coating her skin. “Is it okay? Too hot? Too cold?”
She shook her head. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”
I smiled and kissed her softly. “Take your time and relax. I’m going to give you time for yourself.”
She pouted but nodded. I placed one final kiss on her lips before leaving the bathroom, shutting the door behind me. I’d secretly check on her every five minutes, though, since I couldn’t hear if she needed me for anything.
After the cake and everything else I’d ordered arrived, I set it all up in the living room and went to check on Kaia again.
She was still lying in the bath, head tilted back and the biggest smile on her face.
I lightly tapped on the door so I didn’t startle her and undid the robe I had put on, asking if I could join her.
She nodded and moved the tray out of the way so I could slip in with her.
I lay behind her and she lay back on me, entangling our hands together.
I wasn’t expecting anything to happen in the bath. I just wanted to relax and be with her in that moment. I found myself throughout the days just checking to make sure she was still there. She’d tell me she loved me and would smile at me, forcing me to believe it.
After some more time relaxing, and a little time making out, we got out and dried off, wearing only our matching silk robes she’d gotten me for my birthday. They were both burnt orange, which was my favorite color.
We walked hand in hand to the living room, where she stopped at my setup. “What is all this?” she asked, eyes wide.
I had set up fairy lights behind the TV against the wall, candles all around the room, and a chocolate fondue, complete with Rice Krispie Treats, strawberries, marshmallows, and even little pieces of angel food cake.
I shrugged. “I wanted to do something special for your birthday.”
“I truly don’t deserve you.” She shook her head and tugged me in for a kiss.
“You deserve everything and more, my love. Please sit down and get comfy. What do you want to watch?”
“Don’t judge me, but I kind of want to play a game instead.
I know it’s my day, but I want you to enjoy yourself too, and I know you can’t really do that with a movie.
Plus, there isn’t anything I want to watch.
After watching you come for me, nothing else satisfies me.
” She winked, and I couldn’t hide my blush.
“That will be happening, but later. What game do you want to play?”
Her grin turned almost maniacal. “My favorite.”
I groaned, twisting my face in disgust. I was the worst at this game, and she knew it. It didn’t matter if it was her favorite, she knew I was terrible and wanted an easy win.
“Fine. You get comfortable and I’ll turn on Mario Kart. You know I’m terrible at this game.”
“If you’d like, you can play me instead. I know for a fact you are a professional player.”
I laughed. “Oh, definitely.”
I kissed her cheek and went to set up the dreadful game. Maybe I’d like it better if I wasn’t awful at it. It was hard for no reason.
After a few tortuous rounds of racing, we finally took a break and threw on a movie we’d seen a billion times, just to have something on in the background.
“I think I figured out why you’re so terrible at the game,” she said, popping a piece of chocolate-covered cake into her mouth.
“Yeah? Please, enlighten me.”
She turned toward me and kissed me slowly. She tasted like chocolate, and I wanted to lick it off every inch of her skin.
“You might do better if you kept your eyes on the track and not on me. Every time I glanced over, you were staring at me.”
I shrugged. “I’m sorry you’re sexy as hell. Maybe be a little less perfect and more frumpy, and I’ll do better.”
She shook her head. “You’re ridiculous. I love you, baby. Thank you for today. It was truly perfect.”
I smiled and brought her closer to me. “Anything for you. I love you so much. Thank you for choosing me.”