Bonus Birthday Chapter
CANDICE
The special gift …
I let out a contented sigh as I turn off the lights and head for the stairs. I’ve had the most amazing birthday. I’ve been waited on, pampered and spoilt since the moment I opened my eyes.
It started with breakfast in bed, made by my sexy husband, and gorgeous kids.
Well, Carter Junior is still too little to cook, but he helped stir the eggs and held the glass while Jax poured the juice.
He was super proud of himself. I adore that kid so much.
He reminds me so much of his father, which only makes me love him more.
I can’t even put into words how different my son’s birth was, in comparison to Maddie’s. Jax didn’t leave my side from the moment the labour started until our son finally made his arrival into the world. He was amazing and kept it all together throughout the whole ordeal.
He held my hand and encouraged me to breathe through every contraction.
He rubbed my back when the pain became too much, wiped my face with a cool cloth, and cheered me on with his sweet words of encouragement when it was finally time to push.
But without a doubt, the most memorable moment that day was witnessing the tears of joy my husband shed when he held his son in his arms for the first time.
Just thinking about it has me tearing up.
It was such a bittersweet moment for us both. Nothing can ever give him back what he lost when Maddie was born, but in a way, Carter Junior’s birth was healing for us both. A time to finally let go of the mistakes from our past, and move forward.
He’s such a hands-on dad. He changes all the nappies when he’s around. Even the shitty ones. Thankfully he’s hung up the garden hose for good. It’s still a running joke in our family, I don’t think he’ll ever live that moment down.
However, he did buy a preposterous-looking gas mask on eBay in its place.
Maddie and I almost peed our pants with laughter the first time he wore it, but I suppose it helps him get the job done and cuts out all the ridiculous heaving he does.
Our little boy cried because his daddy looked like some freakish alien, but he eventually got used to it after a while.
“Maddie,” I say, knocking on her bedroom door.
“Come in, Mum.”
Popping my head inside her room, I see her sitting at her desk doing homework. I’m so proud of the young lady she’s grown into. She has her head screwed on right and knows exactly what she wants out of life.
She’s planning to take over the franchising side of Wicked Ink for Jax and Carter when she’s finished year twelve.
She’s super smart and although we’d like her to go to university, this is what she wants.
Jax and I just want her to do whatever makes her happy.
We’d never push her into doing anything she didn’t want to do because we know how that feels.
Her dad is over the moon that his little girl wants to be involved in his business. She’ll be a great asset to his company.
“It’s getting late. Time to think about heading to bed.”
“Okay, Mum, I’m almost done.”
Crossing the room, I plant a soft kiss on her head. “Night, baby.”
“Goodnight,” she replies, looking up at me and smiling.
“Night, Snoopy,” I say as I bend down to where he’s lying by her feet and scratch him behind the ears. He’s never away from her when she’s home. I love how close they are.
I head back out into the hall and towards my little boy’s bedroom.
I place my hand over my heart and sigh when I see my two boys lying side-by-side fast asleep.
Jax still has the book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar , which once belonged to Maddie, lying across his chest. He reads to our son every night without fail.
Who would’ve thought after all the turmoil we went through over the years, our lives would end up so perfect?
Tiptoeing across the room, I bend down and place a soft kiss on his lips. “Jax,” I whisper gently shaking his leg. I smile down at him when he opens one eye. “You fell asleep.”
It’s been a big day. After eating breakfast and opening my presents, we headed to my Mum and Dad’s for lunch where we had birthday cake, swam and vegged out by the pool for a few hours.
I was thrilled when I found out Jax had organised for my parents to look after the kids so he could take me out for a romantic birthday dinner.
Our date nights are few and far between, so I cherish any alone time we can get.
He cautiously rises from the bed, careful not to wake our son. I stand there in awe as he turns and tucks the blankets up around Carter's chin, before bending to kiss his forehead. Watching how sweet he is with our kids melts my heart.
When he steps aside, I lean down and place a kiss on our son’s cheek, before turning and following my sexy husband from the room. Jax drapes his arm around my shoulder, kissing the side of my head as we walk down the hall towards our room.
“How’s my birthday girl?” he asks pulling me to his side.
“I’m wonderful,” I reply as I slide my arm around his waist. “I’ve had the most amazing day.”
“I’m glad. It’s not over yet.” He looks down at his watch when we enter our bedroom. “There’s still time for me to give you your other gift.”
“Mmm,” I say when he stops walking and turns to face me. “Birthday sex … my favourite kind.”
“I have a little more than birthday sex planned,” he chuckles.
“I like the sound of that.”
“How does a nice warm bubble bath together sound?”
“It sounds perfect.” I whimper as he leans forward and runs his tongue up the length of my neck.
“Then I can give you a full body massage with that smelly oil you like.”
“God yes,” I moan when he sucks my earlobe into his mouth. He has magic hands. I can already feel him growing hard against me. I’ll never tire of the way this man loves me.
I feel his lips curve into a smile as he places them against mine. Sometimes I worry that our life is so perfect, but then again, we had to scale numerous mountains to get to where we are today. So we deserve the happiness we now have.
“Sit,” he says, walking me backwards towards the bed. “I’m going to get the bath started then I have one more gift to give you.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“But you’ve already given me so much. I love everything you and the kids gave me.”
“Well … this one I couldn’t give you in front of the kids.”
“Why?” His comment intrigues me.
“You’ll see in a minute,” he chuckles as he walks towards our ensuite.
For some reason, I feel a little giddy as I sit there and wait for him.
“Babe, where’s the matches?” he calls out a few minutes later, and I smile to myself because I know he’s going to light candles.
Although he’d never admit it, he’s a romantic at heart.
“In the cupboard under the vanity.”
My eyes follow him when he re-enters the room and heads towards the bedside table on his side of the bed. I love the cheeky smirk he’s wearing, but confusion sweeps through me when I see him remove a pair of black leather gloves, before sliding his hands into them.
“What’s with the gloves?” I ask. “Are you getting your kink on?”
“No,” he laughs.
“Seriously, what’s with the gloves then? I know the business is doing well, so you’re not an aspiring cat burglar … or are you?”
“You’re funny,” he says chuckling as he shakes his head. “I need them so I can touch this.”
My brow furrows when he pulls out a white envelope and holds it up to show me.
“Why?”
“You’ll see.”
He stalks around the bed and lifts me to my feet, before handing over the envelope. “Happy Birthday, babe. I’m pretty sure you’ll like what’s inside.”
Despite what he says, the excitement I was feeling a few minutes ago is now replaced with anxiety. “Is it safe for me to open?” I ask as my eyes dart between him and the envelope I’m now holding.
“For you yes … for me not so much.”
His reply immediately has me thinking about his stupid phobia with my cock collection.
He still goes all weird about it. He tried to go as far as banning me from bringing it all with me when I first moved in with him, but I brought it along despite his complaints.
I love my collection. My penis paraphernalia is all tucked away safely in a box at the top of my wardrobe.
Maybe there’s a cock inside the envelope? That would explain the gloves. I hesitantly open it nevertheless. I see a smile tug at his lips as I slide the card out. When I read what’s on the front, I throw my head back and laugh.
“Oh, my God, Jax.” There’s a cartoon drawing of a vagina on the front. It even has little eyes, stick legs and arms. But it’s what’s written underneath that makes me lose it, ‘ I cunt live without you’ . “I love it.”
“I thought you might. It goes with the, ‘ I’m nuts about you’ , card that you bought me.”
“It does.” The smile immediately drops away from my face when I remember the gloves. “Then why are you wearing gloves?” My eyes are narrowed as they meet with his. “Don’t you dare tell me you’re developing a vagina phobia now?” The last part of my comment comes out like an angry growl.
“What? Never. You know how much I love your pussy, babe.” My eyes move down to his hands to emphasise my point. “Look inside the card,” he says.
I do as he instructs and when I open it, I find a small black velvet pouch inside. I’m smiling as I move it to the side so I can read his words.
Candice,
My Candylicious,
My wife,
My love,
My life,
You once told me I was the sun in your day, the wind in your sky, the waves in your ocean, and the beat in your heart.
Well, you are all that to me and so much more.
You’re my dream girl, my best friend, my lover, the most amazing mother to our children and the reason I look forward to waking up every morning.
I wanted you from the moment I laid eyes on you, I still want you now, and I’ll want you always.
You’re it for me babe. As the card says, ‘I cunt live without you’. You’re my everything.
Happy Birthday.
Love always,
Your husband,
Jax.
“Oh Jax,” I say as I draw the card up to my chest and start to cry.
He pulls me into his arms, holding me tight. “Please, don’t cry, you know I can’t stand it when you do that.”
I chuckle as I pull back and wipe my eyes. I feel stupid for crying, but I was touched by what he wrote. “Your words were so beautiful. I love you so much.”
“I love you too,” he says as he tenderly swipes the pad of his thumb across my cheek. “I think my gift will prove just how much. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to make you happy, Candice. Nothing .”
I place the card down on the bed and untie the drawstring on the velvet pouch. My excitement has now returned tenfold.
I gasp when I see what’s inside. “Holy shit.”
“See. If that doesn’t scream love, I don’t know what else does. I never thought I’d buy you a—”
I cut him off and finish the sentence for him. “A penis necklace. You bought me a fucking penis necklace,” I squeal as I hold it up in the air to get a better look.
“It’s disgusting and I hate it, and I felt like a cock-loving-freak when I bought it …” he sighs as his gaze moves down to the floor. “But I knew you’d love it.”
He’s right, that’s love right there. I know how he feels about my cock fetish as he calls it, so this is huge for him. “You’re the best,” I say as I go to throw my arms around him, but he quickly sidesteps me. “Don’t touch me while you’re holding that … thing .”
“You need to get over this phobia,” I laugh. “You’re acting like a pussy.”
“I’ll give you pussy,” he says, wrapping his arms around my waist and tackling me onto the bed. “I’m not a fucking pussy.”
“You so are.” I can barely speak through my laughter. He quickly pulls his head back when I dangle it in front of his face. Yep, he’s a pussy .
“Did you see the chain on the back?” he asks when I finally stop laughing.
“No, I didn’t.” He rolls off me and I sit up so I can get a better look. At the back of the penis pendant, there’s a small piece of chain.
“Pull it.”
I grab hold of the ring on the end of the chain and when I pull it the penis goes from limp to erect. “Oh, my God, Jax. This is the most awesome thing ever.”
“That’s me,” he says, pointing to the erect shaft. “I have a permanent boner when I’m around you.”
“I love your boners,” I reply, leaning over and grabbing hold of his crotch.
“And don’t you ever stop.”
“Never.”
I place the necklace down on the mattress and straddle my man. “Your cock is, and always will be my absolute favourite.”
My words have a smile exploding on his face. “I love you, Mrs Albright … so fucking much.”
“Ditto, Mr Albright. Ditto .”