Page 29 of Whimsical Ink
“Don’t be. I liked it.” I nudge her chin up and kiss her. The taste of coffee and Maddy invades my senses.
She edges back, sliding down the headboard, and I nearly get her flat before my coffee sloshes against the cup and spills on my hand.
I pull away panting and turn to set the cup down and find tissues on the bedside table. When I face Maddy again, she’s sitting upright with her legs curled under her and her cup nestled in her chest where I wish I was.
“I’m certainly awake now,” she says and sips coffee.
“I didn’t spill any on you?”
She shakes her head. “What’s the plan today?”
“Presents, lots of food, and relaxing.”
“Can’t wait.”
“Good thing I’ve got your present here then, isn’t it?” I leave the warm bed to crouch beside my bag and pick up her underwear, turning to her with a grin. “Are you ever going to stop blushing?”
“No.”
I throw them in the bathroom and find the little wrapped box in a side pocket. She watches me stride to the bed, and when I sit beside her, she bounces. Her eyes track my hand, holding the present wrapped in red with a gold bow. Christmas themed now that it isn’t her birthday.
She doesn’t take it when I hold it out to her. “You didn’t need to get me anything. Especially not after yesterday.”
The present sits on the quilt between us, and I take her cup to free her hands. “Of course I got you something. Just because your birthday was yesterday doesn’t mean you don’t get presents on Christmas. Besides, I still forced you here.”
Her eyes dip to it between us, but not before I notice an odd look in them. I can’t put a finger on the emotion, but the corners of her eyes are tight. Maybe she didn’t sleep as well as she said. When her eyes meet mine again, the look is gone and she’s smiling faintly.
“You really didn’t need to.”
“Stop being silly.” I push the present closer to her. “Open it.”
She rubs the gold ribbon between her fingers and tugs at the end to unravel it. Her finger slips under the tape and she unwraps it delicately. I leave her and her psychotic unwrapping ritual alone while she discovers the jewellery box.
Maddy bites her lip and stares at me with questions decorating her face. “If this is more expensive than yesterday, I’ll kill you.”
“No, you won’t.” I tap the white box. “Open it.”
She clicks the box open and smiles. I sigh in relief. She likes it. Everything she opened yesterday, I knew she’d like. Today was a gamble. She doesn’t wear necklaces, and I wasn’t sure she’d want to wear one.
Maddy lifts the chain out of the box. “It’s lovely. Thank you.” She squeezes my hand and clasps the necklace around her neck.
“You don’t need to wear it.”
“I want to.” She smoothes the pendant straight, the gold glints in the light against the navy of my cotton T-shirt she’s wearing.
The pendant is a horseshoe shape pointing up. The ends extend longer where the chain links the two sides together, leaving a gap between them.
“It’s not only a necklace,” I say.
“Oh. What is it?” She slides the pendant along the chain.
“It holds rings.” I slide the gold ring she wears on her pinky finger off and slip it between the pendant until it’s secure. My fingers brush her sternum while I manoeuvre it. “I thought you might want it for work or sports like yesterday. You always remove it.” I scratch my cheek. “This way you won’t lose it.”
For some reason, this feels more personal than everything I gave her yesterday. Something about giving her jewellery,seeing her wear it and fiddle with it, sends satisfaction through my chest.
“Thank you, it’s…” Her fingers play with the pendant while she figures out what to say. She leans forward and wraps her arms around my neck. Squeezing me while the scent of coffee and vanilla surrounds me. I breathe in deeply and let her go when she leans away. “I didn’t know something like this existed. I can use it every day.”
“I’m glad you like it.” I stand and say, “Let’s find food.”