The luckiest

Chapter 9

  It’s almost the end of March and I haven’t heard a single thing about my birthday. I don’t moan, I don’t whine or even ask, because when I do, I am ignored. 

I’ve started the job in CE and it’s a blast. I haven’t had any serious cases, thankfully. One or two bullying issues in the last month and no run-ins with Cane. David and Holly came clean about the pregnancy after she was diagnosed with severe morning sickness. Needless to say, it was completely great news for everyone that she was pregnant again.  Hope was still off to New York in the summer, but had done a slight turn around. She was genuinely worried about Holly and made an effort to be nicer and more present. 

Mom watches the girls just Mondays and Tuesdays as Mrs Cork has another job then. We’re happy with her and have even used her for date nights. Things seem to be going well, until we get invited to dinner at Jamie and Emma’s one Friday evening. 

“Do we have to go?” I whine. 

“Yes.” 

“But its my birthday the next day and I want to be in a good mood!” 

“Ginny.” Is all he says and motions for me to come and sit on his lap.  I fold myself into a ball and cuddle up against my gorgeous husband. 

We have the girls all packed for the evening and make the short trip to Jamie and Emma’s Portland apartment. 

“Do you think we could run before dessert?” 

“Ginny. Play nicely. If Emma gets out of hand, I’ll have a word with her. Promise.” 

“I’m holding you to it.” He smiles at me and I start imagining all the things we could be doing instead of having dinner with our siblings. 

We get to the apartment with our bundles of joy and wait for a good five minutes before they open. Charlie calls Emma on her cell. She doesn’t answer. Instead, the door is yanked open and there are balloons everywhere in all sorts of colours. The girls start squealing and before I can say anything, a sea of faces jump out from different hiding places, “Surprise!” 

“Oh my God!” 

“Language!” my Dad yells and everyone laughs. 

“Daddy! Its my birthday.” 

“Not yet!” my brothers both yell out. They know how much I love my birthday and I am elated at the idea of a surprise party. 

Emma is standing behind me and I turn around to thank her. She is gracious and actually hugs me, “You’re welcome.” 

Jamie looks pleased and it makes me smile to see him happy, so I make a concerted effort all evening to be polite with his fiancé and my sister-in-law. 

Charlie hugs me, “Happy?” 

“Delighted! How did you do this?” 

“With lots of help. Jamie and David actually called and asked me what I was planning.  So when they heard that all I had were dinner plans, they suggested this. Emma did most of the logistics, with help from Holly and your Mom of course.” 

I kiss him, “I love you.” 

All my favourite dishes have been cooked and all my family is there. I find Holly seated in a corner of the room, feeding Liam. She looks loads better after having been admitted for a couple of days. 

“Ginny!” she squeals quietly. 

“Hey you! You’re looking much better. How are you feeling?” 

“Better indeed. I’ve managed to keep down a few meals the last few days. How’s the new job? I can’t believe I haven’t seen you since you guys visited.” 

“I know. Its partly my fault too. This whole working-mom thing is crazy!” 

She laughs, “Its great too. I admit, I wouldn’t be able to do it if it weren’t for David. He makes it bearable.” She looks longingly at my brother and I laugh. 

“You two seriously need to get married already!” 

She rolls her eyes, “Don’t you have other guests to harass?” 

I kiss her on the cheek and leave her to feed my nephew. 

Hope is hanging onto my Mom and comes forward to kiss me, “Hey aunt Ginny.” 

“Hey Hope. I’ve missed you.” 

She smiles shyly, “Miss you too.” 

“I hear you’re going to your grandma in New York soon.” 

“Yes.” She looks down at her feet, “I don’t want to go, really. Mom says there’s no way I’m staying in Maine.” 

“What do you want?” 

“I don’t know.”

“Everyone will miss you here.” 

“Not Dad or Holly.” 

“Why do you think that?” I pull her to the sofa. 

“They’re always mad at me.” 

“Honey, you’re always angry at them and saying mean things.” She looks caught off guard. I think everyone’s been treating her with kit gloves and it needs to be acknowledged that she’s morphed into a brat. 

Before she can get up and storm off, I have her pinned down by the wrist, “Do yourself a favor Hope. Speak openly and honestly to your Dad and Holly, but be kind. It goes a long way.” 

“OK.” I kiss her on the head and she smiles at me, “Love you aunt Ginny.” 

“Love you too.” 

Charlie’s parents are there too and I spend some time chatting with them. His mother is cooing about the girls and how much they’ve grown. She promises to visit more. I feel bad, because I know we’re guilty of not visiting them much either. The evening is lovely. Everyone is happy and catching up. 

I spy Charlie standing out on the balcony. I take his coat out to him, “Hey you.” 

“Hey. You’re happy?” 

I kiss him as I hand him the black pea coat, “Very much so.” 

“I’ll do anything to make you happy.” 

“I know.” And I kiss him again, this time with more vigor. He wraps me in his arms and just holds me. It feels perfect.

 “I love you. Thank you.” I say to him, resting my head on his chest. 

“I love you too.” 

We’re interrupted by rapping on the windows and I see its my brothers, teasing Charlie with waving fists and finger pointing. He waves them off and kisses me once more. 

I wake up on my birthday, to a breakfast in bed and dozens of flowers in the room. “You’re amazing, Charlie!” 

Its still early and the girls are asleep, so before I eat anything, I decide to work up an appetite. I wrap my legs around his waist and kiss him. We’re eye to eye and without much movement, he slips his length inside of me. Its such a delicious feeling, I move slowly and watch his face. He bites down on his lip and kisses me again, groaning into my mouth. His stubble feels amazing as it grazes my face. He takes my sleepshirt off and nuzzles my breasts. His tongue expertly teases my n*****s and he gently bites them. I throw my head back in pleasure as he moves me a bit faster. I c*m quickly and so does he. 

We sit there for a few more minutes, just kissing and holding one another. 

“Hmm, breakfast in bed with you is the best.” I muse. 

“I like to think it’s the only breakfast in bed of that kind you get.” 

“Of course it is.” 

“OK, get ready. I have a surprise for you.” 

“Another?” 

He smiles, “Yes, another one.” 

We leave the girls with his parents and head out of town. “Where are we off to?” 

“It’s a surprise.” 

“OK, I won’t ask again.” I laugh. 

We end up at the Mayor Cross Hotel and Spa in Augusta. Its very modern and has one of the best restaurants in the state. Charlie checks us in and I look at him, confused. 

“We’re staying the night.” 

“Yay!” 

“Come on, spa first and then we can have a nap before dinner.” 

“I could think of better things to do than nap.” I whisper in his ear. 

He kisses my neck, “God, I am a lucky man!” 

We’re treated to an hour long couple’s massage and I get my nails done while Charlie heads up to our room. The treatments are heavenly and I couldn’t be happier. 

When I get upstairs there are petals all over the floor and champagne chilling on a dressed up tray with strawberries and melted chocolate. Next to all of it, is an envelope addressed to me. Charlie is nowhere to be seen. I call his name. No response. So, I open the envelope. It’s a card, inviting me to a dinner, specially prepared by the head chef in one of the private dining rooms. 

I shower and get dressed, then head down to meet him. I feel nervous and slightly self-conscious in the dress he’s picked for me. Its plain, but stylish. Slightly short, but I imagine my husband has a certain set of expectations tonight and remind myself that I need to tell him its my birthday and not his. 

He stands when I enter the private dining room and looks like he’s been waiting for an eternity. I giggle to myself and smile at him. He looks amazing in his suit. I take his hand and allow him to seat me. 

“You’re beautiful, Ginny.” 

“Thank you. You aren’t too bad yourself.” 

I swear he goes a bit pink in the cheeks. Our waiter is there as soon as we’re both seated and pours us champagne. We enjoy a starter of beef carpaccio and a balsamic glaze. 

“Charlie, this is amazing! Thank you again.” 

“The night’s still young.” 

“What else have you planned?” 

“Nothing much. Just enjoy your dinner.” 

We have a main of salmon and polenta with seasonal vegetables and a white wine from New Zealand. Its all so delicious. I am reminded of when we are dating and when I mention it to him, its as if he breathes a sigh of relief. 

“Is that what you wanted today to feel like?” I ask him. 

“Does it?” he looks hopeful. 

“Yes! Charlie, you’re so thoughtful. Thank you.” 

“Mission accomplished. Now eat up. I have one more surprise for you.” 

After dinner is over, we leave the hotel to head out to one of the city’s most upmarket rooftop bars. Luckily, they have gas heating and a marquee covering it. There is music and a guest list, which we’re actually on. I kiss my husband and know then that he’s been listening to me and all my whining. 

“Your night out.” 

“Thank you, Charlie. Its all just amazing!” 

We sip on ridiculously expensive drinks and cuddle on one of the plush leather sofa’s . Charlie has his arm around me and is smiling. “What?” 

“Nothing. I just have one more thing to give you.” 

“Are you crazy? This was more than enough already. Its all been so amazing. I can’t thank you enough.” 

He takes a photo out of his jacket and hands it to me. Its of a house. “And this?” 

“It’s a house.” 

“I can see that, but whose house is it?” 

“Its ours.” 

“Ours?” I study it more closely. It looks vaguely familiar. “Wait? Is this where I think it is?” 

He nods and smiles, “Yes. The Vermont lake house.” 

“Charlie!” 

“You like it?” 

“I love it! I can’t believe you bought us a house in Vermont!” 

“Phew! Great.” 

“You thought I wouldn’t like this?” I look at him and stroke his cheek, “Everything you do is amazing. Thank you.” I can’t believe my luck with Charlie. Not for the wealth, but the man that he is. 

Having decided to leave the girls with the Kings for a bit longer, Charlie and I head home to just spend the day together. We spend most of it upstairs, holed up in the bedroom. Me, showing my appreciation for the absolute best weekend a girl could want and Charlie doing what he does best behind closed doors. 

By the time he leaves to get the twins, I am spent. I soak in a bath filled with bubbles and a glass of red wine. While soaking, my phone goes off and I check to see who’s messaged. 

*Ginny, happy birthday. Been thinking about you lots.* 

I don’t know who its from, so I don’t reply. Its probably an old college friend I imagine and don’t pay it anymore thought.