I’m having the best dream ever, when the sun coming in through the window threatens to pull me awake.
Wait, no, definitely not a dream. Jade is lying on top of me, kissing my neck.
“Morning, baby,” I say, eyes still closed.
“Happy birthday.” Her lips press against mine.
“Thank you.”
She scoots down my body and disappears under the covers. She pulls my boxers down on her way and takes me into her mouth. I don’t know how long she’s been lying on top of me, kissing me, but I am more than ready for her.
“Oh, damn.” I tangle my fingers in her hair as she sucks me all the way to the back of her throat.
My wife likes to go down on me, and I am not complaining. I like returning the favor two-fold. I warn her I’m close and then I’m coming hard way too soon.
“Fuck, baby, what a way to wake up.”
Jade shimmies back up and falls onto the bed beside me, while I’m still catching my breath. “Birthday blowies, didn’t you get the memo?”
“Best birthday present ever.” I let my head fall to the side to kiss her.
“That’s just present number one.”
“Give me five minutes and I’ll be ready for number two.” I put two fingers in the air.
Her soft laughter tickles the side of my face. “Present number two doesn’t include sex, sadly, but I still think you’ll like it.”
“Exactly how many presents are we talking about?”
“You’ll just have to wait and see.” She gets up and walks around the bed, completely naked, and heads into the bathroom. “Shower?”
“Never gonna say no to that.” I’m on my feet and chasing her as fast as I can move.
I get present number two and three in the shower and then we head out to my favorite breakfast place. Leo and Scarlett meet us there.
“How are you feeling?” Jade asks her best friend.
“Awful. I’m pretty sure this baby is trying to kill me.”
My wife hugs her and then leans down to talk to her stomach. “Be nice to your momma.”
Leo drapes a protective arm around Scarlett’s shoulders. “Let’s see if we can find something for you to eat that the kid doesn’t hate.”
We have breakfast, and then Jade and I drive out to her mom’s house. Momma Davis gives me a hug and a dozen homemade chocolate chip cookies. Things have been better between her and Jade. I’m not sure if that’ll stand when or if she starts seeing someone new, but I’m gonna keep pushing Jade to have a relationship with her.
Birthdays are always weird. I haven’t celebrated the day in years. When the person who brought you into the world isn’t around, it feels sort of pointless. Or it always has to me. But with every stop on Jade’s agenda, I’m starting to realize the pattern.
When we walk over to Ash’s house that night, I am looking forward to a fun night, kicking back with my friends. We have a game tomorrow night at home, so we won’t be getting too crazy, but it should still be a good time.
“That’s my favorite dress,” I say, glancing over at Jade in her little green dress. The same one she wore the night of her bachelorette party.
“Is it?” she asks with a mischievous smile. She knows damn well it is.
“Thank you for today.” I circle her waist and bring her body to mine on the stoop outside of Ash’s house. “It’s the best birthday ever.”
“You have a lot of people who love you. A big, slightly dysfunctional, but truly loving family.”
“I know.”
“None more than me, though. Don’t forget that.” She raises one hand above her head. “I’m way up here and everyone else is like, way down here.” She leans to the side to put that same hand down by the ground.
“So basically, everyone else just sorta, kinda loves me?” I tease.
“Oh no. They really love you. I just love you that much more.”
Her arms drape around my neck and she tips her face up in that way she does when she wants me to kiss her. I press my mouth to hers.
“Your mom would be really proud of the man you’ve become. Your grandparents, too.”
Warmth spreads through my chest. I don’t have the words, so I kiss her again.
Practically the whole team is here tonight. Even Everly and Grace stop by to wish me a happy birthday.
I spent a lot of years perfectly content to hang in the background and let life happen around me, but Jade pushes me to be present in moments like these.
After making a lap around the room to say hi to everyone, we pause in the doorway between the kitchen and living room.
“Who should we pretend to be tonight? Scarlett and Leo are sweet. He keeps rubbing her belly. Tyler and Piper disappeared, so they’re probably in some corner making out. Then there’s Dakota and Maverick getting a little handsy while talking to people.” Jade lifts a brow in question. “Or we could stare at each other longingly across the room like a number of others hoping not to go home alone.”
I step in front of her and place my hands on her hips. “I don’t want to be anyone else. Not tonight. Not ever again.”
She links her arms around my neck and stares into my eyes. “You want to go home and have sex, don’t you?”
I nod. “Yeah, immediately.”
Laughter lights up her face. I love these guys, our friends and family, but my very favorite place is home with my wife.
Before we can make our exit, Ash claps me on the shoulder. “Happy birthday, man.”
“Thanks. Appreciate you hosting.”
“Always happy for a reason to throw a party,” he says, and hands me a glass of whiskey.
Somewhere in the room, someone whistles, and then Jack commands everyone’s attention by stepping onto the coffee table and lifting his glass. “Happy birthday to one of the greatest guys I know. I hope it’s the best year yet, buddy. To Declan.”
Everyone tips their glass toward me. “To Declan.”
I lift my drink to them in return. I get a chorus of happy birthdays shouted my way.
“And to my gorgeous wife,” I say, after swallowing down the dark liquor. “Because of you, last year is going to be hard to top.”
Jade smiles and clinks her glass lightly against mine. “To us. The best is yet to come.”
