35

Karter

I just landed to New York. It's 27th July, meaning it's Marie's birthday. She doesn't know I'm in New York yet, she thinks my flight lands tomorrow so I'm surprising her. Marie also never told me when her birthday was, I had to ask Nina and thank god I did.

I step out of the airport to see Richie waiting for me. He smiles at me and I smile, "Hello Sir. How was your trip?"

"It was great. Thank you. How are you doing Richie?" I ask as we walk to the car.

"I'm doing good Sir." He says.

"Where to Sir?" Richie asks once we're in the car.

"To Marie's house please." I say as Richie nods and starts the car.

I reach her apartment and walk to her floor. Today is a Tuesday so Marie won't be home so I can easily sneak into her place.

I call Nina who picks up after two rings, "Hello Karter." She says.

"Hey. I'm outside her apartment. Where did you keep the key?" I ask.

"Oh it's in the plant pot. The one on the left." She says.

I spot the plant, bend down and take out the key from it, "Found it! Thank you so much Nina!" I say.

"No worries. Have fun and good luck!" She says.

"Thanks" I say as Nina hangs up.

I lock the door once I'm inside and set my things down in the living room. Time to get to work now. It's 12:30 right now so I have a few hours.

Honestly I'm pretty mad at Marie for not telling me about her birthday. I had talked to her yesterday before my flight and she didn't even mention it. I wonder why.

I find the ingredients that I need and start to make my world famous Chicken Alfredo. I set up the dinning table in her kitchen with a red table cloth and place a vase in the middle where I would place a rose. After I was done setting the table I got a call from Richie.

"Sir, I'm outside the apartment." Richie says.

"Be right there Richie!" I say and walk to the door. Richie hands me the cake, candles, flowers and wine.

"Thank you so much Richie." I smile.

"No problem sir. Anything else I can do?" He asks.

"No thank you Richie." I say.

He nods and heads out once again.

At 6 everything was perfect as I had wanted it to be. On the living room coffee table there were flowers, the gifts I had gotten her and the cake. I had placed a few candles as well.

In the kitchen, the table was decorated with flowers, candles, some very expensive wine and my world famous Chicken Alfredo.

I had changed into a fancy black dress shirt as well and looked pretty decent. I just sat around in the living room waiting for Marie to come.

Around 6:40 I heard the shuffling of keys coming from the door. I turned off all the lights and walked inside the kitchen where Marie couldn't see me. She opened and closed the door. She walked to the living room and gasped as she saw the cake, gifts, flowers and candles.

"What the..?" She mumbles.

I took that as my cue to step out of the kitchen.

"You really didn't think I would do nothing for your birthday did you?" I say stepping out of the kitchen and smiling at her.

Marie looks up at me with wide eyes and immediately rushes to me. She wraps her arms around me pulls me into a bone crushing hug. My hands wrap themselves around Marie's waist and I pull her even closer to me. We stand there in each others embrace for what felt like forever. I pull away and attach my lips to hers. Our lips move in perfect sync as my hands slightly squeeze her waist. Her arms tighten around my neck as she gently pulls on my hair. We stay there devouring each other until we had to pull away to catch our breath.

Our foreheads against each other, chest heaving up and down together we smile at each other.

"Happy Birthday love." I smile.

"Thank you." She smiles at me.

"I thought you weren't coming till tomorrow?" She asks once our breathing is back to normal.

"I lied. I wanted to surprise with all of this." I say moving hands and gesturing to this dinner.

"You shouldn't have." She says.

"But I wanted to. And I'm still mad at you for not telling me it's your birthday. Like why?" I ask.

"I don't know." She chuckles.

I hold her hand and pull her into the kitchen, "I made my world famous Chicken Alfredo. Don't want it to get cold!" I say.

We take a seat at the table and start to dig into our food. Marie moans and looks up at me, "This is so good!" She says.

"Thank you love but I'd appreciate if you don't make noises like that." I say.

"Why? Do they turn you on?" She asks with a chuckle.

"Eat your food." I say sternly.

"Whatever you say Daddy." She jokes.

My eyes widen at her statement, "Marie!"

"I'm just joking chill." She starts laughing loudly.

We finish our dinner and walk to the living room. We take a seat on the couch and Marie starts clapping like a four year old, "Cake! Cake" She exclaims.

I chuckle, "Hope you like chocolate fudge." I say.

"Do I like chocolate fudge? I LOVE chocolate fudge!" Marie says.

I chuckle and look at her lovingly, "Well then, cut the cake!"

Marie grabs the knife and blows the candle. She cuts a small piece and deliberately shoves the entire piece into my causing cake to fall on my clothes.

"Oops." Marie chuckles.

"You're lucky it's your birthday!" I say grabbing a tissue and wiping my face.

"I missed you." Marie says all the sudden.

I look up at her and smile, "I missed you too." I say and wrap an arm around her shoulder.

Marie smiles and peaks my lips. She hands me a plate with cake and cuts a piece for herself.

"Thank you so much for all this. Best birthday yet!" Marie says biting into her cake.

"Anything for you love." I smile.

My eyes land to a bouquet of white daisies that was on her coffee table. I didn't get her those.

"Those are nice. Who gave them to you?" I ask pointing to the flowers.

Marie looks at me, "I don't think you'll like the answer to that question." She says.

I narrow my eyes and she continues, "Daniel gave those to me."

I clench my fists at the thought of Daniel. Doesn't that guy get a clue that she's not I interested? What is his problem?

"What?" I ask through gritted teeth.

Marie sets the plate down and touches my arm, "Come on let's not ruin this perfect date. He gave them and I couldn't say no. I'm sorry. Plus I don't even like daises." Marie says.

I calm down a little, "Okay. But it's very clear that guy is still into you." I mumble.

"Karter." Marie says.

"Okay yeah sorry." I say.

"Let's open the gifts I got you now!" I say changing the subject and extending my arm to grab the presents and place them in front of Marie.

"You didn't have to do so much!" Marie says.

I kiss her on the cheek, "Of course I did."

Marie picks up the first square box, it was a necklace with the cursive letter k for you know Karter.

"Wow." Marie says.

"I want you to have something to remember me." I say.

"What are you going to war or something?" Marie jokes and I chuckle.

"It's beautiful. Thank you so much." Marie says and peaks me on the lips briefly.

"Can you put it on?" She asks. I smile at she turns my back to her and pulls her hair aside. I put the necklace on and she turns around once it's done.

She smiles at me and glances at her necklace, "I love it Karter. Thank you. I feel like I'm in high school and my jock boyfriend gave me his jacket!" Marie jokes and we laugh.

"Now open the rest of the gifts!" I say.

"Karter." Marie says seriously.

"Marie it's no big deal. I'd do so much more for you." I smile at her.

The night was pretty good. Marie liked the rest of the presents as well. At around 11 both of us were very exhausted and I decided to go home. Marie offered for me to stay and as much as I loved that I hadn't seen my daughter in a month and I missed her. I'm glad Marie enjoyed her birthday.