#//asdlfkjasdflkasdjfasdf

[dontcxckitup]

When Gareth inevitably heads downstairs before Maria on the Morning of the 22nd (his birthday), he will find that the dining room table contains a cake, a banner draped across the table, several balloons and a small pile of presents with a couple of cards. In the kitchen, Maria has already set up for breakfast and she has, somewhat sneakily, penciled in a very important meeting, that is actually with her, at home, until at least 10am. There is a bottle bag, containing a large bottle of old and expensive scotch from Maria's Mum and Dad. A Glen Grant 51 year old Macbeth themed whisky, with a card, clearly picked out by her mother wishing him a happy birthday and being glad he's back in their lives. There is a card atop a pile of boxes. It's a simple thing with text on the front that reads If I had my life to live over again... I'd find you sooner and love you longer. Happy Birthday, I love you. Inside Maria has written the following message: Gareth, I can't begin to express what the last months have meant to me. Though years have moved between us, it feels like no time has passed at all. I adore you now as much as I did when we were in our 20's and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you. Here, my love, is to the first of many birthdays and the next adventure. Happy Birthday. Eternally yours, Maria xxx Beneath the cards are three boxes: One is small, square, with a black ribbon wrapped around it. Inside are a pair of cufflinks, that to the naked eye look ordinary, possibly like clocks, but on closer inspection the circular top has a woody grain and 12 tiny engraved swords pointing to the middle where a small letter G resides on one and an M on the other. (Maria has bought them as Gareth Mallory and has not yet twigged that the M could also be her own name....) The second box, is rectangular, again black and square, it contains a silly gift. A card reads Well we do have a lot of lost time to catch up on x in Maria's handwriting. Beneath it are two new silk ties, and what looks like a card game. It's title Tic-Tac-To The Bedroom. The final box, also black but with a silver ribbon is rectangular, longer and thinner than the others. A recreation of Excalibur in letter opener form, with a little stand for it. No heart I know is true that is not put to the test. - Is engraved in small letters on one side. "I know letter openers aren't really the fashion any more but I thought it was nice, you can have it in the office. It's got a little stand for a display." Maria says from where she lingers in the dimly lit doorway, she's in her bathrobe, no point getting messy before work in the kitchen with breakfast then having to change again she thinks.

@tealeavesandthorns

He stops in his tracks the second he notices the decorations. The balloons. The banner. The presents. Things he doesn't actually want - but still manage to put a smile on his face. Simply because Maria, the woman he has found again after all these years, has thought of him. Has ignored his complaints and pleas and just gone on to get him all this; to celebrate his birthday.

And frankly, he almost feels like a child again when he starts opening the wrapping paper and reveals one present after the other. Reads the card she has written him, over and over again, until he almost knows her words by heart.

He turns at her voice, smiling broadly. "It's perfect," Gareth admits, setting the card and letter opener back down on the counter and walking up to Maria. His arms move around her waist and pull her closer to him until his lips almost touch hers. Almost. "This meeting is a lot better than with the Prime Minister," he whispers, leaning in to tug her lips into a kiss. "Thank you. I...couldn't imagine a better birthday."