Chapter 45

JAYDA

Just as she had promised, Jayda made sure she filled her fridge with ice cream and chocolates so she would have something to personally celebrate her birthday with.

The last thing she remembered before she fell asleep was that the next day was Saturday, her birthday, and she was going to sleep to her satisfaction and probably wake up at noon.

Unfortunately, someone decided to spoil that plan by showering kisses all over her face, disturbing her sleep.

“Lilian, I told you not to come over until five. Why are you here this early?” Jayda mumbled tiredly, not opening her eyes.

Lilian did not reply and the kisses on her face didn’t stop. Jayda groaned, burying her face deeper into the pillow.

She heard a familiar chuckle, followed by a voice whispering in her ear. “Happy birthday, my love.”

Jayda’s eyes flung open. She smiled as she saw Sebastian.

He reached for her hand and kissed it. “I wish you long life and prosperity, good health, more riches, more happiness, and every other thing you could ever wish for.”

Sebastian kissed her forehead and settled onto the bed next to her for a cuddle.

“Thanks for surprising me with your presence. I’m happy to see you here, but how did you get in?” Jayda asked curiously.

“Lilian gave me her key to your apartment. I have a surprise for you.”

“Okay!” Jayda said, sitting up, anticipating what he had gotten her.

Sebastian got up and reached for the medium-sized cake on the nightstand. Jayda’s heart melted. Aside from the cake, there was also a gift bag. She knew it had to be for her.

Sebastian handed the cake to Jayda who looked at it adoringly.

He nervously scratched the back of his neck as he spoke. “I wanted to add some candles so you could make a wish, but I didn’t want to overdo the surprise.”

Jayda smiled. “I don’t need a wish. I already have all I could ever think of. I have you, the love of my life, and I have our little miracle growing inside of me. I have Aaron, my parents, family, friends, and I have a successful career. God has truly blessed me.”

Sebastian kissed her mouth. He’d thoughtfully brought in some plates, a knife and a fork, and napkins. They happily each had a piece of the delicious cake, and he handed her the gift bag.

“I hope you love it,” he said.

Jayda’s eyes burned with love for him. She wasn’t even halfway through her birthday yet, and she already concluded that this was the best birthday ever. She’d told him the truth about not needing a wish. With him there, she had everything she could ever have dreamed of and more.

SEBASTIAN

It had been hard for Sebastian to pick out a present for her. No amount of gifts in the world could quantify his love for her. But he hoped she loved what he bought.

Jayda brought out a jewelry box, a birthday card, and an envelope.

She decided to open the jewelry box first. Instantly, joyful tears welled up in her eyes.

JAYDA

“Sebastian…this must have cost you a fortune. You should have gone for something less pricey,” Jayda whispered, her eyes not leaving the very expensive diamond necklace. It was truly one of a kind.

“You’re worth every dime and even more,” Sebastian declared.

“I’ve never owned anything as beautiful as this. You literally just added to my net worth. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Sebastian smiled.

Jayda put the jewelry box aside and reached for the card. Inside, he’d written something specially for her. She read the words aloud.

~I never knew I could be this drunk in love with someone. You changed me completely, and I promise to love you forever. Happy birthday to the queen of my heart, Jayda.~

Perhaps her hormones were making her more emotional than she should be, but Jayda wept happy tears.

Jayda was happy to know that Sebastian loved and cared for her this much and never failed to prove it to her every day.

“I feel so special right now. Thank you.” Jayda sniffed. Sebastian kissed her forehead.

Jayda reached for the envelope. She opened it. It was a short note inviting her to go to…Dubai!

“I want us to take a short vacation, but it’s okay if you’re not up for it. It’s impromptu, and you have a job that needs you.”

Jayda grinned at him. “What about the week after next? We have to go soon, before I’m not allowed to travel.”

SEBASTIAN

Sebastian had been sure she would have to work, and his heart lifted when he saw that she was clearly making a special time for him.

“Sure! I mean, I’m the boss, so I’m in charge of my schedule.”

“You’re spoiling me again, but I love it. And I love you.” She kissed him slowly, caressing his face.

“So how do you plan on spending your day?” Sebastian asked as if he had not already planned anything.

“Being lazy.” She answered, putting back all her presents in the gift bag.

“Good, because I may have planned something,” Sebastian announced shyly.

“Planned what?” Her eyebrow raised.

“A birthday dinner party with our families and close friends.”

“Seb, you didn’t have to. They all understand I don’t like celebrating my birthday.” Jayda pouted.

“Everything has been planned. Unless you want me to cancel and send a message to everyone not to come.”

“Don’t be silly. I know you put so much effort into planning the surprise birthday dinner for me. I’m grateful, and I’m really excited about the dinner with my loved ones.

“That explains why I only got a text from my dad this morning, wishing me a happy birthday. Perhaps my mom and brother were calm about it because they knew they would be seeing me tonight.”

“Good, I’m glad you still want to go, because I also brought you a new outfit.” Sebastian got up and fetched a black box from the sofa in her room.

“I pray I get used to you spoiling me,” Jayda smiled as she collected the box from Sebastian. She opened it, then looked at Sebastian with tears in her eyes. “Please tell me it’s not that same dress.”

“Fortunately, it is,” Sebastian smiled.

JAYDA

Jayda buried her face in her hands. “Sebbbbbbb!” She groaned.

The last time they went shopping together, Jayda had seen a beautiful dress she couldn’t take her eyes off. She’d checked and was speechless at how expensive it was, so she didn’t take it.

Obviously, Sebastian actually had seen her eyeing the dress. He was surprising her at every turn.

Sebastian closed the gap between them and made her look into his eyes. “You deserve the dress and even more,” he said sincerely.

Jayda hugged him. “You’re amazing, Sebby. Thank you.”

SEBASTIAN

He chuckled. She had thanked him more than six times already. “You’re welcome, my love.” He kissed her forehead.

The rest of the items in the box were matching shoes, clutch, and jewelry.

“I think we’ve spent too much time in this room. Our breakfast should be ready by now.”

“Breakfast?” Jayda questioned.

“A special birthday breakfast by one of the best chefs in the city,” Sebastian said.

“Is it possible to love you more than I already do?”

Sebastian shrugged. “Just know I will always love you more. Thank you for being with me despite my imperfections.”

She took a few minutes to freshen up in the bathroom while Sebastian cleared away the cake and checked the kitchen. The chef had already set up a romantic breakfast for them.

JAYDA

Jayda and the love of her life had breakfast. They laughed and joked with each other and fed each other bites of the delicious meal. Before they’d finished, the security guards of her building delivered a stack of gifts from her firm and other friends and family members.

Jayda stared at them all. “I guess these are the things that scare me from celebrating. I receive so many gifts that I feel overwhelmed.”

Sebastian smiled. “It shows you’re loved.”

“Do you want to open them now or wait until later?” he asked.

“I’ll open them later. Let’s go where you want to take me,” she said excitedly.

She couldn’t wait to see what other surprises he had in store for her.

***

JAYDA

At the sight of the brand-new convertible, Jayda burst into laughter. “You’ve got to be kidding me, Sebastian!”

Sebastian shrugged and made his way toward the gorgeous new car. He made sure the top was down as he opened the passenger side door and bowed with a grand gesture.

“It won’t be very practical with a baby,” she protested.

He pulled her into his arms for a kiss. “Then I’ll buy you something else.”

This man could not do enough for her, and Jayda knew she was the luckiest woman in the world.

“Come on, we are going to be late,” Sebastian said. “And we have so much more to do.”