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Shauntal hummed to herself as she carefully tried to light a few ordinary candles with a lighter. However, no matter how often she tried to flick it on, it wouldn't turn on. A defeated sigh left her lips as she looked over her shoulder to her Chandelure.
"Maybe I should leave the pyrotechnics to you, huh?"
Her partner gave a wispy whistle as she floated towards the table she was setting. Raising her candles, she lit the ones on the table as Shauntal uttered a soft 'thank you'. Shauntal gave the clock on the wall a quick glance, nodding.
Oh good.
She had at least another ten minutes before Lucian came home. Shauntal had requested that he take his time coming home from the Canalave library. It wasn't often that she got a chance to do something for him.
Shauntal taps her cheek, "Okay. Candles, check. Dinner, check. Hm..gift bag.." she double-checks under the table and sees the gift bag and the two gifts she wrapped inside. "..check! Now, just to wait for our guest of honor to come home.."
She patted the glass face plate of her dear partner, "Keep an eye on things for me, will you?"
Her Chandelure swayed in place, confirming that she would look over the candles. Shauntal untied the purple apron she wore, hanging it over a hook by the back door, before stepping outside to the front door to wait for Lucian. She leaned against a wall, closing her eyes as she took a deep breath.
This year has been filled with so many twists and turns. Starting things off with a surprising proposal after a battle and a wedding at the beginning of spring. Now that it was nearing the summer, there were so many festivities coming up. Her mind was brought to the present when she saw a familiar handsome scholar in maroon approach the walkway. A wide smile embraced her lips as she practically skipped off the porch and ran into Lucian's arms. He paused in mid-stride, smiling wider than ever as he caught her in his arms, spinning her about for a moment as he pulled her into a loving kiss.
Shauntal melted in his arms as she returned his kiss. Lucian places her down on the ground, still sealed in a lip lock, hands kept around her waist as he pulled her against his chest.
Reluctantly, he pulled back as he leaned his forehead against Shauntal's. "Good evening, darling. Now what have you been up to all day that you required me to take my time coming home, hm?"
Shauntal gave him a small smile, "Well, I couldn't set up a surprise for your birthday with you home early, now could I?"
Lucian sighs, "You didn't have to do anything for my birthday. I'm content with spending the evening with you."
She just gave him a Lilipup pout, "But I wanted to celebrate your birthday and make it special."
He gave her a long look before taking her right hand to press a soft kiss along her gloved fingers, "If it means that much to you, Shauntal, I'll follow your lead."
As quickly as the pouty look appeared on her face, it was gone and replaced with a beaming grin. She held his hand tightly as she ushered him inside.
"Okay, now just take a seat and I'll take care of everything else." Shauntal purred as she kissed his cheek.
Lucian lowered his glasses half an inch down the bridge of his nose as he watched Shauntal hum with glee as she moved about the kitchen. He was a little amused that she spent so much time and energy celebrating his birthday. Between the romantic atmosphere and home-cooked meal, she truly went out of her way to make this an evening to remember. He leaned forward, folding his hands under his chin while he admired his wife.
She had her Froslass bring a bottle of white wine to the table with two flutes lightly frosted while she brought two plates of food for them both. Before she could get to the glasses, Lucian took the liberty of pouring wine into both. Shauntal's shoulders fell when she noticed him pouring their glasses.
"Hun, you didn't have to do that.."
"I don't mind. I can see that you've placed a great deal of effort into the evening. Besides, it only seems proper that I handle the wine. Thank you for putting together a wonderful display for me."
Shauntal placed their plates down, smiling a bit as she accepted a glass he held out to her. She raised her glass a bit, keeping her loving gaze locked on his.
"To you, my loving husband and dearly beloved. Here's to celebrating thirty-two years of life and hoping to have more to come."
She taps her glass against his as he gave a soft laugh.
"Goodness. When you put it like that, I feel old."
Shauntal giggled softly, "Maybe just a little but I love you anyway." she teased, leaning on her toes to give him a brief kiss.
Lucian had placed his glass down for a moment as he approached her. So when she leaned up to kiss him, he gathered her in his arms. He caused her to squeak in his arms as he took a seat.
"L-Lucian..are you sure you want me to sit with you like this?"
He adjusted her on his lap in a way that allowed her legs to hang off the side to the right of him, allowing his left arm to wrap around her waist for support.
"I'm sure. I haven't had you at my side all day. I'd much prefer to have the one I love as close to me as possible this evening." He softly kisses under her ear, whispering softly, "Although, I must admit, there is a slight temptation to follow a Kalosian tradition and divulge in dessert before the main course."
His suggestive comment caused her heart to race rapidly in her chest. Shauntal bit her bottom lip, looking up at her beloved. She had plans for him later this evening but she wanted to wait until later. Placing a hand over his chest, she kisses the nape of his neck.
"You may be the birthday boy, but I'm afraid you'll need to wait for your sweet treat until later this evening. All good things come to gentlemen who wait, my love. Best to not spoil your appetite."
As she spoke, his grip on her hip grew a little tighter before he released her with a soft peck against her right cheek, "Very well. If you wish for me to wait I can, but I would still like for you to be close to me this evening."
"I suppose that's okay." She shifts in his arms for a moment to reach over the table before looking up to him, "Can I have a hand please?"
"Ah, forgive me darling. I was distracted by a dark beauty that I nearly forgot to slide your meal closer to my side." He waved a brief hand for dishes to slide closer to his side of the table, avoiding the lit candles as he did so. Once her things were close enough to her, she uttered a soft 'thank you' to him before diving into their dinner with him.
"So, how are things at the library?"
Lucian gave a thoughtful hum,"They were fine, for the most part. Someone caused quite a headache for Cynthia this morning and scrambled a whole section of books throughout various shelves between two floors. Sorting them out nearly gave me a headache as well."
Shauntal gave a visible cringe, "That would drive me crazy. Were you able to put everything away properly?"
"It took us both about two hours but we managed to organize things." He paused for a moment, looking at his plate of lemon pepper fish with Cilantro lime rice , " I was unaware you knew how to make one of my favorite dishes. How did you. . .?"
She finished her current mouthful of food before giving him a knowing grin, "You forget that I tend to pay attention to little details. You mentioned to me once during our late night talks about a meal you haven't had in a while. So, I made it my personal mission to make sure I made just that for you on your birthday. I want to make sure that tonight is special for you. That's why I had you take your time coming home. I needed to make sure that everything was perfect, just for you."
Shauntal leans into his chest, giving him a soft kiss on the cheek. However, as she tries to pull away from him, he gently takes hold of her chin and lures her into a soft, passionate kiss. Her lips parted, silently giving him permission to channel his desire and love for her into their kiss. Lips touching, melting into one as soft sighs and near muffled moans escaped from them both. His hand that held her chin up slowly wandered downward. The tips of his fingers sensually drawing a line down her throat until he reached the dipping curve of her generous breasts. Moving to the left, he placed a hand over her heart before slowly pulling back, but not without licking her addictive lips first.
"You don't have to go above and beyond for me, Shauntal. Just knowing I have a place here, in your heart, is the only thing I could care to ask for. You are everything to me. If this evening alone, spending quality time with you, was my present, then I would be more than content." He rests his forehead against her own, laughing softly, "However, much like myself, I know you're an overachiever. I hope you managed to at least spoil yourself a little as well when you went shopping."
She gave a side glance, still grinning, "I may have bought something, but you'll need to wait until later."
He couldn't help but chuckle at that, pulling her closer to his chest, "My, you have been busy. I certainly look forward to what you have in store for me this evening."
"Just a bit," she admitted softly, "For now, you should probably finish eating before everything gets cold."
Kissing her cheek once more, he continued to eat with her as they spoke about their days. Once they finished eating, they continued talking - as their conversation turned towards the novel she was writing and the statistics of ghosts and why they haunt abandoned buildings versus a dense forest. The debate went on for about a half hour until she looked at the clock.
"Oh goodness, is it that late already? I haven’t given you your presents yet!”
She wiggles out of his arms and walks around the table to retrieve a gift bag. Walking back to him she held the bag behind her back, rocking on her heels.
“So, do you remember our honeymoon and how we agreed to only take our Rotom phones out only for weather updates and pictures?”
Lucian gave her a slow nod, “I do. Save for the one call from Cynthia, we were left alone for the majority of the trip. Why do you ask?”
“Well. . .I may have put something together from that trip.” She hands him the bag, kissing his forehead, “Happy birthday, Lucian.”
He accepts the bag, his lips twitching into a knowing smile, “Thank you, Shauntal.” Opening the bag, he sees that there are two gifts wrapped inside.
Taking the smaller of the two out first, he unwrapped the blue wrapping paper. Inside, it revealed that he had a copy of the latest novel she was working on. He froze for a moment as he glanced at the inside cover of the book.
‘This novel is dedicated to my loving husband, Lucian. May you always know that I will forever be at your side. Through rain or shine, I will always support you just like you support me. Thank you for everything. You mean the world to me.
Loving you always - Shauntal’
His eyes became a bit misty from the message in the book. He carefully took off his glasses, placing the book and gift bag aside.
Shauntal took a step closer to him, a look of concern on her face, “Are..you okay? “
Standing from his seat, he pulled Shauntal into his arms as he held her tightly, “More than okay. I find myself quite speechless. You have no idea how much of an honor it is for you to dedicate one of your works to me. I will be sure to take my time with this novel. I want to absorb every beautiful detail you’ve written.”
She returns his hug, smiling a bit, “You’re already teary and you haven’t even seen everything…You are so cute. Go on and open the other one, love.”
He gave her one last squeeze of her shoulders before letting go to turn around and place his glasses back on. Adjusting the rims for a moment, he takes out the last gift she had wrapped.
Unwrapping it, he looks over to Shauntal, “Darling you didn’t. . .”
She slides over to his side, and leans her head on his arm, “I may have had a picture professionally framed.”
Inside the wrapping paper was a back to back picture of Lucian and Shauntal at their wedding and in Kalos. Their wedding date over both pictures with their names written over the dates.
“You can keep it in your office on your desk. That way, you have a little reminder of a time when we were happy and content with one another.”
She looked up to her beloved, noticing that he was in a trance as he looked at their pictures. He was smiling at the images before him. Carefully, he sets the double frame down before turning to Shauntal.
He takes hold of her left hand, holding it close to his chest as his other hand braces her lower back.
“I’m always content with you, my love. It’s one of many reasons why I proposed to you. I feel at peace in your company. Your intellect keeps me engaged in a meaningful conversation and your compassion for not only the written word, but for preserving history brings me joy. I couldn’t be happier with anyone else.”
He holds her closer, his lips just barely brushing against her own, “Thank you for such a thoughtful birthday. I find myself falling in love with you all over again, darling.”
She giggles softly, “Well, our first night together was an eventful one. Shall we head to our room and continue with your celebration?”
He closes the distance between them, capturing her lips within his own, a soft sigh leaving him as his eyes fluttered closed at half mast. When he pulled back, he leaned his forehead against hers, their glasses frames tapping briefly.
“Lead the way, my love.”
Sharing a knowing smile between them, she gave his hand a light squeeze, sliding out of his arms as she led him to their room to continue their romantic evening to celebrate his birthday.