Chapter Text
Jubal sighed, although he was grinning, “You’re impossible sometimes, you know,” He tilted his head, leaning in the doorway of Isobel’s office, “just wait twenty minutes for me to wrap this up and let me take you for coffee, it is not a life or death situation, Isobel.”
Isobel caved within seconds, from her complete reluctance to her complete acceptance, “Okay, fine, but at twenty-one minutes past five I will be going home, okay?”
“It will take me nineteen minutes to finish up here, I promise.”
She couldn’t hold back the giggle as Jubal pushed himself off the doorway, turning on his heels and heading back to his desk. She leaned back in her chair before finishing up the paperwork she needed to.
Isobel walked next to Jubal, bumping shoulders a little as they weaved in and out of people on the street. She had already asked where they were going, but all she’d gotten in response was how it was a cafe she was sure to like. So they walked in silence, happily, both lost in their own thoughts.
When they arrived at the cafe, she recognised it from her morning runs, but she had never been inside. It looked calm, laid back, leather couches and wicker-backed chairs, mood lighting, and a simple menu, with drinks that came in large mugs.
“Black coffee?”
Isobel nodded, “If you don’t mind, are you sure you don’t want me to pay?”
“I’m sure, go find a seat, I’ll get these, okay?” He smiled, watching her go, before turning back to the waitress, “Bit of an odd one, don’t suppose you can stick a few candles in one of your cupcakes, for me?”
He was thankful that Isobel picked a table in the corner, but with enough light that he could see her face when he sat down with the cupcakes.
“Jubal, what is this?”
“You didn’t really think I forgot your birthday, did you?”
Isobel shook her head, “No, I didn’t. How long have you been planning on bringing me out for birthday cupcakes?” She was curious, not shifting her gaze as she picked up her coffee.
“Since about 5:15 this afternoon.” Jubal admitted with a grin.
Isobel laughed out loud, “Spontaneous, I like that.”
Jubal reached into his pocket, pulling out the lighter he kept in his desk, with his free hand he moved the cupcake with the candle in front of her, “Don’t worry, I’ll save you the embarrassment of me singing.”
He lit the small candle, “Happy Birthday, Isobel.”
“Thank you, Jubal.” She blew out the candle, chuckling a little at the moment she was in, a warmth spreading in her chest at the fact that Jubal had brought her out for coffee and cake to celebrate her turning a year older.
“Did you make a wish?”
“I did! But I can’t tell you because then it won’t come true.”
Jubal laughed, “Spoken like a true believer!”
He took the candle out of the cake, pushing it closer to the woman, happy to see a smile on her face after the day they’d had. “Same again next year?”
Isobel nodded, “That would be nice, yeah.” It was the first time she’d enjoyed her birthday for a few years.