Elysia let out a long sigh of relief. That was a load off her mind.


    She snuggled into Tarquin''s arms and asked, "If we''re having dinner with my parents and the kids tonight, how are you going to see your friends?"


    "I don''t have to eat with them," Tarquin said. “I''ll just swing by Keaton''s ce after dinner. And if I don''t feel like it, I can just video call them. It''s the thought that counts."


    Elysia immediately shut that down. "No way. You''re the birthday boy. It wouldn''t be right if you weren''t there."


    Tarquin chuckled. "It''s fine. I haven''t celebrated in years. They''re used to it.”


    "This year is different.” Elysia stroked his cheek, her heart aching for him. "You only stopped celebrating because of Elijah. Now that we''re all together again, we''re celebrating every birthday from now on."


    Elijah used to miss his mother so much that he refused to celebrate his birthday. The day always made him incredibly sad. And if Elijah wasn''t celebrating, Tarquin wouldn''t either. So for all these years, neither of them had ever had a birthday party.


    Tarquin shed a roguish grin. "If you feel so bad for me, you can make it up to me with more surprises. I happen to love it when you y dress-up, especially when you get a little wicked..."


    Elysia pped a hand over his mouth, her cheeks burning. “Don''t you dare say another word!"


    Tarquin''s smile was radiant as he hugged her. "God, how can you be so cute?!” Elysia pinched him. "Still think I''m cute?"


    "Cute. A fierce little kitten."


    Elysia feigned anger. “Are you calling me a feisty?"


    "Nope. You''re my little cutie." Tarquinughed, pulling her head into his chest. "I''m just teasing. I''m really touched that you''d go to such lengths just to make me happy."


    Elysia huffed, "You... pervert!"


    Tarquin chuckled. "I''m only a pervert for you. I wouldn''t look twice if any other woman danced for me. Are you hungry? Let me get you something to eat. You should have a little something before you go back to sleep." She''d had a long night and was seriouslycking sleep.


    “Just a piece of cake is fine," Elysia said.


    "It''s gone. I finished it."


    Elysia''s eyes widened. “You ate the whole thing?"


    "Yep. My wife made it with her own hands, I couldn''t let it go to waste. More importantly, it was delicious."


    Elysia was a little skeptical at his praise. “Was it really that good?"


    "Of course it was. When have you ever seen me eat sweets? If it wasn''t good, I


    would''ve had one bite and been done. I wouldn''t have finished it."


    That made Elysia happy. “Then I''ll make it for you again next time.”


    "Deal." Tarquin ruffled her hair and kissed the top of her head before getting up to get her some food. He had made some chicken soup carlle and hedled a bowl for Elysia, blowing on each spoonful


    until it was cool enough before feeding it to her.


    After finishing the soup, her


    stomach felt settled, and she drifted back to sleep, not waking up until five-thirty in the afternoon. When she finally woke up again, she felt much more refreshed, her energy restored. Her body still felt a little weak, but it didn''t hinder her normal movements, and she wasn''t sore down there anymore.


    Elysia stood by the bed, looking at Tarquin suspiciously. “?”


    "What''s wrong?" he asked. "Are you not feeling well?"


    Elysia''s lips parted. "Did... did you put some ointment on me?"


    "Yeah. I was afraid you''d be ufortable today."


    Elysia''s cheeks reddened, and she quickly changed the subject. "Aren''t you tired?"


    Tarquin''s handsome eyes narrowed. "I could go another round. Wanna try?"


    "Get lost."


    Elysia spun around and


    headed for the bathroom, her face scalding hot. Every time after they were intimate she had an existential. crisis why was he the one doing all the work, but she was the one who ended up exhausted?


    That evening, Elysia and Tarquin, dressed in matching outfits, went to yton''s house for dinner. As soon as the children saw them, they rushed to the door.


    "Daddy! Mommy!"


    Tarquin smiled, and after changing his shoes, he swept his baby girl into his arms. "Did my little girl have fun today?"


    "I did! Happy birthday, Daddy! I got you a birthday present!"


    Tarquin was delighted. "Really? You got me a present?”


    “Uh-huh! Grandpa, Grandma, and my brothers got you presents too! We all want to


    wish you a happy birthday."