Birthday Surprises | Juliet

Riley didn't know how he managed it but he had been able to get off early today and he was thrilled after everything that had happened in the last few days it felt like he was still walking on eggshells not sure if he would go into a downward spiral or if Juliet would. So many things had happened in such a short time and he wanted to show her and not just tell her that he was here, for better or worse, thick or thin. He was hers and he would always be there, what better way to start than to treat her to a surprise she might not expect after all these years and past few days.  He was working in the kitchen whipping up some pancakes, bacon, sausage and eggs for dinner. He wanted to be out of the ordinary and at the same time unique, for her pancakes he had written out her name and also drew a heart. When he heard the door open he made sure her gift was on the table and he was nervous. The necklace that was wrapped in the little box was the start of something new and he was worried she might think it was to much, calling out he said, "Happy Birthday to a goddess. How was your day Jules?"

created by rynstone

@juliet

Juliet walked through the door with a big smile on her face and a dark blue package in her hands. It was small and slim, but she was more than a little proud of what was on the inside. Sure, it was a little cheesy, but she hoped Riley would like it anyways. Gods knew he needed to see it, probably every day for the rest of their lives. "Happy birthday handsome." She greeted, putting her bags down and gently placing the package in to her pocket before heading to the kitchen. While she was doing so, she answered his question. "It was long, but uneventful. The kids are finally starting to settle back down and things were almost normal." Alright, normal enough for a school full of borderline-orphaned demi-gods.

"What about you? How was work?" Juliet inquired as she rounded the corner, stopping short at the sight of Riley's handiwork. Had he really made her dinner? Judging by the looks of the kitchen, he had. It made her heart melt to think of all the work he had already put in to the evening. After taking Riley's gift out of her pocket and laying it beside the smaller box on the table, she walked over to him to put her arms around his waist in a tight hug. "Thank you, Ri. Everything looks great."

Jules' Outfit

He pulled Juliet in as close as he could, "Work was alright there were a few meetings that I accompanied the chancellor to and there was my inspection of the security team, which went well. I was given some time off though so I knew I wanted to surprise you with something special." Leaning down he kissed her forehead then the tip of her nose. They were starting again and he knew it would be a rough road but he wanted to start on a day they shared together.

"I think before dinner you should open your gift, that is if you would like to." He smiled at her leading her to the table as he picked up the longer box. His insides were making all sorts of flips and dives, he heard began to race thinking she might not like what he found for her.

Looking at the box, Jukiet smiled before kissing Riley softly on the cheek. "You didn't have to get me anything, babe." Grasping the box, she looked up at him before opening it. At least he looked happy, which made her heart sing. "But...I got you something too, so we're even." Part of her wanted to wait and see if he liked her gift, but curiosity got the better of her. The paper was ripped away quickly, revealing the jewelry box. Of course he would go big or go home. A small gasp escaped her lips as she opened the box to reveal the necklace inside. "Riley....it's beautiful." She whispered, turning to wrap her arms around his neck.

Juliet told him he didn't need to get her anything, but the thing he didn't want to tell her is that the last two years he still had bought her gifts knowing he would never get to give them to her. He wanted to treat her like the goddess she was whether it was with a purchased item, cooking her dinner or creating something, he just loved showing her that he loved her. He knew she wanted to wait but the curiosity was to great and the paper came off the package and when he heard the gasp he wrapped his arms around her careful to avoid her stomach but he pulled her close, "I'm glad you like it, let me help you with it." When she handed him the necklace he began to put it on as her hair was up today he hand an easier time. Once the clasp was closed he bent down and kissed her shoulder and slipped to her pulse point.

Stepping away he saw her turn to him and his breath caught in his chest, the necklace complimented her so perfectly. "Stunning, absolutely stunning."

Juliet's face was beginning to hurt from the bright smile on her face. At least it was a genuine one this time, rather than the forced ones that she had been feeling recently. As much as she loved Riley, they both knew that things were a long way from normal for either of them. Tonight though, they both seemed genuinely happy. "Thank you, Ri. I love it."

With a small giggle, she kissed him softly before turning back to the table and grabbing the remaining present. Hopefully he wouldn't think it was too cheesy, especially since it was hand made by one of her students. The young pyrokinetic had promise, that was for sure. "Alright, your turn!" She said through a large grin, settling against the table so that she could watch him.

Riley turned the package over in his hands, it was light and small he gathered and he looked at Jules who seemed almost as nervous as he was about the gift, he trusted her though and he slowly tore the paper and then folding it up before he opened its little box, he pulled back the tissue paper and saw something that brought a smile to his face. He walked over to her and wrapped her in a large hug, "It's perfect, when ever I doubt that I deserve you I just have to look at this. Thank you Jules." He then placed a soft kiss on her lips before he pulled away and let go of her so he could pull out her chair.

"Breakfast for dinner is alright I hope?"

"There is never a bad time for pancakes, you know that." Juliet replied, attempting at a serious tone. It didn't work very well though, as the giggling started long before she finished. She couldn't help it though. For the first time in a long time, she was genuinely happy. "Sorry babe, I'm not laughing at you." She clarified, so that he wouldn't get upset. He had put so much work in to all of this, that it would be tragic if he took things the wrong way. "I'm just...very happy right now." Yea, transparency was key right now, but it still made her sound weird. Oh well, at least he knew how she felt.

Riley bent down and captured her in a deep kiss before he said, "Not as happy as I am." He then dipped his finger in the whipping cream he had made from scratch and took a rather large dollop and placed it on her lips before he kissed her again. He let a soft moan out and said, "Now that was a tasty kiss." He smiled as he sat down and handed her the plate of pancakes with the her name the first one on top. "After you milady."

"Awww!" Juliet giggled again as she took in the pancakes on the plate in front of her. It was so cheesy that it burned, but so completely Riley. "It's good to see that your cooking skills continue to approve." She teased, referencing their first date together. Technically it was their anniversary as well, but she wasn't sure if right now was the best time to bring that up. Moving the pancakes over to her own plate and fixing them up the way she liked, she took a bite before smiling again. "This is great Ri, as always." Riley just didn't know how to mess up a date.

Smiling at Juliet, Riley found himself completely entranced in the moment, she was here with him. They were not in the perfect place but they were working on it and this moment was as close to perfect as it could be, two years he avoided this. Two years he kept pining for the woman he had hurt and yet in two years she hadn't given up as she knew he still loved her. If that didn't tell him they were meant to be together he didn't know what would. Riley simply said, "It has to be perfect for my girl."

"In all seriousness, you've never messed up a date. Like, ever." And it was true. Some days she wondered if he wasn't a son of Eros instead of Ares himself. It would make so much sense, other than the whole odikinesis thing. The theory was still a work in progress, at least in her head. "There's only one thing that could make this whole night better." A grin lit up her features, even though she knew that he could either take it the wrong way or let his mind wander too far. Though her idea did involve the couch, preferably sooner rather than later.

Shaking his head he laughed, "Then you are not remembering the night I nearly burnt down my mothers apartment building...OH wait that was the night before when my mom wast teaching me how to cook Boeuf Bourguignon. Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned that." After a few moments he looked at the table and jumped up, "Damn I forgot something." He walked to the fridge and pulled out the Orange Juice, "Freshly squeezed thought I did get something else that we could add to it if you would like" Pulling out with his other hand he had a bottle of rather nice champagne and he walked to the table a big smile on his face at the memories.

"Oh, I remember. Your mother called me. It's one of the few times I knew what you were doing beforehand." Juliet said with a laugh, the memory fresh in her mind. She missed his mother, more than she probably should. "I thought she. Was going to kill you from all of the screaming." That was it, as soon as they were almost back to normal she would have to call Ms. Bennett and explain everything. She was someone Juliet needed back in her life.

Of course there was champagne. Riley was truly amazing, even if he seemed to forget that way too often. "I have to say that mixing the two would be quite interesting." Of they had done that before, she didn't remember it. Something different would do both of them some good. Grabbing her glass and taking a sip, she smiled at the taste before looking up at Riley again. He had outdone himself this year, by much more than she was expecting. Her plan had been to spend the evening cuddled on the couch, but they could always wait for later. "This is interesting, that's for sure. In a good way." She observed as she took another drink.

He nearly dropped the bottle of Champagne as she told him how his mother had called her, of course she would. Those two had been thick as thieves and he knew once Juliet could talk to her again there would be no end in sight he would be scolded and chastised for causing Juliet all the pain, not to say he didn't get that already. "Of course she would have told you, why am I not surprised. You an her were closer than we were I think." At that last statement he smiled and moved her her side to place a soft kiss on her cheek.

How he wished his mother was here and not having to live out in the world, though she probably could do more out in the united states he could know for sure that she was safe though he would have to be on guard at all times. Maybe having his mother on the island though nice wasn't a good idea. "Hmm maybe that would be a bad idea..." He said out loud, not realizing he had done so.