He sauntered into the tiny kitchen to find a beautiful breakfast spread on the counter. On one end sat several neatly wrapped packages topped with perfect bows.
Jannie stood at the stove with the blower running, allowing him to quietly approach from behind, brush her hair aside, and press a kiss to her nape. She leaned into him, raising a hand to hook around his neck.
He slid his arms around her waist. “Look at all this,” he said appreciatively, his mouth watering at the sight of pancakes, bacon, and fluffy eggs. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with that of orange peels, and Nick knew she’d even squeezed oranges for him.
He eyed the presents and smiled. “Cloud paper?”
“Of course! Perfect for a pilot.”
“Youare perfect forthispilot.”
“Mmm.” She pulled him down for a kiss that had him at attention in seconds. He pressed into her backside to let her know.
“I appreciate your enthusiasm, but the eggs will get cold.” She pointed with her spatula. “And you have presents to open.”
Nick counted four packages. “You want me to open them now?”
“Open two of them.”
“OK.” He let her go and sat down on a barstool.
Jannie turned to take two plates from the top cabinet, then opened the silverware drawer.
Nick picked up a blue envelope, assuming it was a card.
She shook her head. “Not that one. That one you open last.”
He put the card back on the counter. “How about this one?”
She nodded, smiling.
The package felt soft. He undid the bow and tore the paper carefully, then withdrew …
Nick started to laugh. Gripping the black sweatshirt by the shoulders, he held it up. Across the front, below a large yellow airplane graphic, wasthe captionPilot. In thrust I trust.
“You need one too,” he said.
“I got one.” She gave him a wide grin. “Mine is sky-blue.”
Of course it was. He slipped the sweatshirt over his head. “How do I look?”
Her eyes lit up with desire. “Like I should test that claim.” She slid a loaded plate in front of him, then placed a glass of orange juice beside it.
He took a sip but wanted to wait until she fixed a plate for herself, so he went about opening the second package. He reached into the box and pulled out a green bullet-shaped object. “I hope this is what I think it is.”
“Yup. Portable espresso machine. It works with both ground coffee and capsules.”
No more undrinkable coffee on his trips. A slow grin spread across his face. “This is the ultimate gift. I can stop right now.”
He turned the little coffee maker over and noticed it used a USB charger. No need for batteries. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. It even makes cold brew and works surprisingly well. I tested it myself before I wrapped it.”
Breakfast was delicious, especially the Norwegian pancakes, which Jannie calledpannekaker: thick, eggy crepe-like cakes she served with lingonberry jam and sour cream. As he did every time she made them, Nick overate, but it was worth every extra rep he would have to do at the gym tomorrow.
“I can’t eat another bite.” He took the empty plates and silverware to the dishwasher, grabbing a paper towel to wipe down the counter.
Jannie took it from him. “No work on your birthday.” She motioned toward the two unopened gifts.
