Page 110 of What Should Have Been Ours

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Cameron

I’ve never been one to make a big deal about my birthday.

Growing up, they were fun—mostly because it was the one day a year I could get away with as much trouble as I wanted, and nobody got too mad at me for it. But as I got older, birthdays just became another reminder that was pushed down my throat.

Another year I made it.

Another year wondering if I’d get another.

Another year begging for more years.

And today, even though I’d rather spend my birthday doing anything else, I’m stuck at the hospital getting poked, scanned, and drained like an experiment.

The only thing making it bearable, as always, is Gabrielle.

She woke me up in the best possible way this morning—hot chocolate in bed, homemade, maybe a little burnt, breakfast, and some alone time cuddled up in the apartment, just enjoying each other before a day full of doctor appointments.

She makes all of this easier. She always has, so that’s no surprise. She’s who I lean on when the days get too dark. The same way she used to do with me when we were kids.

The appointment goes smoothly, and once I’m cleared to go, I drive us home, my hand wrapped tightly around hers on the center console.

“I have a gift for you back at home,” she tells me, squeezing my hand.

I glance at her and smirk. “A gift, huh?”

“Yes, a gift.”

I bring her hand up to my lips, pressing a slow kiss to her knuckles. “This gift you mention—any chance it involves you under my sheets?”

Gabrielle shakes her head, laughing. “Did you not get enough this morning?”

“Gab,” I say, leveling her with a look. “I could literally never get enough of you if I tried.”

She leans over, pressing a kiss to my cheek, and I feel that kiss everywhere. On my skin, on my heart, and in my soul.

We pull up to my place, and she unbuckles her seatbelt, giving me a knowing look. “Come on,” she says.

* * *

“SURPRISE!”

The room explodes with cheers, streamers, and the overwhelming smell of food, cake, and whatever liquor I know Wes conjured up in that punch bowl I see in the kitchen.

I blink, completely caught off guard.

Gabrielle just smiles beside me, beaming with pride as everyone I love—my parents, her mom, Wes, Kinsley, people from the hospital—all stand in my living room, with smiles and laughter filling the space.

I turn to her, stunned. “You did this?”

She bites her lip, smiling up at me. “Happy birthday, babe.”

I don’t think about who’s around. I just pull her in, kissing her.

I was feeling tired before, but in a matter of seconds, that feeling is gone. This—this is exactly what I needed.

* * *