2

I woke up extra early today to catch up with Steve before he left for work. I hopped out of bed and luckily I caught him in the hallway. He was facing the hallway mirror when I approached him.

“Good morning darling,” I said, staring at him through the mirror.

“What is it?” he said dismissing my greeting

“What are your plans for tomorrow night?” I asked

“Why?”

Did he forget? “Babe, your birthday is tomorrow” I say as I touch his shoulder with a chuckle.

He shrugged me off “oh right”

“Let's do something fun. Just you and me, tomorrow night” I asked hopeful that this one of my many attempts to bring the old Steve back wouldn't fall through.

“I can't, I have a lot of work to do today, I have a meeting at noon so I can't get anything done during the day” he said finally done adjusting his tie.

“But babe..” I heard my voice crack.

“I can't “ he snapped, just before he took his coat he had set on the hallway recliner and dashed out the front door.

And it was another day of being home alone with nothing to do since Steve had insisted that I didn't have to work.

I picked up my phone and called the only other friend I had, my mother. After about two rings, she picked up eventually.

“Mother, It’s Steve again” I groaned into the phone.

“What is it this time?” She said, her voice void of all the problems in the earth.

“He says he has to work tomorrow night, it’s his birthday Mum”

I hear her let out a deep breath “I've always known Steve to be a hardworking man you know, he probably just has a ton of stuff to work out “

I sighed, she was right. Silence lingered for a moment.

“Well, you know if you want to spice things up, you could plan a surprise…”

“Yesss, mother you're a genius” I say cutting her off “Why didn't I think of that?”

“Melissa hold on now, keep it small, please. Nothing too elaborate. We don't want to agitate Steve” she said.

“Of course, it'll be something small” I say and I can tell she nodded.

“Alright mum bye, love you” I say before ending the call.

What would I do without my mother?

NICHOLAS’ POV

“What the heck” I exclaimed, a smile forming across my face.

Luggage in hand, I walked further till I could recognize the familiar motherly figure with a child in tow.

I squinted as I read the letters on the large paper the child had in hand: “WELCOME MONSIEUR”, it read.

I chuckled, quickening my steps. I had only been in France for three weeks, but I missed them.

“Uncle Nick” Elle screamed as she sighted me from a distance. Loosing her grip from the hands that held her she ran towards me with quick little steps.

“You missed me baby girl?” I say picking her up into my arms as I tickled her.

Yes, I missed this laughter.

“Hey mom” I walk over to my mum who was beaming from ear to ear.

“You had a wonderful trip son?” She said pulling me into a hug and Elle struggled to get loose between us.

“Yes mom, the best even”. I laughed.

“I’m glad you’re here, we have things to talk about” she says looking up at me, as we walked out of the airport doors.

“Uhhh Elle probably wants ice cream” I said changing the subject. It was my mother, I knew her well enough to know that she either wanted to talk about my obsession with work or getting married. And I’m not ready for either of the discussions.

“Yes, ice cream” Elle squealed

“Even better, let’s go get you a cake”

“Cake” she screamed, drawing attention to us. That earned me a side stare from my mother.

She believes I spoil Elle so much. Elle is three, with no parents, her dad had left my sister, who was Elle’s mum early in her pregnancy. Elle’s mum eventually died when Elle was only a year old. Of course, she deserves a lot more.

It wasn’t long before we pulled into the parking lot of the cake shop. Just from the ambiance and the aroma from their bakery, I knew I needed a cake for myself too. I glanced at mom, “coming?”

“No I'll just stay here with Elle” she said, Elle was already fast asleep and I didn't want to wake her up.

I picked out two small cakes and a cake slice for my mom.

From the corner of my eyes, I notice a lady stealing glances at me through the shelves. How creepy.

I rested my eyes on her, waiting for her to look again, and she did. She froze a bit as our eyes met before she walked away like nothing happened.

She looked familiar.

I shrugged, I've met several people

I slid the cake over to the woman at the counter when the creepy lady came over and did the same as well. She tucked her hair behind her ears ad she dig through her purse, her perfectly chiseled face exposed. Then it hit me.

“Meli…” I held back, her head moved quickly towards me “Mrs Ross” I say. And she tilted her head to the side more.

“Huh?”