Delicious - 8. Faris and James: The Party, erm … Event (Prompt 501)

Prompt 501 – Creative
Tag – The Surprise
You have a major birthday coming up and you don’t want to celebrate. However, every day leading up to your birthday you have found a little surprise at your job. What were the surprises and who was giving them to you?

Faris and James: The Party, erm … Event

“Faris, for Pete’s sake, I do not want a party. Why is that so hard for you to understand?”

No matter what he said, I wasn’t going to do it. If I had to leave and visit my parents, I wanted no party. Thirty should be celebrated alone at home, preferably with a good romantic zombie film, two dogs, a husband and a giant bowl of popcorn.

Only.

Faris sat on the sofa while I paced followed closely by Francis, our labradoodle pup who was still too small for his paws. Larry, our chocolate lab lay with his head on Faris’ feet.

He smiled at me—Faris, not Larry.

“Okay babe, if you’re sure. There will be no party just a vat of popcorn and a Romzomcom. Got it.” Faris got to his feet, with Larry leaping up, his thick tail swinging with joy. “Let’s walk the dogs and then I’ll help you make dinner, okay?”

I nodded and Faris took my hand into his rough plumber’s palm and squeezed gently. “I love you, James. And if you really do not want a party, there will not be one.”

We walked to the front hall, where we donned jackets and put leashes on the dogs, and stepped outside. Foolishly I thought that would be an end to my birthday woes, however I was wrong.

I work in a large, busy hospital as a pharmacist. I started my career inside the drug store, but since then had applied for and got a position working on the surgical pre- and post-op wards. I do have an office, it’s small but it’s all I need as I’m usually on the floor.

Arriving at work at 7am, knowing it would be a tiring day—it was Tuesday after a long summer weekend—I did not expect to find a wrapped gift on my desk. I sat down and stared at it. Then I called Faris.

“No babe, I did not leave a pressie on your desk.”

“Then who, Faris?”

“I don’t bleedin’ know, James. Look, I’m in the middle of pulling out this toilet, canna we talk about this later? Or even better, open the gift James, and see what the feck it is.”

My, he was testy this morning! “Okay …” I opened the small box. Inside was a chocolate. “It’s a chocolate.”

I could hear Faris swearing at the toilet, and a clunk as he dropped a wrench or something. “A chocolate? Well, James eat it and let’s get to work, right? I have a few places to see today and you’re busy too. I’ll see you tonight.”

I fretted as I looked at the little gift, it wasn’t just any old chocolate—this came from Antoine’s Fine Chocolates—it was special.

“James! Damnit James, you’re bloody worrying about it now, aren’t you?” Faris’ voice softened as he said, “Look baby, let’s just get on, okay? I’ll text you at lunch. I love you, James.”

With that my dear husband was gone. I looked at my watch, popped the chocolate into my mouth with a groan of appreciation, then threw on my lab coat, tossed away the gift-wrap, and went to work.

Later that evening, Faris and I made dinner, ate, walked the dogs and then settled down for an evening of television and each other. We loved nothing better than to snuggle on the couch, talk, and smooch.

Faris kissed me and held me in his strong arms—he’s a lovely big comfy man.

“James, mmm, I love you and I’d love to continue this, but tonight I need to pop out for a few minutes.”

“Pop out? To where?”

“I need to go to the Paper Depot, need a few things for the business. You’ll be okay for an hour, right?”

After another peck on the cheek, he was gone.

Huh. That’s weird.

I had fallen asleep, but the dogs told me Faris had returned home. They both barked with glee and galloped up and down the hall, nails clattering and skittering over the tiles when they heard his truck, and key in the door.

After patting and shooing the dogs away, Faris kissed me. “Hello, James. You okay, babe?”

“Yes, I’m fine.” I smiled at him.

“Good. Now let’s just turn off the lights and go have a bath.” Faris was grinning roguishly, as only he can. “Then we can get dirty.”

Oh, I love how my man thinks!

Wednesday when I got to work, there was another gift. This time it was a very finely embossed leather notebook—very expensive. I called Faris.

“No, James, I did not leave it on your desk.”

“Only you knew I wanted something like this.” I looked at the phone! “Just admit it.”

There was a moment of silence. I knew I’d said too much.

“James. I’m going to work now. I’ll see you tonight.”

“Okay … love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Thursday brought another gift, this time a weekend for two at a local and swanky hotel and spa. I called Faris.

“James, the only reason I’d go to a spa would be to repair it.”

After a few more brief words, we hung up.

At this moment, Jane, a fellow pharmacist stuck her head in the door. “You ready?”

Ready? I looked at her blankly.

“The meeting, weekly thing we do, James?”

I nodded. “Yes, sorry. Yes, I’m ready.” Grabbing my new notebook and shoving the spa vouchers into my pocket, I followed Jane out.

As we walked, I asked her hoping she might know about the mystery gifts, “Umm, Jane, it’s my birthday this weekend—”

“Birthday party? Oh, yes, I’d love to come!”

“No … I mean—”

“Oh yes, sure Dave and I will be there. After the meeting give me the details.” She walked off to the other end of the table in the boardroom.

After the meeting I was dragged off by my boss for a chat and so missed setting Jane straight.

During the day I received twenty-three texts from co-workers saying they’d be at our place about 8pm on Saturday night for the party. I sent a bulk e-mail saying sorry, but there was no party.

Friday arrived and there was yet another gift—it was enclosed in a funny but rude card, and was a voucher for Ray’s Rubber and Leather Emporium. I could feel my face moving through all the available shades of red. I called Faris.

I waited until he stopped laughing.

“Oh, my James. I am so taking you shopping there!”

“Is this from you?”

“No.” He choked out, still laughing. “No, but it is perfect. I’m going to enjoy you in assless rubber pants!”

“It’s not funny, Faris.” I hung up.

I then received a text from him: I love you anyway. And okay maybe not rubber pants, I can work with a leather jockstrap instead.

I was sure I could hear his evil chuckle from here.

Saturday morning, Faris gave me several wonderful in-bed birthday gifts. Afterward, we were both still hot and sweaty. He held me tight in his well-muscled arms and kissed my neck and shoulders.

“Is that you getting hard again?”

He giggled and ground himself against me. “You want more?”

I slipped around to face him. “Later?”

“Whatever you want, Birthday Boy!”

We kissed and just lay quietly together.

Faris broke the silence after a quick glance at the clock. “James, come on, we have lunch with your folks.”

Oh blast. Why isn’t the birthday for the person having it? I did not want to move.

“Okay, let’s shower.”

We did—it took a while, but then we had to rush to dress, walk the dogs and speed a little to be on time.

After a very long and drawn-out lunch, Faris decided to take me for a walk, which was very nice, but I just wanted to go home. On the way there he remembered he needed some things from Plumbing Paradise.

Oh—my—god. I hate that store. It’s full of pipes and toilets and all things plumbers love and I am not interested in. I nearly fell asleep at the latest-thing-in-portable-toilets demo. Finally, after Faris purchased the brass nipples he needed, he said we could go home.

“Damn, sorry James, but we need to stop at Jose’s,” he said on the way.

“But why, Faris? I just want to go home.”

He leaned over and kissed me. “Well, my sweet baby James, I know you didn’t want a party ….”

“What!” I nearly yelled. “Tell me there is no party.”

“There is no party, James. I ordered you a cake because it’s your birthday. That’s all, but I need to pick it up!” Faris was glaring at me. I decided I’d better shut-up.

Faris drove in silence and I waited in the truck while he went into Jose’s Bakery and loaded the cake in the back.

He got into the truck and handed me a small bag. I opened it and inside were two one-bite brownies.

I looked at him and he gazed back.

“Faris, I’m sorry baby.” I held one of the sweets to his lips, which he accepted. I popped the other in my mouth.

Smiling, Faris started the truck and we drove home.

I unlocked the door letting Faris in first. But it was odd there were no dogs racing in the hall. Well, they could be outside, but they usually had a sixth sense about us coming home.

Faris returned from the kitchen and handed me his jacket. As I hung it up, I saw Faris beckoning me silently.

I walked up the hall to the family room and there were my parents, my sister and her husband, some neighbours and a few close friends. They were all sitting on fold-up chairs, facing our closed curtains, which covered the full-wall window and patio doors which led to the back yard. They looked like they were waiting for a movie to start.

They hadn’t seen us—their backs were to us.

I pulled Faris down the hall and whispered fiercely, “No party, huh? Why are they here?”

“It’s not a party … it’s an … event. Just happened to fall on your birthday.”

“You never listen to me, Faris!” I was angry. “And you bought a cake big enough to feed an army.”

“Oh, I don’t listen to you, hmmm?” Faris crossed his arms and he leaned into my face. “James, it is your birthday. I understand what you want, but people here want to be with you because they love you. So, what do you want? Do you want to be a dafty or celebrate with people who love you?”

He was right.

“You’re right, baby.”

“Yes I am, now go kiss your mum.”

We went into the family room and I greeted my parents, kissing my mother and waving at the others. Faris pulled me up to the front, nearest the windows and pushed me into one of two chairs, he sat next to me. Someone handed me a huge bowl of popcorn, which made me laugh out loud.

The drapes then opened, followed by our rather large sliding patio doors, revealing our back yard, but not our back yard. It had been transformed, and then the music started. I—we—were treated to the most marvelous Rom Com Zombie surprise. A silly, fun play which ended in a fabulous rendition of Michael Jackson’s Thriller by well-practiced dancing Zombies—who looked a lot like twenty-three zombie work-mates—regularly tripped by the two zombified dogs!

We were on our feet applauding the marvelous job the actors put on, when they all came tumbling into the family room and chairs were hurriedly put away.

Happy Birthday was sung, cake and drinks served while I just got to enjoy the party, erm … event.

Finally, after the last of the zombies and other guests piled into cars, Faris stood behind me in the front doorway, letting me know in his own way he was not done with me. I leaned back into him and pushed the door closed.

“So my sweet James, I gave you what you asked me for, a romzomcom, at home, with dogs, husband, and your vat of popcorn. I threw in the cake as a bonus.”

I laughed and he picked me up and took me to bed where we, well, we did what men in love do. Afterward, as I lay with my head on his shoulder, I asked the question that I had to know the answer to: “Faris?”

“Mmmm.”

“The gifts at work, it was you, right?”

“I have no idea who left them, James.”

“Really?”

Faris chuckled, “Oh James, go to sleep.”

“But, I should thank ….”

My words were smothered by Faris’ sexy generous mouth, “Well if you want to make grateful noise, James. I’m gonna give you a reason to squeal.”

And he did.

C’est fini!