Maggie turned over, and smiled. Alex lay next to her, on her back. She looked relaxed and, in her sleep, so young and carefree. Maggie frowned when she realized she could still – just – discern the large bruise on her lover's cheek, the result of Alex's latest tussle with one of Fort Rozz's worst escapees. But it was nearly gone, just a hint of yellow around the eye.
She was still beautiful, though. So beautiful. After just under a year together, Maggie still couldn't get used to waking up next to the woman of her dreams. Beautiful, passionate, stubborn, loyal and brave. Too brave, she pondered, as she traced a finger very lightly down Alex's soft cheek. Her loyalty to her sister – and to Maggie, too – was unshakeable. Alex would do anything, everything, to keep her girls safe.
Alex snuffled and swiped Maggie's hand away, turning over as she did so. She cranked open one eye, and smiled. "You watchin' me sleep again, Sawyer?" she stretched, listening as her vertebrae popped.
"What if I am?" Maggie teased. "It's not every day a girl turns 28, after all."
Alex blinked. She grabbed her glasses from the nightstand. Only Maggie, Kara and J'onn knew she wore glasses, and Maggie found the sight of her in them cute beyond words. She looked at her wrist to check the date on her watch and then remembered, yet again, that her watch – which she had inherited from her father – had been destroyed in her latest alien encounter. She kept her face schooled, not wanting to show Maggie yet again how sad it had made her when the timepiece broke.
"It's the 11th today?" she queried. "I didn't realize. Hey, how did you know that that's my birthday?"
Maggie smiled. "I am a detective, Danvers. I detect. Plus I asked your sister. Wait there," she commanded. "I'm bringing you breakfast."
Alex tried to protest, but saw the look in Maggie's eye, and gave up before she started. As she watched her girlfriend exit the bedroom, wearing one of her old, baggy tees, she knew she had never been so happy. The last time anyone had brought her breakfast in bed had been when she was fourteen years old, and she was sick in bed with the stomach flu. She smiled at the memory – Kara had tried to cook eggs for her; it hadn't ended well. Kara had burned the toast, and just the smell of the food had made her stomach flip and she had heaved all over the bed.
She looked up and saw Maggie balancing a tray, filled with all types of delicacies. "I hope there's coffee on there," she tried to tease, to hide her spiralling emotions.
"You think I'd risk a morning with an uncaffeinated Agent Danvers?" Maggie raised an eyebrow.
"Hey, I'm not that bad!"
Maggie gave her a look. "As it's your birthday, I'll let that pass. This once. Eat, Danvers." Maggie settled on to the bed next to her, and they both ate their fill.
Maggie took the tray away, and even came back with a damp washcloth for Alex to wipe her hands clean.
Alex looked up at her. "This was amazing," she said softly. "I didn't know you knew it was my birthday. Hell, I'd even forgotten it was my birthday. I don't …," she smiled. "I didn't really do birthdays. Not until now. I can't wait for yours next month, so I can spoil you too."
"You know when my birthday is?" Maggie looked surprised.
Alex laughed. "What? You don't think I looked up every piece of information about you as soon as we met? Every. Single. Piece?"
"You're such a stalker, Danvers," Maggie laughed. She came back to the bed, this time hiding something behind her back. She settled next to Alex. "I gotcha something," she said, shyly. "I don't know if it's what you want. But I know you need one. I hope it's right," she passed a box to Alex, wrapped in shiny red paper, a silver bow on the top.
Alex's eyes filled with tears. "You got this for me?" she held the box.
"Yeah, Danvers. I bought you a box," Maggie used levity to hide her nerves.
Alex lifted it gingerly, estimating its weight. "What is it?" her voice held a note of awe.
"It's an Easy Bake Oven," Maggie teased. "Though, judging by all the cooking you do, I should maybe have bought you one of those. To heat up all that take-out. Open it, Danvers!"
So Alex did. As she removed the paper, her eyes grew wide. She held a fist-sized leather box. She looked askance at Maggie.
"For Christ's sakes, Alexandra," Maggie grabbed it impatiently from her, opened the box and handed it back.
Nestled in its expensive case sat a Breitling Skyracer watch. Alex knew for a fact that this particular model cost nearly $6,000. She couldn't quite believe her eyes. "I can't," she whispered. She thrust it back at Maggie. "It's too much. You can't spend all that on me. You have to return it."
Maggie pushed it back at her. "I can't," she said quietly. "It's engraved."
With shaking hands, Alex removed the watch from its case, undid the strap and turned it over.
For my forever love. I love you with all I am, and all I have. M. xxx
Alex gasped.
"Is is the wrong model?" Maggie was worried when she saw Alex start to weep.
"It's perfect, Maggie," Alex whispered. She saw the smile spread over Maggie's face. God she loved that smile. Maggie's eyes crinkled, her whole face emanating joy. "You shouldn't spend your money on me like this. I know what an NCPD detective earns."
Maggie shrugged. "Hey, I had some put away."
Alex looked up at her. "You were saving for a new motorbike," she remembered. "Mags, if ..."
"Hey," Maggie grinned. "I already have a motorbike. And if I want something more powerful, maybe you'll let me ride the Ducati from time to time."
"It's yours. Whenever you want," Alex vowed. She held out her wrist and the watch. "Put it on me," she asked. She smiled as Maggie's hands shook as she adjusted the strap. Alex looked at her, her eyes shining. "I'm never taking it off."
Maggie took Alex's face in both hands, and kissed her deeply. When they finally broke apart, she laughed, and rested her forehead against Alex's. "I never knew it was possible to be this happy," she whispered.