Jarrod took a gulp of his scotch and looked at the stack of papers he needed to go through but he was not in the mood. He instead poured another healthy dose of scotch and propped his feet on his desk and looked out the window at this view of Sacramento.

He thought about his family back in Stockton and how long it had been since he had been there. Since he had been elected a senator the visits to the ranch were few and far between, not that it bothered him that much.

He loved his family and they meant everything to him but since all of his siblings were married and started having children he felt out of place there. Not that his family did not welcome his visits because they did, it was Jarrod who dreaded these visits.

It's not that Jarrod wasn't happy for his siblings because he was. Truth was Jarrod was jealous, even envious that they had found their spouses and each of them was perfectly suited for his brothers and sister. And now they were having children which Jarrod loved. However he had secretly wished that he too one day would have his own children but he was beginning to doubt that.

Jarrod knew he was one of the most eligible bachelor's in Sacramento but no one had gotten the young senator's attention thus far. It wasn't that Jarrod did not go out, quite the opposite; as he was out often trying to make deals to get some of the legislation the much needed approval to pass the Senate. He sighed and took a sip of his scotch.

His family supported his decision to run for the State Senate but they did not know the real reason for his decision to run. His decision had been made for him three years ago and he was still paying on that debt. But he knew if he did not agree to their terms his family would pay the ultimate price and that was something Jarrod could not stomach. So he decided to make the best out of a bad situation.

Jarrod was able to get a few of his bills passed which made the young senator happy but it always came with a stark reminder of the real reason he was here. He was their puppet and as long as he voted as they told him he could do as he pleased in and out of the Senate.

He looked at his pocket watch and decided the papers could wait till Monday, after all it was Friday and his birthday. Some of the other senator's had informed him they would be adjourning early today because they had a tradition of going out for fellow senator's birthdays which Jarrod was very familiar with. This was definitely one of the highlights of being a senator.

Jarrod had been to several birthday parties and enjoyed every one of them except for the horrible hangover the next morning but they all been worth it as far as he was concerned. Not all of the senator's participated in this and truth was if Jarrod was married or dating someone he would not participate either but he wasn't so he told himself he deserved this little celebration.

He knew his family would be disappointed he wasn't coming home but he had been looking forward to this for the last few weeks and his family would understand. He knew his mother would most likely be upset but they only had a few more weeks of this session and he told her he would be home then. He knew it would not be the same but… A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

Jarrod's secretary stuck her head in the door, "Excuse me Senator," Jarrod motioned her into his office.

Jarrod smiled, "Yes Jess."

Jessica came into the office. "You wanted me to make sure you were getting ready to leave by five to get ready for the party."

"Thank you Jess," Jarrod smiled at his blonde haired secretary, she was definitely beautiful and there were times Jarrod had trouble concreting when she was present. They had flirted innocently back and forth a few times but he never took it to the next step. Jarrod sighed, boy why don't you take a chance with this beautiful woman?

Jessica fidgeted nervously and Jarrod noticed she was holding something behind her back.

Jarrod tried to see what she was holding but he couldn't. He got up from his desk and walked to Jessica trying to see what was behind her back. Jarrod motioned to her hands behind her back, "What are you hiding?" He asked mischievously.

Jessica blushed and smiled shyly at Jarrod. He was so debonair, handsome, charming and smart. Jessica knew there had been a few times they had flirted innocently but she had wished he would have taken it farther but she knew being a gentleman he was he wouldn't do that to her. Jessica blushed and moved her hands to show Jarrod a gift wrapped box, "Happy Birthday Jarrod."

Jarrod noticed her blush and thought he would have to make more attempts at making her blush as it made her even more beautiful, if that was possible. He spoke softly, "Jess you didn't have to do that for me."

Jessica smiled at Jarrod's nickname for her, "I know but I wanted to get you something since you weren't able to go home." She handed him the gift wrapped box.

Jarrod smiled at her and proceeded to open the box. Inside was a box of his favorite cigars and bottle of scotch with a handwritten note.

Dearest Jarrod,

Happy Birthday!

Jess

When Jarrod looked up Jessica had slipped out of his office and was coming back in with a small cupcake with a lightened candle in it. "You have to make a wish."

Jarrod blew out the candle. Jessica took out the candle and offered the tip to Jarrod to lick off which he did but got some of the icing on his chin.

Jessica wiped the excess icing off his chin with her finger and tasted it. "Hmmm, that is good." She knew what she was doing was extremely inappropriate but it was his birthday after all.

Jarrod grinned mischievously, "Aren't you going to ask me what I wished for?"

Jessica shrugged, "If I do your wish may not come true."

Jarrod put down the box containing the cigars and scotch on his desk and moved to within inches of Jessica. He huskily said, "This is what I wished for." He gently pulled Jessica into an embrace and brushed his lips with hers and when she responded by pulling him closer Jarrod deepened the kiss.

Jessica was finally able to pull away breathless. She fixed her blouse and hair, "You're going to be late to your birthday party," Jessica paused. "Unless there is something else you would rather do?"

She put her hands behind her back and crossed her fingers for luck waiting for his answer.

Jarrod pulled her back to him and growled, "What birthday party?" Jessica giggled at Jarrod's answer as she thought happily birthday wishes do come true.