Good Birthday

Nanoha Takamachi barely made it through the door of her apartment. Dropping her stuff by the door she kicked it closed and immediately dragged herself to the kitchen. "Today was such a long day," she groaned as she opened the fridge to see it mostly empty save for a half a carton of orange juice, leftover vegetables, and condiments. "And I forgot to do the shopping! Forget it I'm going to bed…" Shutting the fridge in irritation she headed for the bedroom but not before almost tripping over one of her adopted daughter Vivio's many toys that littered the apartment.

"I've told that girl time and again to pick her toys up! I'm going to have to talk to her when she gets here." Once she made it to the bedroom she took her cell phone out of her coat pocket and put it on the night stand next to the bed. She then removed her coat tossing it on the chair in front of the small computer desk then unbuttoned and took off her white shirt. Next she unlaced and kicked off her shoes then got out of her white thigh high socks and blue skirt. "Let's see what I've got in here…" she mumbled digging through the dressers. Finally she pulled out a large, pink, button up shirt. After putting it on she grabbed a pair of short but thick socks and put them on as well. She plopped down on the soft bed stretching out and yawning as the sound of thunder outside got her attention. Rolling over toward the night stand she grabbed her cell phone and checked the time.

"It's already 5:00? I hope Fate doesn't get caught in the storm." She checked her recently received messages and reread the last one she had received from her girlfriend Fate Harlaown.

Nanoha I'll be picking Vivio up from school today so you can go straight home and we'll see you there. We'll be making a quick stop on the way so you might beat us. Love you.

-Fate

Yawning again, Nanoha laid her phone on the nightstand and curled up on the bed. Before succumbing to sleep however she reached up and pulled the small ribbon from her fiery red hair that held her ponytail in place. As her hair fell loose, her eyelids grew heavy and she drifted off to sleep as the low roar of the rain outside started up.

"How about this one?"

"No, Nanoha's not a big fan of vanilla Vivio. I want to get her favorite flavor but they don't seem to have it," said a tall young blonde as she looked through the bakery's selection of cakes alongside a little blonde haired girl.

"What about chocolate?" asked Vivio pointing with one hand to a double fudge chocolate cake topped with chocolate icing and strawberries. Her other hand was firmly grasping a PSP with the game still running.

The taller blonde smiled. She was wearing a long black rain coat with a sort of frilly gray skirt and knee high gray boots. Underneath her coat she wore a thick white sweater. "Well she does like chocolate. You wanna get this one?"

"Yep! Mama will like this one Fate!" said the girl happily bouncing up and down.

"Alright, alright settle down. I'll take this one."

The bakery clerk put the cake in a box for them and Fate paid for it. Carefully shielding it from the rain by using her coat, she got it to the car and sat it in the passenger seat. She then made sure Vivio was fastened in the back before driving off. The rain had gotten heavier now and made driving somewhat difficult but Fate managed to get them safely home.

Once in the door Vivio made a break for Nanoha's bedroom but was quickly stopped by Fate.

"Let's set everything up first then we can go and get her ok?"

"Ok…," said Vivio reluctantly. She put her backpack down as well as her PSP and stood at Fate's side while she unpacked the stuff they had bought.

"Now let's see," said Fate as she took her soaking wet coat off and draped it over a chair by the kitchen table. "We have the cake, candles and a lovely card for her."

"We also got ice cream and cookies!" shouted Vivio excitedly.

"That's not all," said Fate opening the second bag. "I got more than cookies and ice cream at the grocery store." She pulled a large, thin, square box from the bag.

"PIZZA!" screamed Vivio throwing her hands into the air.

"Shh! You'll wake your mama!"

"Mama's asleep?"

Fate pointed to Nanoha's things sitting by the front door. "She always does that on rough days. I'm going to go check on her. You wait here ok?" Vivio nodded obediently as Fate headed for the bedroom.

When she walked in she smiled to herself. Nanoha was fast asleep on the bed curled up in a fetal position and snoring softly. "Honestly," mumbled Fate. She took of her coat and laid it down before sitting on the bed next to the sleeping young woman. "Nanoha? Honey wake up," she said softly.

The redhead rolled over and slowly opened her deep blue eyes. "Fate? When did you get home?"

"Just now. Come on we have a surprise for you in the kitchen."

"A surprise? What surprise?"

Fate smiled at her partner's cluelessness. "Just come into the kitchen." She took Nanoha by the hand and led her into the kitchen where Vivio had spread out the food on the table. There was the chocolate cake in the center with candles in it as well as the small box of cookies sitting next to it. Upon seeing Nanoha, the little girl ran to her and jumped into her arms.

"Happy birthday mama!" she squealed hugging her tightly.

"Birthday?"

"Of course. Today's your birthday silly," said Fate handing her the card signed by both her and Vivio.

"Oh my god…I forgot my own birthday." Nanoha laughed and sat down with Vivio to open the card.

Fate peered over her shoulder as she read it. "Do you like it?"

"I love it. Thanks you guys," said Nanoha hugging both of them.

"We got a pizza too mama! Let's cook it!" Vivio grabbed the box from the table and took it over to the oven.

"Vivio be careful! Wait, let me do it!" said Nanoha getting up and going after her.

Fate just smiled as Nanoha chased the little girl through the kitchen.

They sat down after everything was prepared and enjoyed their meal. Vivio was ecstatic about getting to have pizza, cake, and ice cream for dinner but after eating her fill she quickly lost her energy. Nanoha put her daughter to bed while Fate cleaned up the kitchen and put the leftover food away. As she was clearing the table, Nanoha walked back in slowly shutting Vivio's door.

"She knocked out fast," said Fate jokingly.

"Sugar rush. She flared up on cake and cookies, then crashed." Nanoha walked up behind Fate and hugged her. "This was really sweet Fate. Thank you for remembering my birthday."

"I can't believe you forgot it."

"I've just been really stressed lately."

Fate turned around and put her arms around Nanoha as well. "I knew you were dealing with a lot so I wanted to do something nice for you. Besides it's your birthday. Everyone deserves a day off on their birthday. But what would you say to a real day off?"

"A real day off?" Nanoha looked at her partner curiously.

"Hold on," said Fate going into her bag that was sitting on the kitchen counter. She pulled out an envelope. "Here's your birthday present from me. It's a week long vacation to this wonderful resort. All expenses paid."

Nanoha's jaw dropped. "F-Fate…are you serious? How did you do this?"

"I have my ways. But our flight leaves in 3 days. Before you ask I've already arranged for a baby sitter for Vivio, and I've filed for it on both of our behalves at work so we're cleared to go. All that's left to do is to pack."

Nanoha was stunned with silence. All she could think to do was hug Fate as tight as she could.

"I take it you're happy?"

Nanoha looked up at her smiling before planting a tender kiss on Fate's lips. "Does that answer your question?"

"Could you repeat that? I didn't get it the first time," Fate said smiling.

The two kissed again but this time much more passionately. The two of them sat down in one of the kitchen chairs with Nanoha in Fate's lap. She rested her head on Fate's chest and sighed deeply.

"Good birthday?" said the blonde gently stroking her partner's hair.

"Yes," Nanoha giggled. "Good birthday."

I came up with this idea on the fly really. It's just something that came to me. I wanted it to be a cute story and I pictured Fate as being the type who likes to surprise Nanoha with stuff.

Anyways please read, review, and most importantly enjoy!