Jess' eyes fluttered open as the sun came across her face. She moaned, bringing her left arm across her forehead, shielding her eyes. "Niiiiiick..." She moaned as she ran her right arm along the sheet to reach out for Nick, but he wasn't there. She slowly sat up, eyes adjusting to the brightness of the room and she looked at the clock. 7:38 am. Nick never gets up this early. She fell back on the pillow and closed her eyes, still tired. She felt herself start to doze off when she heard the doorknob unlatch. By the time she had rubbed her eyes and reached for her glasses, she felt someone gently sitting on the bed by her legs.
"Happy Birthday, Jess."
She giggled, smoothly down her hair and placing her glasses on her nose. In her half awake state she had, in fact, forgotten that today was her 32nd birthday. Nick leaned over and placed his left hand by her hip and gave her a kiss. "Hey you, I thought you'd sleep in later than this."
"Yeah well, I noticed someone missing." She casually gestured to his side of the bed. "What are you doing up this early? You never get up this early on a Saturday."
His eyes twinkled. "I might have made you breakfast." He turned his head and nodded toward her desk, where he had quickly laid her tray as he walked into the room.
Jess smiled. "That's so sweet, Nick." She tilted her head to see around him, squeezing one eye shut and then looking back at Nick.
He laughed as he said, "No eggs. Promise."
She returned the laugh, giving him chest a slap before scrunching his white t shirt in her hands and pulling him close. She touched her nose to his and whispered, "Best surprise EVER."
He gave her a quick kiss. "Hungry?"
She shrugged her shoulders up and down several times and rubbed her hands together excitedly. "Show me whatcha got Miller!"
He jumped off the bed and grabbed the tray from her desk, careful not to spill her cup of tea. He still hadn't quite mastered breakfast food, but he was pretty proud that he at least opted AGAINST the runny eggs this time around. It wasn't exactly Belgian waffles, but he had piled two Eggo waffles high with strawberries and whipped cream.
She grabbed her fork. "Nick this looks so good." She flashed him one of her smiles. "You didn't have to do this..." Nick just winked as she cut a huge bite for herself and put it in her mouth, a blob of whipped cream falling onto the plate. She started to giggle and then her face froze. She awkwardly dropped her fork as the bite fell back on the plate, her hands coming up to her mouth. Nick's face fell into a frown as she started to laugh. She reached up and pulled a large green stem from her mouth.
Nick cringed and shook his head. "Sorry. Guess I should have cut off the green stuff, right?"
She stuck her finger in a dollop of whipped cream and put it on his nose. "You're such a clown." They both started laughing as she took her napkin and wiped her mouth. He grabbed a napkin and wiped his nose, playfully throwing it back on her tray.
He tried to speak through his laughter. "I just can't get this whole cooking thing right."
"I don't care, I love it." They both stopped laughing as a wave of awkwardness came over them, slowly breaking into nervous smiles. Nick leaned back as she grabbed her fork to continue eating. She took a few bites and then put down her fork. She picked up a strawberry and with fingers covered in whipped cream, pulled off a stem and held it up in front of Nick's face. He smiled and opened his mouth. They both sat in silence as they chewed. Jess took another bite of waffle and then wiped her hands again with the napkin. She said softly, "Nick this was all very sweet. Wanna share?" He nodded and she handed him the second fork on the tray. Nick took a few bites and by the time they were finished, all that was left was a layer of whipped cream still on the plate. Jess grabbed the mug and sipped her tea, smiling at Nick.
"Oh hey, I have something for you!" He jumped off the bed and walked to the desk, grabbing an envelope. He returned to bed and sat down, handing it to Jess, as he pulled the tray off her lap and set it to the side on the bed. "Happy Birthday."
She turned to place her tea cup on the nightstand and took the envelope in her hand. Excitedly she started to open it until Nick suddenly reached out and stopped her. "Wait. Before you open it..." She stared at him as he swallowed nervously. "I know I should have gotten you an actual present, but...well, I walked around a jewelry store for almost 2 hours and nothing seemed like it was YOU. I..." Jess reached out and squeezed his arm.
"Hey, stop Nick." Her eyes softened and her voice was quiet. "Just let me open it, you don't have to explain anything."
He took a deep breath and mustered a weak, but nervous smile in return. "Sorry."
She tilted her head to the side and continued to open the envelope. Inside were two slips of paper. The first was a piece of folded yellow notebook paper from Nick:
Jess,
Happy 32nd Birthday. I wanted to pick out something special for you, but nothing seemed to be as amazing as you are. I hope you enjoy taking this class.
Nick
Jess paused for a moment at the last line of the note where Nick had written his name. He had started to write something before signing it, but had scribbled over it and it was now a tiny blob of black ink. She clutched the note to her chest, feeling her eyes become watery. She pulled the second piece of paper out of the envelope, a small gasp escaping her lips. It was a thick piece of beautiful parchment paper explaining that she was enrolled in a jewelry making class at a local handmade jewelry store. A few weeks ago, she had actually grabbed the flyer advertising the class, but a few days later it had disappeared off her desk and she had forgotten about it.
Jess bit her lip and frantically blinked her eyes, Nick nervously wondering if he had made the wrong choice. "Nick, this is the sweetest present. How did you know I wanted to take this class?" He just smiled and shrugged his shoulders. She slowly peeled back the covers over her lap, sitting up on her knees, and throwing her arms around his neck. She squeezed hard and whispered in a choked voice in his ear, "Nick, I love y..."
"Well, HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESS!" Schmidt burst through the door with a large, perfectly wrapped box under his arm. Jess pulled back startled, as she knelt next to Nick on the bed, her left hand still clutching the envelope. Nick sighed in frustration and brought Jess' right hand into his lap, just shaking his head. How did Schmidt ALWAYS manage to interrupt them?
Winston followed directly behind Schmidt with another loud. "Happy Birthday, Jess!"
Jess smiled sweetly. "Aw, thanks you guys!"
Schmidt handed Jess the box as she swung her legs over the side of the bed, carefully leaning over to place Nick's present on her nightstand. Schmidt shifted back and forth, looking around them on the bed. "Well, I guess it seems I've beaten Nicholas with my present!"
Jess just rolled her eyes and started to untie the gigantic pink bow on the white cube box. Removing the plain white paper, Jess saw a box saying "Williams-Sonoma". "SCHMIDT!"
Schmidt nodded proudly. "Only the very best for my roommate." He crossed his arms in front of his chest as Winston rolled his eyes.
"Jess, just so you know, I have NO idea what is inside of that thing. So," Winston scrunched his face. "if you are offended in ANY way, HE did it." He pointed to Schmidt as he continued to grin.
Nick just watched nervously as Jess opened what was clearly a very expensive gift. Jess removed the lid and a huge wad of pink tissue paper and lifted out a heavy vase. A little confused, she looked up at Schmidt with a questioning look on her face. "Schmidt, is this for me or YOU?"
Schmidt feigned annoyance. "Please. Now, I'd love to think you could use it for all the flowers this guy," he pointed at Nick, who just glared back. "will be giving you. BUT, let's face it, that probably won't be happening." Jess frowned as Nick clenched his fists.
"Schmidt..."
Ignoring Nick's glare, he continued, "Jessica, seeing as you are now a woman in your mid-thirties..."
Jess took offense. "I'm 32, but ok..."
"...and you've settled into this...UNION." He gestured between Nick and Jess, "I thought it only fitting that we make our loft a little more classy and have an official PDA jar, or leaded crystal hand etched vase, if you will"
"Yeah, I am DEFINITELY removing my name from that card..." muttered Winston.
Nick's was clearly annoyed. "Schmidt, you bought us a VASE?"
"Yes, Nicholas. The crystal should be able to withstand all the heavy change, since that's all you two will probably have on you."
Jess grimaced and turned the vase over in her hand. "Schmidt, you really ordered an ETCHED vase for us to put money into every time we show any kind of affection?!" She paused as Schmidt proudly nodded. "What is wrong with you, man?"
A huge smile came across Nick's face as he looked at Jess and nodded. "Yeah, she's right. This is just crazy."
Jess nudged her elbow into Nick's side and winked, lowering her voice. "I better start saving my quarters, because this jar is gonna be full by lunch."
Nick gave Schmidt a smirk before wrapping his arms around Jess' waist, turning her towards him and giving her a passionate kiss.
Winston just shook his head as Schmidt grimaced with a loud. "Um, yuuuuuuck."
Jess let out a small, surprised giggle as her eyes fluttered open, desperately gripping the vase as her body weakened with the unexpected kiss. Her breathing was labored as Nick pulled away and gave her wink. She blinked furiously and shuddered slightly. "Ok, then, that's going to just FILL the jar right there."
Schmidt grimaced again as Winston stepped forward to pat Jess on the knee. "Happy Birthday, we'll leave you alone now." He looked at Schmidt, "won't we Schmidt."
Schmidt waved his hand in annoyance. "yeah, yeah, whatever. Just remember, that wasn't cheap, so find a good spot for it before you two start pawing at each other."
Jess rolled her eyes as Nick stood up to follow them out, slamming the door behind them. Jess stood up to put the vase on her desk, just shaking her head. "Leave it to Schmidt to spend good money on the STUPIDEST present ever."
Nick reached out and grabbed her around the waist. "Want to do something REALLY worthy of a drop in the crystal?" He wiggled his eyebrows as she slid her hands up around his neck."
"OH, and what did you have in mind?" She kissed him softly.
He started to walk her toward the bed. "You tell me, you're the birthday girl."
She smiled as her hands trailed down his chest and tugged at the bottom of his shirt. "What about something a little more...naked?"
He laughed as he reached over his head and pulled his shirt off. She raised her eyebrows. "hmmm, I think I like getting older."
"My mid thirties lady." he teased.
Jess stopped and her eyes got wide, as she slapped his chest jokingly."Yeah, what the hell was that? Pssssh, mid thirties my ass!" She started laughing as she sat down on the bed, tugging at Nick's arms. Nick gasped and grabbed her shoulders, but it was too late. Before he could stop her, she had leaned backwards, her hair falling into the plate of leftover whipped cream. They burst out laughing as Jess grabbed her head and Nick lunged for a napkin and started wiping her hair.
Jess pulled her hands away from her head, whipped cream all over. "Clearly, I didn't get more graceful with age!"
Nick kissed her through his laughter. "I think this is by FAR my most successful attempt at breakfast in bed."
Jess' eyes caught Nick's and she paused with a devious look in her eye. Before he could get away, she grabbed either side of his face with her whipped cream covered hands and gave him a huge kiss.
"JESS!" He tried to pull her hands away, but she just shook her head laughing.
"No way Miller, it's only fair!" Their laughter died down as they kissed, not caring that they were covered in whipped cream. Jess let out a small moan, leaning her head back, her hands still holding Nick's face. Her eyes bright eyes fluttered as she whispered softly. "Thank you for my present, it's perfect." She blinked back tears as he smiled.
"Happy Birthday, Jess."
"Thirty-two is going to be amazing."