Chapter 21

As soon as the alarm clock went off with a buzzing, peace-disturbing sound, a deep-throated moan resounded in the room. Louise buried her face in the pillow and covered her head with the quilt, trying to block the light coming from the window, and the external noises of the city, which threatened to perturb her sleep.

"Lou, come on. It's time," Kid said, and when she did not even stir, he insisted, "Lou, wake up!"

Louise finally unburied her head from under the covers, half opened an eye and saw him standing over her, fully dressed, and holding a steaming mug. When she finally opened both her eyes, she made a face while she said, "I hate you."

"Wh…what?" he exclaimed, frowning and chuckling simultaneously.

"How can you always get up way before I do and look so damn happy?" she retorted in a very irritated tone as she sat up and leaned her back against the headboard.

Kid grinned, left his mug on the bedside table and sat down on the bed. "Oh you liar! You know you adore me," he said, teasingly, scooting closer and tickling her sides. Louise squealed with laughter as she tried to get away from his grasp. She could not, and instead they ended up kissing. Lou lay down, cupping her hand on the nape of his neck, and bringing him back down with her. When, breathless and panting, they broke the kiss, Lou brought her fingers to caress his clean-shaven face. "You're right. I do love you."

Kid smiled, gave her a peck on her lips, and started to rise. "Let's get a move on, Lou. You go ahead and have a shower. Meanwhile, I'll make you breakfast."

"Thank you, Kid. If I wasn't in my usual morning mood, I could even say you're the greatest man on earth," she replied teasingly, as she finally slid out of bed.

Amused, Kid laughed and just as they filed out of the bedroom, the doorbell sounded. "Who's ringing at our door this early in the morning?"

"I imagine a poor soul that doesn't know it's dangerous to disturb you at this time of the day," Kid replied mockingly, and Louise stuck her tongue out at him, feigning being offended. "I'll get that. You have your shower."

While Lou disappeared into the bathroom, Kid walked to the door, and on opening it, he found Mr. Sarge, the building concierge. "Morning, Mr. Cain."

"Good morning," Kid greeted him back, eyeing the magnificent basket of beautiful red roses the man was holding. "Anything I can do for you?"

"I came to bring you a delivery. These flowers just came in for you."

"For me?" Kid echoed in surprise.

"Or for your lady, I imagine," Mr. Sarge replied. "That clumsy delivery boy only had your address… no name or anything else."

Kid nodded, as he was suddenly hit by the idea that the flowers might come from his mother. It was very much like her to do things like that, and when he had told his parents that he and Lou were living together, they had congratulated him, and his mom had hinted they might send them a welcoming present. In fact, Kid was surprised that his mother had not tried to contact Lou before. She usually grew quite close to the girlfriends he had over the years. Kid especially remembered the time he had dated Kathy, the daughter of one of his mother's acquaintances. His mom and the girl had grown quite chummy, and in the few months that their romance had lasted the two women had become as thick as thieves. When he and Kathy broke up, Kid remembered his mother had been more devastated than either of the involved parts. For this reason, and because Emma already knew Lou, he had expected her to call her or something, but maybe his mother was trying to stay aside and give them their space. So the flowers were probably her first step to close the distance.

"I guess nobody could think it wrong if I check the card. These roses might not even be for us," Kid said. He slid the little card out of the envelope, attached to the basket, and read its contents. 'Happy birthday, my dear Louise. I love you and always will. You know I haven't given up on you, and I never will. J.B P.S Please call me." A telephone number was written next to the last sentence.

On reading the card, Kid felt as if he had been punch on the stomach, and could hardly breathe. Who was this guy who sent Lou flowers and love messages? A guy who even knew that apparently today was her birthday while he had no idea. His face was flushed with irritation, jealousy and fear, and when out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that Mr. Sarge was still there, he tried to get a grip of himself. "Uh… yeah, the flowers are for Lou," he said, trying to sound as steady as he could. "Thank you, Mr. Sarge."

Kid took the basket from the man and tipped him with a few dollars. As the concierge left, Kid put the flowers on his dinner table and went to find Lou. He could not stop thinking about the message, and a big part of him terribly hoped that those flowers and the card were not for her. Maybe they were for some other Louise, and it was just a mistake. Strangely enough, he did not know when her birthday was. He did not know why, but they had never talked about it, and by this time they were already broken up when they had dated years ago.

From outside, Kid could hear the shower in the bathroom. After a second's hesitation, Kid knocked at the door with his knuckles before opening it, and getting his head inside. "Lou?"

"Yes?" Louise answered as she turned off the hot water faucet. Her head showed from behind the bath curtain, and she directed her eyes to him.

"Is it your birthday today?" he asked straightaway in a serious voice.

Louise quirked her eyebrows thoughtfully. "Today is the 20th?" she muttered almost to herself. Kid nodded, and Lou added, "My, my, yes… it is."

"You didn't tell me," he said in an accusing tone.

"I forgot," Lou replied, wondering why he looked so serious all of a sudden. "Birthdays are something I celebrated when I was little, but with the years it's become just another day… nothing special," Lou explained with a twinge of melancholy. Yet, she shushed her memories away, and got a hold of herself. So sending him a salacious look and smile, she added, "But since you're here, I wouldn't say no to an early birthday greeting."

Kid's face remained unaltered as he said, "Sorry, but I'd rather not."

His words were followed by the sound of the door closing as he disappeared from her presence. Louise was totally bewildered by his attitude, so intent on finding out what was wrong with him, she got out of the tub, dried herself quickly and wrapped her body in her bath robe. "Kid!" she called as soon as she walked out of the bathroom, and when she stepped into the living room and saw him sitting forlornly on the sofa, she asked, "Kid, what on earth is wrong with you?"

"Nothing," he replied, and as he tilted his head to the table where the flowers were, he added, "Seems you already have an early birthday present… somebody made sure he was the first one to send his birthday greetings."

Lou shot an indifferent glance at the beautiful red roses. "Oh that…" she let out flatly and sank down on a chair opposite him.

"Aren't you curious to know who they're from?"

Lou shook her head. "I already know who sends them."

"Is there anything you want to tell me then?"

"The flowers are from my father. He always sends the same for my birthday every single year, and he always knows where to locate me… I imagine he finds out through my sister."

Kid smiled, noticing a terrible weight being lifted from his very soul. "That's kind of sweet."

"Sweet, my foot!" Lou exclaimed angrily.

Kid frowned at her sudden reaction. "You still sore at him after all these years?"

Louise sighed. "Please, Kid. I don't want to talk about him. You know, it upsets me, and I don't want to start the day in a bad mood."

Kid nodded. "If you don't want to talk about it, then there's nothing else to say."

"Thanks," she whispered. They remained silent for a few seconds until Louise remembered something. "And why were you so serious just now?" As soon as the words were out of her mouth, it dawned on her what all this was about. "You thought I was cheating on you?"

Kid rose to his feet and came closer to her. "Lou, no, of course not. I know you're honest and wouldn't betray our love… but… but…"

"But what?" Lou urged, getting up and standing in front of him.

"I'm… scared… totally scared. Whenever I think I might lose you again, I fear for my life. The idea of another man in love with you is a real threat to my sanity."

Despite everything, Louise smiled. "You have nothing to fear, Kid. I only love you… nobody else. There's no other man. Actually, the only men I've been with over the years are nothing but losers and idiots."

"Lou, please, let's not get into detail about those men."

Amused, Louise grinned. "Kid, come on. Don't be so silly. I also know there have been other women in your life. Actually, I saw one with my own eyes." Kid sent him a sharp Lou and she sent him an apologetic smile. "Sorry. I shouldn't have mentioned that."

"Lou, I'm aware that an amazing woman like you are isn't indifferent to men," he said, sliding an arm around her waist and bringing her closer. "But I'd rather not know. I want to be kept in blissful ignorance."

Louise hooked her arms around his neck as she asked in a flirtatious way, "Why, Kid, are you jealous?"

"Very," he admitted softly. "But I plan on being the only man for you for the rest of your life. Will you let me then?"

"I'll have to think about it," she replied teasingly, smiling brightly just before his lips came to cover hers in a long, promising kiss.