Chapter 16: Birthday Surprise
December 2011
Christmas was fast approaching but so was another special someone's birthday.
Sitting up in bed at night while Marik lay fast asleep Loretta sent a message to her Brother, Ishizu, Yugi and Kisara. "Bring your families around tomorrow afternoon for a surprise party for Marik."
The responses came back quickly, all agreeing. Marik gave a muffled snore but continued to sleep.
Marik woke up the next morning and sighed. "I have to work on my birthday? The worst luck." he groaned, heading for the shower.
Only partially asleep, due to being woken up by Mariks Alarm Loretta smiled to herself as she gently turned over "Your day will get better" Loretta thought to herself
Marik left the shower finally, towel drying his hair, a towel around his waist. Seeing his wife still asleep, he smiled. I better not wake her up before I go. It might make me late.
Still pretending to be asleep, Loretta took in a deep breath smelling Marik's cologne as he dressed. Mmm.
"I was wondering when you would notice," Loretta said as she turned over and looked up at Marik. "Happy Birthday." she giggled.
"You don't look that mischievous usually when you're really asleep. You looked like you were up to something." Marik turned to smirk at her.
"I just wanted to let you get to work without any distractions." Loretta smirked backed, flicking the blankets off her legs.
"And you lying there like a cat wasn't distracting?" Marik raised an eyebrow.
"Hey I need as much rest as I can get, because don't forget who's carrying your next child." Loretta said running her hand over her stomach.
"I will never forget that." Marik smiled, his eyes lingering on her stomach.
"It's not long now, only three more months." Loretta smiled. "You better get going to work or else you'll be late."
Marik gave a sigh, putting on his uniform. "You're right. There's still plenty of time for things later."
"I'm sorry you have to go to work on your birthday, but I have something planned for you that you are going to like." Loretta smirked aa she got up out of bed.
"It better not be a surprise party." Marik groaned.
"No, of course not. I guarantee you will like it." Loretta smirked wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing his cheek.
"I'm just hoping my birthday gets better. You're right, I need to get going." Marik said, seeing the alarm clock.
"Love you Marik, have a good day." Loretta said watching him walk out the door.
"Love you too." Marik called before getting in the car and drove away.
Marik was still unaware of the plans when he got off work. As he grabbed his stuff from his work locker, he got a text. 'Would you get me some underwear from the store? Thanks.'
At home after sending Marik a message to stall him off, Loretta went to the door to let Atem & Hali, Ishizu & Seto, Yugi & Hailey "Hey guys come in, ive stalled Marik for a while but he probably wont be long" Loretta said opening the door
"Oh good, where do you want us for when he arrives?"
"To his displeasure, we are going to have a surprise party. So once the car drives up the driveway we need to hide. Atem could you shut the curtains please?"
Atem went to the windows and shut the curtains quickly. "Now we just need to make sure the kids are quiet."
"We can shut the kids in Marik and Menkura's room with some toys until Marik gets home" Loretta giggled.
"Go with Loretta, kids." Hali encouraged.
"Come on you guys, this way. You all have to hide and keep quiet until Uncle Marik comes home for his birthday party." Loretta said as she led the kids up the hall.
"I can imagine Marik is not going to be happy." Atem chuckled.
"Yes he groaned at me this morning about not wanting a surprise party." Loretta said once she had shut the door to the kids room.
Atem heard a car door slam finally. "That must be him."
"Turn the lights off and everyone hide." Loretta whispered as she ducked down behind the kitchen bench.
Atem flipped the lights before hiding behind the coat tree. A key rattled in the lock before he door opened. "Loretta? What are all the lights out for?"
"1…2…3…SURPRISE! Happy Birthday Marik!" Everyone said on unison.
Marik glared as they appeared. "I said no surprise parties."
"I know, but I've had this planned for weeks. Lighten up, sweetheart." Loretta said as she walked over to him and kissed his cheek.
Marik sighed. "Do I have a choice?" he asked, giving her a wry look.
"Marik! You could always go back to work & i could enjoy your party." Loretta smirked.
"Catching kids shoplifting doesn't seem as appealing when you put it that way." Marik smirked.
"I didnt think so. Here have a drink." Loretta said hand him a glass of juice.
"Sure. Where's the kids?" Marik asked, looking around as he took the glass.
"Kids, Marika, Kura come see Daddy" Loretta called taking a drink for herself.
The kids ran out and the twins hugged their dad. "Daddy!"
"Hey don't forget to say Happy Birthday to your Dad." Loretta said smiling at her Son and Daughter.
"Happy birthday Daddy!" the twins chimed.
Hali spotted the dress Loretta was wearing. "I love that color on you, Loretta. Where did you get that dress?"
"I brought it a few weeks ago one day when I went to get Marik from work." Loretta said swishing her dress back and forth.
Hali smirked, catching on to the hint. "Do you have some news that it might reveal?"
"You will have to wait and find out." Loretta smirked.
Marik narrowed his eyes at his wife but then shrugged, deciding not to argue. "As long as I get to find out what you're hiding eventually."
"Is everyone ready for Cake?" Loretta said changing the subject as she dashed to the kitchen.
"She's up to something, I can tell." Marik looked at Hali.
"Agreed but just don't push it. You know how hormonal a pregnant women can be." Hali smiled at him.
"Yeah, I've had experience with it." Marik replied wryly.
Coming out of the kitchen with a seemingly plain chocolate cake, Loretta started singing. "Happy Birthday to you".
The others joined in as Loretta set it before Marik. "It looks delicious." Marik smiled at her.
"Would you like to do the honors, Marik?" Loretta smirked, handing him a big knife.
"After the year he had, I'm not sure if that's a good idea." Seto gave Marik a wary eye.
"Seto, sush." Ishizu scold elbowing her husband in the ribs
"It's okay, we all have a past." Marik then gave a smirk as he took the knife from Loretta.. "And didn't someone teach you not to taunt someone with a knife?"
"Yes good point, sorry Marik." Seto nodded.
"Now before you cut the cake Marik, I have a surprise for you. I'm sorry for being so secretive, but you will find out why once you take out the first slice." Loretta smirked.
Marik sliced the cake and lifted the first slice, revealing a strawberry cake underneath the icing. "Is this what I think it is?" he asked, looking up at Loretta after he set the cake on a plate.
"It sure is. I went and had a scan done when you were at work last month and we are having another girl." Loretta smiled as happy tears came to her eyes.
"Wow, that's great." Marik hugged her.
Atem leaned over, whispering to Yugi loud enough for them all to hear, "Wonder if he remembered how it's going to be when his daughters are teens." Both of them snickered.
Clearing her throat Loretta glared at her brother and Yugi. "Excuse me you two, you're the person who also has three girls, Atem."
Atem smirked. "Yes, and I have a plan for when they become teens."
"Oh I bet you do." Loretta giggled rolling her eyes.
"It would be premeditated if I told you and had to do something so I better keep it to myself."
"Atem, whatever you are thinking you better keep it to yourself. If I know you as well as I do." Hali said as both she and Loretta glared at him.
"I just know what it's like to be a boy. And remember you were a teen when you had the boys." Atem reminded her.
"Believe me, that was a day I won't forget." Hali giggled.
"Watch him Hali, surprisingly enough it was him that came up with all the sneaky plans to hide from our father when we were kids." Loretta said, gently nudging Hali with her elbow and giggling.
Marik dressed for bed, slipping on a pair of lavender cotton boxers. As he slipped into bed, he picked up the book he was reading.
Pretending that she was having shower so Marik wouldn't get suspicious Loretta, found her little lacy nighty that she had been saving for a special occasion. "I hope Marik likes this, I wish I wasn't as pregnant." Loretta muttered to herself.
Marik continued to read, turning the page as he reached the end of the page he was on.
Still in the bathroom, Loretta was still complaining to herself. "I knew this was a bad idea, I knew I should have worn this on our honeymoon." she sighed loudly.
Marik set aside the book, concerned at the length of time Loretta was taking. "Honey, something wrong?"
"I will be out in a minute!" she said accidently snapping at him.
Marik raised an eyebrow at this, but sighed softly, returning to his book.
Why did I do that? It's not his fault. I'm just going to end up ruining his birthday. Loretta thought to herself trying to hold back a sob.
Marik continued to wait, biting back his concern.
"Oh well, here it goes. I hope he likes this." Loretta said as she took one final look in the mirror before slowly opening the bathroom door.
Marik looked up as he heard the door open and his mouth drops open.
"I'm sorry I'm not as beautiful as when we first met Marik. I was going to wear this for our honeymoon." Loretta said as she looked at Marik for a split second then dropped her eyes to the floor.
Marik got out of bed and went over to her, tilting her chin up with a finger. "And why wouldn't you look more beautiful now?" he asked softly.
"For a start, I'm six months pregnant and I'm fat." Loretta explained keep her eyes to the floor.
"Look at me, Loretta." Marik ordered softly.
Slowly looking up at her husband, Loretta sniffed. "I'm sorry for ruining your birthday." she whispered, looking at him with watery eyes.
"You're not ruining it. In fact, if you looked down again, you would notice that your little 'outfit' has helped." Marik's mouth quirked up.
"I'm sorry for being so moody. Marik, what are you...oh." Loretta said as she gave him a hug looking down out of the corner of her eye. "...You naughty boy."
"Now which are you, the pot or the kettle?" Marik's lavender eyes twinkled.
"Excuse me?" Loretta asked, cocking an eyebrow at her husband strange expression.
"You're dressed, and I use that word loosely, in this," Marik tooks a handful of her skirt. "And you call me naughty? It just means that you're calling me a name that would apply to you as well."
"Ok I understand that now It's a strange saying, but your choice of nightwear isn't helping me either." Loretta giggled pinging the top band of his boxers.
"Well, let me show you how beautiful I think you are." Marik murmured, taking her hand. He guided her toward the bed.
"We better be careful of the baby." Loretta said as she sat down on the bed caressing her rounded stomach.
Marik joined her on the bed, being careful as he made love to her.
"Happy Birthday Marik and thank you for cheering me up." Loretta whispered in Marik's ear as he kissed her.