"AHH!" Jade screamed, bolting upright in bed as a sharp noise startled her awake. Seeing her girlfriend stood at the end of her bed, party horn in mouth. Jade groaned, turning to bury her face in her pillow. "How could you possibly think that's how I wanted to be woken up?" she mumbled, her voice muffled by the soft fabric.
Cat leaned over her, brandishing the party horn in one hand like a little trumpet of chaos. "Because I'm the best, most wonderful girlfriend in the world, and you loooove me, obviously," she replied with a huge grin, nudging Jade playfully. "Plus, it's you can't be angry at me, its your birthdayyyy!"
Jade squinted up at her, giving Cat an incredulous look. "Couldn't you at least wait until it was light out?" she groaned, but her voice softened with a hint of a smile, which she quickly tried to hide. "You know I hate mornings, Cat."
"Oh, but you love me," Cat declared, blowing the horn one more time just for effect. "And I couldn't let you waste even a minute of today in bed! I have sooo many surprises planned for you. Trust me—you're gonna love them." She practically vibrated with excitement, sitting cross-legged on the bed beside Jade.
Jade sighed, rolling onto her back with a resigned look. "Alright, what's the 'grand plan' you've come up with?"
"Well, I was thinking we'd start with breakfast at that super cute bakery with the giant cinnamon rolls—you know the one! Then we'll head to the art gallery downtown because they're showing a new exhibit with all this cool abstract stuff you'll probably pretend not to like but secretly will." Cat ticked off each activity on her fingers, her smile getting bigger with each one.
Jade raised an eyebrow. "You think I'll 'secretly' like it?"
Cat gave her a knowing look. "I know you'll like it. Just like I know you're going to love the rooftop movie night I have planned with all your favourite snacks," she added, her eyes twinkling with anticipation.
Jade bit her lip, a small smirk breaking through her usual guarded expression. "You went all out, didn't you?"
Cat shrugged, trying to act casual. "Maybe. Just a little. But it's only because I know exactly what you'll love, and I want today to be perfect for you."
"Perfect, huh?" Jade mused, still half-asleep. She let out a soft chuckle, her heart warming at the thought of Cat going to such lengths for her. She couldn't remember the last time anyone had planned something so thoughtful. It felt surreal, almost too good to be true. "How will we end the perfect day?"
"Shhhh I can't tell you all my plans." She winked, unable to stop the cheeky smile from spreading across her face.
Jade rolled her eyes, but also couldn't help but smirk. "Alright, fine. I'll come along. But if I get to that bakery and they're out of cinnamon rolls, you owe me, big time."
"Deal!" Cat exclaimed, grabbing Jade's hand and pulling her out of bed. "Now, get dressed! We have a big day ahead, and we are not wasting any time!"
As they moved through the morning routine, Cat could barely contain her excitement. The way Jade sleepily tried to brush her hair into some semblance of order, her focus lingering on things like the clothes she was picking out, filled Cat with anticipation.
By the time they were out the door and heading downtown, Jade was fully awake and even beginning to get excited, despite herself. The early morning chill brushed over them as they walked hand in hand to the little bakery Cat had chosen. When they stepped inside, the scent of fresh pastries and coffee filled the air, and Jade's mood lifted even more. Cat ordered them both cinnamon rolls, grinning proudly when Jade's eyes widened at the size of the pastries.
"Alright, you weren't kidding about these," Jade admitted, eyeing the gooey cinnamon roll in front of her. "Maybe you do know what you're doing."
"Of course I do!" Cat laughed, beaming. "Trust me, I've thought about every detail. This is only the beginning!"
As they moved through the day, Jade found herself enjoying every part of it more than she expected. At the art gallery, Cat led her from room to room, insisting on stopping to look at every piece, chattering on about the ones she thought looked like something out of a dream. Jade tried to act like she didn't care much, but Cat could tell she was quietly fascinated by a few of the paintings.
By the time evening rolled around, Jade had let her usual defences down completely. Cat had found a way onto the roof of Jade's house, complete with a projector, pillows and blankets to watch a movie under the stars. How Jade had never thought about climbing out of the spare bedroom to the flat roof above the garage she'd never know. But then again she'd never had to sneak out of the house before, her Dad always just let her go anywhere. She dreaded to think how long Cat must have been out there during the night to clear leaves off of it and set the projector up.
With the late February weather bringing a slight warmth around them, they sat together, cuddled under the blankets with the city lights twinkling around them, Jade couldn't stop herself from smiling the whole time.
"Alright, I'll admit it. This was a pretty perfect day," she whispered as the movie ended. "I love you Cat."
"Like you love coffee?" Cat asked, her big doe eyes locked with Jade's.
"Like I love watching an overhyped movie absolelty bomb at the box office."
"Wow that is love." She nodded, giving her girlfriend a quick peck on the lips. "Well, I've still got one more thing for you." Cat giggled, grabbing Jade's hand and basically dragging her back into the house.
"You've got to stop dragging me through my own house." Jade laughed as they went.
"Would you like me to go slower?" Cat teased, stopping in her tracks in protest, not realising Jade wouldn't expect it. All at once, Jade crashed into the redhead, knocking them both down with a loud thud, Jade not able to catch herself as landed on top of her.
"Well thats one way to get me on top." Jade groaned, pushing herself up off the ground and checking Cat was okay. She was completely fine, just laughing at both the shock of it all and her girlfriend's quick retort.
"That wasn't my plan." Cat continued to laugh, taking Jade's outstretched hand to help pull herself off the ground, and continuing to hold it as she once again pulled Jade into her bedroom.
The sun crept through the sheer curtains the following morning, a much nicer way to wake up than the previous day's started bolt upright. Jade stirred first, feeling the gentle weight of Cat's arm draped across her waist. She blinked a few times, adjusting to the light, and turned her head to find Cat still asleep beside her, her hair splayed across the pillow.
As Jade lay there, she couldn't help but admire the way the morning light caught the delicate curves of Cat's face, highlighting smile that never left her lips, not even in sleep. It made her heart flutter—a reminder of how lucky she felt to be here, sharing this moment with someone who made her feel so happy
Gently, Jade shifted, careful not to disturb Cat. She slid her hand over Cat's arm, tracing her fingers along the soft skin. Cat stirred slightly, letting out a soft sigh, and Jade couldn't resist leaning in to place a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"Mmm," Cat murmured, her eyes still closed. "What time is it?"
"Too early to care," Jade replied playfully, her voice barely above a whisper.
Cat cracked one eye open, the hint of a smile playing on her lips. "You might be right," she said, stretching like a cat and pulling Jade closer. "But we can't sleep the whole day away. What if we miss breakfast?"
"Breakfast?" Jade raised an eyebrow. "Are you seriously thinking about food right now?"
"I'm hungry" Cat replied with a teasing grin.
Jade chuckled, a soft sound that filled the room. "Okay, but the food's not going anywhere. Did you really tire yourself out that much yesterday?"
"Maybe," Cat said, her voice playful as she snuggled closer, burying her face in the crook of Jade's neck. Jade could feel Cat's breath against her skin, sending tingles down her spine.
They lay there in comfortable silence, the world outside slowly waking up. The city's sounds began to filter through the window—the distant hum of traffic, the chirping of birds, the soft rustle of leaves. It was a beautiful morning, and they were wrapped up in their own little universe, a space filled with warmth and intimacy.
"Okay, enough mushy stuff," Jade said, shifting the mood with a grin. "What's the plan for breakfast?"
Cat laughed, the sound brightening the room. "How about pancakes? I know a great recipe that includes chocolate chips."
Jade feigned a gasp. "Chocolate chips? You're spoiling me!"
"Just wait until I whip up some whipped cream," Cat winked, rising from the bed and stretching again. She slipped out of the sheets, and Jade couldn't help but admire her.
"Alright, chef Cat, you win," Jade said, throwing the sheets off and reluctantly getting up. "But only if you promise to make enough for two."
"Deal!" Cat called over her shoulder as she went to open the bedroom door.
"As much as I love the view- please put some shorts on before you do." Jade laughed, noting that Cat was only wearing an oversized shirt.
"Oh Chiz!" Cat swore, well to her it was basically a swear, suddenly frantically looking for her pyjama shorts.
"Also we should probably go get that projector off the roof before we forget about it." Jade noted.
"See this is why I have you." Cat replied, pulling on some grey shorts. "You remember these things."