There are many days Cynthia feels every side effect that having yet another birthday only means for more aches and pains. When did this happen? What happened to the girl who jumped from club to club meeting random guys? These days she likes to stay home and play with her younger daughter Raven, even though her back usually makes loud cracking noises when she tries too hard.
Tucker is the same way these days, staying home to play with their younger daughter and teach her things for her life ahead.
Her nights now end with reading a kids’ book instead of flirting conversations in a loud club.
And there’s Tucker. She still doesn’t want to marry him, but they’ve been together for 20 years now and she’s still not tired of him.
“Hey,” Tucker says. “Do you know what tomorrow is?”
“Ugh,” she answers, rolling her eyes. “Don’t remind me. I’m getting old.”
”Age comes with forgetfulness, so I do have to remind you sometimes.”
She tries to shove her elbow into his ribs to get back at him for his words, but he catches her and presses his lips to hers. And then the make out session leads to the bedroom, just like things have always been since she was a teenager. At least one thing hasn’t changed in her life.
After Cynthia is sound asleep, Tucker gets back out of bed. First he checks on Raven to make sure she’s still tucked in and sound asleep.
Then he heads to the kitchen. He pours a few different ingredients into the big bowl and begins to stir.
Does everything taste right? Maybe. He isn’t used to baking.
Once things look like they might be mixed like they should, he puts the pan into the oven.
Twenty minutes later he has the product of his hard work. Cynthia said she doesn’t want a cake, so he decides to make her favorite cookies instead.
When she wakes up, Tucker has already eaten breakfast, but he had kept himself from eating her birthday dessert. He gives her a big smile and says, “Happy birthday!”
“Ugh,” she says. “Don’t remind me.”
“Well, I have a birthday breakfast for you on the counter.”
Cynthia walks over and finds a big plate of her favorite cookies. “Did you make these yourself?”
“Yep,” he says, feeling proud. “Last night after you fell asleep. I’m surprised the good smell didn’t wake you up.”
Cynthia doesn’t say anything about that, she grabs a cookie and nearly stuffs it into her mouth. She doesn’t even care anymore if Tucker sees her acting like a hungry pig when she eats. She is 41 and it’s her birthday and she can do what she wants without having to impress anyone else. And Tucker still keeps himself with her, even if she does feel like she is getting old. And messy, though she doesn’t care if cookie crumbs do fall on her shirt and the floor. The baby isn’t yet awake and the cookies make her happy and Tucker makes her happy. Cleaning time will come later.
Birthdays:
October 4 - Terri Gates - 39
October 9 - Blake Lloyd - 39
October 9 - Seth Lloyd - 39
October 10 - Cynthia Morris - 41
October 25 - Madison Craig - 33
October 29 - Jason Lloyd - 41
October 30 - Baine Austin - 20
October 31 - Ava Chase - 7
October 31 - Ian Lloyd - 39
Anniversaries:
October 14 - Marcus & Jill Craig - 21 years
October 24 - George & Dorothy Tang - 8 years
Aww, these two are adorable together. How sweet is he to make her birthday cookies. I like that they do what works for them, and how much they dote on little Raven, who is a cutie!
ReplyDeleteThey both felt out of their league when raising Violet, but now they feel like experts! I think that's what has made Cynthia more focused on her home life instead of running out to every club around town.
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