Happy Happy Birthday Baby (for crimsonandjesus)

[di_monty_pippin]

Monty eyed the contents of the tray critically before lifting it and heading carefully for the stairs. Strawberries, pineapple and other fresh fruit together with a dip made from whipped cream, vanilla and cinnamon. Pastries. A small vase with pink rosebuds and baby's breath. And, because a birthday girl deserves a little excess, champagne.

Experienced though he was at buying gifts for women, he'd thought it a good idea to consult with Audry and Fiona about today. Given the recent upheaval in their lives, he felt Lo ought to have her day a bit extra-special. Both women had approved his choice of presents, one of which was secreted in either pocket of his dressing gown, waiting for the reveal. Fiona in particular had emphasized that there was one thing that any woman who's had a time of it would love to get. "A thorough fussing-over. Make sure she doesn't lift a finger all day."

So. Brekkers in bed for a start. After nudging the bedroom door open with a foot, Monty looked in to assess the wakefulness of the sole occupant of the large, luxurious waterbed. "Happy Birthday, sweetheart."

Comments

[crimsonandjesus.livejournal.com]

First thing in the morning on her birthday - twenty-seven, thirty's getting closer every year - Lo is half-awake and lazing, reluctant to come out of her sleep-daze into proper consciousness just yet. She's only been back at home a short while, and she's still settling in.

...Monty's voice persuades her to open her eyes, though, and she wriggles around until she can peer out from underneath the blankets at him, tousled hair in her eyes and a little smile making its beginning. "Honey!" she trills, letting the blanket slip when she moves towards the edge of the bed. "Did you really? Oh, you did!"

[di-monty-pippin.livejournal.com]

Monty grins, his sense of theatre well-satisfied by his wife's reaction. Grand gestures can be so much fun. "Ah-ah-ah. You stay right where you are, my lovely, and I shall come to you." The tray finds a temporary home on the dresser before Monty dutifully plumps and arranges pillows for Lo to recline against.

That task done, he heads for the door. "Back in a tick. I couldn't manage the wine cooler and the tray at the same time." In short order he races back down the stairs and returns with the the champers, which he deposits next to his side of the bed. "There you are. Refills for the asking."

After carefully settling Lo with her tray, Monty fills the spare glass he brought for himself and joins her on the bed, moving carefully to avoid a) spilling his wine, b) upsetting any of Lo's breakfast and c) crushing the contents of his pockets. "All right, love?"

[crimsonandjesus.livejournal.com]

It's not quite an answer to his question - when Monty settles with her, Lo sips her champagne and tells him, "You are the sweetest thing." Because there are endlessly and unchangingly pragmatic parts of Lo, in the back of her mind she's thinking about the breast pump and how much milk she has stashed, how many glasses of champagne she can get away with. Of course, mostly she's beaming at her husband and trying to guess what he's hiding in his pockets.

The pale pink strap of her slip slides down her shoulder, as if on cue, and she presses a lipstick-less kiss to his temple. "I can't believe you surprised me!" Actually, she can, but it just wouldn't do to let on. "Where's Rome? What are we doing today?"

[di-monty-pippin.livejournal.com]

The migrating shoulder strap does not go unnoticed, and Monty is quick to intercept Lo's lips for a good-morning-birthday-girl kiss before he answers her questions. "Rome is busy being spoiled by his grandparents and uncle today." Perfect Tom might be the older brother, financial wizard and Member of Parliament, but Monty was the first to provide a grandchild. He's earned some much-needed parental points there.

"As for today's schedule, I have today off, so we are doing whatever and going wherever your heart most desires. I stand ready to take you out to restaurants, shops, dancing, the West End, or whatever sights you might like to take in, and generally perform any other tasks you require done."

Monty gives a lingering nuzzle to the spot her shoulder strap used to occupy, no doubt offering a clue as to what he hopes some of those tasks might be. "The day and your husband are entirely yours, babe. Your wish is my command and all that."

[crimsonandjesus.livejournal.com]

"You are so good to me," Lo says, pleased, holding her wine glass up above and out of the way while she rearranges herself into her husband's lap to properly show her appreciation. She settles one hand on his shoulder, holding herself steady, and sips her champagne before she kisses him again.

The champagne-taste helps with the fact she hasn't brushed her teeth yet, and this is in fact why she did that.

"Mmmm...I have all day to do anything I want to you..." That's deliberate phrasing, Monty. "This is a fabulous present!"

[di-monty-pippin.livejournal.com]

Of course it's deliberate phrasing. Knowing that doesn't lessen its effect on Monty in the slightest, nor does it quell the increasingly obvious effects of a lapful of sexy Filipina. He returns Lo's kiss with a soft, throaty groan, one arm settling around her waist while his other hand steals upward to stroke a warm, full breast.

But as much as he'd like to start moving things toward their natural conclusion right this minute, he has two other considerations that really ought to be dealt with first. One in either pocket, to be precise. Monty's hand reluctantly leaves off its stroking to fish out an artfully (and pinkly) wrapped box.

"Before I get too distracted," he murmurs against her jaw, "You have more presents than me on offer." His lips slip to her throat as he tucks the box into her hands. "But by all means stay right where you are while you open them."

He took his time choosing the contents (http://www.luckyscent.com/images/products/44701.jpg). The perfume blends sparkling-sweet floral and fruit notes with warm, lushly sexy sandalwood and musk, then gives just a hint of spicy intrigue with clove. Granted, he got that description from the shop assistant, but one inhale of the scent said Lo to him.

Not that he has any objections to the way she smells now, Monty thinks as he nibbles delicately at her pulse point.

[crimsonandjesus.livejournal.com]

"Ooooh," Lo slides down to rest her weight on him, potentially not helping his lack of distraction, opening the box with small and careful hands. "Oh, sweetie," she beams, holding up the perfume bottle and testing it against her wrist. "Oh, I like it, Monty-"

At which point he's going to get covered in kisses. It's good she hasn't put her lipstick on yet.

[di-monty-pippin.livejournal.com]

Mmmmmyes. He does adore giving his lovely wife presents. She's always so very appreciative, and in the most delightful ways ...

When the kisses start to slow, Monty shifts Lo in his lap just a bit-- mmmmmm that's nice --and pulls out the piece de resistance, an elegantly wrapped jeweler's box containing her final present (http://www.theofennell.com/Shop/online/19335-trellis-L.jpg), dangling from an exquisite matching white gold chain. "Here you are, babe. I saw this and thought of you."

[crimsonandjesus.livejournal.com]

The sound Lo makes when she opens this box is only audible to dogs. By the way. She holds up the pendant, huge eyed. "Oh, Monty...it's beautiful..." It's gaudy and indulgent, but it's covered in diamonds and the centrepiece is pink and she loves it. "It's so beautiful, Monty, this is perfect-!"

[di-monty-pippin.livejournal.com]

Pink, sparkle and hearts. Does he know his wife's tastes or doesn't he? Monty smiles smugly and snuggles Lo a little bit closer. "Happy Birthday, lover. I'm so glad you like it."

As he lowers her lips to her neck again, he murmurs, "So what's next on the agenda, hmmmm?"