Chapter 161: 161

SPADE

I’d missed the whole point— the whole point of having a wife and someone like Robyn who didn’t question her sanity in sticking around after nearly dying.

She dealt with it with flying colors. She was ten times stronger than me. While I wasn’t dealing so well, of almost lost her again, which went beyond trauma. The experience was soul-crushing and agonizing because I had her. I had Lex and the people I loved. I had a lot to lose.

I stayed awake at night wondering if I still deserved her when all I had to accept was the fact that she chose to stay. I was such an idiot. An oxymoron. Of course, without a doubt, I wanted my wife. I wanted her to spend her lifetime with me.

And fuck that. Fuck trauma. Fuck death. I was better than that. No kind of trauma or trigger could break me apart, could take my wife away from me.

After solving the case in the company, I took a moment to reflect. I loved her. There was no doubt of what I felt for her, and that was not going to change. If I had to be a leech to stick on her skin and suck her blood, then so be it. Not the best example, but you got the point.

“Are you gonna do it, or what?”

I blinked out of my little riverie and smiled at Denise. “Yes, but how do we do it? How many people should we invite? The venue? I’ve never done it before. I always rely on party organizers.”

“You’re terrible.” She watched me almost squirm because admitting it wasn’t easy.

“I know.”

“Trust me. I know my daughter. She prefers solemness. She doesn’t like extravagance, especially while you two are still healing. You just went through a traumatic situation. What she needs is to be surrounded by her family and close friends. No hotels, dresses, or tux, and definitely no strangers.”

“Okay. So we’ll do it at home?” I didn’t know why I didn’t plan her birthday ahead of time, but things happened for a reason, so here we were.

“Yes. I’ll call Piper to help me plan this out. Don’t worry, we got this.”

“But she will see it.”

“Oh, God. Spade.” She rolled her eyes at me, which made me smile. Robyn was just exactly like her mom. “I’ll take care of everything. Just tell your dad, anyone from your family you want to be there, and make sure they won’t tell her because this is a surprise birthday party.”

“Got it. So we won’t invite her dad?”

“Fuck him.”

I laughed. “Right. Fuck him.”

“Now let’s go shopping for birthday decorations.”

And that was three days ago. Right now, my wife is blowing out the candle on her cake after we sang a happy birthday song for her. And then she beamed at me, kissed me on the lips, and put icing on my nose.

I sucked in a breath. “You didn’t just—”

“It’s my birthday. Suck it up, handsome.”

I wiped it off and licked my finger. Robyn was easy to please, even with a cake flavor, she still preferred the classic vanilla. “You’re birthday is not until the day after, baby.”

The party started. I looked around. This was maybe a simple birthday celebration, but what mattered most was that we were surrounded by this small group of people we cared about. Even Sean was around.

“Happy birthday, Robyn.” Sean hugged Robyn with a paper bag in his hand. “I have something for you. I know it’s not much, but I hope you like it.”

“Aw.” She took it and peeked at what was inside. “You didn’t have to give me anything, but thanks, Sean.”

“Open it,” I told her. I didn’t even have any idea what it was, but I felt excited for her. At some point, I remembered celebrating a birthday with Sean and my mother. They took me to an amusement park.

“Oh, my God. It’s beautiful.” She shook the small snowglobe. “Is it Bonsai?”

“Yes. From a dwarf jade species. I found it in a vintage store. The woman told me the meaning behind it. It symbolized harmony and patience,” he explained.

“Yeah. She needs a lot of patience with me.” I smiled at my wife, who looked happier than if I had given her fifty thousand dollars for a kiss.

“Thank you. I love it. I’ll put this on top of my desk.”

Robyn received a lot of gifts from my family because Lex, Adley, and Mykel were also here, even Moses, Striker, Linden, and Estelle. Of course, Gio and Piper. Also, Quinton and Wave, who were still healing, didn’t want to miss her birthday.

“Milena is safe with Barbie.” Terzo and his sister Maverick arrived later in the night.

“In Italy?”

He didn’t reply but grabbed himself a drink. So that meant yes.

I watched Robyn have fun, get drunk with Piper, her mom, and the ladies. She loosened up around the people she truly trusted.

“You look cute, smiling like a lunatic.” Max smacked me on the back.

I groaned as I looked at him. “I said the L word.”

He only snorted. “Took you long enough. You should have said it on the first day of your marriage.”

“You’re crazy. So are you going to buy the cabin?”

“Yeah. Maybe we can go there once it’s fully paid.”

“Let me buy it for you. If you want to pay me back, up to you. It will be in your name anyway.”

“Thanks.”

“Wait. What?” I stared at him incredulously, “Really?”

“Yeah. So that Sean and I can spend a weekend there, fishing.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “You and Sean? Wow. I didn’t see that coming.”

“Yeah, me too. But I think all he needs is guidance. He’d been alone for a long time. He could use a friend or someone who would not abandon him. I knew what he did, brother, but this is his second chance.”

I nodded. “Thanks. I’ll pay for the cabin, and maybe we can go there, three of us.”

“Invite your dad.”

“Invite me where?” Lex came, joining us with a glass of whiskey.

“Are you drinking?” I couldn’t help but smile. He didn’t drink alcohol after the transplant, but tonight, maybe he was making an exception.

“It’s Robyn’s birthday. I can take a little sip.”

“Okay, but don’t get drunk.”

“Lex, Spade is buying the cabin for me. So maybe the four of us can have an overnight there.”

“I offered and you declined, but you’re accepting his help.” Lex was slightly upset.

“Oh, come on, Dad. Don’t be jealous.” I wrapped an arm around his shoulder, and I noticed Adley was looking at us, smiling. “You didn’t tell me you’re gonna tell her about us.”

“She loves you. It wasn’t that difficult to tell a person who’s accepted you since day one. She was even thrilled.”

“Yeah. I’m glad we don’t have to keep secrets anymore.”

“So, when are you gonna give me a grandchild?”

“Oh, boy.” I chuckled. “You might wanna ask for it from the birthday girl. Anyway, what’s your gift for her?”

Before Lex could answer, a scream from the ladies had caught our attention. Our volunteer photographer, Wave, caught that moment.

“She’s happy. That’s what matters.”

“I’m happy, too, Dad.”

“I know, son. I know.”

After everyone left, I took a shower while she was still with her mom in the room downstairs.

She came back later on with two bowls in her hands. “So, do you ever get tied in bed or tied up?”

“No, baby. I’m a dom. I practice dominance. Why did you ask?” I grinned. I had the feeling that this night was not over. In fact, we were just getting started. The anticipation just made my cock hard.

“Well, not tonight, my love.” She placed the bowls on the nightstand and cast her glance at me. I was only wearing boxers, but I might not need them, too.

“What are you talking about?”

She ignored my question, responding with another question, “Can I tie you up?”

As my curiosity kicked in, I played along and looked at the bowls. One was with melted chocolate, and the other was an ice cream. “Well, this sounds fun.”

“Okay, then. Go grab some ties. Since the bed isn’t equipped with posts, we should just get creative.” She grinned at me.

Out of excitement, I grabbed some ties and came back. Though I had a lot of ideas of what to do with them, I couldn’t read what she had in her wild and dirty mind. “What’s next?”

“Lie down and let me do my thing.”

“Your thing?” I stared at her for a moment. “This is not how I imagined it to be, but okay. Since it’s your birthday, do whatever you want.”

“Oh, I will, my love.”