The Birthday Gift

originally posted April 19th, 2002

Laura sat on the steps to her front porch, clutching her mug of hot chocolate against the chill of the spring morning. It was well past midmorning, but the sun had yet to touch her house on this side of the mountain. As she watched a doe and fawn nibbling at the grass on the edge of her clearing, she smiled again. The peace and beauty that surrounded her surpassed the price she paid for living this far out in the country. Because of where she lived though, she had few visitors and today was one of the days she felt it the most. Laura knew that if she lived in a city, she would be out celebrating her birthday at some club or dinner.

She walked inside, cup finally empty, deer fleeing into the trees at her sudden movement. She'd usually have one friend who would either visit or send her something every year. This year she'd be surprised if Arania remembered her. Her friend had found a handsome man, and was totally infatuated by him, not that she could blame her. They had been up to visit once since they'd met, and for some odd reason, Laura had fainted when she tried to look him in the eye. Arania found it funny, but not surprising, and after a scolding from her, he had been more careful.

'Thudding I think she called it,' she thought to herself, 'Can see why too.' She chuckled softly and stirred a fire in her fireplace. A little later she heard a soft knock at the door, and went to open it. No one was there. She looked around, and then down at her feet. She saw a long skinny package laying at her feet and picked it up, again looking around and finding nothing.

She carried it inside and sat down, opening it. She revealed a set of brown candles, a CD, an odd looking whistle, and a card. As she opened the card she recognized the handwriting. She read it carefully.

"Happy Birthday to my good friend. I would never forget about it, no matter what happens in my life here. Now, follow my directions, and I promise a birthday you will never forget."

She laughed and set the card on her coffee table, getting up and taking the candles with her, arranging everything carefully. She placed the candles in an antique candelabra on her mantle. The CD she placed into the stereo, ready to be played, the case resting on top. She placed the whistle next to the candles, waiting for the right time. She looked around and decided to clean up while she waited for night to come.

Dusk came early to the mountains, and she looked up, surprised time had gotten away from her like that. She set the book she was reading back onto the bookshelf and walked over to the candles. As she lit them, she smiled and picked up the whistle, and walked to the stereo, turning it on softly. Laura dropped the whistle into her pocket as she put more wood on the fireplace, the flames flaring up a little in eagerness. She walked out onto the porch, looking at the beautiful star filled sky. She lifted the whistle out of her pocket and to her lips, blowing into it. She was a little startled by the chirping sound it made, but shrugged her shoulders and headed back in, sitting cross legged in front of the blazing fire. She watched the flames dancing in front of her.

"Greetings Laura." She heard the masculine voice behind her, and turned. Her eyes widened as she saw him standing there.

"MusiKai? What are you doing here?" He cocked his head to the side a little and raised an eyebrow.

"No, I am not who you refer to, though he is likely one of my 'sons'. I am Kai, the original." He held out a heart shaped box to her.

Her hands shook slightly as she accepted the box and laid it on the rug beside her. "Was that all you were sent for?" She looked up at him, but dared not stand, her legs shook too much. She felt both nervousness and exhilaration at him standing there so coolly. He quirked his head slightly and sat beside her, sniffing the air slightly. She frowned, wondering what he could possibly smell, then it hit her. The candles, their rich chocolate fragrance filled the room. She smiled slightly. "A gift from my friend, I'm not sure if you know her, or was approached by MusiKai."

"Arania? She spoke to me herself, with help from my 'son'. There was something else she asked me to give you." He looked over to her assessing her with his cool eyes, face not revealing anything. "She also asked me to wish you a Happy Birthday."

She looked at him a little anxiously, wondering what else he could possibly have for her. He apparently held nothing else, his hands were empty. He met her eyes, and picked up the box, slowly taking the ribbon off, prompting her to look into it as it opened.

Her eyes looked upon her favorite chocolates, she could tell from the mixed scent of sweet cherries and dark chocolate. She watched as his pale slim fingers picked one out from the center of the box, raising it to her nose, allowing her to inhale the wonderful fragrance. He pressed it next to her lips, and she opened them eagerly, taking the sweet into her warm mouth. As he withdrew his hand, he brushed his palm over her cheek. It was cool to the touch, but caused her face to burn under it. He withdrew, eyes on her face as she closed her lips, relishing the sweet taste melting on her tongue.

His eyes watched her face carefully and while his own remained impassive, he seemed to take satisfaction in her pleasure. He laid a hand on her knee, the contact causing her to shiver. His attentive eyes caught this. "Are you cold?" She shook her head, and admired his alabaster face for a moment.

His fingers picked out another treat, raising it for her inspection, before feeding it to her again. She slowly savored it, the chocolate melting in her mouth and running down her throat. The next thing she knew his lips were over hers, tongue seeking out the richness held by her own. She moaned softly, and allowed him access, as his arm wrapped around her waist, supporting her weight. Her hands raised to his chest, rubbing against the black cloth. When it was gone, he pulled away, gently licking the traces of it off her lips.

She heard her heart thundering in her ears, and selected a piece of chocolate herself this time. His eyes held hers as she raised it to his lips, letting him take a bite of it, then eating the rest herself. Again he leaned in and captured her lips. The kiss tender, and insistent, cold, and yet burning as furiously as any fire.

His hands held her possessively, the fragrance of the chocolate making her head swim. She looked in the box again, seeing only a couple pieces left, and raised her eyes to him. His eyes were half closed, a small spot of chocolate smeared on his lip. She smiled slightly, a finger brushing across the offending spot. She licked her finger lightly, the chocolate tasting even better. The last one finally rested against her lips, melting, the kiss he gave her this time made her eyes swim, and she shivered fiercely in his grasp. He gently laid her back onto the floor, as the fire died, getting a blanket and laying it over her. She sighed softly and closed her eyes.

When she opened them again, the night was making way for dawn, and she shivered. The window was wide open. As she rose and closed the window, she thought to herself. 'Arania, you were right, I must get me one of those' and chuckled softly.