Page 69 of Remember Me

As I open the door, a chorus of “Happy Birthday” is being sung by my mom, sister, and Lottie—little Bella is barking too, and I notice she also has a small party hat on, not wanting to miss out.

“Happy Birthday!” Lottie squeaks out as I haul her into my chest. I’m probably squeezing way too hard, but I can’t control myself. My need to be as close as possible to her is winning.

“Happy birthday, honey.” Reluctantly, I let go of Lottie and pull my mom into me. We stand there for a while, both probably thinking the same thing: I wish Dad was here. Birthdays without him never get any easier.

“Bring it in, Lyss.” I wave over to my sister, who huffs and rolls her eyes at me. “Come on, you know you want to,” I coax. She eventually shuffles over to me, and I wrap my arms around her.

“Happy birthday, big bro. You finally got what you wanted,” she whispers in my ear so no one else can hear. I nod and hug her tighter. Once I’ve let her go, I grab the flowers and pass them to Lottie. She spins away with a thank you and a pink tint on her cheeks as she goes to find a vase.

“How is my boy twenty-seven? I just don’t understand where the time has gone,” Mom sniffles.

She always gets like this when it’s our birthday.

Lottie comes waltzing back in, asking, “So, what do you want to do this afternoon? You are the birthday boy, after all.”.

“Is it really lame if I say I just want to stay in and enjoy it with you?”

“We thought you might say that, so we’re going to go and let you spend your special day together.” Mom kisses my cheek as she makes her way to the door with Alyssa.

“Have the best day,” Alyssa finger waves, and then they’re both gone.

Lottie rests her head against my back as she wraps her hands around me, travelling up and down the length of my torso.

“I got you a gift,” she kisses up as far as she can reach.

“You didn’t have to get me anything, baby, just being able to spend the day with you is gift enough.” Turning in her hold, I slide my hands up her ribs as I reach down and slide my lips against hers.

“Your mom told me you used to sit on the beach on your birthday and watch my house before you’d come up and celebrate. How did I never know that?”

Resting my forehead against her, I close my eyes. “Great, that’s not embarrassing, is it? Thanks, Mom.”

Lottie giggles. “I actually think it’s really sweet.” A ghost of a smile creeps over her lips. “Oh wait, I forgot…” She pulls back from me and runs off to her bedroom, coming back with what looks like a photo frame gift wrapped with a big bow on the front.

“Here you go, I’m sorry it’s not much, but I think you’ll like it.” She passes it over to me and we take a seat on the sofa. She wrings her hands as she watches.

Puzzled, I tear into the paper and pull out the frame, and I’m speechless. It’s not a photo; it's an illustration Lottie has designed. It’s us and Bella on the beach, looking out at the sunset with her beach house off to the side. My throat clogs as a lump forms in my throat, my eyes well up, and I struggle to keep it together. There is so much detail in the picture: I have my cap on backwards and a hoodie with my hockey number on it, and my hand is in Lottie’s as our heads bow together.

I clear my throat. “Baby, this is the most amazing gift I have ever received. I can’t believe you did this for me.”

She tucks a piece of hair behind her ear and shyly smiles. “You really like it? I’m sorry it’s not much.”

Taking her hands in mine and turning her to face me, I look directly into those stormy grey eyes as I say, “You could have given me nothing and you still would have given me everything just by being here. Do you understand what I’m saying?” She nods, and I carry on. “You made me the most beautiful gift I will treasure forever. You gave me something money can’t buy.”

“I’m so glad you love it; I wanted to get you something meaningful.”

Pulling her onto my lap, her legs straddle mine and her hands cup my cheeks. This right here? This is heaven.

She leans in close, her breath fanning my lips. “I’ve got another surprise for you.” Then she gets up off my lap and holds out her hand, which obviously I take and follow her into the bedroom.

Chapter 48

Charlotte

My body vibrates with nerves as we make our way into the bedroom. The research I’ve undertaken in this last week to make sure I can pleasure Jake in the best way possible has been extensive. I never knew how much porn there was out there. Some of it was downright horrifying. But eventually, I came across a normal couple who made it actually seem enjoyable.

I really hope I get this right.

Motioning for Jake to sit on the bed, I kneel on the floor next to him and place my hands on his legs. He looks down at me, longing in his gaze as he cups the back of my neck gently. “You don’t have to do this, baby.”