A white heart-shaped cake with number candles of 31 appeared to decorate the pantry table which had been beautifully arranged. Lucky for Anne to see the interior of the other part first when she entered the apartment, so that Jack's surprise plan was successful, the whereabouts of the birthday cake was successfully unknown to Anne.
"Happy birthday, my wife," said Jack again repeating his previous words.
Anne who was covering her mouth with her hands immediately turned to Jack. "I even forgot my birthday, Jack."
"It's okay. After all that has happened in the last few days, it must be hard for you to remember your own birthday. Never mind that, let's light the candles. Let's celebrate your birthday."
Anne excitedly opened the transparent cover of her beautiful birthday cake and lit the candles using the lighter that had been provided beside her. Just before the candles were lit Jack had turned off the light in the room so that at the moment only the light from the two candles that illuminated the room.
Anne's eyes were already teary at this point. She really couldn't believe that Jack had prepared everything in such detail. Birthday surprise, her old apartment room, they all succeeded in making Anne burst into tears again.
"Because these candles are made of a material that does not melt easily, then you have the opportunity to say a longer prayer. So now you better say a prayer on your 31st birthday," said Jack quietly as he wrapped his arms around Anne's waist.
"Is that true?"
"Yes, I ordered these candles directly from Japan. Because these candles have its own specialties, I ordered them for this special day."
Anne smiled and wiped her tears slowly. "Okay, I'll pray."
"Close your eyes and say in your heart, babe."
Instead of doing what Jack said, Anne let go of Jack's hands which were already wrapped around her waist and led him to face the cake at the same time.
"Lord, today I will not ask you anything. I already have everything I dreamed of since childhood. The perfect husband, cute children, and a palace like in a fairy tale. All I want today is to wish for a long life for my husband, keep him healthy, because without him, I would be nothing. He is the reason I have survived until now."
"Babe..."
Anne put a finger to Jack's lips. "Hush... don't talk, I'm not done yet."
Jack chuckled. "Okay, carry on."
"And I also ask you to give the best place to all those who have been by Your side, including our little daughter who we haven't had the chance to see yet. Please take care of her for us and hope to see her again in Your heavenly garden."
Jack smiled widely and wrapped his arms around Anne's waist.
"Done?"
"Uhuh."
"Well, blow out the candles now."
Anne looked at Jack and slowly wrapped her left arm around Jack's neck because her right arm had not healed completely. "Didn't you say they were special candles earlier?"
"Hehe...yes but that's not the concept, Madam. Well, let's blow them together."
"Okay, if you insist."
Jack shook his head with a smile. He slowly lowered his face towards the cake with Anne and began to move his lips to blow out the candles that were on top of the cake. As soon as the candles went out, darkness immediately enveloped Anne's apartment.
"Are you still afraid of the dark?"
Anne shook her head. "As long as I have you by my side I'm not afraid of anything, Jack"
Smack!
Jack landed a soft kiss on Anne's lips. "Your lips are more dangerous than bombs and more deadly than poison, but I'm so crazy about it."
Anne returned a kiss to Jack, just as short and gentle as when Jack landed a kiss on him.
"Now I finally know why I love you so much, Jack. It turns out that besides being handsome, you are also good at sweet talks."
"Of course, that's why you shouldn't waste this handsome, well-spoken man."
"You're annoying. Come on, let's turn on the light. Let's enjoy this cake, I'm hungry."
Jack nodded slowly. Slowly, he walked towards the wall and turned on the light in the room. Anne herself had already sat down on the chair that had been prepared beforehand and reached for the two small spoons that were in the cutlery storage area.
"Spoon?"
"Yes," answered Anne curtly.
"Don't people usually slice birthday cakes with a knife?"
"No, that method is too mainstream. I want to enjoy it in a new way, let's sit down. Let's eat this cake like those popular food vloggers do on YouTube," replied Anne excitedly.
Jack, who still didn't understand what Anne was talking, still looked confused when he was holding the spoon that Anne had given him.
Knowing that Jack was still confused, Anne gave an example of how to enjoy cake using a spoon. After seeing Anne start eating, Jack finally understood. He began to do what his wife had previously done, because the spoon was small, Jack was impatient. He then changed his spoon to a bigger one so he could enjoy the cake more perfectly.
Anne smiled widely at the way Jack ate.
"You seem like a good match for a food review You Tuber, Jack," Anne joked quietly.
"No, handsome people like me are not allowed to be a You Tuber who reviews food. I'm afraid that many people will not stop eating because of me."
"Tsk! That sucks. Don't be too confident, Master."
"Haha..."
Not long after that, Anne's laughter was heard. Both of them really enjoyed the beautiful cake. Jack was happy to see there was a twinkle of happiness in Anne's eyes. After a week at home after returning from the hospital, this time Anne smiled.
It took Jack a lot of effort over the past week. Anne, who kept calling for princess, made everyone sad. But Jack firmly kept trying to make Anne realize that their little daughter was now in heaven.
In the first days, it was not easy for Anne to accept that fact, but because Jack kept telling her that their little daughter was in a much better place, gradually Anne accepted the fact. So on the fifth day, Anne had managed to communicate well, although occasionally she was still daydreaming and shedding tears.
As Doctor Caitlyn had said before, what Anne needed was the support of those closest to her. And Jack managed to do that so well that right now they could be at Newcastle upon Tyne, where they first met. Jack wanted to repeat all their good memories in that place together with Anne without anyone's interference. His whereabouts and Anne were hidden from everyone, the same as seven years ago eight years ago when he decided to go into exile after knowing the betrayal committed by Sophia Higgins, her ex-fiancé.
"We'll start all over again from this place, bless us God."
To be continued
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