“You ready for your presents?” Charlie asked the moment Day’s plate was empty.
Day flushed, shaking his head. “Presents? No. Come on, this is already way too much.”
“Oh, there’s only one and it’s from all of us. Come on.” She dragged him from his seat to the big throne onstage.
Day covered his face until his crown went askew and he was forced to look up or risk it falling to the floor and shattering. With his luck, it was some vintage trinket worth millions. When he raised his head, Charlie had a mic in her hand. “Oh, God, who gave her a microphone?”
The crowd laughed, and Charlie curtsied, then she looked at Day with a warm smile that lit up his belly. “Day, you were the last to join Elite’s merry band of misfits, and even though you kicked and screamed the whole way, we’re so glad you’re here. You’re funny and glamorous and one of the smartest people I know. You pick up languages like I pick up dates and Wyatt and Linc pick up sex toys.” The crowd snickered, and Linc groaned. Charlie continued, “You managed to live twenty-two years without a single person realizing you couldn’t read. You survived a horrible attack and came out stronger for it. We’re all kind of in awe of you, and we hope this is the beginning of a new tradition where we all get to recognize you for the perfectly magical unicorn you are.”
Day’s pulse hammered in his ears, and he blinked back tears, realizing she still wasn’t done.
“We wanted to get you something to show how much we love you, but since you went and snagged the richest dude we all know...”
“Not richer than me,” Angel cried, making the crowd titter once more.
“The second richest guy we all know,” Charlie corrected. “We weren’t exactly sure what to give you that Jackson hadn’t already thought to lay at your feet.” She cupped her hand over her mouth, whispering directly into the microphone, “Except maybe a ring. Hint. Hint.” Day covered his face in his hands. “Anywho, after much consideration, we all chipped in and got you this, so that you can help others like you helped yourself.”
Day took the envelope from her hand, opening it carefully. When he pulled the paper free, he froze. It was a letter…or maybe a receipt. It was a thank you from the Literacy Coalition thanking him for his recent donation of fifty thousand dollars. “I--” He cleared his throat and tried again. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you, everybody. This… This is amazing.” He flushed at his lame attempt to express how he felt. His ears burned.
“Jackson, it’s your turn.”
“Wait, what?” Day said, watching as Jackson stood and walked across the room to take the microphone. “Jackson Andrew Avery, if you hand me a check or a ring, I will divorce you before we are even married. I swear to God.”
Everybody laughed, including Jackson, but Day was overwhelmed. “Relax, baby. I promise it’s not a check…or a ring...yet.”
Day rolled his eyes, but his shoulders sagged. He loved Jackson and he believed with everything he had that Jackson was it for him, but he needed a little more time to be sure he was it for Jackson.
“Despite what Charlie says, I’ve given Day very little, because, as soon as I turn my back, he’s taken it back to the store and exchanged it for something for me. Day is the sweetest, most selfless person I know. He’s also the prickliest and meanest person I know, especially when it comes to standing up for others. So, since you refuse to let me spoil you the way I want to, I took a page from the others and figured the best gift I could give you was a gift for the person who meant the most to you.”
“You got you a gift for my birthday? Day asked, suspicious. “I suppose that’s one way to get around me returning it.”
Charlie handed Jackson a tablet, which he promptly handed to Day. He couldn’t stop the gasp that slipped free. It was a picture of hospital doors and above them read,The Sarah Gunderson Cystic Fibrosis Center.
Day ran his finger across Sarah’s name. “What is this?” he whispered.
Jackson crouched down beside Day’s chair. “It’s a way for Sarah to live on and help others like her.”
Day tried to wrap his head around what this must have cost Jackson to accomplish such a gift. “You can’t… This must have cost you millions. It’s too much.”
“It’s already done,” Jackson told him softly. “You can’t exchange it for twenty-million presents for me.”
Without warning, Day started ugly crying in the middle of the room. “Why are you like this?” he wailed, while everybody else ‘aww’d’ around them.
“You don’t like it?” Jackson asked, looking genuinely worried.
Day looked at him with his red eyes, wet cheeks, and snotty nose. “No, you idiot, I love it. I love you. Stop being so perfect.”
Jackson chuckled, leaning in. “You want me to take you upstairs and rough you up a little bit?”
“Mic’s still hot, sweetie,” Charlie said.
Day groaned, but Jackson stood, this time, speaking directly into the mic. “Uh, we’re heading upstairs for the night. This room is ours for another hour. Feel free to hang out and enjoy the cake and open bar. Or don’t. Up to you.”
Jackson tossed the mic to Charlie and snagged Day’s hand. He started to put the crown down, but Jackson stopped him. “Uh-uh, birthday boy. Bring the crown.”
* * *
Later, after Jackson had done exactly as he’d said he would, fucking Day silly on the balcony with nothing but his crown on, they lay curled up in the plush bed with Jackson playing little spoon for a change. “Thank you,” Day said, kissing Jackson’s bald head.
