Page 135 of The Plan

“Why are we getting flowers for Uncle Sigh? He’s a boy.”

I smile down at her as we keep looking for the flowers. “Flowers aren’t only for girls. Just because he’s a boy doesn’t mean he can’t have girl things.” She just shrugs her shoulders, and I can’t tell if she’s even giving what I said much thought. I see some of his favorite flowers and then have them wrapped.

“Can I give them to him?” She reaches for the flowers as I take them from the cashier, but I give her my hand to hold instead.

“I’ll give them to him since I’m making a surprise for him.”

Her big gray eyes light up as if the surprise was for her.

“Is it Uncle Sigh's birthday?”

I shake my head and continue to lead us to my car.

“So why are we surprising him?”

I try to think of a good way to explain last night to her. I still feel like the worst person ever for blowing him off, then going to get drunk when he wanted to spend his soberversary with me. I think he did something with his siblings, but still. That’s why we’re surprising him, but instead, I tell her, “Uncle Sigh was mad at me, so we’re trying to make him happier.”

I don’t know if he’s still mad or not. He didn’t seem like he was still upset. Not after I spoke to his coach, at least, which I also did because of last night. I can tell he doesn’t want to argue anymore, but if it was me in his shoes, I’d definitely drag out this morning's argument.

He’s so patient with me. I’m working on convincing myself that I deserve him, so that’s why I’m making myself feel a bitbetter and doing this for him. I put Isa into her car seat and quickly buckle her in.

“Okay, we need to pick up a few more things for the surprise, then we’re going to my new house.”

“Can we get ice cream?”

I tell her we’ll pick some up on the way back and get into the car to buy the rest of the surprise.

“We did a good job!”We didn’t do much, but I still look around the dining room with Isa, admiring all the lit candles and the made table. I didn’t really have much time to set up our “first” date, and Isa is with us, so it won’t be perfect, but it'll be our perfect.

I already started making dinner, and it should be done by the time Sire gets here. Since we were in college, he’s always taken longer showers after his baseball games, so we have some time.

“Are you sure my dress is good?” I don’t know why I’m asking a four-year-old for her opinion on my outfit, but I’m a bit nervous. I know we technically already had our first date, but I want to show him I’m done putting only fifty percent into us.

Isa looks at my lavender dress. It’s casual since I’m not sure what Sire is wearing. I don’t want to make him feel underdressed, and we are literally just in my house. It’s a bit tight and is off the shoulders, but I think it's okay.

Isa agrees and gives me a thumbs up, then says she has to use the bathroom and walks off. I quickly go to check on the food. I made shrimp alfredo because it’s the fastest meal I could make.

I saw a box of those red lobster biscuits, so I also got that. Isa and I make them together once she’s out of the bathroom, but the dough was very sticky, so I’m praying they come out good.

I pop them into the oven and sit on the couch with Isa. “Look at my new game.” She says it with a yawn and turns her iPad to me as she puts her dog avatar in a dress.

After a few minutes, the doorbell rings, and I hesitate to open it, but I know it’s likely just Sire, so I head for the door.

I look through the peephole and let out a small breath of relief when I see him and not some maniac like the last time I opened the door to my apartment.

Sire’s outfit is also casual: black jeans and a white tee shirt. I take in a breath, then open the door.

His eyes immediately fall on my dress as he gives me a slow sweep with a small smile. “You look pretty.”

I give him a smile and step aside so he can walk in.

“Thank you.”

He enters, and I close and lock the door behind him.

“Does your new place not have brighter lights?” He jokes as he looks around the dimly lit apartment. I lightly chuckle, then grab the flowers from the kitchen counter before he sees them.

When he turns to me, he looks spectacle and is holding back a very obvious smile. He’s so pretty. I hand the flowers to him but can’t bring myself to say anything.

---