Damsel in Distress - Ch.29

29. The Perfect Gift


        I was sitting at home, doing homework, when the doorbell suddenly rung. I ran downstairs, calling, “Who is it?”
        At first, there was no answer. Then, finally, a voice said, “It’s Christian.”
        I froze. What did she want with me?
        Her voice was gentle, as to not frighten me. “Camille, please don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you, I swear. I just want to tell you something important.”
        While pressing myself to the front door, I asked in a shaky voice, “What?”
        “It’s about Mace. Please open up.”
        I reached for the doorknob and pulled the door slowly open. “Yes, what is it?”
        “Well, first, I want to apologize, so I brought you some flowers,” Christian said, looking away and holding the flowers out to me.
        “Oh, um, thanks,” I said, taking the flowers.
        “Anyway, about Mace...,” Christian started, facing me again. With the way she was looking at me, I couldn’t tell whether or not this was going to be bad news or good news. It made me anxious.
        “It’s his birthday today,” she finally said, smiling genuinely.
        I dropped the flowers, not processing the fact that Christian had to bend over to pick them up. “What?” I said, thinking I misheard her.
        “I said: it’s his birthday today.”
        “Oh man, why didn’t you tell me earlier?! And why didn’t Mace tell me?!” I demanded, freaking out.
        “I apologize—I was busy getting ready his surprise party that telling you simply slipped my mind.”
        “Where will it be? Can I help, please?” I pleaded, considering that I might just have to grovel if she said ‘no.’
        Christian laughed musically. “Of course. You can come back with me to his house now, if you’d like to. That’s where the party is going to be held.”
        I crossed my arms. “Wait, but isn’t he home right now?”
        “No, I sent him on plenty of errands—too much, maybe. He won’t be back for a while,” Christian answered, giggling a little to herself.
        I panicked a little before saying, “I’d love to come help. Hold on!”
        After a little bit of frantic actions to get my sweater and cell phone, I appeared at the door again and said, “Let’s go!”
        And just like that, I ended up tagging along with her to Mace’s house.
        When we got to the house—I remember it being as beautiful as it was before—Christian stepped daintily out of the car and walked up to the door. When I caught up to her, she turned her head and said, “Oh yes, I believe I should tell you something. I’m so absentminded today. Kenneth is here, as well.”
        As if on cue, Kenneth appeared at the door and swung it open for us to come inside. “Camille, it’s nice to see you again!” he greeted animatedly. “Come on in—you’ve got good timing. I need help putting up the banner.”
        The banner was huge—it was bright yellow and said ‘Happy birthday, Mace! You’re now nineteen!’ on it in bright red text. It made my eyes ache, but I didn’t complain.
        There were balloons everywhere—in all sorts of colors. I think I even spotted one with a face drawn with marker on it. Streamers hung from the ceiling and the room smelled like flowers. The scent must have been coming from the candles that were lit on the counter in the kitchen. There was a pile of neatly wrapped presents resting on top of the coffee table in the living room—and, suddenly, I realized that I didn’t have a present for him.
        “Shoot, I need to get him a present!” I exclaimed loudly. My palms were damp with sweat, and my head was spinning. “What should I do?”
        Kenneth chuckled. “Don’t worry, Camille; Mace won’t mind if you don’t have a present for him. He’ll just be glad you’re here.”
        Christian nodded and went back to pinning up the banner.
        “But I can’t just come empty-handed!” I protested. I began pacing back and forth.
        “Calm down,” Christian ordered. “Listen, why don’t you make the birthday cake? I was going to make it after I finished decorating the place, but I haven’t gotten to it yet.”
        “Oh, can I?” I said, ever so thankful. I ran to the kitchen and spotted the ingredients for the cake on the counter. “Where’s the recipe?”
        “Check the cupboard near the sink; it’s in there somewhere,” Kenneth replied.
        “Thanks!”
        So I got to work on the cake, while Christian and Kenneth made sure that everyone who knew Mace was invited: I told them to invite Sherry and Jack too. They were making calls and running errands—it seemed like none of them ever stopped to rest.
        The cake was coming out well, and many of the guests arrived on time to help with the finishing touches.
        Sherry came and said: “Hi, Camille. I didn’t know it was Mace’s birthday today. But I was at the store when Christian—Mace’s sister, right?—called and invited me to the party, so I was able to get him something.”
        Jack stood by Sherry’s side and said: “Hey, don’t look at me like that. I said I would behave. Besides, Sherry made me come.”
        Kenneth came over to greet the two: “Well, well, well! Are you two Camille’s friends? You guys are so cute!”
        The two of them just stood there, looking surprised. I laughed and accidentally knocked too much sugar into the cake batter. I resisted the urge to swear, and just added more of everything else to make up for the sweetness. It took a lot of hard work, but eventually, the cake was done.
        Some other people I didn’t recognize also came, and Christian was always on her feet—introducing everyone to each other. There were Mace’s college friends, his clients, and his neighbors—there were a lot of people!
        I was just about to ask Sherry if she knew any of them when suddenly everyone was shushing each other and telling them to be quiet.
        Christian flipped open her cell phone and answered in a sugary voice: “Hello, Mace? Wonderful. Thank you so much for doing all of those favors for me. Oh, you’re on your way home right now? And you’re pulling into the neighborhood?” A look of shock flashed across her face. “Alright, I’ll see you soon. Goodbye.”
        She turned around to face the rest of us. In a hushed and urgent manner, she ordered, “Everyone, hide!”
        It was chaos whilst every single person searched for a good hiding spot. Sherry, Jack, and I hid behind the couch. Christian and Kenneth hid behind a wall—one that Mace wouldn’t be able to see behind when he walked into the house.
        The lights were off, and everyone was anxious when we heard his car pulling into the driveway. The headlights of the car lit up the dark room and shut off with the engine. I saw Mace carrying a heap load of grocery bags and something from the dry cleaner’s to the front door, where he struggled to get his key out and unlock the door.
        He managed to get the door open and shut it softly behind him. He set the bags down on the floor and spoke clearly, “Christian, I’m home. Hello?”
        All of a sudden, Christian flicked the lights on and all of the guests appeared from their hiding spots, yelling, “Happy birthday, Mace!” Everyone began cheering and popping party poppers, shooting confetti all over him.
        Mace stood in the front door, looking baffled. “It’s a surprise party. I’d forgotten that it was my birthday today.”
        People laughed and welcomed Mace in with smiles and hugs.
        When he saw me, he grinned and came over to embrace me in an affectionate hug. Afterwards, he went around, shaking hands and greeting everyone with a beaming smile on his face.
        The others pushed him toward the coffee table where the presents were and started handing him boxes and bags for him to open.
        Mace, laughing, opened up many presents and filled the room with ‘thank yous.’ All of a sudden, Christian told him that I made him the cake and that we should eat it now.
        I blushed when Mace looked my way and came towards me. He took my hand in his and led me to the cake sitting on the counter. He took a knife from out of the drawer underneath it and beckoned everyone to come sit around the cake. He placed the knife into my hand and helped me cut the first slice—which was a tiny sliver, considering the many guests that came.
        The whole time he was handing out slices, he chatted with his friends and they wished him a happy birthday. When all of the cake was gone and distributed, Mace took the first bite of his slice. “It’s delicious,” he complimented, kissing my cheek. “Thank you so much.”
        Sherry stood up and placed her empty plate onto the counter, announcing loudly, “Hey, everyone, let’s give them some privacy, hm?” She turned around and winked at me, smiling hugely. The other guests broke into roars of agreement, turning around and having animated conversations with one another.
        Mace chuckled lightly and touched my reddened cheeks with his fingertip. “You heard what she said. Let’s take this opportunity and go upstairs.”
        I nodded and took his hand as he led me to his room—the one with the grand piano and large windows. When we got there, Mace led me to one of the windows. I peeked outside, where I saw the greenest backyard—the trees rustled in the light breeze and the flowers danced joyously along with them. It was such a pretty sight; I almost didn’t want to look away.
        Mace’s soft voice broke my concentration: “Thank you for this, Camille. I’m enjoying this get-together.”
        “You’re welcome. I’m sorry I couldn’t get you a present though. I didn’t know it was your birthday today,” I answered, feeling guilty.
        He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and said, “Don’t worry about it. Besides, I’ve already got what I wanted.”
        “Was it the really cool violin case? Or was it the photo album?” I asked, regretting that I wasn’t the one who gave him those.
        “No, keep guessing,” he laughed.
        “The handmade sweater?”
        “Nope.”
        “The really neat picture frame.”
        “Not even close.”
        “Then what?” I said, getting impatient. “Tell me.”
        Mace rested his forehead against mine and spoke in a gentle manner, “It’s you. It makes me happy that you’re here. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
        I looked into his earnest green eyes and couldn’t breathe. Because when he smiled just then, it was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Nothing could compare.
        “Neither could I,” I whispered and stood up on the tip of my toes to press my lips to his.