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In almost every way, this day was the same as it always was. It started hopeful, her mom treating her to breakfast in bed, spoiling her with gifts and promising a movie marathon that ran through the night (or until they both passed out on the couch).
Then, at approximately 4pm, there was a call to her mom's work phone, just like always. Gina had learnt long ago to expect that she'd spend at least a few hours of her birthday alone. Her mom hurried out apologies, left kisses on her cheeks, and promised they'd finish their celebrations another time.
They never would. Gina was okay with it now.
Things had always been this way. Even when Jamie was around, he'd always disappear to his room as soon as their mom left. What with the constant moving, there was never anyone else around to celebrate with. So, Gina's birthday always started with breakfast in bed, and ended at 9pm, when the most exciting thing she could do was get an early night.
That was before Salt Lake. Before Ricky.
She hadn't told him about the usual routine, only because she knew he'd worry and, in turn, go much too far with celebrations she didn't particularly want. It wasn't that she didn't like her birthday, it just wasn't the type of day she needed glitter and streamers for.
Though, an hour after her mom left, Tangled still paused ten minutes in on the TV, she figured there'd be no harm in giving him a call. He was her boyfriend after all, and it was her birthday. She knew he'd been waiting for the green light to call her all day, probably sat anxiously by his phone.
Well, he did that most days.
"Hey, birthday girl!"
She had to giggle at his over-excitement. He hadn't been anywhere near this joyful on his own birthday.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" He wondered. Gina imagined him laying on his bed, phone on his chest, smiling up at the ceiling. She did the same on the couch, pretended they were side by side.
"I just wanted to say hi. Wanted to hear your voice."
"I guess I'll stay on the line then. Only because it's your birthday."
She giggled again. She couldn't help it with him. It made her a little sick sometimes.
Or maybe it was just the butterflies.
"How's the movie marathon going? You're watching Finding Nemo now, right?"
Because, of course, Ricky remembered every movie she wanted to watch, and the order she wanted to watch them in. He had terrible memory until she was involved.
"Still on Tangled, actually. We're, uh... taking a break."
Ricky was quiet. Right, he had that skill too. Mind reading.
"Okay, so that's what you want me to believe. What's really happening?"
She sighed, pinched the bridge of her nose, and cursed the universe for giving her the most caring boyfriend ever.
"My mom got called into work. It's fine, before you start worrying about me. I'm used to it, and it doesn't bother me. I'm totally okay here, it's actually been a great day."
He was quiet again. She was screwed.
"I love you."
The unexpected words made her breath catch in her lungs. It definitely wasn't the first time she'd heard him say it, but in that moment, it was exactly what she needed to hear. She loved the way the words sounded on his tongue, loved the way it made her chest heat.
"I love you too."
"Great, I'll be there in ten minutes."
She cooled quickly, sitting upright.
"No."
"Yep. I need to give you your gift anyway, don't I? I would be a terrible boyfriend if I left you alone on your birthday. So, feel free to run away, but you have ten minutes to do it."
"You're the worst."
"Third lie of the day!"
And then he hung up, completely unaware of the way Gina danced her way to the front door mere seconds later.
So, she was breaking tradition. So, she was waiting on the porch for his stupid orange car. So, she was excited to see her boyfriend.
It was her birthday. She could be excited if she wanted to be.
He pulled onto her driveway eight minutes later (not that she was counting). She quickly jumped to her feet, meeting him by the car and wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly. Of course, his arms were squeezing her waist in seconds.
"How long have you been on your own?" He asked softly. She knew better this time than to lie.
"Not long. An hour, maybe."
An hour and a half. He let it slide.
"You could've called me earlier, you know," he mumbled, tilting back his head just to look at her. She smiled up at him, a real, genuine smile.
"You're here now."
He matched her look, then nudged up her chin to kiss her.
"Happy birthday," he whispered against her lips. She shivered, and he chuckled, kissing her once more before pulling away and circling round to the passenger seat.
"You didn't have to get me anything, you know," Gina said cheerfully, thrilled at the sight of a perfectly wrapped box in his hand. It was on the larger side, something she didn't exactly expect. Last year, he'd gotten her a pin badge from the Salt Lake Winter Fair, along with a tacky ballet slipper charm for her bracelet (his words, not hers).
Though, they weren't dating the year before. Maybe girlfriends got bigger gifts. Was that the rule?
"You might think it's really stupid and totally pointless, but you know how I get an idea in my head and I just can't let it go?" Ricky rambled, setting the box on the kitchen counter. He was the one that had led them in there, like there was a reason for it.
"What did you do?" She questioned hesitantly. He smiled sheepishly, then handed her an envelope. She drowned in his soft gaze a moment longer, then pulled out the card and grinned at the corny picture of two cuddling kittens.
"Oh, that's supposed to be us," Ricky said softly, a pink tint fading onto his cheeks as she raised her eyebrows. "I don't know, I-"
"It's adorable. You're the fluffy one."
He grinned. She kissed his blush before pulling her attention away from him again.
My Gi,
Happy birthday. Thank you for giving me late night ice cream and a million perfect memories with you. I figured this would be good for when it's too cold to watch the moon.
I love you. Ricky.
She wasn't going to cry. Definitely not.
"Go on, open it," he said, nudging the box closer. She was careful, tearing the paper away. He'd always had a secret knack for crafts.
"What is- no way."
Ricky grinned as she gave up on gentle tears, pulling away the paper and revealing the ice cream machine in all its glory.
"I know it's stupid, and you didn't exactly ask for it but-"
She looped her arms around him, peppering kisses across his face as he laughed.
"I love it," she mumbled, over and over again.
"Good," he said, scooping her up and holding her closer. She placed one last kiss on his lips, then reached out for the box again.
"I hope you know we're making some right now."
He grinned. "Oh, I know. I bought all the ingredients."
Gina had no idea how he'd kept the paper bag so well hidden, but her beaming smile was unmatched as he emptied the contents onto the counter. All the ingredients, plus fruits and chocolate and-
"Tell me we're not making ice cream with that."
He glanced at the bag of Cheetos, then grinned over at her. "You can't tell me you're not curious."
"I'm not curious. Not at all. We're not contaminating my brand new ice cream machine with Cheeto dust."
With an eye roll, he opened the bag. "Fine, only because it's your birthday. Next time, we're trying it."
There'd been plenty of times where Ricky and Gina had attempted to make something together; key word, attempted. It usually meant Gina tried to do the work and Ricky spent all his time distracting her with kisses and compliments. This was no different, and in some ways, it was worse than ever. He was really piling on the affection.
("Consider it another birthday present from me."
"Yeah, sure. Stop kissing me and pass me the peaches."
"I can't wait to find out if you'll taste like peaches after you eat this."
"Ricky!")
It was the best gift ever. She felt truly loved. He truly loved her.
With the hum of the machine behind them, they passed the time with Tangled, then with Finding Nemo as planned. It was Mean Girls with a side of peach ice cream, and then When Harry Met Sally as the batch of chocolate chip ice cream churned. They ate bowl after bowl, fell comfortably into ice cream comas, and as Gina drifted away in Ricky's arms, she accepted that this was the best birthday she'd ever had.
On Ricky's birthday, she arrived at his house with the ice cream machine and two spoons engraved with their initials. He cried a little, and she loved him even more for it.
(They made Cheeto ice cream. It sucked.)