Work Text:
Wednesdays are met with a mixed reaction. It’s the halfway point of the work week but it can also be a long day under the wrong conditions. You had two more reasons for this particular Wednesday to be questionable. Your birthday fell midweek this year. It didn’t matter because your husband would spoil you to the best of his ability even though you had to work. Surprisingly, this wasn’t what could potentially spoil the day. It was the fact that your coworker would also be in.
The night prior you dreaded the thought of having to spend your birthday working with him. In fact you’d rather have to work by yourself. But you hadn’t wanted to request the day off and deal with misery guts later.
But Wednesday had started amazingly. Baby blue eyes filled with love and adoration were the first thing you saw as you blinked away the haze of sleep. The first thing you felt was his slightly chapped lips meeting yours with a tender kiss.
“Good morning Honey Bee.”
“Lee, I haven’t brushed my teeth.” Giggling you tried to wriggle away as he pulled you into his strong unbreakable hold.
“Well I just couldn’t wait to kiss my beautiful wife and wish her a happy birthday.” He peppered kisses all over your face, his face lighting up as you laughed at his onslaught. “‘Sides, if I can kiss you when you're sick I think I can weather a lil mornin breath.” Placing a final kiss on your nose he gently wagged his finger. “Now don’t you move. I’ll be right back.”
Sitting up you watched as he darted out of the room and returned a few minutes later carrying a tray with your favourite breakfast complete with a flower in a cup. Your heart melted watching him. Domesticated Lee Bodecker was very different to Sheriff Bodecker but you loved both of them.
“Baby you shouldn’t have.” You awed at how early he must have been up to prepare this for you while also getting ready for his day.
“I wanted to do this for my wife. It was no trouble.”
Smiling you happily tucked in and watched as he beamed every time you made a sound of delight at his offering. Once the tray was cleared he took the tray away so you could get ready for work. The thought made your happy mood sink slightly but you refused to lose the glow of your husband's efforts before you left the house. As you prepared to drive to work Lee caught you at the door and swept you into a hug before kissing you breathless.
“Have a good day darlin’. I love you.”
”I love you too.”
You could feel Lee’s loving eyes on you as you walked to your respective cars before blowing him a kiss goodbye. The buzz stayed with you through the drive to work. Your bum had barely rested on your chair as a whine arrived before the door creaked.
“I don’t wanna be here.”
Your useless coworker had arrived and set to his usual ways. Complaining about the workload which actually was fairly light. Whinging when people asked to speak to you rather than him. Throwing his voice to say he wasn’t feeling well. And of course he completely ignored the boxes near the door that needed to be moved outside. They were too heavy for you to move alone. It could have easily been done by him but you’d offered to share the load. Instead he complained his back was too sore to do anything strenuous today.
Or ever.
By lunchtime your nerves were frayed and the glow Lee had created had faded to a single spark sustained by the thought he would nurture it when you got home. But there was still a long time to go. And though your husband was the Sheriff it was becoming increasingly tempting to cut this wimps tongue out or hit him in the face. With a chair. Suddenly the door opened to reveal your husband standing in the doorway.
“Hey darlin.” He walked in only to nearly kick the boxes. Quietly he caught your eye with a raised brow. When you subtly shook your head his eyes rolled heavenwards. “Gimme a sec to deal with these.” Knees bent back straight he lifted the first box effortlessly. Speechless you watched the muscles of his arms and shoulders ripple beneath the crisp white shirt and found yourself blushing. As his wife you knew just how strong he was. As Lee walked back in, your boss followed.
“Ah Sheriff. Wasn’t expectin to see you. I hope it’s not trouble that brought you here.”
“No sir.” Lee shook his head gesturing to the last two boxes. “Gimme just a sec and I’ll answer your question.”
Your boss frowned when he saw the boxes. “Sheriff you don’t have to-“
“Sir, what kind of a husband - man - would I be if I let my wife do it? I wouldn’t expect her or any other woman to lift these alone or without offering my assistance.”
”Damn right.” To your surprise your boss then bent to lift the last box before glaring unimpressedly at your co-worker who had frozen at the sight of his superior. For you the silence was bliss.
“So Sheriff, what brings you here on this fine day?”
Lee twinkled at you. “I came hoping to take my beautiful wife out to a birthday lunch since it’s her special day.”
”Well happy birthday!” Your boss offered his hand and you shook it blushing. “Tell you what. I know you didn’t book today off but it sounds like it’s been quiet. Why don’t you take the afternoon off?”
”Really sir?”
”Absolutely. Go spend time with your husband. I’m sure we can just about manage here.”
Biting your lip you glanced at your co-worker who completely missed the dig and was basking at his boss' words.
After thanking your boss again Lee led you to his cruiser assuring you one of the deputies would take your car home. As he drove down the road you felt the excitement from this morning come back full throttle. Lee had saved you from an afternoon of torture with him.
He must have read your mind because he suddenly scoffed. “I thought you were pullin’ my leg about him.”
Giggling, you nodded and held his hand when he offered it. “I know. I feel for his wife.”
Lee almost swallowed his tongue in shock. “You’re telling me a feller like that is married? Well I’ll be.”
Chuckling he took your hand and pressed a kiss to the back. Lee ended up driving to your favourite diner and watched as you happily tucked into your favourite dish before revealing his present. You’d mentioned in passing that you wanted to restart one of your hobbies and he had bought the essentials for you. Heart swelling you looked at your husband who sat looking like you were the first sunrise.
“Lee…”
”Darlin you make every day sweet because you’re my wife. I love you so much.” He cupped your face and kissed you tenderly.
“Happy birthday Mrs B.”