Elation was the only word to describe how he felt to know how much she liked it, and his arms encircled her middle as she hugged him around the neck. It was a rather simple way to celebrate her birthday, but the weather wasn’t going to deign to lighten up just for this special date. He gave a sheepish smile back at her in reply. “Well, I had other plans in mind, but we can’t go to the lagoon or the Elven palace, so I thought I’d make our own little palace here.” Zach’s smile reached his eyes as he turned to gesture out toward to the palace of sheets with his arm. The other slid down Adrienne’s side and took her by the hand as he walked to the entrance of their makeshift palace.

He pulled back the ‘door’ curtain, revealing an inside strewn with pillows and blankets. There was a small table in the center of it all, and a birthday cake with candles awaited Adrienne on top of it. A large box was set off to the side of the table wrapped up with fabric instead of paper, and it was adorned with a cloth ribbon. Inside was a fur coat as her present. Considering he always made her jewelry, he thought it was best to switch it up for once and get her something different before she got tired of the things he got her.

Once Adrienne stepped inside, Zach followed her and let the curtain fall to a close. He settled himself down on the blankets and grinned at her, waiting for her to blow out her candles and make a wish. They didn’t have to eat the cake since they already had supper not too long ago, but he thought it was customary because of the occasion. If they didn’t eat it tonight, it would certainly vanish thanks to Nico very soon. As long as she was happy, Zach didn’t really care.