After that embarrassing phone call Patrick and Ellen decided to go to sleep. They fell asleep in each other's arms, content.
Sun rose the next morning through the ice covered windows in Ellen's room. Snow had continued to fall over night, burying them further. Patrick rolled over, opening his eyes to see Ellen curled on her side. He reached over, trailing his finger tips over her shoulders. Ellen broke out in goosebumps, moving closer to Patrick. He chucked, pushing her hair behind her ears and kissing her cheek.
"Paddy?" She asked, waking up. Patrick smiled as he saw her green eyes open, staring up at him.
"Yea Els?" He replied, scooting down to snuggle with her. Her arms went around his waist, her head tucked into his chest.
"Good morning," Ellen said in her raspy morning voice. Patrick ran his fingers through her hair, nodding.
"Happy birthday." He whispered, rubbing her bare back. Ellen yawned, looking up at him.
"Thank you Paddy." She moved up, capturing his lips in a lip lock. Patrick returned the kiss, cupping her cheeks as he felt her lips against his. Ellen giggled feeling his hands across her body, goosebumps erupting over her pale flesh.
"Are you cold?" Patrick asked, teasing her. Ellen turned pink,
"Maybe. I mean it is like 20 degrees out," she argued in her defense. Patrick got out of bed, throwing on his boxers. He went to the fireplace, and chucked a few logs in, starting a fire with a match.
"That better?" Patrick asked her, his brow raised. Ellen grinned, pulling the sheets up as she nodded. Patrick slid back in beside her, an arm around her side. He kissed her head.
"How does it feel to be old?" Ellen elbowed him as he asked her. She crossed her arms, shaking her head.
"I'm not older than you!" She replied quickly. Patrick ran his hands up her sides, starting to tickle under her rib cage.
"Oh you're not?" Patrick questioned, teasing her. Ellen smacked him again, giggling. Patrick rolled on top of her, kissing her deeply. Ellen leaned up, pressing her tongue against his lips, begging access inside. Patrick pulled back,
"Do you feel alright?" He asked, sitting up. Ellen furrowed her brow,
"I was trying to make out with you Pat, I'm pretty sure I'm good. What is this about?" She asked, sitting up as well. Patrick ruffled his hair,
"Just the sex..." He mumbled. Ellen put her hand on his chest, sighing.
"I would have told you. Patrick. It's good." She kissed him quickly.
"Oh." Patrick gasped, his hands around her waist. He returned the kiss, his hands siding up her back.
A knock on the door startled the pair apart, Ellen pulling up the sheets.
"Are you decent?" It was Maureen luckily. Ellen gulped, feeling Patrick's heart beat faster as she replied,
"Yes. Come in Maureen."
The door opened to Maureen walking in. She looked at the fireplace, and looked at the pair snuggled up in the bed together. Patrick had his arms around Ellen, his head against hers.
"Thanks for the porno last night again by the way-"
"Oh my god Maureen it's not like you never brought home a boyfriend when you were supposed to baby sit!" Ellen retorted in annoyance. Patrick's eyes flickered between the sisters, knowing they weren't as angry as they sounded.
"Anyway!" Maureen glared at her little sister for a minute before continuing. "Breakfast is ready. We made French toast and there's coffee and tea. Happy birthday Ellen." She said, leaving and closing the door behind her. Patrick let out a chuckle.
"What?" Ellen asked, rolling out of bed. She pushed back her honey blonde hair, and bent over reaching into her drawers for clothes. Patrick came behind her, hugging her.
"You two are so funny. I'd get slapped if I talked to my sisters like you do with Maureen." He replied as he began to kiss her pale neck.
"I uh oh,"Ellen started to reply before being cut off by the waves of energy rolling down her spine as he kissed. "Jesus, patrick I gotta get dressed, come on," she wiggled in his arms. Patrick chuckled, kissing her cheek before letting her go.
"Love ya. My birthday girl." Patrick winked before going to grab his own sweater. It was cream colored, and a turtle neck. He paired it with jeans, and snow boots, along with a brown plaid scarf. "Meet you in the kitchen,"
"Yeah okay!" Ellen replied as she dug for her own sweater. She finally pulled out a cozy green one, with over sized cuffs. Ellen changed, looking at herself in the mirror. Her body had no evidence of the failed pregnancy at all, not even a swollen breast. She was herself again, pale and freckled in all. Patrick had been so afraid for her, and she liked it. But Ellen slid her sweater on, and thought about her age. Thirty nine? A year away from the big forty. She fiddled with her sleeves, suddenly aware of reality. She just wouldn't have children, it seemed like the world was deciding. The risks were all so high, Ellen counted them and sighed. Everything sucked, a hell of a lot.
----
"Happy birthday stracciatella!" Ellen was welcomed downstairs with a hug from her father. The smell of fresh strawberry French toast made her mouth water as she took a seat at the table. Patrick had already dug into his.
"Thank you papi," Ellen said as she began to eat. Maureen sat beside her.
"So the roads are cleared, finally. So maybe Patrick's flight out to Maine could be bumped up..." She suggested. Ellen gave her a look, and shrugged.
"The run ways always have ice on them though, but we'll see if we can get Patrick back to the hotel." She argued, annoyed. She knew Maureen was looking out for her but it was getting annoying. Patrick stood up, going to wash his dish.
"I should let you all celebrate. See you back home in LA Ellen," He said, hugging her before heading out to the door. Ellen watched him go, her heart thumping in her chest. The man she loved was Patrick and it stung not being able to be themselves around family. A cab pulled up and he slid inside.
"Ellen, we didn't plan anything for you really but um whenever you aren't home for your birthday I go and I lay flowers on your mother's grave. Perhaps this year you could come with me?" Ellen's father asked as she turned away from the window.
"Oh of course...I when did you start doing that?" Ellen was surprised. She'd not heard her father mention her mother in the longest time, and certainly not visiting her grave. He bowed his head, his blue eyes swelling.
"It was years ago...I was alone once you left. My final baby gone, and out to Los Angeles. So on everyone's birthday I would lay flowers. Multiple dozens depending on how old someone was."
Ellen put her hand on her forehead, just in awe. She thought of all the birthdays she had without her mom and moved in, hugging her father.
"I'll help you lay thirty nine flowers tonight."
--------------------
"Fancy meeting you here." Ellen turned around at the hotel bar to face Patrick.
"Hi, I figured since I didn't have any other birthday plans that uh we could order room service or something." She said, winking a blue green eye at him. Patrick rose a brow, that didn't sound too half bad. It was storming outside now, with sleet so an afternoon in the city was out.
"Is that tequila and was it free?" He asked, pointing at the drink in her hand. Ellen nodded,
"I totally forgot I can drink again! And it feels so good Paddy, come on," she patted the seat next to hers. Patrick climbed on, his arm around Ellen. He ordered himself a scotch, watching her. Ellen was tipsy, giggling a lot. She hadn't had a drink in weeks, and it was starting to show.
