Bernard's birthday and they were going to celebrate it together. "Hi, Neil!" Bernard exclaimed, welcoming Neil into
his sitting room.
"You've got a lot of stuff with you today," Bernard remarked, gently taking Neil's coat off for him. Neil carefully
placed the chocolate cake on the table. He also set down a gift bag, as well.
"Happy Birthday, darling Bernard," Neil whispered in his ear.
"I can't believe another year has gone by...and how old am I?" Bernard replied.
"It doesn't matter to me. I love you, and that's all that matters," Neil replied back.
Bernard jumped up and hugged the taller man.
"Thank you for being such a sweetheart. I can't imagine life without you."
"Thank you, Bernard," Neil hugged him back.
The two lovers sat on the sofa and discussed their memories, reminiscing about the past year.
"Do you want to open up presents and have some cake?" Neil asked him.
"Of course."
"Let me open my present, first," Bernard joyfully said to Neil.
Bernard came from the table, clutching the gift bag. He carefully opened it up. It was a ring, with a sapphire on it.
"You know, my birthstone isn't exactly this..." Bernard thought.
Neil sensed what Bernard was thinking and told him, "Birthstones don't really matter. I chose a sapphire because
that's what looks good on you. Remember that one time when we were at the jewellry shop, and the clerk told us
that blue looks fabulous on you?"
"Thank you, Neil. I love it!"
Bernard put his hands gently to Neil's face and kissed him passionately on the lips.
The two shared the cake, which was a chocolate cake, with hot fudge in the centre, and fudge frosting on top.
"Neil, you're also invited to my party tomorrow, in the studio. Everybody's going to be there, you know, Hooky,
Phil, Stephen, Gillian, and some other people too," Bernard mentioned.
"I know, Bernard."
"But, I think this is better than the party that I will have tomorrow, because it's just the two of us that are here,"
Bernard said.
"Happy Birthday, Bernard, and, I don't want you to ever forget this, but, I love you."
Neil and Bernard kissed again, as the night fell even more.