It is my birthday today!! My family is spoiling me, including giving me some alone time so I quickly wrote this little fic for the Jeanuary 17th prompt drinking. No time to edit or polish it up so enjoy it for what it is.
âMrs. Blake, this is from Mrs. Tyneman along with her regards for your birthday.â Cec places the bottle of wine on the table.
âOh how lovely? Thank you Cec. Where is Susan?â Jean and Lucien scan the room.
âShe left already maâam.â The faithful friend gives a nod, âenjoy.â
âIâll need to ring Susan tomorrow to thank her.â
âLucien, what is it?â She takes the bottle from her husbandâs hand, snapping him out of his deep thought.
âI was just thinking that Patrick would never give such an inexpensive bottle of wine. Are you and Susan on good terms?â
âLucien! That is a terrible thing to say. Of course we are.â She scowls at him then sits up straighter, squinting at the bottle, âor at least I believe we are.â She pours a glass of the scarlet liquid and takes a sip, suppressing a grimace at the taste.
When did her taste in wine get so refined she thinks? A few short years ago she wouldnât even indulge in buying herself a bottle of wine, that she is sure would have been much cheaper than the one before her. Lucien has shown her many fine things but has she become so spoiled that she canât appreciate a simple glass of wine, an offering from a friend.
âDarling, you donât need to drink it. Cec wonât tell.â
âNonsense. It is the thought that counts and I plan on drinking it whether you join me or not. Besides, itâs my birthday!â
The special dinner that Lucien ordered arrives in an overly grand flourish for the Colonistâs which has him shrugging in embarrassment. âIt seemed like a better idea in my head the other night.â Jean drains the last of the wine trying to suppress a giggle at her husbandâs expense. âJust remember itâs the thought that counts.â
âWas this the night you stayed up drinking whiskey with Matthew trying to solve the Kingsley case?â
âAaah, yes. It might have been.â He runs his hand along the back of his head. âMore wine? Or champagne?â
âOooh, champagne please.â
The car radio plays softly, Lucien tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. Jean smiles lovingly at him. She closes her eyes and gives thanks to God once again for bringing this man into her life. She leans her head against her hand on the window, feeling a bit dizzy from the combination of alcohol and adoring attention.
Jeanâs thoughts stray to Susan Tyneman. âDo you think Susan is alright without Patrick?â She finds her hand unconsciously drifting to touch her husband.
âWell, Patrick wasnât the ideal husband.â
She opens her eyes, âI know but he was still her husband for so long. I was just wondering if Susan might be lonely. So much of their life and friends revolved around Patrick and thatâs all gone.â
âDo you really want to talk about the bloody Tynemans on your birthday?â
She chuckles, âNo.â She pauses before beginning again. âBut maybe Susan giving me the bottle of wine was her way of trying to be friendly.â
âBy giving you cheap wine?â
âIt wasnât that cheap, believe me I would know. Maybe, she is having some financial problems. MaybeâŚâ Lucien turns the car off in the driveway slumping over the steering wheel dramatically. âJust hear me out. Maybe Patrick left Susan a big financial mess. You know just the other day, Carolyn Ray said she saw Susan purchasing home hair dye!â
Lucien holds the car door open for her. âI think whatever is happening with Susan can wait till tomorrow. Agree?â
Jean slides close to Lucien to kiss him soundly. âAgree.â
âWant a nightcap before bed?â He feels the sway of her body in his arms whether it is for want or from drink he is uncertain.
Jean growls into his ear, âthere is only one thing I want to drink up and thatâs you. It is my birthday after all.â
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