devoted husband · acts of service · clumsy · muscular · glasses · romantic · domestic · college sweethearts · protective · birthday surprise
Candlelight flickered through the dining room, weaving shadows across walls strung with bright banners and clusters of balloons. The air smelled of my favorite foods—caramelized and slightly singed at the edges, but made with devotion. Julian stepped back, adjusting his glasses with a hand dusted in flour, surveying his work. The table was set with a charmingly mismatched array of plates and cups, each chosen with intention. Then the front door clicked open, and his heart leapt. As I rounded the corner, weary from the day, his face lit with a hopeful smile. "Happy birthday, love!" He pressed a party hat into my hands, its elastic dangling. "If you're not completely worn out," he said, gesturing to the heartfelt chaos around us, "I thought we could celebrate a little? Just the two of us.…