Bittersweet

“Bam!” she smiled when she came downstairs on her birthday. It was a Saturday that year, blessedly.

Bam smiled at her, wearing one of his t-shirts and some of his old pajama pants. She’d had to roll up the waistband several times in order to be able to walk in them. She had already brushed her teeth and hair. She looked so sweet and pretty there, barefooted in his clothes.

“Happy birthday,”

“Ugh,” she brushed the greeting off and went to give him a kiss good morning. He gave her one, kind and gentle.

“I have a surprise for you.” He said against her lips.

“What? What?” she asked, excited. Bam clapped his hands down over her eyes as she stood there in her pajamas. She heard footsteps and squirmed; anxious to see who it was.

When Bam’s hands were removed, Lenny’s eyes widened. She squealed at the sight of the person in front of her. She ran, barefooted across the room and threw her arms around person.

“Happy birthday, sweetheart.” Ville held her tightly. He kissed her softly on the mouth. She buried her face in his chest.

“I didn’t think you’d be here tonight.” Her voice was muffled.

“I just couldn’t stay away from the two of you.” Ville smiled. She pulled back.

“This is the best birthday ever! Are the two of you going to spend the whole day with me?” she was excited, giddy.

“Well, no.” Bam looked uncomfortable. “I’ve got a few loose ends to tie up.”

“Bam!” she looked so disappointed, he
almost changed his mind. “It’s my birthday.”

“I know, I know.” He held up his hands. “That’s why I’m sending you and Ville out for the day.” Lenny frowned.

“I’d rather spend the day with you than go out.”

“I’m sending you out with THIS.” He held up his credit card.

Now Helena might have been an unusual girl, but she was still a girl. Here was Bam, handing her an unlimited credit card, no strings attached. Her eyes went wide, and she reached out and snatched the
thing.

“What’s my limit?” she asked, suspicious.

“You don’t have one.”

“Okay then, I feel better.” She grinned and kissed him on the cheek. “I’m going to go and change.” She skipped up the stairs.

“She doesn’t have a clue about anything, does she?” Ville smirked. Bam shook his head.

“I’m surprised. I thought she’d be snooping around about it more.”

“No, she’s just been sulking. I’ve heard about it.” Ville rolled his eyes. Bam leaned against him, and was rewarded with an open mouthed kiss.
“I missed you, Bam-Bam.”

“I missed you, too.” Bam whispered.

Helena appeared again, wearing the trousers and one of the silk shirts Bam had bought for her in London. Her hair was pinned back from her face, and they could just barely detect a hint of her perfume.

“You look nice.” Bam approved as she slipped into high heels.

“I figured it would be okay to be vain today.”

“Anything you want,” he wrapped his arms around her waist. He felt her heat beneath the slippery shirt and longed to be able to keep her with him for the day. How sweet she would look, spread out on the bed for the two of them to enjoy.

“It’s not anything,” she pouted
again. “You’re not going to be with me.”

“Helena, tonight I’m yours.” He promised. “Today, I’m busy. You have Ville all to yourself.”

“I know,” she sighed. “Ready, Ville my darling?” he nodded and stood up, extending his hand to her.

She kissed Bam goodbye, a kissed laced with all the longing and lust and love she could put into it, grabbed her purse, and took the Finn’s hand. He winked at Bam over his head. It was so nice to have someone else in on this besides Holden.

He heard the car start, knew that Ville was driving them into town. The basement door opened.

“Can I come out now?” Holden asked pitifully.

“If you have to.”

“I do,” he climbed up the stairs. “She sounds good.” He said happily. “I’m glad.”

“Yeah,” Bam reached for his notepad. “Is everything ready?”

“That’s what Raab said when he called.”

“I just want this all to be perfect for her.” Bam worried out loud.

“I’m sure she’ll appreciate the thought most of all. She’s never had anyone do anything like this for her before.” Holden looked at Bam, and for the first time it wasn’t full of bitterness.

“It has to be perfect.” He insisted.

**

“I just love it when I don’t have a limit.” Lenny sang as she browsed through the bookstore. She scanned the horror section for something new. Ville smiled indulgently at her.

“I don’t think he thought you were just coming to the bookstore, love.”

“Where else would I go?” she blinked, confused.

“You need new clothes.”

“What’s wrong with what I have?” she looked down at her current outfit.

“Nothing is wrong with that. But you need more things LIKE that.” Ville decided. “We’re going shopping.”

“We are shopping!”

“You are impossible.” Ville sighed. “I make a better girl than you.”

“Nah-ah.” Lenny disagreed. “I have boobs. You don’t.”

“That could easily be remedied. Get you books, love. You’re going to buy whatever I tell you.” He leaned against a shelf and watched her go back to her browsing.