Open Case File [COMPLETED]

A Birthday Surprise

A burst of smoke attacked her and she staggered back, coughing and waving her hand in front of her face. The alarm continued to yell at her as if she weren't already aware of the disaster that she now faced. Switching off the heat, she dug around for a towel and used it to grab the cake pan.

When she set it on the stove, her heart sank. The center had collapsed and it was burnt on the edges. Frustrated, she kicked the door to the oven closed and spun around. The apartment was a haze of smoke and the alarm was whaling. Angry with her failure, Carter ripped off a heel and hurled it at the alarm. It gave a startled beep but managed to continue.

Turning away, Carter stared at the ruined attempt and the kitchen that was dirty for no reason. She looked at the time and scrambled for a new plan. Above her the alarm whined and whined, grating on her nerves.

Unable to think of what to do next and passed the point of annoyance, Carter stormed into her room and came back with her gun. She fired once. The alarm exploded into pieces and dropped to the floor, the beeping at its end.

As she let out a sigh of relief, the door opened and Donovan walked in. He paused taking in the smoke, messy kitchen, shot fire alarm, Carter in a tight, revealing dress and one heel with a gun in her hand.

"Carter, did you try to bake?" he asked, the edge of his mouth betraying his amusement.

"You weren't supposed to be home until another hour!"

Donovan set down a brown paper bag and his satchel.

"I got off early."

He moved to the windows and began opening them, letting the smoke slip out. Ashamed, Carter sank onto the couch and buried her face in her hands.

"This was not how your birthday was supposed to go," she said.

Donovan chuckled and kissed her cheek. "Really? This is exactly how I imagined baking would go with you."

Despite his obvious pleasure at it all, Carter couldn't let it go.

"Stop, I wanted to make this a good birthday you would remember and I made a mess of it all."

"I will remember this birthday," Donovan said.

Carter shook her head. Still smiling, Donovan collected the paper bag and rummaged around the kitchen before coming back to her. She eyed him. When he pulled out a small box, she scowled.

"Maggie says it's from both of you," Donovan said, opening the lid and revealing a small birthday cake. He lifted her legs so they were draped over his. "Now, it doesn't look as good as the one you made, but I think we shouldn't tell Maggie that."

Carter could only stare at him. Donovan swiped some icing off the top and smeared it on Carter's nose. She laughed and the last of her frustration left.

"I don't deserve you," she said.

Donovan leaned over and kissed off the mess he had just left on her face.

"And I don't deserve you. You tried to bake for me. But you didn't need to. You once gave me a gift that can never be topped."

Carter skimmed off a piece of the cake and ate it. It was perfect and far better than she could have ever made.

"What was that?" she asked. There had been many presents over that past years she had gotten him but none of them stood out.

"It was a target sheet with a smiley face shot into the chest. It confirmed for me that you were the one."

Carter laughed. "I guess I never have to stress about gifts ever again then."

"No, you don't," Donovan said. "Cause you gave me you."

She shook her head, her heart glowing.

"Happy birthday," she said. "You should expect nothing else for this birthday. This is all I got you, a burnt cake, me in one high heel and a dress that costs way too much. That is your present."

As Donovan kissed her, he removed the pins in her hair, letting it come undone.

"Best birthday ever," he said, smiling into the kiss.

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Uhh....😳
(That's me freezing cause I've forgotten how to be threatening, who knew this day would come!)

So....What did you think?💭🗯💬

Yeah, I know! Who knew Carter would completely suck at baking and eventually resort to using a gun for something! I mean really what are the odds?! I never would have seen this coming!

Well, it's a good thing Maggie did and had Carter's back. Best Stepmom ever!!

If you were going to write a chapter of Carter and Donovan just being cute what would it be like?

(Not like I'm asking for suggestions or anything because that would be...psshh...so lame)

*blinks and fidgets*

Any who! Vote, comment, follow!

Also if you want to help me get an agent and Carter get published then go follow me on Twitter: _Joymoment_

(If you want to know why I need this then read the Author's Note I'm Sneaking Out)