Happy Birthday, MacKenzie

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Her birthday sort of sneaks up on her and it's only when she's in the Compound reading up on prenatal care that she realizes she's 36 now and not 35 anymore. It's a weird feeling, not having any acknowledgement of the day other than a slow realization and MacKenzie has always been fond of her special day.

She knows that on the island, the only people who'd know today was her birthday are Jackson and Jim and while she hasn't received any presents or acknowledgment from them yet, she assumes it's coming. Jim's always been a thoughtful man and Jackson's in love with her; if anyone would celebrate her birthday, it'd be them.

When she hears someone come in to the room she puts her book back on the shelf and grins. Of course. No time like the present.

"Hi."

Comments

[tarrying]

It took him a shameful amount of time to realise what today was - on the island, he's lost a lot of his sense of time. She's been his best friend for years, more dear to him than almost anyone else in the world. And he almost forgot her birthday.

"I'm terrible," he says, walking up to her. "I don't have anything for you."

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"Just you is a present enough," Mac assures him. "I've been all alone for so long and then you showed up? So that's enough for me, Jim. I won't say no to a walk, though, if you're up to it?"

[tarrying]

"Yeah. Yes! Of course," he says, nodding emphatically and, without thinking about it, holding out his arm. One of the things that he most admires about Mac is that, all that time embedded, she never really needed him to lean on. Right now, though, things are different and he thinks that it might be nice to be close.

"Where to?"

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"The beach? If I see a jellyfish, you'll have to protect me," Mac warns him. It's always a possibility on the island, as much as she hates the damned things.

[tarrying]

He's well-acquainted with Mac's fear of jellyfish - he doesn't get it, but he'll protect her if necessary.

"Beach sound good," he says it. "Let's do it."

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"Do you like it here so far or is the lack of news grating?"

Mac still misses doing the news almost more than anything, more than breathing.

[allfleshandblood]

He is a man with plans. He's been thinking about her birthday for a week or so, gathering things that he needs, picking things. By the time he walks into the rec-room and finds her sitting there, he's more than ready to go.

"You're a difficult woman to find."

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"I'm crafty," Mac teases, grinning at him. "I've been reading up on what to eat and not eat while growing another human being. It's a little dry but it has to be done, you know. I'll be glad to be rescued from this particular bit of research."

[allfleshandblood]

"You can worry about all that tomorrow," he says, holding a hand out to her. "Because today won't last forever and I have things to achieve that won't keep, darlin' girl."

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"Perishables? I'm intrigued," Mac says, taking his hand and squeezing it lightly. "Lead the way, honey. I'm all yours."

[allfleshandblood]

"More like an imminent need," he says, threading his fingers through hers and drawing her with him. "We're going to my place and we're not leaving until morning."

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"Oh, well, I think I could agree to that." It sounds promising, being all alone with Jackson for an entire night without fear of being caught.

"Jim will be glad I've cleared out."

[allfleshandblood]

"I'm sure he won't be complaining too hard," he says, eyebrows raised slightly. He chose his place over hears for privacy, mostly, inside and out. "I've got plans to spoil you."

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"For my birthday?" Mac asks, soft and amused.

"I'm really flattered, Jackson. Surprised you remembered but in guess it shouldn't be too much a surprise."

[allfleshandblood]

"You didn't expect me to remember?" He frowns. "Of course I remember. I've been planning this for a week."

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"Mmm, anything in particular you have in store for me?" It's a bit of a tease to ask in public but Mac lives to tease.

[allfleshandblood]

"That would be telling, wouldn't it, darlin'?" he says, grinning at her. "But you know I know what you like."

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"It's true, you know me very well. I guess I just have to wait and see what you have in store for me," she says, beaming at him a little. "But I was never very good at being patient."

[allfleshandblood]

"Well, you're going to have to be," he says, letting go of her hand but only so that he can wrap his arm around her, squeezing her ass as they walk. "Because I'm only going to give it you a bit at a time."

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"Long and drawn out, hmm? Now I really am intrigued," Mac says, wondering just how pleased she's going to be this evening. When Jackson uses her hard, she always feels sated and hazy afterward.

[allfleshandblood]

"Don't know how much longer we're going to be able to indulge our exact desires without compromise," he says, with a roll of one shoulder. "And, since it's your birthday, figure we might as well push the boat out."

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"I know, I'm putting on weight," Mac says, frowning a little as she tries to assess just how big she is now compared to a few weeks ago. "I need to get out of the mindset that it's a bad thing that I'm getting a belly. Too many years of eating like a bird, obviously."

[allfleshandblood]

"I see not one thing about you that I'd change, darlin'," he says, as the house comes into view. "You are perfect in your every inch."

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"You know exactly how to flatter," Mac says, grinning to herself. She's pretty pleased with what Jackson thinks about her on a regular basis and that helps, even though she's occasionally a little up in her head about her physical appearance.

[allfleshandblood]

"You're all I want." He steps ahead of her onto the porch and opens the door. The inside of the hut is cool and dim, fresh sheets on the bed, ice in a bucket on the table. "Though I'd prefer it if you were naked."