Elisabeth woke before Jackson, and decided to bring him breakfast for a change. She made omelets and brought the tray up. "Rise and shine."
"Wow, I really slept. Why are you up so early?"
I need to spend a full day in my studio. I've been procrastinating way too much lately."
Jackson sneered. "I am a bad influence, aren't I?"
"Terrible."
Sarah and Connor sat in the drawing room when Elisabeth was ready to leave. "Will you be back for dinner?" Asked Sarah.
"Sure."
"Has Jackson told you his birthday is next week?"
"No, he most definitely has not."
Jackson closed his eyes and grimaced. "I don't do birthdays."
Sarah groaned, "He's such a pain. The last time I bought him presents, he refused to open them. They sat on that table for two weeks, then I finally took them to a homeless shelter." She swept a hand through the air. "I have given up."
"Really? And what is it you have against presents?"
"Everything. Opening them while the giver waits to see your reaction. Having to pretend it's just what you wanted, when it never is. The whole concept is ridiculous."
"Well, I guess that makes it easy for us. Can we celebrate?"
"Sure, you and Sarah can cook me a nice dinner and we'll break out a bottle of Cristal."
Sarah piped in, "When is your birthday Elisabeth?"
"In May."
"Hey, how old are you anyway?"
Jackson's expression morphed from irritated to amused. "Yes Elisabeth, do tell."
"Pretty old, I have to be going now."
Sarah stood. "Oh, no you don't, missy. Come on, fair is fair. You know how old we are. Fess up." Jackson chuckled, thinking he should have put Sarah on this from the start.
Elisabeth let out an exasperated sigh and rubbed her forehead. "Fine. I am three hundred and twelve years old."
All three dropped their jaws. Jackson recovered first, grabbing her around the waist. "Doesn't that make me Jailbait?"
She held her hands over her eyes. "This is exactly why I didn't want to tell you. You will never let me live it down."
Jackson attempted a serious demeanor, but broke into laughter, "You're right Granny, there is no way I can let this go."
She smacked him, and pointed a finger. "I'm leaving now and I don't want to hear another word out of your mouth."
***
The day of Jackson's birthday, Sarah and Elisabeth grocery shopped together. They had decided on baked stuffed lobster and Crème Brûlée, two of his favorites. When they returned home Elisabeth said, "I'm afraid we're going to have to eat early. I'm meeting someone at eight o'clock tonight for a final sitting. She is going south for the winter, and tonight is the only time available." Jackson felt disappointed. He didn't care much for birthdays, yet somehow Elisabeth leaving tonight bothered him. She held his hand. "I thought you could come to my house afterward. It will only take an hour, so about nine?"