NeverBeAloneAgain--DreamTurnedShortStory

"You shouldn't be waking up alone on your birthday," he muttered, giving me a certain look. "You spend too much time alone."

I looked over at him and smiled. He was my world, my eternity. And he knew it. There was a strange glint in his eyes as he looked at me, one full of tender remembrance. But on the edges of his eyes were tears for me. Ther were for my memory, since I was always away from him. We were never together as we wanted to be, and so we stayed close when we were together, clinging to the precious moments.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked, not sure what to think. He just smiled a little and pulled a little box wrapped in blue paper out of his pocket. It was tied with an orange ribbon. "What's this?"

"Your brithday present," he said with a smile. He placed the box in my hand; it was very light. "I know it's not until tomorrow, but I can't wait."

HE gave me a shy smile and I blushed. I thought it was sweet of him to get me a present. I fidgeted with the box for a few moments before tugging lightly on the ribbon to open it. It came off easily, but I took my time. The ribbon fell away as I carefully peeled off the paper. Thank god for being careful because on the page was a small note. I looked at him and he turned scarlett as a questionning look crossed my face.

"I was hoping you'd be careful." He was staring at the box, but I was focused on the note. It read;

I know it's only been three years, love. But you're nineteen and I'm twenty. I'll be twenty-one in June. I want to spend my life with you. Now open the box.

I turned to give him a confused glance, but his smile melted the expression off my face. Resting my hand lightly on top of the box, I slowly opened the lid. I was surprised to find yet another note inside. The smile that crossed his face was kind, heartwarming and somehow triumphant. I slowly put doen the box and unfolded the note with one hand, the other still in his. It read;

My love,

Three years seems like a long time when you look at it from a distance, but looking back, I see that it went by in the blink of an eye. I don't want our time together to end there. That's why for your birthday this year, I'm giving you what is hidden beneath the lining of this box. And I'm also asking if you're ready to give me something in return. Open your present and you'll understand.

I looked at him, slightly alarmed by the urgency in the words. I lifted the lining to find a key with another note attached. This one read;

This is the key to my appartment. You're welcome to come in and visit any time. But that's not why I'm giving you this. This is my way of asking if you'll move in with me. Please?

"Oh!" I sighed. I turned to look at him, tears in my eyes. "Of course I'll move in with you, I thought you'd never ask!"

The look that crossed his face was filled with love and pleasure. He pulled me closer and crushed his lips to mine in a passionate embrace. I let myself sink into the kiss on every level. But then he broke away, a malicious looks on his face.

"I also wanted to give you something else." He pulled a small velvet box out of his coat pocket. "Your real present."

Time seemed to slow at that moment. He pulled his hand from mine ever so gently and got up off the bench. My heart was doing somersaults in my chest. The snow had just begun to fall, leaving a light layer on his hair. Those ever-changing eyes were filled with love and affection and were currently my favourite colour: a deep green. He slowly lowered himself to one knee and did something I didn't expect. He took my hand and kissed it, then rested the box in my palm. He put his own hand on top of it and put my free one in his.

"I love you with all of my heart," he said solemnly. "And I don't care what anybody but you thinks of that. I want you to know the past three years have been amazing. I don't want it to end there. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. So now I'm asking, from the bottom of my heart, will you marry me?"

Tears filled my eyes. I couldn't describe how I was feeling. He lifted the lid of the box and showed me the ring. It was simple, made of white gold. On the band was he simplest if gems: a deep blue sapphire. I pulled my hand from his and covered my mouth, gasping. It was perfect. Even as the tears overflowed, I felt the smile spreading. And he knew, then, what I would say. Sliding the band over my finger, he leaned forward to press a kiss to my lips.

"I love you," I whispered.

"I love you, too," he whispered back.

The next morning, I woke up next to him for the first time in my life. So his wish had been granted, as had mine. I didn't wake up alone on my birthday. And I would never wake up alone again.

<3