Chapter 63 Chapter 63

Chapter 63 Chapter 63

Paris

Little by little, people started to leave.
Some people were hosting parties and get-togethers. Some people were going to pack to go away, but me? I planned to spend the rest of the evening with Fabian.
My friends decided to remain a while as I left, and I hugged each of them and promised to talk to them later. Colton left a wet kiss on my cheek before I headed for the stairs, taking each step carefully so I wouldn’t break my neck by falling.
Alas, I was on hard, solid ground, and my dad and Cynthia were waiting for me by the front benches.
“Those balloons were so pretty!” Cynthia gushed as she threw herself at me. “I can’t wait to leave high school.”
“Don’t grow up too fast now,” my dad said as he joined us, ruffling Cynthia’s hair. “Paris is already leaving me.”
“Awe, dad, I’m not leaving you.” I frowned at the thought, feeling compelled to reach up and kiss his cheek. “We have the entire summer, plus I’ll be home on weekends.”
“Ah, I’m just teasing you,” he chuckled. His phone vibrated with a message, and his lips curled as he viewed it, pushing up his cheeks in two round dumplings. Cynthia and I shared a look.
“Is that the lady from the coffee shop?” I teased with a giggle.
His face changed colour as he looked at us wide-eyed. I rolled my eyes at his obliviousness. As if we wouldn’t notice. He cleared his throat. “Uh, no. It’s your mother. I sent her the pictures of you.”
“Oh.” I nodded. “Tell her I’ll call her later, and I will see you both at around twelve.” I quickly kissed both their cheeks and dashed for the exit before dad could protest. But as I looked back, I could see his playful glare.
“Eleven-thirty then!” I shouted with a gigantic smile.
I slowed my pace when my ankles began to hurt, and I scanned the car park for my car. Fabian took it this morning since I rode with dad, and a white dress wasn’t the best fit for a motorcycle.
I saw him only after mere seconds of searching, and just like always, my heart soared at his breath-taking smile, seeing that he saw me first.
I closed the distance between us in mere seconds, staying mindful of the high heels on my feet before I flung myself in his arms. He beamed as he caught me, and I quickly reached up to press a quick peck on his lips.
“Hi, beautiful,” he mumbled, causing my smile to grow wider.
“Hi, handsome,” I returned just as sweet.
“Happy birthday.” He chuckled with a slight shake of his head. “For the umpteenth time today, thank you.”
I rolled my eyes at his teasing tone. Okay, maybe I overdid it a little bit.
“I know, I know,” I defended. “But it is the first time I get to tell you while doing this…” I pulled his bottom lip between my teeth, automatically giving me access to initiate a kiss. I moved my lips against his in a rhythmic caress, keeping my body flush against his.
“Happy birthday,” I whispered as I pulled away, but he quickly reclaimed my lips, showing that he wasn’t quite ready for our kiss to end just yet.
“Hhmm. That was the best one yet,” he said with a groan as he swept his tongue over my upper lip. I smiled again, pulling away despite his protests. “I have something for you.” I shuffled away from him and opened the boot, praying that he didn’t see it when he picked up my car.
“Paris, I told you that you didn’t have to get me anything.” He sounded so cute, being whiney and all.
Nonetheless, I grabbed the giant gift bag and spun on my heels to face him again. “I know. But I wanted to.”
Curiosity and a hint of excitement danced in his gaze. “What is it?” he asked.
“Open it.” I pulled my lip between my teeth, my body shaking in excitement. I put a lot of thought into the gift, and I couldn’t wait to see his reaction.
He spared me one final glance before reaching into the bag. I watched as his expression changed from focused to confused and, finally, surprised.
I held my composure as he pulled it all the way out. At first, when I remembered his birthday, I didn’t know what I was going to get him. I was so consumed by my own life and getting used to mom not being around that I realised, at times, I didn’t show him how much he really meant to me. So, I thought, how do I show him my love through a gift? I was sitting on the answer all along.
When I shifted in my bed and appreciated the comfort and warmth of my sheets, I just knew what I wanted to get him. So, I got a blanket customised with a collage of pictures of us, from our road trips to simple date nights and even random selfies we took together.
It wasn’t big enough to cover a bed, but it was just right to cuddle around his shoulders. I also got him a similar mug, but I left it at home by accident.
“Paris…” I watched as his eyes wandered over each image and how his expression would light up with the memories they held. It took about two minutes for him to meet my eyes again, and when he did, I knew I had got him the perfect gift. Without saying a word, he grabbed me in a hug and buried his nose in the crook of my neck.
“This is… This is beautiful, baby. I love it. Thank you,” he finally said, never once breaking our embrace.
“When you are away at university and studying late at night, it can keep you warm. I soaked it in my love,” I said, and his shoulder shook with a chuckle as he pulled away.
“I’ll cherish it.” He kissed my temple, my cheek and the corner of my lips. “Just like I cherish you.”
It was those words that finally drove me home. He was right. It’s one thing to love something or someone, but to cherish it is a completely different type of adoration.
To know that you’ve found the one you didn’t even know existed, to find someone worth all the wait, heartbreak and pain, and who makes you feel like you’re the only one in the world who could ever claim their love, was majestic.
To find the one you love is the best gift of life one can ever get. Well, that was who Fabian was to me, and I wanted to ensure that he knew this.
“Fabian?”
“Hhmm?” He lifted his gaze from the blanket again to meet my eager eyes.
“I want to take you somewhere,” I told him, initiating phase two of his birthday gift. “Well, more than one place, actually.”
He regarded me with narrowed eyes. I didn’t tell him my agenda. But little did he know that I had far more planned. Thankfully, he didn’t question me. He simply handed me my car keys before joining me on the passenger side. I could see the curiosity swimming in his eyes as we buckled in, but I didn’t let my excitement show too much.
Fabian, of all people, deserved something like this. He does it for me every day when he shows me his love.
It was my time to return the favour. So, what better day than his birthday?