Chapter 190
The festive atmosphere is still going strong. Levi and I have been staying home these past few days. Celestia didn't come back - she's been having a great time with her grandparents every day.
I sent Levi birthday wishes early this morning, even though he was sleeping right next to me. Some things are just too straightforward for me to say out loud.
My in-laws and I had already agreed that today, on his birthday, we'd throw him a birthday party.
They told me Levi has never liked big birthday parties - he prefers just having a simple meal with the family.
Early this morning, they called asking what time I planned to head over to the Morgan mansion. Aiden and Rhea had already given orders to prepare an extra special feast today.
Last time our family dinner ended badly, so we're using Levi's birthday as a chance to get everyone together again for a good time.
I waited forever, but Levi still hadn't woken up.
I'd already made quite a bit of noise, but he was sleeping soundly.
'I can't just wake him up, can I? It's his birthday - what if he gets upset?' I thought to myself.
Levi doesn't get grumpy when woken up, but I've never disturbed his sleep before. In fact, to let him sleep longer, I'm always super quiet.
It was almost 9:30 when my phone vibrated. I picked it up - it was Celestia's grandmother calling.
I answered in a low voice, "He's not awake yet. I don't want to wake him."
"His grandparents are already waiting in the living room. Go wake him up. By the time he gets ready and you drive over, it'll be past ten anyway."
"I know."
"He won't get mad at you. Besides, he's very punctual - just go ahead and wake him."
"Okay, I'll try."
I hung up, and when I turned around, Levi was already standing next to me.
"Talking about me behind my back?"
My heart started racing. He'd appeared so quietly that he actually startled me.
"No."
I tried to hide my nervousness. Maybe I was so tense talking to Celestia's grandmother earlier, so afraid of disturbing him, that I didn't notice him at all.
"It's your birthday today."
Levi nodded. "And?"
"And... we're going back to the Morgan mansion for dinner."
Levi frowned. "You guys planned this?"
"Yeah, everyone's already there. Cleo's there too."
I think my meaning was pretty clear - I wanted to use this opportunity to help Cleo fit in with us, hoping all the unpleasantness from before would disappear after today.
He said nothing and went into the bathroom.
It looked like he hadn't originally planned to go back to the Morgan mansion, but backing out of something already arranged would really be a buzzkill.
Especially since Cleo was going to be there today. If plans changed, she'd definitely think I was messing with her when we met again.
I went downstairs first to get the gift I'd prepared for Levi from my office.
In the living room, Indigo had arranged lilies today - their fragrance filled the air.
When she saw me come back, she prepared some milk for me.
"Mrs. Morgan, have some milk first to tide you over."
"I'm not really hungry."
Indigo put the milk on the table. "You'll definitely wait to eat lunch when you get there. You're always so proper - when you go somewhere else, you don't like to eat much, even though the Morgan mansion is your own home. You rarely eat anything besides the main meals."
"Who told you that?"
"I met up with an old friend who works at the Morgan mansion. She told me that besides meals, she's never seen you eat other things like fruit there."
I smiled. "Indigo, am I weird?"
"Not at all. It's just good manners that's part of who you are. If I'm not wrong, your mother must have taught you to be proper when you're at someone else's place."
"Yeah."
My mother loved me very much, but she was never casual about teaching manners. She was even a bit traditional - I didn't need to be formal in front of her, but she required me to be disciplined and proper in front of others.
As we were talking, Levi came over while on the phone.
"We're not going. If Celestia wants to come home, just send her back."
"It's up to her. If she wants to stay with you guys for a while, we don't mind."
Levi hung up and handed me the coat he'd been carrying.
"Indigo, there's a suitcase in my study. Put it in the car for me."
"Mr. Morgan, are you going on a business trip?"
Levi pressed his lips together. "No, we're going away together for a few days."
We?
He and I?
Indigo looked at me, then said to Levi, "You're not going back to the Morgan mansion? Aren't they celebrating your birthday there today?"
"Not going. I already told them."
I'd been planning this for three or four days, and he just decided not to go?
Cleo must be cursing me in her head...
"So you're going on a trip then. Mrs. Morgan loves the ocean - if there's a beach, that would be perfect." Indigo was hinting to Levi that if he hadn't decided on an itinerary yet, he could take me to the seaside.
It's his birthday, so how did this turn into a trip for me?
Does he not like being with the family?
"There's a beach."
It was just a casual comment, but Levi actually responded to Indigo.
This made Indigo smile even brighter - she was happy for me.
And just like that, Levi brought me to an island.
Since it was still the holiday season, there were lots of tourists everywhere, but this place was relatively quiet with fewer people.
There were no green coconut trees here, but lots of beautiful shells and stones.
Levi was lying on a beach chair, sunbathing, while I was completely absorbed in collecting shells.
He'd packed all the luggage and thought of everything, even bringing me sun-protective clothing. Otherwise, with such strong UV rays, I'd definitely just stay under the umbrella and not want to move.
"Are you tired? Take a break."
Levi pointed to the empty space next to him, telling me to sit down.
"Not tired. This place is really beautiful, and the temperature is perfect - no need for heavy clothes."
"You'd better not go in the water, though. The hotel has a pool, which is safer."
I pouted. "In my current condition, I don't even dare think about swimming."
"If you need help, I can assist."
"No need."
I immediately turned him down. I don't need him with me.
Levi put his sunglasses back on. I couldn't see his eyes or read his mood.
I took out the gift I'd prepared from my bag, then gently pushed his sunglasses up. "Happy birthday. I got you a little something."
Levi sat up and took the gift box. He opened it smoothly - a pair of matching rings appeared.
"I basically made these by hand. The diamond on them is from the one you worked so hard to bring back. This is the first piece, limited edition."
Levi raised an eyebrow. "Put it on me."
"Uh, okay."
I carefully took out the one meant for him from the box and gently put it on his finger.
This was the first time I'd given someone such a heartfelt gift. Its value was like the determination I had when I first married Levi.
Levi took out the other ring. "Let me put yours on too."
I looked at the small diamond on the ring - under the sunlight, it was dazzling.
By giving this gift, I was once again entrusting myself completely to him.