Beautiful Sunrise

Silvia Point of View

The next morning, I woke up in a cloud of happiness. I reached out across the bed, but finding it empty, I stood up suddenly and my bubble of happiness burst. Where was Gerard? Had last night been a dream? Or had he been here and then, at some point during the night, he had changed his mind and left?

I got out of bed, put on my robe, and headed to my small living room, hoping that perhaps he had woken up early and was in my kitchen having a cup of coffee.

My heart sank as I realized I was alone. What happened? My desperation began to turn into rage for doing this to me.

The doorknob jingling and then the door opened and Gerard entered. He smiled at me as he held up a bag from the bakery.

"You have already risen. I have breakfast."

There was still a part of me that wanted to go and punch him for scaring me, but instead I ran over to him and threw myself into his arms.

"Well, good morning to you too," he said, laughing. I looked up at him.

"Thought you've gone."

He frowned.

"Just to go get something to eat." Understanding crossed his face. "Oh shit, Silvia. I'm sorry. I did not think. "He put the pastry bag on the table next to the door where I kept my purse, keys, and mail. He cupped my face in his palms and looked at me intensely. "I'm not going anywhere, princess. You'll have to kick me out to get rid of me, and considering I'm much bigger than you, you're going to have a hard time."

I bubbled with joy inside and jumped again, wrapping my arms and legs around him and kissing him senseless. He patted my buttocks.

"Let's go eat something because we have a lot to do today."

We had breakfast and then to save time we took a shower together, but I'm not sure how much time we saved since he took the time to do delicious things to my body.

We left my house and headed to who knew where. We arrived at a district that used to be full of old warehouses, but which were currently being renovated. He stopped before a slightly deteriorated two-story stone building. It had large windows, especially on the second floor.

"What is this place? " I asked .

"It's a surprise. “He got out of the car, also helping me out and holding my hand as he guided me through the building. "What would you do with a place like this if it were yours?"

I looked at him as we entered the large open space.

"This is yours? "He nodded with a small nod.

"So what would you do with it?"

I looked around the large open space trying to understand why a man like Gerard wanted a space like this.

"I don't understand why you would buy this place.

"Well, I was thinking about a community arts center. A place where young artists with raw talent could create art and sell it. "My eyes searched his and I'm sure my expression was one of surprise". I imagine building individual rooms in such a way that they catch the light but have their own artistic space. They will have a place to create, but they will also be able to display and sell it. We could also organize art exhibitions and other events here.

My heart was beating very fast at his explanations. At the same time, I felt a little guilty for not having recognized this side of him sooner.

"My plan is to finance it, mainly, through the Hush Foundation, and since I know that artists don't make a lot of money at the beginning, we can have a research system to determine their need, so they wouldn't have to pay rent. Everything you earn here will be yours. Of course, when they get rich and famous, they'll have to give way to another talented newcomer. "I look myself

"How about?"

The words did not come out.

"I think it's wonderful."

"There is only one space that will be exclusive and it is upstairs. do you want to see it?"

My head nodded so fast I probably looked deranged.

"I'd love to."

He walked me to what looked like a freight elevator and we went up to the second floor. Like the first floor, it was practically open, except at one end, where some drywall had recently been put up. He led me to that area and went through the door.

Inside, the room had large windows on three sides that let in sunlight from all sides. The artist in me fainted.

Unlike the rest of the building, this room was filled with furniture and art supplies. There were easels and a table full of paints, brushes and palettes. Elsewhere, there was another empty table near a window and, not far away, an old-fashioned Victorian-looking sofa. In the corner, there was a small kitchen.

"This is your place, Silvia. A real artist needs a real studio".

Again, my head turned to look at him.

"My place? "I looked at the room again. "All this was mine. What is the sofa for?"

He shrugged.

"It seems that many old paintings always have a naked woman on the couch. "I raised an eyebrow.

"I don't normally do that kind of art, but maybe we could change a man. -He frowned.

"No man. "I laughed.

"Only you, Gerard. "And since once again I couldn't help it, I threw myself into his arms to hug him". I love it I love it I love it. And I love you.

"I'm glad to hear it. There's just one more thing. He couldn't imagine what it could be. He was at the limit of wonderful surprises. He took my hand and walked me to one of the windows. Looking out, I could see the ocean in the distance. Light plays an important role in art, right?

-Yeah.

"Through it, you can see all kinds of textures or facets, right?"

He asked me where I was going with this.

"Okay, yes."

"So, what would be your artistic impression of this?

He took out a small velvet box and opened the lid, revealing a lavender diamond.

The air escaped from my lungs as I looked at Gerard for an explanation.

"I imagine that, after everything I have put you through, my reputation, and the short time we have been together on this new path, this will seem excessive and too soon, but, although I am a man cautious with his heart, I am also a man who reaches out and takes whatever he wants. And I love you, Silvia. She took my hand and squeezed it, as if she wanted her to be sure that she was listening to everything she was saying. I was an idiot before. I fought against myself and what I felt, but the truth is that I love you and I want to build a life with you."

I swallowed hard as his words and gifts overwhelmed me.

"Is this art studio and artistic community something you have done just for me to say yes?

He shifted nervously.

"I want you to say yes because you love me and want to be with me, but I also know that what I'm asking of you is a little crazy, and you probably see it as a risk based on how I've behaved before, so I thought maybe this would sweeten the deal."

He was a little right. This was crazy. But he was wrong about the need to sweeten the deal. I walked over and pressed my palm to his cheek.

"You don't know, Gerard, that your love is the sweetest treat of all.

His expression seemed anxious but hopeful.

"Does that mean you'll marry me?"

"Yes, Gerard, I will marry you."

He slipped the ring on my finger and then put his arms around me and spun me around. He kissed me hard and I couldn't remember ever being so happy.

"When did you do all this? " I asked when I could finally breathe.

"Yesterday."

My eyebrows rose until they blended with my hair.

"Yesterday?"

"I already owned the building, but I hadn't imagined what I wanted to do with it. And yesterday it became as clear to me as the certainty that he had to fight for you and find a way to make you want to be with me. "His fingers traced the line of my jaw". I was a fool and an idiot. I can't believe you have forgiven me, much less that you have agreed to marry me.

"We were both stupid and idiots. Maybe you a little more.

"I'm probably going to screw up again and again, but you can be sure I'll love you."

"Just think about the make-up sex we'll have.

He laughed.

"You see? This is what I like about you. Your effervescence. Your humor. Your willingness to kick my ass".

He was right. He felt that he had regained his life. Instantly, my fingers itched to paint. I pushed him back and looked at all the beautiful art things he had bought me.

"I want to paint. Now, get naked. "He raised his eyebrow.

"What does painting and getting naked have to do with each other?

"I want to paint you naked. Seriously, Gerard, I've wanted to paint you practically since I crotched you."

His cheeks flushed red as he looked around the room.

"I've seen the one in the article. " It was my turn to blush.

"That was from memory. I want to paint the real one. "He hesitated.

"In most paintings of naked men they don't come out excited. I can't be with you and not get an erection.

I moved my eyebrows.

-"Even better. I searched through the paints and brushes, placing a few along with a canvas. We're the only ones here and we're on the second floor so no one can see us. Get naked and get on the couch."

Finally, with a shake of his head and a laugh, he took off his shirt and took off his shoes.

"I can't believe I'm doing this."

He walked over to the couch unbuttoning his jeans, hesitating again as he hooked his fingers into the waistband of his jeans.

At that moment, I remembered the story he told me about his ex and the way he reacted when news about us appeared in the media. So I approached him, pressing my hands on his very fine specimen of chest.

"Gerard, this is just for me. It is not going to go to a gallery nor will it be sold. It won't end up on the Internet. This is just for me. I want to come back go paint I want to paint you. You will leave me?

Her hands tightened over mine on his chest.

"Have I inspired you to paint? "

I nodded.

"Yeah.