♥ CHAPTER 18 ♥

Anthony Cooper.

Saturday

08:15 '' Hilary’s House '' New York '' USA.

I woke up to the sound of rain falling outside, sighed, and looked at my chest, seeing her sleeping so beautifully.

Ah, how I love this woman.

I kissed her hair and carefully lifted her off me without waking her up.

I think I’ll make breakfast for her.

I walked to the bathroom to brush my teeth, then took a shower. I wanted to prepare something for her to eat before she wakes up. After brushing my teeth, I left the room slowly. With how Hilary is, she’s likely to wake up from even the slightest noise.

'' Well, what should I make for her?

I think I’ll make pancakes with chocolate syrup, bacon, waffles, and hot chocolate. On a rainy day like this, something warm is perfect.

I went to the kitchen and washed my hands. It’s always good to wash your hands before touching food. I looked out the kitchen window and saw how heavy the rain was.

It’s so nice when it rains; you just want to stay in bed and sleep in.

'' Alright, time to get cooking, Anthony.

***

I found a tray and placed the plates and two cups on it. I carried it to our room and, with great difficulty, managed to open the door. I saw her sitting on the bed, rubbing her eyes.

'' Good morning, my love. '' She turned to me and gave a big smile.

'' Good morning, my life. What’s all this?

'' Breakfast in bed. '' I smiled and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.

'' You didn’t have to, love. '' She said tenderly.

'' I know I didn’t have to, my love. I just wanted to do it.

I placed the tray on her lap and sat beside her.

'' Well, okay. '' She cut a piece of pancake and offered it to me. '' Open your mouth.

I ended up laughing, but opened my mouth.

'' Delicious, even though you cooked it. '' She laughed and cut another piece of pancake and ate it.

'' Ah, I love your cooking, love. It’s so good. '' She picked up the cup of hot chocolate and took a sip. '' Ah, this is so good.

I smiled at that.

'' You deserve it, my love.

She looked at me and smiled.

'' I love you.

'' I love you too.

We continued eating, or rather, she started feeding me, and I didn’t mind at all, eating comfortably.

'' Ah, that was so good, love. Thank you very much. '' She held my face and kissed my lips several times with quick kisses.

'' Don’t worry about it, my love. I made it with all my affection; you deserve to rest. You’ve been working so hard these days.

She smiled.

'' I am the luckiest person in the world to have you as my boyfriend. I was afraid of finding a man who would take advantage of me.

I kissed her chin.

'' We both are the luckiest people in the world. '' I stood up, taking the tray. '' I’ll take this to the kitchen and wash it quickly. How about we watch some movies snuggled up?

'' Oh, I love that idea. '' I smiled at that.

'' Then I’ll wash these dishes quickly so we can cuddle in bed.

'' Do you want help? '' She asked. I shook my head. '' Love, I feel like I’m taking advantage of you.

I ended up laughing at that.

'' Love, I like doing things too. For me, you wouldn’t even need to do things around the house. I just want you to relax and let your man take care of you. It’s Saturday, a day for relaxation.

She smiled.

'' I love you.

'' I love you too. I’ll be back soon.

I left the room and went back to the kitchen. I truly feel like the luckiest person in the world to have her as my girlfriend. I never thought I’d find someone like her''kind, serious, fearless, loving. I truly love this woman so much.

I placed the dishes on the counter and washed the ones already in the sink to clear some space.

****

Once I finished with the dishes, I turned off the kitchen light and went back to our room. I walked in and saw her searching for a movie.

'' Love, what movie do you want to watch? '' She asked without looking at me.

I closed the bedroom door and approached her.

'' What genre do you like? '' I asked, sitting next to her.

'' Hmm, I like romantic comedies, comedy, horror, suspense. '' I ended up laughing at that.

'' Then put on a romantic comedy. '' She looked at me.

'' Are you sure? '' I rolled my eyes at that.

'' Love, just because I’m a man doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy romantic comedies.

'' I know that, love. I just want you to choose something you like, not just for me.

'' I promise you I want to watch a romantic comedy because I want to.

'' Alright.

She searched for a few options and then looked at me.

'' What do you think of the movie Isn’t It Romantic? '' She asked.

'' That’s fine.

I lay down on the bed in a comfortable position where I could see the TV. She put on the movie and settled beside me, resting her head on my chest. I kept running my hand through her hair in a gentle caress as the movie started.

'' This is so nice. '' She said suddenly.

'' What? '' I asked, not stopping the gentle strokes through her hair.

'' Us like this, it’s so good and comforting.

She rested her chin on my chest and looked up at me.

'' I never thought I’d be so in love with someone one day. '' I caressed her face.

'' I never thought I’d be in love with someone either. I’m madly in love with you, Hilary. And we’ve only known each other for two weeks.

'' Love doesn’t wait. The moment I saw you that day, it felt like something inside me was telling me that you were the right man. And now look, we’ve been together for a week, and it feels like months.

'' Yes, some would say this is just a phase, but what I feel for you is something I’d never feel for anyone else, not even for Amelia. I just want to be with you, to protect you, care for you, and love you.

I kissed her forehead.

'' And you’re doing that very well. '' She said and kissed my neck. '' I want you forever as mine. I want everyone to know that you are mine.

I looked at her.

'' What are you thinking? '' She sat up on the bed and looked at me.

'' I want to marry you. '' I was surprised by this.

I also sat up on the bed.

'' Is this serious? '' She nodded several times.

'' Very serious. I want you with my last name, Mr. Carter. I love you so much; I don’t care what people will say about it.

I know she really means it because my beautiful woman isn’t indecisive. What she wants, she gets.

'' Then let’s get married. '' She looked at me, surprised.

'' Do you accept?

'' Of course, I love you and want to spend the rest of my life by your side.

She threw herself into my arms and kissed me the way we both like.

'' Oh, I’m so happy, my love. '' She said, kissing my lips several times with quick kisses.

'' My Hilary. '' I kissed her lips as well.

'' My Anthony, only mine.

I smiled at that.

'' Yes, only yours.

She rested her head on my chest and hugged me tightly. I ran my hands through her hair with affection, and we went back to watching the movie.

I’m a very lucky man.