Alex’s P. O. V.
“Anyway, what were you doing in the mall?” I question, glancing at Stella, who is sitting in the passenger seat beside me as I drive us back home.
“Actually, I’ve also planned something for my birthday.”
My eyes widen in surprise at her words. “What? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because it was a surprise for you, Alex.” She pouts at me.
I shake my head in disbelief. “You’re planning something for me on your birthday? Unbelievable.”
“You deserve it.” She locks her eyes filled with profound love on me. “You’ve done so much for me, Alex. I want this birthday to be about us.”
I glance over, feeling like I’m falling for her all over again. “You know, you’re amazing.”
She reaches over and squeezes my hand. “Then just wait. Tomorrow will be unforgettable-for both of us. And you won’t stop praising me.”
“I’m quite excited now. But what about the surprise I’ve planned for you?” I raise my brows at her.
“Your surprise?” She taps her finger on her chin thoughtfully, which brings a smile to my face. She looks so adorable that I almost want to pull the car over and kiss her senseless. But I know if I did, we’d end up fucking each other, just like in the mall parking lot-and, honestly, like every other time we’re alone.
She finally speaks up, “You can give your surprise in the morning. I’ll give you mine in the evening. Okay?”
“That’s a great idea.” We smile at each other.
“You know I’ve never been so excited about my birthday.”
“Get used to it because I’m going to make your every birthday special.” I take her hand in mine and kiss it.
***
Next Morning
After Stella freshens up in the morning, I bring her to her room, which I decorated last night.
“Happy Birthday, my Flower.” I wish her as she covers her mouth with her palms, her eyes widening in amazement. As always, she looks breathtaking in my shirt; she loves to sleep in my clothes.
I watch as Stella’s eyes take in the room, darting from one detail to the next. The entire room is filled with pink and rose-gold balloons-some heart-shaped, others round-all tied down to the bed and floor. A large bouquet of roses sits on the bed beside a stunning pink-and-white cake. A few gift bags sit in a row, including one from Chanel. I went all out because she deserves it.
Her eyes flicker from the balloons to the bed and back to me, and I can see how much this means to her. “I don’t know what to say, Alex. This is… it’s like a dream.”
I grin and step closer before wrapping my arm around her waist. “I wanted to make sure you’d remember this birthday forever.”
“Already the best birthday ever.” She leans in, giving me a soft, lingering kiss. Then she pulls back, her eyes filled with excitement as she takes one last look around the room, like she’s capturing every detail to keep with her forever.
“Alright,” I say, grinning, “ready for your presents?”
“I love gifts.” She nods eagerly, her eyes still wide with excitement. I pick up the first gift bag-the one from Chanel. I hand it to her, and she looks up at me, clearly thrilled.
She pulls out a sleek black box from the bag and opens it, revealing a pair of beautiful earning encrusted with small diamonds.
“Wow! These are so stunning. I’ve never had anything like this.”
“Like I said, get used to it now.” As I put that box on the bed, she excitedly picks up another bag.
Like this, she opens every present with the same enthusiasm, her eyes shining. I gifted her everything-bracelets, handbags, pendants, dresses, heels, especially the huge smile on her face.
“Oh God, Alex. Did you leave anything?”
“There’s one last gift I’ve been saving.”
Her eyes widen in shock. “What? There is one more. God! Alex, you’re unbelievable.”
I chuckle, pulling out a small velvet box from the pocket of my joggers. Inside is a hugging hands promise ring, on which it’s written ‘always with you’.
Her eyes become moist, seeing it. “Wow! It’s so beautiful.”
“It’s a promise.” I take her hand in mine and slip the ring onto her finger. “A promise that I’ll always be there for you, no matter what happens in life.”
As I kiss her knuckles, causing tears of joy to trickle down her cheeks.
Her smile reaches her eyes and deepens her dimple. God, she looks so adorable with that dimple on her face.
I wipe her tears with my thumb and press my lips to her forehead.
“Happy birthday, my love.” I frame her face in both hands before softly capturing her lips in a kiss.
“It’s a dreamful birthday. Thank you so much, Alex.” She embraces me.
“You deserve it, baby.” After wrapping her in my warm arms, I lean in and kiss her head.
She pulls back from the hug, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Now it’s time for my surprise. Remember?”
I grin, loving how thrilled she is. I missed seeing her like this-the happy Stella, the flower who blooms and brings joy to the people around us.
“But there is one more surprise.”
Her eyes widen in shock. “What? There’s more?”
“Yes.” I nod. “I want to make your birthday unforgettable, love.”
She shakes her head with a smile on her face. “You’re already making it unforgettable, Alex. I don’t know what I did to deserve you, honestly.”
***
“This is the place you brought me to last time when you started being sweet to me,” she says, looking around as I park the car at Rockefeller Center.
“Yeah.” I nod. “I remember how much you loved the ice skating. That’s why I brought you back here.”
She laughs with a nostalgic gleam in her eyes. “You know, I was so doubtful back then. I couldn’t believe how you’d changed so suddenly. And now… it’s hard to believe how close we’ve gotten in such a short time.”
I chuckle, remembering our past. “We used to fight like cats and dogs.”
The flashbacks of those days revolve in my mind: our arguments, her biting my hand, ruining my shoes, throwing my stereo into the pool, and me never missing a chance to annoy her. It’s been only two months, but those memories feel like they happened a lifetime ago. It’s strange how we went from fighting all the time to being inseparable.
She laughs along with me, shaking her head. “We were crazy.”
“Maybe we still are.” I move closer to her and whisper against her lips, “But now it’s a different kind of craziness.” I give her a quick kiss, cupping her face.
“The best kind.”