FORTY TWO
" D ear Gabriella. On behalf of the entire NYU School of Law community, we are excited to offer you admission to the class of 2025." I read the letter aloud and nearly knocked Nicolas to the ground when I jumped on him.
He caught me with ease, spinning me thrice before setting me down gently. He held my face tightly, squishing my cheeks in the process. "Congratulations, my love, I told you that you could do it. You owe me." He smirked.
"Thank you, butterfly." I smiled, placing my hands over his. He laughed at the nickname, rolling his eyes playfully. "What do I owe you?"
"A fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies."
"That's a silly request, I'm always baking for you." He pulled me closer, speaking against my lips.
"There's a catch, though," he rasped, his voice unravelling me.
Even after everything we've done, he still managed to make me blush. I felt shy under his penetrating gaze. "What's the catch?"
"You have to make them whenever I request it," he said softly.
"What if I don't have the ingredients?"
"Then I suppose it's best I bring all of the ingredients you need upon request."
"That could work," I agreed.
"My favourite sweet treat will always be you, though." He bit my lower lip, sucking on it.
I was caught off guard by his words and his actions. He released my lip with a loud pop and I pushed his hands way from my face, laughing softly. "You ruined the moment."
He followed behind me as I walked to the kitchen. "On a serious note though, I'm really proud of you, Gabriella." I turned to face him, trying to hide my smile. "I knew they'd accept you, I don't know why you ever doubted yourself."
I leaned on the kitchen counter, clasping my hands together. The purple acrylic nails stood out against the black marble top. "I can't help it. I never feel like I'm good enough when it comes to academics. I don't do it on purpose, self-doubt is always something I've struggled with."
He came to a stop next to me, placing his hand on the counter and leaned sideways while looking down at me. I turned my head toward him, craning my neck to look up.
"I understand that, and you know I empathise with you given your past experiences. I just wish you could see how phenomenal you are. You're an extraordinary woman. Intelligent, hard-working, and talented."
I didn't think I could ever love this man more than I already did, but he never ceased to amaze me. "I'm trying my best to get rid of those bad habits and negative feelings. Will you be patient with me?"
"I'll do anything and everything for you." He twirled a curl around his index finger. "You know that, right?"
"I know." I smiled. "What did I do to deserve you? The most thoughtful man ever. You're so precious."
"If anyone is precious, it would be you." He leaned in, kissing me softly on the cheek. Even after his lips left my skin, the feeling still lingered. "I'm patiently waiting for the day you realise just how powerful you really are."
"You think I'm powerful?"
"You have the power to bring me to my knees, to make me bend to your will. If that's not power, then I don't know what is."
I couldn't bring myself to speak, because how would I possibly respond to that confession? "Says the man who showed me how to be vulnerable when I swore I'd never do it again."
"That means we were meant for each other."
"Meant to be," I whispered. "Perfect for each other. The complete puzzle."
"Yes." He clasped my chin between his thumb and index finger, tilting my head back. "You're mine and I'm yours. In this life and the next."
His words hit me directly in the heart. “I want every part of you, just like you’ve taken every part of me.” I said, smiling at him. “I’m eternally yours.”