|87| • Everest
From what Abel had told me, Amelia never had loud birthdays.
He said she used to be super excited about it when she was younger but at a point she withdrew.
When he told me of how she'd stay in her room munching on chocolate cakes while deep in thought because Joseph never really liked her eating junk food, my heart went out to her.
Come to think of it, she never really spoke about her birthday, heck, she even forgot about it until I reminded her. It was a good thing I'd been planning it before I asked her. My poor baby had been drained during the tests, she hadn't even been sleeping or eating well.
Staring into the oven, I watched the chocolate cake form in the heated environment.
Hopefully I followed the instructions well enough.
It wasn't supposed to be done for another forty-five minutes.
Taking the manual, I kept it back on the shelf, picking up my phone.
Amelia was still asleep and it was almost ten in the morning. She must have been tired yesterday.
Today was November 18th, my babygirl's birthday.
She'd be turning twenty-one today.
I had been planning this for more than a week now and I could only pray it went according to plan.
I'd called her friends up the day before, telling them that we would be meeting at the beach in the evening.
I'd also called Abel, Joseph, Gabe and some others.
I wanted her birthday to be something she could look back to and smile.
Smiling to myself, I washed the inside of the blender, popping in bananas, strawberries, kiwi and yogurt to make a smoothie for her. While it was blending, I stuffed the waffles into the pop up toaster.
There were two reasons to my smile, the first was the thought of her birthday going according to plan; the second was tomorrow.
Tomorrow.
"Am I really doing this?" I wondered out loud to myself.
I knew I was ready. But was our relationship ready for this?
I wanted to do this, I really did. Amelia loved me, and I cherished all of her.
I didn't simply want to keep living with her, not knowing where our relationship would take us.
It was never going to advance if we didn't make moves.
Taking out the tumbler, I poured out the smoothie and placed a metal straw into the thick blend. The waffles popped out just in time so I plated it as well; placing them all into the tray.
It was time to surprise the birthday girl.
With two knocks on the door, I gently opened it to see my little lady still sprawled up on the bed.
The duvet had somehow managed to tangle her up, the only evidence that she was even there was her leg peeking out from beneath the duvet.
She must've been tired. I thought with a smile.
I couldn't remember the last time I had to study but I'm pretty sure it was still as tiring as I remembered.
Humming quietly, I closed the door. She didn't move, clearly passed out.
What was the best way to wake her? If I sang would she wake up? I looked around, pursing my lips. Quietly dropping the tray on her vanity table, I walked towards the lump in the duvet. I could hear her light breathing when I came closer.
"Amelia..." I whispered, seeing if she'd wake up.
Nothing.
"Sweetheart..."
She snuggled tighter into her pillow, sleeping soundly.
Laughing at her cute movements, I gently pulled the duvet away from her, scooting closer to her on the bed.
Amelia groaned, probably feeling the cold breeze on her body.
An idea popped up in my head so I inched closer to her face.
"My darling, it's time to wake up..." I sang, shaking her body lightly.
Within seconds, her eyes tightened and opened slowly. They widened almost instantly because she jumped back, holding her mouth. I couldn't help the laugh that came out. "What? Did I scare ya?" I teased.
"That was so scary! I thought I was dreaming." She huffed, clutching her duvet against her chest. Before long, she was rubbing her eye and looking at me in confusion. "What time is it? Why do you look like you've bath? Oh no don't tell me this is already noon." She rambled, itching her bonnet.
I chuckled.
Without answering, I climbed into her bed but she stuck her hands out. "No! My mouth stinks, a-and I haven't showered yet." With her hand out, it easy to pull her towards me. A gasp left her lips as she fell towards me.
"Happy birthday, my lady."
I said, hugging her.
She seemed confused but later melted into my hug. "It's today? Thank you Evie." My hands tightened on her waist. I didn't want to let go so soon. I loved hugging her. "And I don't care if you haven't showered yet." She laughed against my chest.
Tilting my head, I gave her temple a kiss.
"I hope you have the best day today." I left another kiss.
"I can't waist to shower you with love today.
" Another kiss left her giggling. She wrapped her hands around my neck, hugging me more.
"Having you wake me up with cuddles? I'm already having the best day. " She said.
"But let me go brush, two seconds!" She climbed off me, running to the bathroom before I could call her back. Shaking my head, I just smiled. "I'll be waiting!" Her bathroom door closed and I heard the faucet run. Sighing, I laid down on her bed, looking at the ceiling.
"You got this, Everest."
Truth be told, I was nervous. I wanted this day to be great — even if it wasn't perfect.
I was all the more anxious on how tomorrow was going to go.
I had thought since I'd done it before in the past it would be easy, but I felt more jittery now than before.
Amelia was the one I wanted to spend my days with, we'd been through a bit of a rough patch but then again, who hadn't?
"Right, I almost forgot." I said to myself. Looking towards the bathroom, she didn't seem to be done so I took the opportunity to leave her room. I'd left her present in my drawer.
Quietly, I made my way out and into my room.
"Where did I keep it?" I mumbled to myself, opening the vanity drawer but it wasn't there.
Turning, I remembered I was looking at the box last night and shoved it into my bedside table.
Going towards it, I opened the drawer but it seemed to be stuck so both drawers opened simultaneously.
Groaning, I tried to fix it before she got out of the bathroom.
I saw the pink box laying beside the ring box.
I took the first one, closing the drawer which left the second drawer opened.
The sight of my journal made me hum. When was the last time I opened this thing?
My therapist did say to write down my thoughts but I'd been doing so a lot more on my phone than on a paper.
Picking up the book, I flipped through the pages inquisitively.
It was almost empty.
"I should start writing again." I said to myself. Shrugging, I was about to put it back when I saw a note laying flat on the floor of the drawer. It had some scribbles on it which resembled Amelia's handwriting.
When did she write this?
Was I meant to find it sooner?
Knitting my eyebrows, I picked it up, closing the drawer.
Not wanting to stay so long in my room, I made my way back into her room. Amelia was already out. Her hair had been taken out of the bonnet, her face looked more lively and her eyes glistened with excitement. She was looking at the breakfast I'd made for her.
"Oh my goodness! This looks so good!" She whispered to herself. On hearing my footsteps, her head jolted up, her smile widening. "Baby, did you make this all for me? You didn't have to!" She squealed, clapping her hands. "Can I have a bite?" She asked eagerly making me laugh.
"I mean, I did make it for you."
Grinning, she took the cup of smoothie first, sipping it with her eyes closed. Just from her dance, I could tell she loved it. "It's so sweet! Like really sweet!" Amelia moaned into the straw, taking another big sip before placing it down.
"Let's sit!" She said, taking the tray and moving to her bed. I followed.
"Thank you Lord for this food." She whispered to herself. "And thank you Lord for a super awesome boyfriend." She whispered again. Her words made my ears hot.
When I tried to cover my lips from how much I was grinning, I realized I was holding the box and the paper.
"Oh right. I got you this. Happy birthday." I saw gently, showing her the pink box. Amelia stared at it curiously, taking it from me. "You really didn't have to...I already spent your money yesterday." She giggled to herself. Smirking, I shrugged. "If you don't spend my money, who will?"
Amelia laughed.
"Thank you, Everest." With her hands holding her weight, she leaned in, pecking my cheeks.
Clearing my throat, I narrowed my eyes. Was I seriously blushing right now?
I didn't expect her to go for my cheeks.
"You're the best." She whispered, leaning back with a smirk that made her look more gorgeous than before.
"T-thanks." Gah, is that a stutter?! "I mean, thanks." I said, getting my voice back. Amelia shook her head, chuckling before opening the box.
It was a necklace with a rose pendant.
She gasped, "Woah, this is so pretty!" I thought silver and gold would be to common so I got a mixture. The rose pendant was aligned with a gold lining. "You like?" She nodded. "I love it! Could you put it on for me?"
Nodding, I stood up. The necklace felt dainty in my hands but fitted her perfectly. Clipping the necklace on, I watched as it rested against her collarbone, close to her chest. She walked to the vanity mirror, observing it.
"This is so lovely. Thank you, Everest."
I smiled, the fact that she loved it made me a bit less nervous.
"You're welcome, sweetheart."
Looking down at my laps, I saw the paper again. "Oh right, I saw this in my drawer. You wrote this, right?"
She literally spun with her eyes wide. "Huh?
" When she saw the paper in my hand, she gasped.
"Where did you— oh I didn't take it out.
Oh...uh—y-yeah I wrote that. Did...have you read it?
" She whispered. My curiosity piqued seeing how flustered she was.
Was it something I wasn't meant to see? Why did she drop it in my drawer then?
"No, I haven't. Should I?"
I asked. If she wasn't comfortable with me reading it then I wasn't going to.
Amelia walked up to me, playing with her fingers.
"I actually wrote that we were living separately.
It was..." She sighed. Titling my head, I waited patiently for her words.
I guess this letter was deeper than I made it out to be.
"One night I slept in your room...there was a thunderstorm and I was scared.
I was also deeply sad...and I wrote that to you.
Kind of hoping you'd hear me from where you were.
" She said quietly. Oh? That was true, she never did like thunderstorms. I could barely remember there being any during the time I was holed up in my room.
Partially because I was dead to anything other than sadness.
"Can I read it?"
My question made her look up.
Hesitantly, she nodded. "Yes...yes you can."
I pulled her towards me, so she'd sit right beside me. Whatever was in here, it didn't matter. It was water under the bridge.
Opening the letter, I began to read it.
My shoulders tensed as I read this. Amelia was quietly playing with her fingers by my side.
So it was this kind of letter. Pursing my lips, I contemplated telling her I didn't want to read it anymore, but what was there to be scared of?
This was straight from her heart to a piece of paper.
Clearing my throat, I continued reading.
This particular line made my eyebrows knit. I didn't like the fact that she belittled herself like that. What she did that day was hands down stupid. But that didn't mean she was stupid. It was just an act. I guess for me it was a bit of 'hate the sin, not the sinner' kind of thing.
She was sorry, I knew she was. From the looks of it, she was as broken as I was during those lonely nights. It made me feel a tad bit better.
Who was she? She was the love of my life, that's who. Shaking my head, I read on.
'You're a strong man.' Did she really think that. A small smile cracked on my lips.
Quietly, I folded the paper and dropped it on her bedside table.
When I turned to sit back down, I saw her staring at me.
I could see how nervous she was, it was written on her face.
"Thank you for letting me read that." I said.
I could imagine how vulnerable it was, it was as though I was taking a peek of her heart.
Amelia nodded slowly, still looking at me.
"Baby, it's fine. We've gone past that, haven't we?" I asked, holding her face in my hand. She leaned into my touch, nodding once more. "W-we have."
"And for the record, you are mine. Yes you can call yourself that.
" I said, placing my forehead on hers. "Who knew you loved me this much?
" The number of times she wrote those words I love you was heartwarming.
Amelia sighed, "Of course I do, Evie. I love you, I choose you.
" She said. Her assertiveness pulled heat to my cheeks.
I chose her everyday.
"I love you as well, my dear Amelia."
She smiled.
We stayed like that for a minute, simply in each other's space. Opening my eyes, I pulled away still holding her chin. "You should eat before your food gets cold." I muttered. My little lady giggled. "I should. Would you like to eat with me?"
The timer for the cake began ringing.
"Okay, I have another surprise. Get your food, let's go to the dining." I told her, leaving first.
The scent of chocolate cake filled the room. Smiling proudly to myself, I wore the mittens, turning off the timer and the oven. The cake was ready.
I remembered the first time me and Amelia made something together, it was a confetti cake.
Now here I was, baking her a cake. I hoped I'd gotten the ingredients right.
Cooking was easier, baking on the other hand was more technical.
Opening the oven, the whiff of smoke escaped but was quickly sucked in by the heat extractor.
"Is that a cake?!" Amelia squealed as she stepped out of her room with her tray. "You baked a cake? Oh my!" She was giggling, running to my side. I took out the pan, dropping it on the counter.
"It looks so good!" She said to me, puffing my chest, I nodded.
"I'm no culinary genius like someone here. But I bet it tastes just as good." I teased, taking off the mittens. She giggled, nudging my sides. "And it's chocolate?" Amelia said, leaning in to observe the cake.
"It is. Abel told me of how you used to eat this during your birthday. And I remember you saying you usually ate this when you were sad or had a crowded mind."
"He did? Wait—you remember that?"
She'd said that the second time we met at the bakery.
"I guess I wanted you to have this with a happy memory. So you wouldn't have a sad memory attached to something you loved." I tried to explain. Hearing myself out loud, the reason was funny. But Amelia didn't think so because she gasped, turning to me with a sad smile.
"Really? Evie that's incredibly sweet. You're so thoughtful." She stretched her arms, wrapping them around me. "You're the sweetest ever." She croaked.
"Are you crying?"
"Yes...but it's tears of joy!" She sobbed, hugging me tighter.
Patting her head, I let her mutter incomprehensible words of how sweet I was. Darn, now she was going to make me cry. "You don't have to." Amelia looked up at me, pouting. She really was crying, the tears slipped down her glossy eyes. Chuckling, I gently wiped it off.
"Come in, let's put some candles on it."
Amelia's eyes widened "Candles?" She said, laughing. "Do you have any?"
"For your big day? Of course I bought some."
She gasped covering her mouth, "You didn't have to! When was the last time I blew candles out?" She asked herself as we walked towards the counter. While I got the candles out, she helped peel off the baking sheet from the cake, settling it on a plate. I cleaned the candles, making my way to her.
"Oh, it says twenty-one!" She squealed, clapping her hands.
I loved seeing her happy, just staring at her made my lips stretch in a smile.
Piercing the semi-hot cate, I got out my lighter from the cupboard. "Surprised?" It seemed like she wasn't expecting much today. As she told me, she simply wanted to spend her birthday with me. How adorable was that? Of course I was going to go the extra mile.
I lit up the candles.
"Happy birthday to you, make a wish."
She giggled, inching closer. "A wish...hmmm, okay." Clasping her hands together, she closed her eyes for a few seconds. Observing her, I felt myself smiling again. She was beautiful. So beautiful that I wondered how she fell for me.
"Done." She said.
Wanting to capture this moment, I brought out my phone and began recording. Amelia looked at the lens, covering her face after. "I haven't showered yet! No fair." She whined, wanting to hide from the camera but I kept angling it at her.
"Baby you look beautiful, come one; blow the candles out."
Pouting, she glared at me. "Fine." Walking to the cake once more, she lowered her head.
"I wish Evie and I get married some day.
" I wasn't sure if I was meant to hear that but her whisper was pretty audible to me and boy did my heart skip a bit.
No, it was palpating now. Clearing my throat, I narrowed my eyes.
Why was I so shy? Knowing she wanted the same as me lifted me to cloud nine.
Realising that I was still videoing, I zoomed in on her. Darn, so I caught that confession on camera? I might watch that sooner than I think. She blew out the candles, like a scene right out of a movie. Goodness, my woman was gorgeous.
"Let's dig in." She turned to me, a smirk on her lips. Did she know I heard that? Turning off my phone, I nodded. "Sure, let's dig in."
Ah, there's definitely no going back in this.
She's going to be my wife.