Song: Us- Clara Mae

It feels weird having everyone stand around the table to sing Happy Birthday to me. However seeing and hearing Zayden singing along makes everything so much better. For some reason I can't remember my last few birthdays and I guess it's because I was trapped in a different world then. My mom is holding this huge round chocolate covered cake with so many candles. When I blow out the candles ...my wish already came true because he is standing right beside me. After having cake, my mom asks if I am ready for presents. I blush yet again because all eyes are on me. I open several presents before he hands me his.

"Awe...you didn't have to get me anything," I tell him. My cheeks start to heat up a little. 

"Yeah I did," he grins with this overwhelming smile.

I am a little nervous about opening it up. I carefully unwrap the long beautifully wrapped paper not wanting to rip it...it's wrapped in a red velvety bow. Inside is one long stem red rose. There is a little note that says 'too my love...happy birthday'. I was about to hug him when he hands me another gift.

"Seriously...another one...but..."

He cuts me off, "Just open it already." He says with a huge smile; this time showing off all his teeth. Now I am really nervous.

I unwrap the paper and there is a CD. On the cover is his handwriting and it says, 'Listen when you feel like your world is crumbling around you.' I look up at him puzzled. "What is this?"

"Song I downloaded...songs for you to listen to on days when it's just too much to handle...you know those days."

I do know those day and the things is, is that he knows those days. He knows me better than anyone and he gets me. He understands me and this is why I love him. My eyes start to tear up...but I hold them all in. "Awe...thank you so much." I stand up to hug him and when he pulls me in he whispers in my ear.

"I have something else...but I want to give it to you alone."

"Okay," I whisper back as I turn and kiss him softly on the lips.

When I let go of him everyone is looking at us. "What?" I wrinkle up my nose.

"Oh nothing," says my dad. He reaches in his pocket and hands me another gift. "Here's one more gift from your mom and me."

The box is a small rectangular box wrapped in glittery silver paper. Everyone is watching me...I guess they are dying to see my reaction. I gradually open the box thinking that something might jump out at me, like some kind of prank. However, inside is one single key on a keychain with my name in rainbow colors.

I take it out and examine  the key chain. "What is this?"

"It's yours...go look out front."

I jump up and hurriedly walk to the front door swinging it open to reveal a brand new Aqua blue Mini Cooper with a huge white bow attached to the front. You got to be kidding me. I look back at my parents excitedly and start jumping up and down like a seven year old. "Oh My Gosh!!!! Are you freaking serious...I love it...thank you....you guys are so awesome."

I run up to it and then open up the door to look inside and everything is spotless and so new. "I love it!" I squeal. I have been wanting my own car for over a year now and I just can't get over how pretty it is. 

Dad looks at me with a smile, "Only to school and back for not got it."

I quickly nod my head with excitement. "Ok! Can I take it down the road and back...please."

They look at each other before both nodding their heads in unison. "Sure...but you have to get your licenses."

"Yay!" I squeal again. I run inside to get my purse while everyone waits on me. When I get back down my dad hugs me again.

"Down the road and back ok." He smiles at me but gives Zayden this look as if I better do exactly what I am told or there will never be us doing anything together. 

"Yes sir...is it ok if Zayden goes with me?" I ask.

"Yes...but right back...and drive slow."

"Yes sir."

We both get in and I start up the beauty and turn her around in our driveway. I drive slowly down the drive, once out of sight and I am on the main road I hit the gas and fly down the road and the turn to come back. I pull into the drive way and stop the car putting it in park. I turn to look at him. I can't believe he is right here beside me. I can't believe this just happened.

"It's a nice car...you like it?" he asks.

"Yeah...it really awesome." I pause. I so can't believe after everything that has happened this year or even the past few years that this is actually even happening. I turn to look at him.  "But the best thing today is seeing you." I blush a little.

"Really now? I'm the best thing today, you sure it's not the car." He gestures to himself and then runs his hands against the shiny new dashboard. 

"Yes." I punch him in the arm.

"Ouch!" He yelps...while leaning over the middle part and I lean into him and we kiss...sparks actually fly around us.

"So...what else did you get me?" I dance around in my seat like a little girl. I really don't care for presents that much but since he said something earlier I just can't seem to get it off of my mind. 

He pulls something out of his jeans pocket and holds it in his hand.

"Come on...what is it?"

He turns to look at me and takes a deep breath. Ok so whatever it is must be something serious.

"OK...here it goes," he takes another breath. "I planned on doing this later...but now seems to be ok...since you just can't seem to wait." He laughs.

I look at him a little confused...please let this be good.

He stares into my eyes for a few seconds and then lets out all the air that he was holding in. "The day I saw you...that first day in the cafeteria you didn't notice me but I noticed you. You looked so fragile and lost and I couldn't wrap it around my mind why a girl like you was in a place like that. I seen many girls come and go in there but none ever compared to you. When I saw you in group therapy I was rude to you and I really didn't mean to be...I was an ass...I'm sorry. But in that moment...I knew you were mine. I didn't know how but I knew it would happen sooner or later."

I open my mouth about to say something and he puts his finger on my lips.

"Look...I come with a past...I am trying to get better. I told your parents that I would get completely cleaned out...I will never use or drink again as long as I am with you. And I know you have been through so much and I promised them that I would never touch you until you were ready."

He reaches for my hand again holding it firmly in his.

"I promised to follow all their rules just so that I can be with you. You are the only thing that really matters to me." He takes a very long deep breath. "Right now I want to promise you that I will be there for you when you're happy...when you're sad...when you just need someone. I promise that I will do everything in my power to make you happy. I might not be able to buy you everything that your heart desires...and I know I am going to mess up and make mistakes along the way but I promise I will never hurt you...not intentionally. I promise I will go out of my way to make everything better." His eyes start to tear up, so of course I start crying as well.

He uses his hand to wipe my tears that fall silently down my cheek. "God I love you."

He makes my heart melt. "I love you too."

He turns my hand over and then reveals a ring in his hand. Its silver with two hearts intertwined and one heart is lined with diamonds. Oh my...this can't be happening...this is way too soon...I can't...my thoughts over rule my head.

"I hope you like it...this is a symbol of our heart...together as one. This is a promise that I will wait for you. I will love you forever...so...will...you be my...girlfriend?"

"I thought I already was."

"You are." He turns a little red....awe he is totally blushing now.

"It's too soon to say fiancé and your parents would kill me...so I want you to be a little more than just a girlfriend...say you will be mine."

"Uhmmm...let me see..." I pretend to be thinking. Then I giggle, "You have always had me...of course I'll be yours."

We lean in at the same time breathing each other in right before we kiss. This kiss...this kiss...I'll never forget. I think I just got lost in his world and there is no returning.