Four years later

I leave the store, thanking the lady. I look at the bouquet of white orchids, smiling. I arrive at the bakery, paying for the order I ordered before stopping by the coffee shop for a coffee and chocolate.

I enter the building, pulling out my keys as best I can. I close the door carefully, standing still for a few seconds, making sure there's no noise in the apartment.

I smile and walk to the kitchen, pulling out a tray, putting out the chocolate croissants, and putting the hot chocolate in her favorite mug, which is of the face of a famous statue, according to her.

I put the bouquet of flowers on the tray, walking to our room.

I open the door, smiling at the sight of her naked back.

The curtains barely let the sunshine in.

I smile at the sight of the white sheets, her blonde hair covering the pillows.

I leave the tray on the desk, moving closer to her.

Ava stirs as she feels my kisses down her spine.

She giggles a little, rolling over, not caring that her breasts are exposed. I laugh softly, covering her body with the sheet, so as not to distract me prematurely.

I press my lips to hers, breaking away, smiling at the sight of her closed eyes and the beautiful smile on her face.

"Happy birthday, Ava." Her eyes widen at my words. Her blue eyes sparkle.

Her arms catch my neck, pulling me to her.

My body falls over hers, only my clothes and the sheets separate her naked body from mine.

Her lips meet mine, and her dozing tongue fiddles with mine.

Ava parted her face, looking up at me with her lazy eyes.

"Good morning." I smile at her words, kissing her lips before pulling away from her, rising from the bed.

She groans, sitting up in bed, her mouth falls open at the sight of me standing in front of her.

With the tray in my hands.

Her beautiful laughter fills the room, I sit up on the bed, placing the tray on the bed.

"When did you have time for all this?" she says, acknowledging the croissants from her favorite pastry shop and the chocolate from the coffee shop she frequents daily.

I shrug, pressing my lips to hers once more, like a fucking drug to my body.

"Do you feel different?" I ask, curious.

Ava laughs, moving closer to the food.

"Should I feel different?" she asks, not taking her smile off her face.

I shrug.

"Twenty-two is a big year." I say, and she laughs.

Her hand is placed on my cheek, I close my eyes at the touch.

Her face comes close to mine, but she doesn't bring our lips together.

"I love you so much, Ian." Her words make my eyes widen.

I smile at her, unaccustomed to those words she says so infrequently.

Words she hadn't said until recently.

"That's good to know, in any case, I wouldn't stop loving you." I say receiving a laugh from her.

Ava brings our lips together one more time before watching, smelling the flowers and taking a bite of one of the croissants.

I hear the sound of the shower. I leave the room, buttoning my sweater before walking to the kitchen, pulling out the wine glasses and the wooden board.

I pulled out the cheeses and hams that Ava bought yesterday.

I walk to the small bar, looking for the wine Ava likes.

I open the door to the terrace, letting the breeze into the room.

The shower noise stops just as the doorbell rings.

I thank the delivery man, and then I put all the food he's brought on the kitchen island, opening the packages and putting them on the plates Ava bought for today.

I hear the door to the room open.

My mouth drops open at the sight of her. Ava has put on a white dress that covers her body like a second skin.

Her cheeks flush at my gaze.

"I think we can still cancel." I say, running my gaze down her body. Ava giggles, walking towards me, standing on her tiptoes to try to reach my lips.

I bend down, laughing, pressing our lips together. I put my hands on her waist, pulling her closer to me.

I groan as the doorbell rings once more.

Ava giggles, kissing my nose before walking towards the door.

I stand fixing the food, listening to the shouts of happiness.

I turn as I see the redhead walk in. Luna pounces on me, I laugh, welcoming her hug.

Luna breaks away, looking me up and down.

"Is it possible you've grown so much in such a short time?"

"You're the one who's shrunk." I whine as she hits me.

Luna laughs, running to the terrace, seeing the view of our very small Parisian apartment.

I turn when I hear voices. Oli is walking behind Ava.

Ava smiles nervously, I laugh as I see Oli is red.

I smile at the sight of them. After the bombshell about his father Oli took almost three years to take distance from Ava, wanting to heal all he had to heal, Ava hadn't insisted on getting too close.

It was just over a year ago that we both moved here, having traveled many places before.

Ava wanted to go back to school, to pursue a career combining international relations with art.

Paris sounded like a crazy idea, but one that we made work. Although the apartment is the smallest we've ever lived in, we both managed to fit in quite well, never complaining about the small space between us.

Ava was so surprised when Oli accepted one of our invitations a year ago, just for my birthday.

Luna and Oli traveled from Spain to France for it, although the siblings have started to have more contact, until today they have been able to visit us again.

"Oliver." my smile grows at the sight of my blond best friend, Oli smiles back, coming up to me to hug me.

"Asher told me he'll be here soon," he says and I nod, pointing to the small room to settle in.

Ava has moved closer to Luna, both of them looking out at the scenery and hugging.

The doorbell rings once more, I rush to open the door smiling at the sight of Ava's grandfather.

In his hands, he brings his granddaughter's chocolate cake.

"Welcome." I say, grabbing the cake, stepping aside so he can come in.

Ava smiles at the sight of her grandfather, running into his arms.

"Oliver, this is my grandfather." Oli smiles nervously, like he's meeting Luna's father, which wasn't very nice to see either.

I laugh as Ava's grandfather hugs Oliver. They both laugh and start to get to know each other.

Asher soon shows up, introducing us to his girlfriend of two years, a Scottish girl who has a funny accent. Silas also joins us for lunch.

When Ava and I arrived at our first destination, after the thirteen hours when we both confessed everything we knew, Ava was dying to meet the famous Silas.

The boy was able to visit us a few months after that, when we managed to find our first house near Portugal.

Since then, and to my misfortune, the two of them talk so much on a daily basis that they sometimes manage to team up against me.

The eight of us sit around the table, eating and drinking, celebrating Ava's birthday.

I smile, seeing my friends and my family, sharing a table after so long.

I smile at Ava, seeing how happy she is to have us all by her side.

"A toast." I say, clinking my glass. "To Ava, to the light she brought into our lives, to the first impression she made on us and the last." I say, making everyone laugh. "To your life, here's to many more years and to our future child."

The sound of surprise fills the place. All eyes go to Ava, but her surprised face is the same as everyone else.

A small bark fills the place.

Ava stands with her hands over her mouth.

"Not true." I smile, and I walk into the room, pushing the little puppy with a ribbon on his head.

The puppy runs, unable to stop in time, bumping into the foot of a chair.

The puppy barks, wanting to run again, but Ava scoops him up in her arms.

Tears stream down her cheeks.

Everyone has risen to admire the newest member of the family.

Ava runs to me, pressing our lips together. Her mouth opens, but the tears keep her from speaking.

I smile, hugging her while still holding the puppy in her hands.

"I love you, Ava, since the day you collided with Asher, and I will until my body disappears from this earth."

Ava sobs, laughing, as she remembers the first day of school.

Our lips meet, and everyone celebrates.

The night ends amidst tears, confessions, memories and lots of cuddles for the puppy. 

Ian's Outfit

Ava's Bday Outfit