I sat there staring at his blue eyes, mesmerizing as they were. There were candles everywhere, the scene was so nice. His hand was atop mine on the table as I stared at the young man I had started to develop feelings for, my husband...

The Previous Day

My dad had come to visit some days after my accident which was weeks ago and things have been better ever since. I was fit and back for work. I had decided to stay clear of Paloma and Parker's relationship.

Caleb had called and apologized. He was now back at the house but not yet at work. Ansel had told me they discussed but he didn't tell me what they discussed.

Oh, I and Ansel were now closer. We were like very good friends. We've told each other facts about ourselves, things I never thought I would tell him. He also told me how he and Jamie became so close, nice story by the way.

Talking about Jamie, he and May had been dropping by the house pretty much lately. I didn't want to ask why 'cause if they wanted me to know, they would have told me.

But curiosity got the better of me and I had asked Ansel one time but he hadn't told me anything. He just said it was nothing I should bother about.

I put the thought aside as I focused on my work. But yet another thought crept in, My birthday. It was tomorrow. I was pretty much excited about it.

Though, it would be the first birthday I wouldn't spend in my dad's house. The first birthday I would be having Brayden since I met him which was like a lot of years ago.

When I was done. I decided to visit Jessie and Caleb since I was driving. I parked and got my phone to send a text to Ansel

I'm going over to Caleb's place and might come back late. I texted before resuming driving.

After the whole accident stuff, Ansel and I had decided to set up this texting thing. If we were going somewhere before coming home we would text each other. And my location was always on and so was his.

Not like we were stalking or whatever but it was a way of being safe at least knowing where each other was.

After some driving, I arrived at the house. Before doing so I had stopped by the store to get tee shirts for the twins. I had promised them that when next I come to their house, I would bring something for them, Caleb and Jessie were okay with it.

The door opened and I met Leah.
"Aunt Ri Ri!!", she screamed and hugged my leg.
"Darling how are you?", I asked.
"I'm very fine."

"Good. Are your parents around?", I asked.
"Mum is, but Dad isn't, he said he had an appointment with the doctor.", she said as she shifted for me to come in.

"Guess what.", I said and then popped the little bags in her face making her giggle.
"What is this?", she asked as she peered into it.

When she brought it out she screamed and hugged me again. "Okay go show your brother and your mum.", I said and just then Jessie came down the stairs.

"I knew it could only be one person Leah would scream for like that.", she said.
"Mummy, mummy, see what Aunt Ri Ri got for us.", she said showing her mom the tee shirts.

"They're amazing, did you tell her thank you."
"Thank you.", she said to me
"Okay now go keep this upstairs quietly, your brother's asleep.", she said and Leah tiptoed away causing me to laugh.

"Thank you for that.", she said as she sat down.
"What can I say, I never forget my promises.", I said.

"You know tomorrow's my birthday don't forget.", I said
"You always remind me the day before your birthday about your birthday so I can never forget.", she said and we both laughed.
"See that as a tradition now.", I said.

We talked about some random things and before I knew it, it was dawn already. I bade her goodbye and left. I texted again that I was on my way back and he replied that he just got in.

I parked the car in the garage and went inside.
"I got your text.", he said as he came from the kitchen.
"Oh."
"Cecilia's almost done with dinner, you should freshen up quickly.", he said.
"Yeah sure.", I said as I climbed the stairs.

The rest of the night went well. The next day, Saturday. I was asleep when someone woke me up. I opened my eyes to see a small candle that was lit on a cupcake. I sat up and rubbed my eyes.

"Happy Birthday.", Ansel said. Everywhere was still dark.
"What is the time?", I asked as I looked around, moon light was streaming in from the gap between the curtains.

"It's midnight, June 7th, 2019.", he said. Just then my phone rang. I looked at the screen and the ID caller was May, yep. She also did the 'first person to wish you happy birthday thing.

"C'mon make a wish and blow out the candle.", he said and I did so. I thanked him and ate the cake.
I wanted to say something when he put his index finger on my lips and my eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Don't worry I'm not going to ask what you wished for cause I know if you tell me, it won't come true.", he said and I smiled

"I was gonna say that this is good. And that if you were the one who made this, then I know you have gifted hands.", I said and then finished the cake. He smiled and rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

"Oh. Well, I don't specialise in cake baking.", he said and laughed. The phone rang again. "Okay, I'll leave you to...."
"No no. I'll leave, plus I need to wash my hands.", I said and took the phone.

"Happy Birthday!!", she screamed into the phone.
"May do you have to scream, it's midnight.", I said.
"My best friend just turned older than me, I have to scream.", she said.
"Don't worry I'm already used to it.", I said.

"So, I'm sure I was the first to wish you."
"No. Ansel was, just minutes before you called."
"Urgh. Darn it, I'm sure he's gonna brag about it at the par...", she stopped.

"The what?", I asked as she didn't finish her statement.
"The....o..office.", she said and my eyebrows knotted in confusion.
"Why would he do that at his office.", I said.

"I'm just joking.", she said and laughed nervously. "Anyways, happy birthday, again. Long life and prosperity to you.", she said.
"Awnn, thanks.", I said.

We bade each other goodbye and ended the call. I walked back to the room. Ansel wasn't there. I plopped on the bed and sleep took me away.

I woke up hours later. I tidied up and came out of the bathroom with a towel on my body and another wrapped around my hair. I was checking my closet for decent clothing when Ansel came in.

"Riley I....", he stopped when he saw me. It took him some seconds before he talked again. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry I...", he turned around and wanted to leave.

"Wait, what do you want to say?", I asked but he didn't turn around
"Um, I..uh wanna take you out so....", he trailed off.
"Okay, I'll get ready.", I said and he closed the door.

I laughed a little at our situation and Ansel's behaviour. Normal couples would get heated up or would joke about being heated up when in that situation, but not us.

A part of me wanted him to come closer and probably.....No. I stopped the train of thought and continued my search for clothes.

I ended up with a long flowing gown. From the neck to the waist level was white, and from the waist to the end was deep blue. The sleeves were deep blue but were lacy and transparent. I fixed my hair into a high bun, and let some strands fall. I wore a white high heel. I did my make-up and after what felt like hours, I was done.

I looked at myself in the mirror. I did look good. Well, I only get this chance once a year, on my birthday.

I took a white purse which I put my phone inside. I stepped out and carefully went down the stairs. I came to see Ansel in a blue suit. Did he see my dress and then decide to wear the same colour suit?

He was on his phone when he turned around and stopped talking.
"I'll. ....uh I'll talk to you later.", he said and hung up.

"Did you purposely pick this suit 'cause it matched with my dress.", I said.
"Uh...I..uh..", he muttered and I rolled my eyes.
"Fine are you just gonna keep stammering, or are we gonna go somewhere.", I said as I rolled my eyes.

"It's just that you look so beautiful in that dress that I can't think of anything else.", he said and came closer putting his phone in his pocket. He held my hand and slowly brought it to his lips and pecked them.

My heart fluttered and my stomach did a funny dance.
"Shall we.", he said and I just nodded. He took my hand and we left.

He had decided to drive so it was just both of us in the car. A song had just finished and the person on the radio was now speaking.

"So where are we going?", I asked.
"It's a surprise.", he said giving me side glances.
"I'm starting to hate surprises.", I said.

"Oh don't. This surprise would be a very nice one.", he said. After a long time we arrived at an event hall, one I knew very well.

It was the same one I also celebrated my birthday every year. The people there knew me so well that they always kept this place booked for me on my birthday.

I gasped but then covered my mouth in shock. I didn't even think of this place since after my marriage.

"How did you...", I managed to say as I looked at the place.
"I made my enquiries.", he said. "Wait.", he said and quickly got down. He opened my door for me and held out his hand.

I took his hands and he helped me out and we headed into the hall. Everywhere was dark but then he cleared his throat and the lights all came on. It was kinda blinding.

"Surprise!!!!!!", they all screamed and I just smiled. I turned and everywhere there were people I knew. Dad, Theresa, Caleb and his family, Natalie, and Ansel's sisters. May, her mum and sister. The staff back at home, everyone was here, even Paloma and some other workers.

I turned to see Ansel standing beside me. "Did you plan this?", I asked him.
"With a little help, yeah.", he said and I traced his line of vision to May and Jamie.

Oh, that explains why they were always coming to the house. I excused myself and went over to talk to them, and that was how it started. I walked around thanking everyone who came. Laughing, reminiscing on some memories some people brought up. It was nice.

They had even planned some other activities. Dances, music, games. It was all in one party and it was so nice. After a long day, people started leaving. Now it was time to bade people.

The hall thinned out till it was four of us.
"And then there were four.", Jamie said as May finished talking to her mum and sister who left.

It was them, Ansel and I that were left. There were balloons and confetti all over the floor, it was hard to walk around without bursting them. Something Jamie found fun in doing.

"May, Jamie thanks for today it was pretty amazing.", I said.
"C'mon aren't you tired of thanking people.", May said.
"Yeah. Plus you've kinda done that all day.", Jamie said.

"And your party isn't even over yet.", she said with mischief in her tone as she looked at Ansel. I turned to look at him, what other thing had they planned?

////////

And that takes us to the beginning, I and Ansel eating with music playing. The song changed and he stood offering his hand for a dance.

I took it and we started dancing slowly.
"You good?", he asked as we continued swaying to the slow music.
"Yeah, just that today has been a long day. But it was worth it.", I said.

After a long pause, I looked up at him as we continue swaying.
"Thank you.", I said and he nodded.

We continued swaying and we ended up talking about the events of the day, the games, and the dances and we laughed together at all the fun events of today.

I looked up at him, my arms were still at his neck and his at my waist.

He circled his arms around my waist and slowly pulled me closer, till there was no space between us. His gaze dropped to my lips and I immediately knew what he wanted to do. I wanted to stop him but I also wanted to taste him, the latter won.

He leaned in till his lips met mine. The feeling was strange and exciting at the same time. I slowly parted my lips granting him access. Slowly, we kissed, our tongues finding their rhythm and moving at the same pace and a new passion burned inside me. A million butterflies danced around in my stomach as my heart did tons of flips.

I tugged at his hair and he deepened the kiss as his hands went up and down my back. We continued for some seconds until we both pulled apart to catch our breaths. He rested his forehead on mine and we remained like that.

Calm as I was, a million questions were in my head, the most obvious, what did this mean for us?

Finally! I have also been waiting for that. What are your views about the story so far?

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The Sparkling Authoress
Mis-A
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