Thanksgiving came and went.

This year was the best thanksgiving I've ever had.

Because not only Ben, but me too, had someone to bring home with us.

The vibe at home was just more lively than usual. Not that when it's just the three of us, we don't have fun. But the more the merrier, right?

My mom had a speech prepared, telling us how much she's thankful for us and the new two people that have entered our life. That she's thankful for our health and happiness.

I was slightly surprised when Luca said he wanted to say some words.

He had said he is grateful that he has met so many wonderful people this year after transferring universities. I almost cried when he took my hand and said he's most grateful that he got to know me and that he can call me his girlfriend.

Today, a week later, it's finally my birthday.

December second.

I'm finally twenty years old.

In the morning my momma, Sara, Victoria and moi had brunch together. Then I had dinner with mom and Benny. My mom gifted me a hundred dollars voucher to buy fabric. Benny gave me a kiss on the cheek and said that was his present for me. I knew he was just joking, because after my mother not so subtly pinched him, he pulled out a velvet box with some fancy earrings. He also gave me a mug that says 'I have the best big brother'. It is true most of the times, but he can be annoying as hell sometimes.

After dinner, I went back to my dorm room and was just planning on spending it in my bed. I have gotten no messages from Luca. Ever since our conversation about him not knowing when my birthday is, he hadn't brought it up again. I expect him to have asked Sara, but with every passing minute I got a little more sad that he still does not know that today is my birthday.

Yesterday, he sent me a text telling me he'll be spending the today with his family. And knowing that they mean a lot to him, I didn't mention my birthday.

Currently, I'm searching for a movie to watch with Sara. There are also two bottles of wine on my nightstand. I'm planning on drinking one to help me not think about that I'm hurt about Luca not even sending me a text throughout the day.

I know when he's spending the day at his parents' house; he doesn't get the chance to talk to me often. But he usually sends me a text here and there. So this is a little of out of his character.

"What do you think about The Exorcist?" I call out to Sara. I hear her footsteps nearing. "I can snuggle with you after." She is a little scared of horror movies, she only likes to watch them in broad daylight, or someone has to sleep next to her.

When she doesn't answer me, I look up. My breath catches in my lungs when I see that it's not Sara standing in the doorway.

It's Luca.

Holding the biggest bouquet of roses I've ever seen.

I'm too stunned to move or say anything, to even blink.

The only thought running through my mind is that he didn't forget my birthday.

He comes inside, sets the flowers on the foot of the bed. Then he takes my hand and lifts me to a standing position. Suddenly my body unfreezes and I throw my hands around his neck.

"Happy birthday, love."

My body shakes with the sob I let out. I didn't know how much it hurt that he didn't acknowledge me today at all. My birthday. The entire day, I kept telling myself that it's just a regular day, which it is. But my mom always made such a big day out of it—only toning it down as we got older—that I was hoping I'd at least spend some time with him.

"Oh, Bella..." He lifts my head from his neck and wipes away the tears that have fallen.

I let out a nervous chuckle, "I though you forgot my birthday."

He sits at the edge of the bed and pulls me down on his lap. "I knew you already had some plans today, and I wanted to surprise you."

"I'm just glad you're here." I lean down and kiss him.

Hmm, I've missed the taste of these lips.

"You were gonna watch The Exorcist?" He looks at my MacBook screen. The video is loaded up and ready for us to watch.

"Well, I though you were at your parents'." I shrug.

"I was in the morning." He tucks some of my hair behind my ear. "Good thing you're still clothed. I have a little surprise for you."

I beam down at him, "really? What is it?"

He chuckles and shakes his head. "It wouldn't be a surprise if I tell you, now would it?"

He looks handsome as ever in his hoodie and dark faded jeans. His hair is the longest it had been since I've met him. He can almost put it in a small, low pony.

"How did figure it out at last?" I pump my eyebrows. "Did you ask Sara?"

He moves his head from left to right, "I asked Jace."

I back away from him, surprised. They're friends, so I don't know why I'm lightly shocked. I would've thought he'd ask Sara, Alex or Ben. Not Jace.

"Why him?"

He shrugs, "I thought if I asked your brother, he'd put me in a headlock and tell me I'm a bad boyfriend for not knowing when you were born." Benny would definitely do that. "Besides, last week I saw him outside a lecture hall, you came up, so I asked him." He shrugs again.

"I came up?" I repeat slowly.

He grins and nods.

"In what context?" I'm intrigued what my ex fuck buddy and current boyfriend would talk about me.

He leans into my lips and murmurs, "it's a secret." He seals it with an earth shattering kiss.

When we break apart, he taps my bum and lifts me on my feet. "Put shoes on and bring your jacket."

We end up taking a walk on the beach. Now thinking about it, the beach is kind of like our place. We first said 'I love you' here, and we've had a lot of fun and memorable moments here.

When we reach the cave at the far end of the beach, I can see something glowing in the darkness. I give Luca a quizzical look, but he just tugs me forward.

When we reach the front of the cave, my palm flies to my mouth to stifle a gasp.

"Luca, this is amazing." I take forward and look around.

There's a blanket on the floor with a little cake and unlit candles sticking out. A little vase with a rose in it. There are different snacks, like cheese, olives and such. There's even a bottle of wine and two glasses. As I walk closer, I recognize it's the same brand we had at the hotel he took me to.

I look back at him; he has his hands in his front pockets with a soft smile on his lips. His dark coffee-colored eyes are glinting in the overshadowed cave. He removes his hands from his pockets in time to catch me when I jump on him.

I pepper kisses all over his face and neck. "Thank you, this is perfect."

"It's only part of my gift." He puts me back on my feet, takes my hand and pulls me down on the blanket.

He had my Polaroid camera hidden under the blanket. We end up taking a hundred pictures. Well, not a hundred, but close, I think.

Some of them are cute, while others are more flirty and dirty. In one picture he was palming my boob, so in retaliation, I cupped his semi-erection.

After a while he pulls a lighter from his pocket and lights the candles on the mini-cake.

He even sings me the whole happy birthday song. It's a good thing he has a pleasant voice.

"Make a wish, love." He holds the cake in front of me so I can blow the candles.

I shake my head, "no need. I already have everything I wish for." Giving him a kiss, so he knows that I'm talking about him, then I blow out the two candles.

My finger drags through the cake, scooping out icing. I hold it out to him and he licks my finger clean, while keeping our eyes locked. He even swirls his tongue around before releasing it from between his lips.

This is one of the best birthdays I've ever had. With spending time with my mom and Brother, my best friend. Now with my boyfriend. I can't think of a better way to spend my birthday.

"Okay, next stop. Let's go." He stands up a while later and extends his arm to me. I take it and follow him, but stop when he doesn't gather any of the stuff spread out.

"What about all of this?" I gesture to around the cave.

"Sara is dealing with it." He wraps his arm around my waist and we begin walking.

So Sara was on to this. This is why she hadn't mentioned him today at all. Normally she'd ask about him, or if I have plans with him.

I literally have both of my arms wrapped around his middle while walking, with my head resting on his chest. There's a permanent smile etched on my lips.

Letting out a content sigh, I close my eyes, letting him lead me.

Then we stop.

I look up at him, he already has his eyes on me. He pulls me so I'm standing in front of him. Then he rakes a nervous hand through his hair. And because I can't stop myself, I comb my fingers through his soft curls. He smiles and reaches in his back pocket, pulling out a little velvet pouch.

"I was going to give you this at Christmas, but I can't wait any longer."

He puts his thumb and pointer finger in the little pouch and he pulls out a-

A ring.

"Luca..." I look up at him, unsure of what is happening.

"This is a promise ring." He laughs nervously and bites the corner of his lower lip. He puts the pouch back in his back pocket and takes both my hands in his. "In the short amount I've known you, you've made me fall in love with you. I've never been more sure about anything in my life." He holds the back of my neck, his fingers getting lost in my hair. "I want to give you this ring as a token that I will always love you. And I promise I'll never let you forget it. I'm going to make sure I say it enough. And I'm going to show you how much I love you with my actions."

I didn't notice I was silently crying until his thumb sweeps the tears from my cheek.

"I promise I'll always do my best to make you the happiest ever. I promise that I'll spend the rest of my life with you, no matter what life throws at us."

He cups both my cheeks. "I love you so fucking much. I love you more than I love myself." He chuckles, "I didn't even know that was possible, but you proved me wrong."

My vision has gone blurry with tears. My heart is thumping so wildly in my chest I have to put a hand there, afraid it's going to jump out.

"Luca," That's all that can come out of my mouth. I'm literally speechless.

He gives a lingering kiss to my forehead, then my lips. When he pulls back, I see his eyes are glistening too.

When he puts the ring on my ring finger on my left hand, I finally get a chance to look at it.

It's two thin gold bands wrapped around each other to form an infinity symbol. There's a small diamond on the top.

"Luca," I choke out.

He pecks my lips then every knuckles on both hands.

After clearing my throat, I finally manage to speak, "Luca, I love you so much." My arms around him pull him closer to me. "I-I... I don't know what to say." I lift my hand to look at the ring.

He knows I rarely wear silver jewelry, so he got me a gold ring to match.

"Oh wait, take it off." He says and I frown.

"Hell, no! I'm never taking it off." I shake my head.

"Then you can't see what's engraved." His perfect teeth press into his lip, hiding his smile.

I remove the ring and a new set of tears escape.

Mi amore.

These two words are engraved on the back of the ring, in cursive.

I throw my arms around him and squeeze him a little too much. He spins a couple of times around and I let out a squeal.

The beach is now really our place.

Now I'm for sure having our wedding on the beach.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A/N:
This is what the promise ring looks like.