The year had only just begun and it was already full of many experiences for Elle. She formally met Adam"s parents and she got to work on the production of her novel. Everyday brought new experiences with it, and one of them was her first anniversary.Elle had almost missed the date, with everything else going on, but as February approached she suddenly realized that it was fast approaching; the date she had first begun dating Adam.
He had done so much for her in that one single year. She was determined to pay him back for it all but was at a loss of what to do for him.
What gift could she give him that was special enough? What experience could be meaningful enough? Elle didn"t know. One other thing she didn"t know was that Adam was also keenly aware of the date that was fast approaching, and making his own preperations for the special day.
~~~
"Do you buy Jacob gifts?" Elle asked Abby one day, while they were having lunch together.
"What"s this?" Abby snorted. "Are you suddenly worried that I"m not treating him well?"
"It"s not like that. My one-year anniversary with Adam is coming up. I don"t know what to get him." Elle sighed.
"Oh that is a problem. What could a man, gifted by G.o.d, possibly want?"
"Stop that." Elle laughed.
"No I"m serious. He could have anything he wanted with a snap of his fingers. You have a real problem here, but luckily for you I know the answer."
Elle looked up with bright eyes. "You do?"
Abby nodded. "But you"ll have to pay a price for the information."
"What do you want?"
"You"ll pay for dinner the next time we go out?"
"Done." Elle agreed, dramatically shaking hands with Abby to seal the deal. "Now what can I give him?"
"You have to stop thinking of clothes or accessories. It"s your anniversary so you have to give him something that proves your love. Give him something that only you can give him."
"Something only I can give him?"
Abby nodded, leaning forward to whisper in Elle"s ear. She pulled back a minute later, laughing as she watched Elle"s face turn bright.
"I can"t do that." Elle said reluctantly.
Abby shrugged her shoulders. "It"s up to you, but I think it"s better than getting something boring like a tie or a watch."
Elle thought long and hard afterwards about Abby"s advice. After a lot of debating she finally built up her courage and decided she would do it; something that would prove her love. Something that turned Elle"s ears red just thinking about it.
Elle had very few arrangements to make on her end, and in the blink of an eye the day of their anniversary arrived.
Elle woke up groggily that morning. She closed her eyes, hoping to squeeze out at least one more minute of sleep, before suddenly recalling what day it was. She turned to Adam excitedly but the spot in the bed beside her was empty.
"Did he have to leave to work first?" Elle wondered as her hand gently ran along the cool sheets.
"You"re awake?" She heard Adam"s voice call. Elle turned and saw him standing in the doorway.
"I was hoping to make it back to bed before you woke up." He murmured as he crossed the room to her.
"Where were you?" Elle asked as he settled down on top of her and pressed a kiss to her head.
"Just a little errand to do." He said. "Should we get ready for work now?"
"Ah, sure."
Adam and Elle quickly washed up and got dressed before heading downstairs for breakfast. Elle stopped in her tracks as they approached the dinning room. On the table were pancakes, hot coffee, and a beautiful array of fresh fruits.
"You woke up early to make breakfast?"
"I did, but it"s not much." Adam said sheepishly. "Happy Anniversary."
"You remembered? I thought men were bad at things like that." Elle said with a light laugh.
"Of course I remember."
"Thank you." She said softly, turning around to give him a kiss. "Happy Anniversary."
After quickly enjoying their breakfast Adam drove both of them to work.
"I made dinner reservations so wait for me to pick you up tonight." Adam said as he dropped Elle off in front of Tae.
"You"re putting me to shame. You"ve prepared too much." Elle said with a shake of her head.
"For you there"s no such thing as too much." He said in return.
Elle struggled during work that day. She had her head in her hands, in silent debate with herself. Was what she prepared okay? Was it enough? Could she even go through with it? Elle didn"t know the answer and the evening arrived before she could find it.
Adam picked her up after work as promised. When they got to the restaurant Elle blinked up at the building in surprise.
"This is..."
"Do you remember?"
"Of course I do." Elle said with a warm smile. "This is where you brought me for dinner the night I accepted your confession."
"I thought it would be nice to come back again."
They went inside and a waitress led them to a private room. She waited to take their order before quietly leaving.
"You even got the same room?" Elle asked once she was gone.
"I didn"t know if you"d remember or not." Adam admitted. "Is it too cheesy?"
"Not at all. I"m happy you remembered."
Dinner went well. The food was good, the ambiance was romantic. Both Elle and Adam were able to put down their work stresses and enjoy a nice meal with happy conversation.
Once their meal was over they made their way back to the car arm in arm.
"Is it okay if we stay at my place tonight?" Elle asked.
"Of course."
The car ride felt painfully slow. Elle prayed that Adam couldn"t hear her pounding heart beat. Once they got to her condo Elle led Adam to the bedroom, which was decorated with dim lights and rose petals.
"This is what you prepared?" Adam asked with a laugh.
Elle"s face was flushed. "Is it wierd?"
"Not at all." Adam murmured, pressing a kiss to her neck. "It"s lovely."
He led her to the bed, but before he could go further Elle pushed him down onto it and drew away.
"Wait here a minute." She commanded. "I have one more thing for you."
"Oh? What is it?"
"Just wait here."
Elle hurried over to her walk-in closet. She stared at the scandolous piece of lengerie hanging in front of her and put her head in her hands. She hadn"t expected him to prepare this much, her gift was foolish in comparison. But it was what she prepared for him, to show him her love. It was something only she could give him. And so in the end she boldly changed and walked out of the closet.
As soon as she stepped back into the room Adam"s eyes hooded over, stalking her as she shyly walked towards him.
The look in his eyes melted her heart in an instant. It was worth every bit of embara.s.sment for that one look. That one look that expressed more then a thousand words could.
"Is it weird?" Elle asked softly.
"Not at all." He smiled mischievously, humor filled his eyes, and he began to laugh.
Elle was surprised, she didn"t know what to make of it. It was rare for her to hear his candid laughter, it sounded pleasing to her ears.
"It is weird right?" She said with a smile. "I could only think of this, to show you my love."
"It"s not weird at all. You look beautiful. I was just thinking that everytime I think I know you, you surprise me again. Dating you is never boring. Every day I fall more and more in love with you."
"Are you sure? Should I change?" Elle teased.
Adam grinned wider. "No." He said, pulling her into the bed with him. "Don"t you dare."
~~~
Afterwards Elle leaned against Adam"s chest, her fingers traced shapes against his skin.
"I"ll get to reuse my "present" right?" Adam murmured.
Elle laughed. "Only on special occasions." She teased.
"I actually have one more thing for you." Elle added after a moment. "I still wanted to get you a proper gift."
She reached into the side table and pulled out a small black box. "Here, open it."
Adam opened the box and was once again surprised by her gift.
"A key?" He asked. "What is it for?"
"It"s the key to your condo." Elle said, matter-of-factly.
"Your giving me a key to my own home?" Adam chuckled.
"Well I was supposed to give you the key to my place, but your place is nicer." Elle said, as if that explained everything.
"But I already have a key to your place as well."
"It"s meant to be a key to our home." Elle said softly. "I"m asking you to move in with me."
Adam looked at her with thoughtful eyes, and then back at the silver key.
"Is it a no?" She asked nervously.
"Of course not. If I had my way I would have locked you up long before now." Adam laughed lightly. "I was just thinking that despite all my careful preparation you beat me. You prepared the best gift."
"Which one of my two were better?" Elle asked proudly.
"Both. Both are the gift of you. I can"t compete with that."