Adam and Elle stood in the cover of darkness for a silent moment. Elle eventually broke the silence."I have something for you." She said shyly as she reached into her pocket. "It"s not much, I bought it on a whim, but I wanted to get you something to thank you for everything you"ve done for me."
Adam was stunned for a moment, but then reached out to take the small box from her. He hadn"t expected to receive a gift from Elle. He was surprised, but also secretly pleased.
Adam carefully undid the ribbon and opened the box. Inside were a pair of gunmetal cufflinks with some sort of symbol engraved into them.
"It"s supposed to be a symbol for good health." Elle said faintly.
"Thank you." Adam said, carefully putting the links back into their box. "It"s funny, I came over because I have a gift to pa.s.s on to you as well."
"Really?" Elle asked. Just like Adam, she was surprised but also secretly pleased, even if she wouldn"t admit to it.
Adam took out the slim velvet box from his pocket and handed it to her. "It isn"t much. Not nearly as thoughtful as the gift you got me."
Elle gingerly opened the box. Inside, resting on a bed of black satin, laid a necklace. It was a thin and delicate chain made out of white gold, with a small bluebird charm hanging from it. The bluebird was made out of the same greyish blue diamonds that Elle had worn in her necklace at MK"s event last month. She recognized the stone in an instant.
"It"s beautiful." She breathed, captivated by its simple elegance.
"The sales for the recent line were better than expected. It was so successful that MK decided to have a second round of production." Adam explained. "Of course the jewellery you wore that night was a hot topic for weeks. It was decided that we would create an additional limited edition piece out of the same stones you wore and add it to the collection. The necklace won"t be released until the new year, but production finished the other day. There are only ten of these necklaces in existence, and this one is for you."
"Is it really okay for me to accept?" Elle asked hesitantly. Adam acted so nonchalantly about it but a limited edition MK piece like this must cost hundreds of dollars.
"Of course it is. It was only created because of you."
Elle glanced back down at the necklace, her finger gently running over the little bluebird. Perhaps it was fate, or perhaps it was just coincidence, but Elle suddenly realized that the blue diamond matched her dress that evening perfectly.
"Will you help me put it on?" She asked. Elle hadn"t worn a necklace that night. It was as if she had somehow unconsciously kept her neck bare for Adam"s gift.
"Of course." Adam took the necklace from it"s box and draped it around Elle"s neck. He then carefully secured the clasp.
While he gently put the necklace on for her, Elle was overcome by how lovely this moment was. It was as if she had a sudden epiphany. Elle looked up at the bright stars, sparkling in the sky, and at the snow softly falling, glittering under the lights. The m.u.f.fled sound of the piano could be heard from inside the house, filling the silence.
In front of her stood a handsome man. His gentle eyes held hers and she couldn"t seem to look away from him. In that one moment everything, everything in the entire world, was perfect.
"It"s cold." Adam said gently, taking a step towards her.
"It is." Elle said.
"You should go back inside."
"I should." Elle breathed, but she didn"t move.
Adam took another step forwards. Elle could feel her heartbeat pounding in her chest. Adam was so close that Elle could feel the warmth radiating from him. His fingers brushed against hers ever so slightly, sending a jolt of electricity through her body.
Elle instinctively closed her eyes. She didn"t see, but she could feel the soft brush of his lips against her skin as Adam pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"Merry Christmas Elle Shaw." He murmured.
"Merry Christmas." She whispered.
The stood in silence for a moment longer before Adam finally took a step back towards his car.
"You"re going to freeze out here. Go back inside quickly."
"Okay. Drive home safe."
"I will."
Elle hesitated for a moment before turning around and heading back inside. Adam watched her go before getting into his car. He sat there for a long moment before finally heading back home. He couldn"t seem to wipe the smile from his face.
Elle entered the house back through the way she came. The party was still in full swing but no one noticed as she quietly re-entered the house. Elle was too distracted to notice any of them either.
Her nose was red, and her fingers and toes were numb from the cold, yet Elle didn"t feel cold at all. Her entire body felt light and full of warmth.
Elle turned around to look back outside the gla.s.s door. The world outside was silent and still. Her entire world was just shaken up, but everything looked exactly as it had earlier tonight. It was as if nothing had happened. The only difference was that the glistening blanket of snow now had her footsteps ruining it.
For the rest of the evening Elle couldn"t stop smiling. A huge, silly, grin was painted on her face. It was the best Christmas ever.