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Three was the answer and he handed them to me. I peered in each one, then opened them in turn. A new shirt, my favourite cologne, and last of all, a watch. An expensive watch, by the looks of it. How on earth had he afforded that?
I took it out of the box. “Liam, you shouldn’t have.”
It was a square-faced analogue watch with a soft black leather strap. I put it on. It was gorgeous.
“I’ll save it for special occasions.” I told him. I’d hate to ruin it at work.
“No, I don’t want you to do that. I want you to wear it all the time. Life’s too short to save things.”
“Thank you, sweetheart. It’s…I’m kind of lost for words.”
He beamed at me. “I did good?”
“You did perfect. Now, close your eyes, and you can have yours.”
He squealed a little and clasped his hands. “I can’t breathe, I’m so excited!”
I started with the boring ones first and placed them in front of him. “Open your eyes.”
He gasped. “John, these are perfect!” He held the clothes to his face, rubbing the fabric on his smooth chin. “I love this T-shirt and these jeans. They’re fantastic.”
He unboxed the cologne and sprayed it in the air, closing his eyes and sniffing. “Mmm, my favourite.”
“I know. It’s why I bought it.”
“You bought way too much.” He leant forward and planted a quick kiss on my lips.
“Says the guy who bought me this watch.” I looked at it again, thrilled he’d been so thoughtful.
“One last gift and I need you to close your eyes again.”
I placed this one in his lap, took his hand, and ran it through the soft fur. “Open your eyes.”
His mouth fell open, and his eyes brimmed with tears as he cuddled the snow-white teddy bear to his chest.
I’d spotted it in an exclusive store that sold one-offs. No one would have another like it.
“I love it.” He launched himself at me. “He’s so soft, and I love this bow.”
Liam adored the colour purple, so it had seemed only fitting to have a purple velvet bow around the bear’s neck.
“It reminded me of you.” I said.
“Why?”
We’d moved back to the bed, and he was snuggled on my lap, the bear cuddled into him. He was already attached to him, just as I’d hoped.
“I don’t know. He was beautiful, soft, and drew my eye, much the way you’ve always done.”
“You didn’t like me at first. That first time Sam interviewed me. You hated me.”
“You’re wrong. I felt sorry for you at first, but the more I looked, the more I was attracted to you. I’ll admit you crossed my mind more than a few times. It’s all turned out for the best, though. Look at us now.” I couldn’t be happier.
“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I’m really happy you stopped by the shop. Oh, and at least now you don’t have to pay for a haircut.”
That was true at least.
We snuggled for a while before going back downstairs, and spent the remainder of the evening with friends, having a great time. Liam was more at ease with Mama and Pops, which was a good job, as the following evening was Aunt Sylvia’s seventieth birthday party.
