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Will tapped a couple of the lights before stopping in front of her.
“Thank you,” he said, his voice was heavy with emotion. He cupped her jaw, brushing her hair back behind her ear and he kissed her lips, then each of her closed eyelids and nosebefore tugging her into his warm, crushing embrace. She used to fear his strength but now she reveled in it, feeling safe and secure and like there was nowhere she would rather be. She snuggled in, burying her nose in his sweatshirt and inhaling his mouthwatering scent.
“This is perfect. Thank you,” he said again. She pulled him over to the couch and pushed him down, handing him a mug of warm cocoa with mini marshmallows that had melted into a congealed tasty rainbow on top. Parfait immediately leapt onto his lap and Rebelle curled herself into his side, despite the glare from Parfait. Bryan tried to join in, attempting to get onto the couch and clearly believing he was much smaller than he was. He settled for half-on, half-off with his head in Rebelle’s lap.
They watched the lights twinkling, like a little family, Will playing with her hair, and she released a deep sigh of contentment, her eyes sliding closed.
I could stay here all day…That thought had her eyes springing open and she checked the time on her phone.
“You got somewhere else to be?” Will teased.
“There’s something else I wanted to show you,” she hedged, taking his empty mug from him and reaching across to wipe a bit of marshmallow from his top lip. His tongue poked out and licked her finger. “You’ve been spending too much time with Bryan,” she scolded, wiping her finger as he laughed.
“I have something for you too.” He moved a disgruntled Parfait and grabbed his car keys from the counter, disappearing outside. He came back moments later, bringing a slight winter chill along with a black box wrapped in a black satin bow.
“This is for you.” He placed the box on her lap and sat beside her.
“You didn’t need to get me anything,” she grumbled, feeling awkward about accepting gifts.
He rolled his eyes. “Don’t be a Scrooge.”
She pursed her lips but gave in, untying the bow and pulling the lid off the box. She gasped spotting the beautiful black rose inside.
“Oh my God, where did you get this?” she breathed, gently removing it and staring at it with awe. She brought it to her nose and inhaled the sweet scent deeply. Pinching the petals between her thumb and forefinger she marveled at the crushed velvet feel of them. The color left her speechless: as dark as a starless sky and stunning with its delicately furled petals.
“It’s dark, but soft and exquisite. Melancholy in its beauty. It’s breathtaking. Just like you,” he spoke softly.
Her heart twisted in her chest and tears sprang to her eyes at his words. This was how he saw her? No one had ever given her something so beautiful and thoughtful or used those words to describe her.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” she whispered, unable to take her eyes off it.
“This color isn’t natural in the wild. You have to have them dyed to get this level of black. I wanted one just for you, something special. I see how much you love the white ones outside, but this felt like it was more you.”
“You shouldn’t have. But I can’t deny how magnificent it is,” she whispered, like any sound would disturb the flower in her hands. She stroked the petals lovingly, hardly able to tear her gaze away.
“I didn’t realize you’d be quite so enamored, I’ll get you hundreds of them.”
She shook her head, the spell broken. “No way, I don’t need a hundred. This one is perfect, more than perfect.” She put the rose on the dressing table in her room and came back to the living room. “Thank you.”
For the first time ever he looked sheepish, his cheeks flushing and he shoved his hands into the pockets of his sweats, looking at the ground. “It was nothing.”
“No, it wasn’t,” she insisted, going up on tiptoes to kiss him. “Come on, we’re not finished yet.” She took his hand and led him out of the home and across to the shelter. He let her lead him, let her take charge and Bryan trotted dutifully behind them.
“What else have you got planned? You didn’t need to get me anything else, what you did inside was amazing. Best Christmas ever,” he enthused.
She swung the door to the shelter open. “Well, it’s not just for you. It’s for me too but most importantly, it’s for all of them.” She gestured towards the dogs.
“What do you mean?” he asked, but she went into the new office and reappeared, dragging two large boxes with her. They were overloaded with packages and some were in Christmas gift wrap.
“What is all this?” Will took the boxes from her and she allowed herself a moment to admire him picking up and putting down heavy objects again.
“So I was doing some social media research as to what other shelters do. Apparently you can set up wish lists connected to the website and share them. So I did. For cats and dogs, including toys, treats, food, blankets; and it turns out that people are very generous at Christmas.”
Will stared at her, his mouth open in what she hoped was amazement.
“Isn’t it cool?” she prompted when he said nothing.
“Cool? Fuck yeah, it’s cool but you…I’m so proud of you. I can’t believe I didn’t think of it!” he exclaimed.
