Page 83 of Late Nights

Not only did I want to spoil her for each month that marked an anniversary, but this was also a big milestone for me too. I’d never had a one-month anniversary before, and I was excited to celebrate it with her, to celebrate us.

“Go sit on the couch, and I’ll get your surprise,” I said, heading toward my room.

“You didn't have to get me anything,” she called out to me.

“I know I didn’t have to, but I wanted to,” I yelled back as I reached up in my closet and pulled the wrapped gift from the top shelf. I also grabbed the flowers I had snuck in here after I’d gotten home from work.

Stepping back into the living room, I joined her on the couch. “These are for you.” I handed her a bouquet of flowers, then handed her the box I’d wrapped.

She took the flowers, smiling as she took a second to smell them before placing them next to her on the couch. Taking the box from me, she began to unwrap the paper, revealing a plain black box. She slowly lifted the lid and let out a gasp.

“Cannon,” she breathed out. “It’s beautiful.”

She pulled out a white vase with gold filling in the cracks where it had once been broken. It had been made by using the Japanese practice of kintsugi she’d told me about so many weeks ago, where broken pieces of pottery were put back together using gold.

“I got it to represent me and you,” I said softly, hoping I could keep my emotions in check. “I was broken and then you came into my life and helped put me back together. You’re the beautiful and precious gold that fills in all the gaps, making me feel whole again.”

She looked from the vase to me, her eyes filling with tears. “It’s perfectly imperfect, and I love it.” She scooted closer and threw her arms around me.

I hugged her, letting her warmth seep into me. It was time. I’d been waiting until I was completely ready, waiting for the right moment.

I pulled back just enough so I could see her face. Tilting her chin up with my hand, I looked down at her, my eyes soaking up every inch of her.

“Demi,” I said, my voice getting thick. “I love you.”

A tear slipped free, sliding down her cheek. I caught it with my thumb, gently brushing it aside as she smiled up at me. “I love you too, Cannon.”

We kissed, both of us needing to feel an even deeper connection. Our mouths moved together, speaking a language all on their own, one only we knew, one that transported us to our own world where nothing else existed besides the two of us. And just like the kintsugi vase, we melded and fused together, becoming one.

---