Beautifully Awake

This man amazed me. I didn’t need anything material; he was my gift. Everything I’d ever want in this lifetime was lying beside me. Another eighty years together wouldn’t be enough. Nothing other than eternity would suffice.

“I love you. Chase, this is stunning and already the best birthday ever. And it’s only two minutes in, thank you.” My lips brushed his to send the message home.

“Baby, open the box.” I was a bit taken aback. I thought the gorgeous jewelry box was the gift, but I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised. I lifted the glass lid. Sparkles danced like raindrops lighting up the room and my smile, which in turn, illuminated Chase’s smile. But it wasn’t the diamonds in the bracelet that stole my breath away; it was the ocean blue stones that separated the diamonds. They were all translucent shades that could not be replicated. Each as smooth as glass.

“Sea glass?” I whispered, enamored.

“Doesn’t even come close to the real thing, but I wanted you to see a glimmer of what I see when I look in your eyes, Blue. Color and sparkle, baby. You are beautiful...” His fingertips grazed my cheeks. “I want to spend forever awake, staring into your eyes.”

There were no words to describe the tidal wave of emotion crashing down upon me. None. Why even try? I felt so cherished and adored, truly and utterly loved. He loved me.

He secured the stunning bracelet on my wrist. A small silver charm dangled from the clasp. The inscription stole my heart: beautifully awake.

For the past three years, fear of waking back up to life terrified me. Sleep-running had been my safe haven. My time to heal. Now the thought of being anywhere else but living in the moment, feeling everything life had to throw at me was unimaginable. Different circumstances had put us to sleep, but together we fought that battle. Finding each other and winning the fight woke us both up.

“Forever,” I said. Forever was my answer. I didn’t cry. I smiled. No more tears. Not even happy tears. Not tonight. Tonight, I needed to share forever with the man I loved. My happily ever after, even if it took all night long.

I woke up to a gorgeous hydrangea flower arrangement from my dad and Sharon and several texts from the girls at the hospital wishing me a happy birthday. Guy even remembered, with a Happy birthday, doll. Let’s not forget the massive white box at the bottom of our bed. Of course Chase downplayed the seriously kickass designer dress and even more kickass shoes when I insisted my bracelet and jewelry box were already too much.

“Baby, this way we’re not rushed later; saves time, and you won’t have to go back to your apartment to change for dinner.” One day I’d throw his ludicrous argument back at him, but not today. Hell, no. Not today. He got away with whatever he wanted today. Today I said thank you and then showed him just how thankful I was. Happy freaking Birthday to me!

We spent the better part of the morning and most of the afternoon taking in the sights. Even though I’d lived here a while, I’d only done the touristy loop once with Sierra the week I moved here. Her attempt at distraction. Needless to say, my frame of mind at the time was questionable at best, so today it was all pretty new to me. Dad and Sharon had never been, and surprisingly Dr. Worldly said it had been years— whatever that meant, but I appreciated his enthusiasm. Yet another thank you I looked forward to showing, or should I have said, sharing.

The sports challenge at the Franklin Institute could have kept my dad entertained all day. I gave Chase some serious credit when he stood next to my dad, studying the physics of athletes via virtual reality versus heading downstairs to explore the science geek’s dream through the giant heart situation. It was obvious he had maxed out on brownie points last night alone, so the sex credits were exponentially increasing by the second. As long as I was spending the day with the three of them I had no opinion.

Sharon finally persuaded her husband to leave since she needed to hang out with Rocky, even if he was at the bottom of the steps. Several pictures with the bronze statue later, we eventually climbed the infamous steps and enjoyed the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The ridiculous smirk on Chase’s face told me he was replaying our last museum experience just like I was. Talk about taboo with your dad by your side. I couldn’t even look in Chase’s direction without blushing ten shades of crimson. We had sex in a planetarium, for god’s sake. And hell if he didn’t love how embarrassed I was about it. His grin was priceless. I’d give him a repeat performance in a heartbeat, just not with my dad in the building, or the several hundred other people meandering about.

After the museum stop, we grabbed a late lunch at an outdoor cafe. Chase sensed I was dragging and suggested we head our separate ways to relax before dinner. Neither one of us had gotten a lot of sleep lately, and a nap was calling our names.

I laid down on the couch and my eyes involuntarily closed. Chase sat at the other end and pulled my feet onto his lap, gently massaging my arches. I sunk deeper into the couch.

“Having a nice birthday, baby?”

“Best ever. Thanks so much for today. You know, hanging with my dad, doing the sports thing.”

“First, stop thanking me. Your dad is a great guy and I enjoy his company. Even if I didn’t, know I’d do just about anything to put that shit-eating grin on your face. And for the record, I love sports. Been an athlete my whole life.”

No shit, Sherlock, seen you naked. I kept that quiet for obvious reasons.

“Mmm,” I mumbled, keeping my sassy comments to myself. My body was succumbing to sleep.

“Sleep, beautiful.”

I heard the television flip on. Sports Center. He was too much. I smirked and rolled my eyes under my lids before I drifted into a restful sleep.

Twenty minutes or two hours later, I had no idea…

“Blue, you want to take a shower before dinner?” Chase sat on the edge of the couch caressing my arm.

“Mmm. Was I asleep long?”

“Try a coma, baby ... a bomb could have gone off and I don’t think you would have woken up.”

“I was tired,” I stretched and sat up, “but I feel great now. Quick shower sounds good. Do I have time?” I still had no idea what our dinner plans entailed.

“Yes. Come, let’s shower.”

Mmm, even better.

I glanced at the TV getting up and saw Sports Center was still on. “How’s ESPN? Did I miss anything?” I smirked, feeling sassy again. I could have counted on one hand how many times he had watched Sports Center, or TV in general, actually.

Dressed in my new Nanette Lepore sundress and my new Jimmy Choo silver cork wedge slides, I walked from Chase’s bedroom. The dress was a lovely mint lace with a sweet perforated texture. Delicate pleats added a hint of volume to the bodice and skirt before falling to a perfect mid-thigh scalloped hem. My diamond and blue sea glass bracelet hung loosely around my wrist, complementing my dress. Chase had sick taste. Lucky me.

Chase turned his head from the window when I padded down the short hall. “Blue, you look gorgeous.” With his hands snaked in his pockets, Chase stood by the window in his signature stance. He was gorgeous in his low- slung grey pants and simple un-tucked white button down. With his sleeves rolled halfway, the contrast of the stark white against his bronzed skin was gloriously sexy.

“Chase, what are you trying to do to me?”

That wicked suggestive grin slowly crept up his cheeks.

“What? You’re the one who is killing me.” He closed our gap. “Baby, this dress is stunning, and your bracelet looks beautiful with it.”

“Someone I know has amazing taste.” I twirled around and smiled.

“If we don’t leave now the only thing I’m tasting is you,” he growled, causing everything in my lower region to tingle.

“Feed me first, then I’m yours to do whatever you like. Let’s go, I’m starving.”

“Anything for my birthday girl.”

Why was I not shocked when we pulled up in front of my favorite sushi restaurant? And why was I not surprised when I walked in and realized Chase had rented the entire restaurant just for me and my closest