The Gift

Heart pumping. Anxiety. Muscles tighten. Goose bumps. Constricted breathing.

Dilated pupils. Sweating. Nervous. Worried. Adrenaline. Excitement.

Falling.

Physically. Mentally. Emotionally.

No one warns you when it happens. When it does, there’s no stopping it. Even if something cushions your fall, you still fell and the feeling is still there.

It wasn’t supposed to happen. It shouldn’t have felt so right. It should have hurt, but he was there and she was caught off guard.

Ami laid in Damian’s arms. Her head rested against him as he slept. She felt his chest rise and fall with every breath. He looked so peaceful laying there with the way his curls fell around his face. She was almost afraid to move, not wanting to disturb this moment she had with him, but the sun was peaking through the curtains and she needed to get on her way.

Carefully lifting herself away from his arms, she tried to slip, unnoticed, from his bed. “Running away from me already?” Damian's fingers brushed against her skin as she turned her head to meet his gaze. “It wasn’t that bad now, was it?” he reached for her wrist and gently pulled her towards him.

“Good morning to you too, sunshine.” Ami leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. “You already know it wasn’t. If it was I wouldn’t have stuck around all night.” She gave him a playful wink as she lifted her hand and brushed his hair away from his face. “I just have some errands I need to run. You looked so peaceful and I didn’t want to disturb your sleep.”

“Hardly, you can’t disturb the disturbed. You should know that by now,” he rolled over to his side and propped his head up on his hand. “What’s more important than me that has you leaving my bed so early?”

“It’s a surprise,” she toyed as slipped her heels back on. “Now go back to sleep, you’re never up this early.”

“And you are?” he raised an eyebrow. “How long do you lie awake next to me before I grace you with my charm each morning?”

“Long enough to gaze upon your perfect features,” she grabbed her jacket and headed towards his door, “and long enough to think about waking you the same way you put me to bed each night.”

“If you tried to wake me that way, I’m sure I would think I was still dreaming. Then you’ve never get me out of bed,” he watched as she twisted the knob on his door and started to take her first steps out. “Am I just supposed to lay here then as you do, whatever it is you’re doing?”

Ami turned her head towards him, “you know you can do whatever you like, sunshine. When have I ever stopped you from doing just that?” She gave him a smile, “I’ll be back shortly.”

He laid back down and watched as she closed the door behind her. Pondering for a moment before finally deciding to get up, he headed to the bathroom, turning on the shower faucet and waited for the water to heat up. He took his time, showering then shaving. Taking advantage of Ami being out, he quickly started to set up a surprise for her of his own.

He made his way to the closet, pulled out a perfectly wrapped present and set it on the bed. He then did what any man would do when they’re in love. Roses and candles, making a path from the entrance way leading into the bedroom. The set up was perfect and for her, he needed it to be. He heard the door handle start to turn, quickly made his way to the kitchen and waited.

Ami opened the door and saw the path of petals laid out before her. “Damian? Sunshine? What is all this?” A small smile spread across her face as she slowly followed the trail before her. “Damian?” she called out again for him but there was no answer still. “I swear if this ends up leading to the bedroom and I find you laying there bare again… well I wouldn’t mind it but this a bit much don’t you think?” Her eyes widen as she opened the bedroom and instead of seeing him, she saw the present he set on the bed.

“Go on, open it.” Damian appeared behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her gently on her neck.

She sighed when she felt him come up from behind her and even more so when she felt his lips on her skin. “What is all this for?” She turned around to face him and gave him a kiss herself.

“Do I really ever need a reason to spoil you?” He looked down at her a spotted a small package in her hand. “Oh? What do we have here?”

“This?” She held the package up to him. “Oh, nothing really. Just something I picked up while I was out.” She placed the package in his hand. “Well go on then open it!”

He laughed and took the package from her, “you first.” He gestured toward the bed and guided them both over to have a seat.

They sat down, each holding the gift the other gave and waited for one of them to start opening their present. A couple moments went by before they both set the gifts off to the side, unopened as they grasped each others hand. Gazing into each others eyes they were quiet for a moment, until Savill finally spoke up.

“Ami… I know I don’t say it as often I should but I do care for you. You know that I-”

“Would you just kiss me already?” Ami cut him off and embraced his lips with hers. It was soft but filled with warmth and passion. “I love you too Damian.” She held his gift out to him again, “Merry Christmas.”