Delilah

26-So Old

It's Cole's twenty fourth birthday.

We already have plans to meet everyone at the night club near campus. 

The moment he walked through his apartment yesterday I tackled him to the ground. Yes can you believe I actually completely knocked him over?

It's all those imaginary weights I have been lifting. 

I tell him all about my finals and he tells me about what happened in California. 

Honestly I hope they get signed, I know it's their dream. Especially River as a song writer, that would be huge for him. 

The topic of Christmas came up too. Turns out Cal won't be able to make it for Christmas, it's sad but I understand. Cole suggested we just spend Christmas together. 

I know he doesn't really want to see his family. So when he suggested it just be us two I accepted. 

Jasmine has already left to go back home for the holidays, so I'll see her again when the second semester starts. She promised to bring me a Christmas present when she gets back. 

Knowing I need to start getting ready I go into my closet and grab the dress I made specially for tonight. 

It's an emerald green satin dress that comes down to just above my knee. It has very thin straps and a straight neckline. 

I am in love with it. I pair it with these beautiful green heels I found. Then I decide to curl my hair, after that I start on my makeup. 

Making sure my make up complements my dress I stare at myself in the mirror for what feels like forever. 

Then I grab my bag and head down stairs. I got a text from Cole letting me know he was waiting for me in his car. 

Once I sit down inside I turn to look at him. He's in a tight black t shirt and light wash blue jeans that I just know are hugging the right places. 

Oh gosh he looks amazing. 

"You look pretty baby." He says and I blush, "Happy birthday old man." I say leaning in to kiss him. 

He smiles into the kiss, "Old man?" He asks once we break apart. 

I nod, "It's ok I have a thing for older men." I tease and he rolls his eyes. 

His phone beeps and he looks at it. "The guys are there we better get going."

We see the guys sitting down at a table. 

Spencer is the first one to see us and he waves us over. His other arm draped around Georgie. Kai sits beside her and beside him is River. 

"Hey." I say as we approach. 

Everyone says 'Hey' back and River just nods. 

One day I will get a word out of him. A real one. Maybe a full sentence. 

"I ordered a round of shots." Kai announces as the man comes to the table placing the tray of shots down. 

Everyone grabs one and Kai holds his out, "To the birthday boy."

"To the birthday boy." Everyone says clinking the glasses together before downing the shot. 

I scrunch my nose up at the taste. 

Cole and I take a seat at the table and everyone dives into conversation. 

"Did you make your dress tonight?" Georgia asks and I nod. Cole smiles down at me, his hand intertwined with mine on my lap. 

"I know I wear this color a lot but it's one of my favorites." I say looking down at the dress. "Babe emerald green was made for you." She says. 

Everyone besides Cole and I are leaving early in the morning. They are all headed to visit their families for Christmas. Spencer invited Cole and I to car pool with everyone but we politely decline. 

I guess he didn't tell them he wasn't going home for the holidays.

After that Cole agrees to go dance with me. He continues to say he's not a dancer but that if I really wanted to he would go dance with me. 

The song starts and we dance to the music. I laugh at him about how he has no rhythm. He's a musician for Christs sake and he can't move his hips to save his life. 

"Here let me." I say grabbing him by the belt loops and tugging him up to me. Placing my hands on his hips I move them to the music. 

As he slowly gains the rhythm my hands start to climb higher until they are wrapped around his neck. 

His are now firmly planted on my waist. They fit so perfectly there, as if they belonged there all along.

He trips slightly as puts one hand on my back steading me so we don't fall. 

We laugh and make eye contact. His eyes boring into my own. He is so breathtaking.

 In that moment I just know. I am so madly in love with this man. 

"Are you ok?" He asks when he notices my wide grin across my face. I nod leaning up to kiss him, "Never better." because I love you. 

We keep dancing until eventually everyone calls it a night. 

As I buckle my seatbelt Cole turns to me, "Want me to take you back to your dorm?" I shake my head no, "Lets go back to your place." He smiles before starting his car. 

The ride to his apartment I think about how I will tell him. 

Should I just blurt it? Or maybe bring it into a conversation. 

I don't have any more time to deliberate because he's pulling up to the complex now. 

How did we get here so fast?

We walk inside his apartment, me leading the way. 

Halfway to the stairs I stop and turn around. 

"I love you." Ok so I am going with the blurting method I see. 

Cole freezes a few feet away from me. He just stares and I rock back and forth on my heels. 

I take a deep breath, here goes nothing.

"I love you and I am ready for you, all of you."