Scoring Hearts

9.

Logan

I woke up and realized the bed was cold, missing Gigi. "Darling, are you in the bathroom?" I called out. No response. I tried calling her phone, but there was still no answer. After texting her a few times and waiting for ten minutes, I decided to go out and search for her.

As I prepared to leave, grabbing my coat, keys, wallet, and phone, I opened the door and was pleasantly surprised to find Gigi standing there with two teas and two breakfasts.

She was on the phone with her sister because I heard her say "Bye Ella, I love you." She walked into the room, and I was able to calm down. "I assume you didn't read the note I left on the table?" she teased. "Well, no, I didn't. What's all this for?" I asked. "You think I wasn't going to buy you breakfast on your birthday?" she replied. "This is for me?" I asked, a smile forming on my face. "Happy Birthday, Logan! I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but here," she exclaimed. "I wouldn't want to celebrate my birthday with anyone else," I said.

We sat together, enjoying our meals, talking, and laughing like we always did. Suddenly, Gigi remembered we had plans with our families that day. She informed me, and I was more than happy about it. After showering and getting ready for the day, as we walked out the door, I stopped her and said, "Always remember how special you are to me."

An hour later, the families were gathering to meet each other. Both of us felt a mix of excitement and anxiety as we weren't sure how the families would react. Despite knowing our families well individually, the idea of them coming together was a bit nerve-wracking. Michael and Dianne warmly greeted us at the door, followed by Skye, Tyler, and Connor. Gigi's family was yet to arrive.

"Gigi dear, when is your family supposed to get here?" Dianne asked. "They are supposed to be arriving soon, Mrs. Parker," she replied. "Gigi, I have told you time and time again to call me Dianne," Dianne insisted. "Okay," Gigi said with a smile.

A couple of minutes later, two cars arrived. One carried Nanny, Pop, Auntie Kirsti, and Uncle Davie, while the other had Oliver, Donnie, and Shannon. Hugs and smiles were exchanged at the door, with Gigi giving extra-long hugs to her Nanny and Pop.

The families chatted for hours, and it seemed like they had been friends forever. They shared stories and laughs and got along so well that they forgot about their dinner reservations until Colin reminded us. Ella is always touring for modeling or traveling with Maeve, so we don't see them much, but they call Gigi every day. Excited and hungry, we headed to the restaurant.

At the dinner table, we ordered our food and continued sharing stories, even the most embarrassing ones from Gigi and my childhood. Unbeknownst to us, Nanny, Pop, Dianne, Michael, Shannon, and Donnie had a separate conversation about the young couple.

Nanny and Pop expressed, "Your boy has no idea how happy he makes that girl. We haven't seen her this happy in a long time. We just want to thank you for making him the way he is." Touched by the words, Dianne and Michael replied with tears in their eyes, "All we have ever wanted was for him to be happy, and it seems that Gigi does just that."

After having cake at the Parker's, everyone headed back to their hotels. Not wanting to be apart from Gigi for a night, I invited her to stay at my house for the rest of the two weeks. It was a gesture that had never been done before, as no girl had ever been deemed special enough until Gigi.