Bella

𝐬𝐢𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧

VALENTINA'S POV

I let out a low breath as I pulled in front of the one story vacation home.

With my Mom's permission, I had decided to bring Valerie out to a cabin that Mom had built a few years ago. Her and Mamma would come out here a few times a year whenever they wanted to get away for a while, or in other words, have time for themselves.

It was on the outskirts of the city and surrounded by lots of wildlife. It was only about two hours away from where we were usually located, so we weren't completely out of the state.

The area was peaceful and easily brought a smile to my face. Mamma and Mom had told Alex and I— well and even maybe sometimes Hayden, Mina, and Nolan— about some of their moments out here, of course leaving some details out.

I had planned this trip a few days before Christmas which was a pretty easy thing to do with the help of Mamma who had grew attached to Valerie.

The only difficult task was keeping it a secret from Valerie for so long because I was well aware of the pull she had on me, and I would've unknowingly spoiled everything I had planned.

As much as I would've loved to spent every moment at home with my family this Christmas, I figured that taking Valerie away somewhere more private for the both of us could be comforting.

I was aware that her birthday was nearing, so I took it upon myself to do something for her that would ease her nerves.

When I had called her earlier, she didn't seem in the best of moods.

As much as she tried to hide it, I heard the waver in her voice.

I wasn't going to allow whatever made her feel anything but happy today ruin her Christmas or our time here.

She deserves to be happy.

A smile softly tugged at my lips as I looked over at the snoring brunette.

Her lips were parted, allowing soft snores and mumbles to escape her mouth. She had reclined her seat back a little which gave her access to a more comfortable position. Her head was lazily lying on her shoulder that was covered by my jacket that I had handed her when noticing her slight shakes during our car ride here.

I contemplated on waking the brunette up from her deep slumber, but decided that it was best to let her rest.

She seemed like she needed it.

I let out a low breath and exited the car, making my way over to her side of the car.

I carefully lifted her up in my arms bridal style and walked her into the cabin room that we would be staying in.

After making her comfortable by turning on the heater and throwing a blanket over her I made my way back outside to gather our belongings from the trunk.

The only way that I could get the girl to not suspect where we were going was by already having a bag packed for her. Her bag was a mixture of clothing and items that she had left over at my house and a few shirts and hoodies of mine that I knew that she'd like.

We were going to either go to a nearby store or go back home to pick up a few things that I might've forgotten.

Though, I do doubt that the trip would be necessary considering that almost everything that belonged to her was left in my room.

I suppose she had extras at home.

Once everything was settled into the cabin, I went back out to cut the car off and collect my keys. In the midst of locking the car and walking back inside a call came through my phone.