The Adventure of My Dreams {Colby Brock}

Eighty Eight

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

I groaned, brushing the hair away from my face as I dug my hand under my pillow to shut the alarm up that was blaring. Once it stopped I gave my eyes a second to adjust to the light and looked at my Lock Screen. It wasn't my alarm that was going off, I've been sleeping through phone calls.

The time was evident, I was late for the gift exchange. It was already 7 pm, and I was supposed to be there an hour ago. But if I'm going to be late, might as well make it fashionable.

But go figure me. My first time I get to sleep in my new bed, my first time getting to sleep without supervision... my power nap turns into a whole bedtime.

I pushed myself up from the bed and walked to my attached bathroom, turning the lights on and turning the hot water on for the shower to warm up.

While that was going, I went back into my bedroom to pick an outfit out from my closet. I picked out a red bodycon dress, a long black sweater — that had fur on the cuffs, and black heels. I set the items on the bed and grabbed a jewelry set, a ruby red earring and necklace set.

When that was finished, I went back into the bathroom and stripped out of my clothes, tossing them into the hamper. I stepped into the shower and submerged my body under the hot water, letting out a content sigh.

Fifteen minutes later I was stepping out of the shower, wrapping a towel around my hair, and one around my body. I walked to my bedroom as I worked on drying my body, and grabbed a black lace bra and thong and slipped it on. I hung my towel up on an empty hook and wrapped the one from my hair, hanging that up as well.

Since I was already running late, I decided to just dry my hair and let my natural curls flow tonight.  It took about ten to fifteen minutes, but my hair was dry. I got up from the seat of my vanity and began to get dressed.

I hated that I was going to be so late, surely they would understand. It was a long week. I also didn't know if things would be awkward between me and Jake.

I kept a more natural look, just throwing on some fake lashes, and a red lipstick.

Grabbing my clutch and my phone, I turned the lights off and closed my bedroom door behind me. I unlocked my phone and requested an Uber to Sam and Colby's house.

I only had to wait five minutes, which wasn't bad. They only lived about ten from me.

At least I would be there shortly.

I grabbed the box that held everyone's gifts and made my way outside to meet the Uber. He popped the trunk and I set the box inside, and closed the trunk. I got in the back of the car and buckled my seatbelt. We started the short journey.

Once arriving at the house, I thanked the driver and he popped the trunk open for me to grab the gifts. "Thanks again." I said and closed the trunk, walking through the gate to the front door. I set the box down for a second to push the front door open, grabbing the box, and walking inside.

"Hello?" I yelled out.

"Soph, is that you?" I heard Colby call out.

He then turned the corner and a huge smiled formed on his lips. "We we're starting to think you weren't coming."

I set the box down and walked over to him, as he pulled me into his embrace for a hug.

"I kinda, sorta slept a little too long." I admitted, looking up to him.

"It's okay. Jake and Tara just showed up a few minutes ago, so technically everyone is here now."

"How.. how do you think things will go with him?" I asked, tilting my head slightly.

"I'm not sure, but I don't think anything bad will happen." He flashed me a reassuring smile. "You look beautiful by the way. Merry Christmas, baby."

"Merry Christmas, my love." I smiled before leaning in and softly pressing my lips onto his.

He let out a soft hum against my lips and slowly kissed me back. The hand he had resting on the back of my neck, holding me closer to his body.

I slowly pulled back from the kiss and licked over my lips. "Before we're any later, we can celebrate later baby."

He nodded his head and reached down to grab the box of gifts and led the way to the living room.

"There she is!" Kat sing-sang. "Fashionably late as usual, but that's okay." She let out a laugh and pulled me in for a hug.

"A girl needed her beauty sleep, I promise it was an accident."

"C'mon, let's make you a drink." She grabbed my hand and pulled me into the kitchen. "Do you want your usual?" She asked. "Yes please."

I leaned up against the counter and watched Kat as she made my usual malibu and pineapple juice. Always a bigger alcohol ratio when Kat was bartending.

We went back to the living room and started the gift exchange. It took a decent bit of time because there was so many of us.

Sam stood up with his drink in hand.

"Guys, I just wanted to say thank you for coming out to Colby and I's annual Christmas gift exchange. You never know if you're gonna get something good.." Kat smiled and held up a box that contained earrings. "Or you may have gotten something for being naughty this year."

Corey pouted and held up a box that had coal in it. "No fair, Jake should've got this!" He whined.

"Anyways, I have one last gift to give tonight. This one is pretty special, and I wanted to make sure everyone was together for something so amazing."

"First, for you, Soph."

He walked over to me and handed me a small box. I was kind of confused for the whole introduction to this, but I shrugged it off. I pulled the ribbon wrapped around the box and opened the lid. It was a locket with Colby and I's initials, and the date we became official. Inside was a photo from us that night.

"That's so sweet, thank you Sammy."

"I'm glad you like it." He flashed a smile at me and handed a small box over to Colby. "Because I couldn't have done any of this without you, including today. If you told teenage me what would be going on in our futures, I would've though you were joking. But I couldn't be more thankful."

Colby opened the small box and inside was an all black lion ring custom made for Colby. I knew he had a smaller, cheaper one that he really loved, but it was becoming very worn out. So it was nice of Sam to get him a new one.

"I love it." Colby said as he slipped it on his finger. "Thanks brother." Sam nodded. "Anytime."

"Now for the actual final gift. Katrina..." she sat up with a grin plastered on her lips as she looked up so lovingly to her boyfriend. "I know we've spent quite a few holidays together, but this year I couldn't quite put my finger on what would be the one thing to stand out for you this year. Like each year, we always give each other one big gift. I have to admit, I was a little stumped."

He paused for a moment and licked over his lips. "I wanted to do something romantic, something different, something that could possibly top anything I could possibly ever think of... I wanted to create something from the heart, something special, something that was truly meant for just me and you. I wanted to take my time crafting the perfect gift, and now I think it's ready."

My jaw almost fell to the floor as we all watched Sam as he got down on one knee. I didn't look at anyone else, but I heard all of the surprised gasps. Frankly, I was surprised this was something he was able to even keep this from me being how close Kat and I have become.

"Kat, you have made me into a better man. You have given me some of the most memorable moments in my life, stories I'll tell for a lifetime, something I'll always cherish until I'm old and grey. There is nothing more than I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Katrina.

To build our future, get our first home, to build our careers even more, to build a family. There's nobody else I want beside me in this life, and I'm hoping you'll stick around for the ride."

Sam took his bottom lip between his teeth and pulled out a baby blue Tiffany box and opened it up, revealing the diamond ring that was inside.

"Katrina Stuart, will you marry me?"