Doux

Negen (nine)

Wilder's POV

Today is the day, the day when I ask Danaë to be my girlfriend. I'm completely terrified, but reminding myself that Danaë might be my girlfriend is keeping me from snapping and backing out. With the permission of both Danaë and Mrs. Jacobs, I have been teaching Danaë more about adult relationships and what things mean. So thankfully she understands what being a girlfriend and boyfriend is. Mrs. Jacobs knows about my plans to ask Danaë to be my girlfriend. She is actually in on the surprise! I've been setting up our date for the past hour, making sure everything is perfect.

All of the dogs are dressed in fancy collars with bowties and bows, even Merlin has her hair braided with bows entangled in them. Although the only animals coming with us are the dogs.  As soon as Mrs. Jacobs texts me telling me that I can come to pick her up, I'm rushing to my car with the dogs right behind

1 hour earlier
(Mias POV)

I'm freaking out! Mama says I have to get ready to go somewhere, but she won't tell me where I'm going. I don't understand why she won't tell me.

"Mam, wat is er aan de hand? Waarom vertel je me niet waar ik heen ga?" I ask her, practically begging her to tell me. 'Mama, what is going on? Why won't you tell me where I'm going?'

"Mijn liefste, ik was tot geheimhouding verplicht, maar maak je geen zorgen, het is niets ergs. Ga je aankleden en doe je haar." She shoves me into my bedroom and closes the door. 'My love, I was sworn to secrecy, but don't worry it's nothing bad. Go get dressed and do your hair.'

I skip over to my closet, humming a lullaby my mama used to sing to me. I hum it when I'm stressed. I search around my closet for an outfit, struggling to decide because I have no idea where I'm going. I finally decide on a pretty dress. 'I love wearing dresses.' I put it on and go over to my vanity to do my hair.

My hair is done and my anxiety is somewhat calmed down. I can still feel my heart beating a tiny bit erratically. I use one of the coping skills my therapist taught me. 'Ok, hum Mama's lullaby and count how many times it says 'sleep'.

Slaap kindje slaap,
daar buiten loopt een schaap.
Een schaap met witte voetjes,
die drinkt zijn melk zo zoetjes.
Slaap kindje slaap,
daar buiten loopt een schaap.

(Sleep, baby sleep,
Outside there walks a sheep,
A sheep with white feet,
Who drinks his milk so sweet,
Sleep, baby sleep,
Outside there walks a sheep.)

4 times.'

I was so lost in the calm state the lullaby lulled me into that I didn't hear someone walk in.

"Mijn liefste, Wilder will be here soon." She shakes me by my shoulders, snapping me out of it. 'My love'

I thank her and run downstairs to put my converse on. They were a gift from Mama for my 19th birthday.

Right when I'm tying my second shoelace, the doorbell rings. I shoot back, startled by the sudden noise. Although I am not quick to recover from shock, my mother is quick to push me into the kitchen.

"Mama waarom verstoppen we ons?" 'Mama why are we hiding?'

"Omdat je een ingang moet maken.  Ik zal de deur opendoen en jij blijft hier tot ik je roep." she leaves the kitchen and I hear the door opening. I also hear some muffled voices talking. 'Because you have to make an entrance.  I'll open the door and you'll stay here until I call you.'

I stand still, waiting until I hear my name being called. When my name is called I walk into the mudroom. My jaw hits the floor as I look at Wilder. He looks impossibly handsome. It's such a simple outfit that he's wearing, but he still looks as good as he would if he was wearing a suit. 'I wonder what he would look like in a suit?'

Wilder looks the same as what I assume I look like, with my jaw on the floor probably drooling. He is the first one to snap out of it and clears his throat.

"Hi little one, you look exquisite. Are you ready?" His voice snaps me out of my daze, the complement making my cheeks glow a rosy red.

"Y-yeah I'm ready." My first-word stammers, but I keep it under control for the rest of my sentence.

His eye contact never falters, not even when he gives me his hand. It only dissipates when we walk out the door, as my mother yells from inside the house.

"Keep her safe Wilder! Of als je dat niet doet, zal ik je levend villen!" Hehe, that's silly, Mama is very funny. 'Or if you don't I'll skin you alive!'

"What did she say?" He asks me when we get in the car.

"She s-said that she w-would skin y-you a-alive if you d-didn't keep me s-safe," I tell him, still giggling at her words.

His face pales like he is actually scared of Mama's threats. I bust out laughing at his face, he looks like a sheep in the headlights. 'Or is it a deer? Or maybe an antelope? Oh, these silly American sayings.'

Soon my laughter dies down and Wilder is starting his big trucklike car. We drive for a while and simply drive. But a weight on my thigh snaps me out of my calmed state. His hand is on my thigh! My cheeks once again become hot and red. His hand stayed on my thigh while we drive. I like it, it makes me feel protected.

AN: Well hello there! I'm back baby! Giving you a little cliffhanger for your patience.

All my love,

Emma