Torn

Chapter 9

It had been a long day of school and the only thing keeping me going was knowing I was going to meet Niall that night. He had been gone for several weeks touring the world but was coming home to me because it was six months today since the first time we met. Niall had promised that he would cook for me and we would watch my favorite movie. I was excited and couldn't wait to be in Niall's arms again. 

Later that night I arrived at his apartment. I knocked like crazy but no one opened. I tried the door and it was open. I walked in slowly calling Niall's name. When I stepped inside, I saw rose petals all over the floor. I followed the petals which led me into the kitchen. On the table was a dozen red roses with a note on them. The note said: "Go outside. Your ride is waiting."  I got butterflies in my stomach. This was so romantic and I hadn't seen it coming.

I obeyed the instruction in the note and went outside expecting a car to be "the ride". But outside was a helicopter. The pilot stepped out and gave me another note: "Let this take you to me, away from the cold and snow."  I climbed into the helicopter, more excited than ever.

Inside the helicopter was Lou, the boys' stylist. I tried to get her to tell me what was going on. She just blinked and gave me note number three.  "Let Lou style you. You can choose whichever dress you want." And at that moment another girl came in with twenty dresses, one more beautiful than the next, different colors and details.

After Lou had done my hair and makeup and I had chosen a perfect dress, the helicopter landed and I stepped out. There was a beautiful horse carriage waiting for me, covered with flowers. Inside the carriage was Niall, more handsome than ever in a black suit and with his mystical smile on his face. He stepped out and opened the door to the carriage for me. On my way in Niall kissed me on the hand and said: "Welcome, my princess."

After a while the carriage stopped and Niall and I stepped out. In front of us was an incredible beach. It had been getting late and the sky was black with just the stairs lighting up the night. On the beach there was a picnic set for us. We sat down and Niall kissed me on my forehead and then gave me another note.

"This is the last one", he said.

I opened it and read out loud: "Star Name Registration of a star named Ashley..." I stopped reading and my eyes teared up. I was so moved I could hardly get a word out. "Oh Niall..."

Niall stopped me by putting his finger on my lips. Then he moved his finger across the sky and stopped at one specific star. "That's your star, Ash, so wherever I am in the world, you can always look up at the sky and know that I'm there with you no matter how many miles away I am."  He kissed me gently and said: "Happy anniversary! I love you, Ashley!"

That was the first time anyone of us had said it. I looked into his eyes taking his hand in mine and said: "I love you more with every breath I take."