Saving Aliyah

36

-Alastair Diaz-
*2 years later*

It was Aliyah's birthday, May sixth, she was turning twenty, and I had everything planned out already.

But it needed to be done at a specific time. She was getting ready right now, as I was doing to same, I just didn't know how long she would need before she was done.

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When she came downstairs she looked perfect, as always. Aliyah walks over to me "Hi, muffin" she smiles "Hey, sweetheart." I say before kissing the top of her head, she smiled  at me "So, what are we doing today?" She asks me "You'll see." I say

Aliyah glares at me "You should just tell me, muffin." She says and I shake my head holding the door opened for her, she gets in the passenger seat, I walk over to the drivers side and start driving to our first destination.

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I parked in front of a bookstore, Aliyah stares at me confused when she notices the parking lot being emptied. "One of your gifts is in there, you just have to find it." I say, Aliyah nodded her head, and I walk over to her side opening the door, we walk in and I lead Aliyah to where I wanted her to start.

I planned for the scavenger hunt to start at the book series I caught her reading once, Aliyah smiled when she opens it, looking through each and every page before stopping at the exact page I caught her reading.

I follow her around as she gets closer to finding her first present, she looks through the books finding a piece of paper, specifically a photo, the last few hints were photos.

Hinting towards what I had gotten her.

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When Aliyah got to the last book, she opens the book and her gift falls out, she stares at the floor, picking it up "You got me a necklace?" She asked me and I nodded "You got me a rose necklace, muffin." She said tilting her head to the side "You told me they were you favorite flower." I say.

The petals of the flowers were pink, her favorite color, and from what I've gathered by every piece of jewelry she owns, she only wore gold.

Hence why I got it in gold, she smiles at me "Can you put it on me?" She asks "Of course, amore mio." I say, Aliyah turns around moving her hair out of the way, I clip thee necklace on for her. Aliyah turns around "Now, go get yourself some books, sweetheart." I say, she stares at me confused and I nod.

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She only got two books, she holds them on her lap, as I drive to the next part of her gift. These were only the small gifts before the big one.

When we get there she stares at the art studio, she looks at me and smiles when I take her hand, I bring her inside, the bell on top of the door rings, the owners walk over to us. Kevin and Diana have known my mother for years, Claire and I knew them for a little bit.

I called them and asked if they could close the shop for today, letting them know it's Aliyah's birthday, they agreed.

Diana takes Aliyah to the back so she can change into something else so she won't mess up her dress.

"How's your mother?" Kevin asked me, I swallow thickly, missing. "She's good, she told me to come here." I say, he nods his head "She's such a good person." He tells me and I nod my head. Aliyah walks back with Diana and she smiled at me, Diana takes us over to one of the stations and hands us paint, canvases, paintbrushes and water.

I put my glasses on and notice Aliyah looking at me "We should paint each other flowers, muffin." She smiled, and I nod "We'll do whatever you want, amore." I say and she smiles widely.