Girl In The Crowd

Chapter 37 | B i r t h d a y D i n n e r

I think I never saw my house this full, I didn't speak to half of these people. But I also think I have never been this happy!

My family is all here, my friends, and my beautiful girlfriend. She fits so well with them that it looks like we have been together for years.

"Hey, man! What are you doing over here alone?" James says as he approaches me

"Just taking all in!" I say

"She is wonderful, I'm happy for you! You deserve someone who appreciates and takes care of you without wanting anything in return but your love! And from what I saw and from today I can see she is exactly that!" He says as he catches me eyeing her across the room.

"Yeah, I'm a lucky motherfucker!" we laugh

"So when do you want to go engagement ring shopping?" He teases

"Even though it scares the shit out of me! I think it will be sooner than I expected!" I say truthfully

He looks over at me shocked

"Sign me in!"

It's time to sing Happy Birthday.

I don't know if it's just me, but there isn't a more awkward moment than when people are singing Happy Birthday to you.

I blow out the candles as I make a wish and look at Marta's eyes like a year ago.

In a minute she was there and the other I couldn't find her anywhere.

I make my way upstairs to check there.

I enter my room and see her overnight bag is gone, I approach the bed and take the note that is next to what I think is her birthday gift for me.

I open the bag and there are two things: a book, and a small box.

I grab the box first.

Inside there is a ring, it's so delicate and beautiful, and on the lid is a QR code, I scan it and... it's a video and it brings tears to my face when I realize that she was the one that made and engraved the ring she gifted me.

The ring:

I grab the book and on the cover, it says "To be continued" and when I open it it's dated letters from the day that we met in Lisbon till yesterday.

The inside cover says "I decided to write what I was feeling, so I didn't become overwhelmed and throw away something special. And since one of your love languages is words of affirmation I thought it was a good gift!"

I flip through the pages and stop at the letter from the day that we went to Home Chaples

I have tears on my face when I finish reading it, so I grab my phone and call her.

After 10 missed calls and 10 text messages, I put my phone down and go to bed wondering what happened.