Birthday Surprise

Chapter 12

Carmen
One week later
Per my request, we gather at my mom's house as a sort of do over for my birthday party. Everyone comes over at two and we still have sushi for lunch. I feel bad because I didn't know that Josh and my mom had made tres leches cake the first time. At least I get to enjoy it this time without any problems. I also hadn't gotten the chance to open my presents or do much of anything, so we do that after we finish eating.
My mom had sewn an elegant light blue dress with white daisies all over it. It's stunning and fits me perfectly. She explained that she wanted to take up sewing and started with this, not expecting for it to work out. I assure her that it worked out perfectly. Isaac gives me some CDs from different genres for "whenever I wanted to listen to anything except for Spanish music". I have my phone but I know what he meant. I laugh and thank him. Claudia gives me a pair of silver hoops and rings that came in a pack of five. Courtney gives me some basic makeup essentials like mascara and lip gloss since she saw that I was running out. I wait to see if there are any more presents but that seems to be it. I'm too bothered by it because physically being with Josh again is enough for me.
That evening, Josh and I are cuddling on my bed after everyone had left. He gets up and pulls something out of his jacket from my desk chair.
"I wanted to wait to give this to you in private," he says.
I sit up.
"I was fine with thinking that you didn't get me anything."
"Please. I wouldn't do that. I had been saving it for your actual birthday of course."
I nod.
"I know. I'm just glad that we can still celebrate."
"Me too."
He hands me the gift and sits back down on the bed. I unwrap it to find a black box. Inside is a silver heart shaped locket with a small picture of us from our first date. Out of natural curiosity to examine every aspect of the locket, I look at the back. The words 'I love you' are inscribed in beautiful cursive writing. I start to tear up a bit and look at him.
"I had that inscribed because I figured that it would be easier than saying it out loud. I still want to try it."
He takes my hands in his.
"Carmen, I love you," he says softly.
"I love you too."
I've never said it to a boyfriend but I'm surprised how natural it felt. I probably shouldn't be because I know it's the truth. Apart from my mom, he's the main person that I wanted to see again. I love my mom but he's also the person who makes me happy. He smiles and kisses me sweetly. I'm the one who deepens the kiss, wanting to get more of him. He pulls away when he senses what type of kiss this is.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I don't want to wait anymore."
"Okay."
As he kisses me again, we start to remove our clothes and go from there. I didn't originally think that I'd lose my virginity to Josh but I don't really care that much. I love him and I know that it's what I want. He's been just as respectful about waiting as he was before we did it. We cuddle a little more then he gets ready to leave. We say I love you one more time before he leaves. I fall asleep a little later and smile to myself in my sleep. In a way, my eighteenth birthday had still managed to be a great one thanks to my loved ones.