Surprise Me.

Chapter 40- Not Waiting Any Longer.

The day finally came. I was awoken by Sam, Colby, and Kat jumping on my bed like it was a trampoline.

"Get down!" I hollered, tucking my legs in so I wouldn't be stepped on. Kat obliged and hopped off my bed. I reached out and kicked Sam in the shin, pushing him off of the bed. Colby stopped as soon as I shot him the death glare. "It's eight thirty in the morning. What could you hooligans possibly want?"

"It's Christmas! Come downstairs." Sam replied.

"God, it's just like when we were younger."

"Please, Maddie?" Kat asked.

"Alright. Give me five minutes."

"Yes!"

Sam dragged Kat out the door and Colby closed it behind them.

"Morning, Mads." Colby chuckled. "For the record, the 'three little monkeys' routine was not my idea."

"You know better." I yawned.

"I do."

"Well, let me grab the presents I have for everyone then I'll be down."

"You hid them in here?"

"Where else would I hide them?" I retrieved the tote bag from my closet and took Colby's hand, wandering downstairs with him.

Sam and Colby had on the exact same set of pajamas, black with white hemming and green buttons. Kat and I matched as well, ours being the polar opposite, white with black hemming and red buttons. Just something cute we decided on.

"Coffee first." I announced.

"I'm already on top of it." Sam replied, filling the coffee pot.

"I guess we can start unwrapping presents then, since it's just the four of us."

"I'm going first." Colby announced.

We unwrapped all of the gifts from each other, Colby's eyes widening the moment he saw the bracelet. He put it on immediately and I could tell by his grin that I'd made the right choice. When it came down to the final gifts we all had, I had Colby's and he had mine.

"You first." I said, grinning.

"Fine." He sighed dramatically. He opened the box and held up the solid silver ring.

"It's got three notches in it. They symbolize the three squeezes you give me whenever you want to tell me you love me." I explained.

"It's...beautiful. I love it, Maddie."

"Really?"

"Yes. No offense to anyone else, but this is easily the best fucking gift I've ever received. It's funny that you got me a ring, however."

"Funny how?"

"Just...open yours."

"I swear to God, if that's is what I think it is, I'm screaming." Kat said.

I lifted the lid of the small box and pulled out the small piece of metal that was situated in the foam. It was a copper ring with a knot in the middle, and it fit on my ring finger like a glove.

"It's not an engagement ring like Kat hoped it was, but it is a promise ring." Colby explained. "I promise that we've got our whole future ahead of us and we can get around whatever life throws at us, paranormal or otherwise."

"I love you." I breathed.

And you think you're the lucky one...

"I love you, too." Colby replied.

"A few days ago, you said you wanted to go on a drive and just...go."

"Yeah?"

"Well, we have free time right now, so..."

"Put your shoes on right now."

We practically flew out of the front doors and I leaped into the driver's seat, causing Colby to groan. He hated my driving because I was "slow" compared to him.

"So where are we going?" Colby asked as I rounded the curves of a parking garage.

"You'll see." I replied as he laid his hand on my thigh.

"Can I tell you something?"

"Anything, you know that."

"There's a song that was released the year you graduated from high school. I listened to it the night afterwards and I remember mumbling along to the words while I scrolled through the pictures we took that night. That's when I realized I was in love with you."

"Colby... you loved me then?"

"Yeah. At least that's when I realized what it was."

I could do nothing but park the car and meet his eyes. He moved his hand from my thigh and laced his fingers into mine. I cupped Colby's cheek as my eyes watered, a single tear falling down my cheek.

"Don't cry, Maddie." Colby said, wiping my cheek. "Today's supposed to be a happy day."

"I am happy. I really am."

"'I'm so in love with you. I hope you know. Darling your love is more than worth its weight in gold.'"

The lyrics to James Arthur's song, 'Say You Won't Let Go,' ignited a memory in my brain. I leaned in and kissed Colby before flopping back in my seat and watching the sunset. Half an hour later, I started the engine again and began driving down towards the street. By now, the stars were beginning to peek out as the last of the daylight fell.

"Where are we going this time?" Colby chuckled.

"Where do you wanna go?" I asked.

"I think you know my answer, Mads."

"I do, but I like hearing it."

Colby grinned and turned his ball cap around, his signal that he was ready for an adventure.

"Surprise me."

40/40
well...
it's officially over. thought I'd give you guys the last 2 chapters at the same time. It's not all bad, however. I have more Marvel books in the works and plenty more surprises so keep and eye out for anything Strange :)