𝐒𝐨 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮

Chapter 11

We continued walking and I had to take a few detours just to make sure we did not come across any latecomers coming to the party. After about thirty minutes of walking, the trees started clearing up a bit and the manor was finally in sight.

I took a deep breath and stopped walking. Maria did not realize that I had stopped walking until my hand gently pulled her back seeing that we were still holding hands. She turned around with a slightly flustered look as she realized that our hands were still together, but that look quickly changed to one of confusion as she started to wonder why we had stopped. I quickly snatched Wiggins from Maria's hold, gently set him down, and told him to sit while sending Maria a comforting smile.

"Robin, what are you doing? Didn't you say that we need to be back at the manor? From the looks of it, it seems to almost be one hour after noon. We should hurry if you want to make it on time!" Maria said while looking up at the sky.

I took a deep breath. I've been mentally preparing myself for this moment for about around a week. I'll be fine, I reassured myself.

"Yes, I know princess, but may I remind you it is your birthday," I started and she looked back at me with a confused look, wondering where I was going to go with this, "and since it is your birthday it only seems fitting that I should give you this," I say while holding her gift out in my hand. I made sure I placed it upside down so she wouldn't recognize the ribbon just yet.

She looks curiously at the box in my hand for a moment, then shakes her head, takes a step back with her hands in the air, and says, "Oh Robin! I thought I told you that I didn't want anything for my birthday. I mean you've already done far too much for me! You shouldn't have."

Just take the gift already! You deserve this and much more than anything that I can give.

"Well, I did and sorry princess but this is nonreturnable so I suggest taking it. Anyway it is your birthday, you deserve it!." I said while pushing it closer to it.

She seemed a bit hesitant, but after a few seconds went by I started noticing her noisy and curious look pass by her eyes. I knew she would not be able to handle not knowing what was in it. She finally gave in and took it. She placed it right side up and a look of recognition and humor passed her eyes as soon as she saw the ribbon that was tied around the box.

"Robin is now a bad time to ask the one question that remains after all this time?" I gave her a confused look not realizing what she was talking about then finally remembering as she continued, "Whatever were you doing with my ribbon in your pocket, Robin?"

I gave her a wink and said, "Sometimes, some things just need to stay a mystery."

"Well then answer this how did you find it again?" She started gently removing the ribbon from around the box so it would not break when she would rip the wrapping paper as she spoke.

"Sorry princess but answering that would take away some of the mystery from the mysterious ribbon and well I really don't want to do that now." She playfully rolled her eyes at me as I smirked.

I watched as she unwrapped the box and opened it. She was handing me the pieces of wrapping paper for me to hold. I looked down for a moment to pet Wiggins on his head for being able to stay still this long and then looked back at Maria right as she was about to open her gift, fearing her reaction.

She started struggling to open the box. I had to reach into my pockets take out all the wrapping paper I had in there and set it on the ground to get one of my knives to open the box. I took the box from her hands and used my knife to open it enough so she could open the rest and too still have the gift hidden inside. I handed the gift back to her and awaited her reaction.

My hands started to get clammy. What if she doesn't like it? What if it brings back bad memories or memories that she would rather suppress? What if she deems it not good enough? What if it somehow broke in the box? How would I fix it then? I had done so much to make it perfect! I even had to go to London for a day just for this! I had to go all over Moonacre and all over London just in an attempt to find all the parts for this.

What if I messed it up? What if... I don't even know, what if it had fallen out of the box? Well how would that be possible, it is a box without any holes. What if it disappeared? Alright at this point I think the stress has finally gotten to me, but that didn't stop my thoughts from going a mile a minute waiting on her reaction.

After what felt like an hour which was probably just ten seconds the box was completely opened and there is her dainty fingers held her gift.

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Sorry for the short chapter and the cliffhanger, but the next chapter will finally say what the gift is. Yes, I have known what gift Robin would give Maria for a while now, I just wanted the gift to be a surprise, but I wasn't sure how he was going to give it to her. Also, I apologize for the slow updates, I've been struggling with writer's block and making time to write. Recently, I've been preparing for my end-of-the-year exams. Once I get those out of my way and the last week or two of school, I should have plenty of time to write.