His Lovable Klutz (Completed)

Segment Fifty-two.

♥ Gift of Love ♥

      As Stefan drove through the busy streets on his way home, something caught his eye—a small store with large glass windows filled with stuffed animals and other colorful gifts. The store, whimsically named Snuggly Surprises had a warm, inviting exterior, with twinkling fairy lights draped across the entrance. Plush bears, bunnies, and other cuddly creatures were displayed in neat rows, their soft fur and vibrant colors standing out against the backdrop of the window.

      Stefan thought back to what Tenzin had said earlier in his office about buying gifts to make women fall head over heels. A smile crept onto his face as he considered the idea. Perhaps a cute present for Coby would be a good way to show her that he was serious, and it might even make her smile the way she did when she laughed wholeheartedly.

      Without giving it another thought, Stefan parked his car along the curb and made his way into the store. The interior was cozy, with shelves stacked high with plush toys, delicate figurines, and various knick-knacks. The air was filled with the faint scent of vanilla and lavender, making the atmosphere both comforting and relaxing.

      A friendly-looking woman stood behind the register, her short curly hair framing a round, kind face. She wore a bright yellow cardigan that matched the cheerful vibe of the store.

      Stefan approached the woman, feeling slightly out of place in his business suit among the rows of soft, cuddly toys. He cleared his throat and said, "I need something expensive and attractive that a woman would like."

      The woman blinked in surprise, her smile faltering slightly as she tried to process his vague request.

      "Expensive and attractive…?" she repeated, clearly trying to understand what he meant. "Um, would you like to check out some of our stuffed animals or perhaps some dolls?"

      Stefan hesitated, realizing he had no idea what Coby would actually like. He'd never done this sort of thing before even when he'd dated Tessa, he'd only watched her picked whatever she wanted and at the end of it he paid.

      "Well," he began, "she's, uh, she's clumsy and… kind of sassy. She likes to laugh but she's also a bit… tough, you know? Not easily impressed."

       The woman's confused expression deepened as she tried to match his description to an item in the store.

      "Okay… so you want something that's, um, clumsy and sassy?" she asked, clearly struggling to connect the dots.

      "Something that would make her smile,"  Stefan added, feeling more awkward by the second. "But also something that shows I'm… serious?"

      The woman nodded slowly, still looking perplexed, but she decided to take a shot at it. She led Stefan over to a section with various stuffed animals, pointing out a few options.

      "How about this bunny with a bow tie? It's cute but also has a bit of a serious look to it," she suggested, holding up a soft, cream-colored bunny.

      Stefan stared at the bunny, trying to imagine Coby's reaction to it. "Uh, sure," he said, though he wasn't entirely convinced.

      The woman continued, picking up another plush, this time a fox with a little top hat. "Or maybe this one? It's unique, and it's got a bit of personality. She might find it charming."

      "Yeah, that too," Stefan replied, nodding, though he still looked uncertain.

      This continued for a few more rounds, with the woman showing Stefan different stuffed animals—a bear with glasses, a penguin with a scarf, and even a pink unicorn. Stefan, completely clueless about which one Coby would prefer, ended up agreeing to almost everything the woman showed him, leaving her to gather a small mountain of plush toys on the counter.

      Seeing his indecision, the woman finally decided to take the reins. "How about this?"  she suggested, holding up a beautiful teddy bear.

      The huge bear was a soft shade of ivory with a delicate pink ribbon tied in a bow around its neck. Its fur looked incredibly soft, and its eyes were large and shiny, giving it an endearing, almost feminine look. It was the kind of gift that exuded warmth and affection without being overly flashy.

      Stefan's eyes lit up when he saw the teddy bear. "I like that one," he said, sounding more confident. "That's perfect. I'll take it."

      The woman smiled, relieved to have finally found something that resonated with him. "Great choice. I'll pack it up for you." As she began to wrap the teddy bear, she added, "Would you like me to include a love note? It's a nice little touch and really adds to the gift."

      Stefan paused, unsure what that entailed, but he trusted the woman's expertise. "Uh, sure. That sounds good."

      The woman grinned, clearly in her element now. "I'll add something sweet, but not too over the top. Just enough to make her smile," she assured him as she carefully attached a small card onto the teddy bear.

      Stefan nodded, grateful for her help despite the awkwardness of the situation. As she finished up, he couldn't help but feel a bit of anticipation—would Coby like it? He hoped this gesture would make her smile and, maybe, it would make things between them even better.

      Stefan entered the house, the large gift-wrapped teddy bear tucked under his arm. The weight of the day seemed to lift slightly as he crossed the threshold, thinking about the smile he hoped to see on Coby's face when he gave her the present.

      He shrugged off his suit jacket and casually tossed it onto the couch, his mind already racing with how he would present the gift. Should he be playful? Serious? He had never done this before, and for once, he felt a bit uncertain.

      With the teddy bear still in hand, Stefan climbed the stairs, the anticipation building with each step. He stopped in front of Coby's room, his heart thumping in his chest. But as he reached for the door handle, something caught his eye—a shadow moving near the bottom of the door. He pushed it open slowly and his breath caught in his throat.

      Coby was on the floor, crouched over with her knees pulled up to her chest, her arms wrapped tightly around her stomach. Her face was twisted in pain, her lips pale and trembling. It was a sight that sent a jolt of fear straight through Stefan's heart.

      "Coby!" he exclaimed, the large teddy bear slipping from his grasp and tumbling onto the floor with a soft thud as he rushed toward her. Kneeling beside her, he gently placed a hand on her back, his voice tight with concern. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

      Coby looked up at him, her eyes glistening with tears. "I-I don't know," she stammered, her voice strained with pain. "It's my stomach… it just started hurting really bad…"

      Panic surged through Stefan as he saw the genuine distress in her eyes. This wasn't just a mild discomfort—something was seriously wrong. Without wasting another second, he scooped her up in his arms, his movements quick and deliberate. Coby winced as he lifted her, her hand clutching at his shirt for support.

      "It's okay, I've got you," Stefan murmured, more to himself than to her, trying to keep his own fear in check.

      He carried her down the stairs, moving as fast as he could without jostling her too much. Every step felt like an eternity as his mind raced with possibilities, none of them good.

      Bursting out the front door, he carefully maneuvered Coby into the passenger seat of his car, gently buckling her in. His hands trembled slightly as he fastened the seatbelt, his heart pounding in his chest. Stefan then rushed around to the driver's side, glancing over at her pale face, fear gnawing at him.

      "We're going to the hospital, okay?" he said, his voice firm but with an undercurrent of anxiety as he started the car. He glanced at her again, but she only nodded weakly, too consumed by pain to speak.

      Stefan gripped the steering wheel tight, his knuckles white, as he sped off. All thoughts of the teddy bear, of the playful gift he had planned, were forgotten. The only thing that mattered now was Coby, and the fear that something could be terribly wrong.