A Little Cinderella Moment

Chapter 89

"Wow, I didn't expect that. But you know what she is like now and I'm happy you and Jen are back to being what you should be to each other."
"And what's that?" Doesn't he know?
"Each other's better half that makes you both whole."
We are both silent for a moment before our meals are placed in front of us. I stuck with my first interest and ordered the pulled pork black bean enchilada with rice, and Chase ordered a New York strip fajita with rice. Before we tucked into our meals Chase made a toast. Picking up our drinks Chase says "Savannah, I hope today has been exactly what I have promised you, a birthday to remember. Because it has been a day I will never forget in my life. So, here's to you sweetheart happy birthday." we both clink our glasses before we take a sip, and we tuck in and enjoy our meal.
Coming to the end of this delicious meal a woman who looks to be in her late fifties, or early sixties, carrying a basket of something approached our table. I can't quite see what she is carrying in her basket, but Chase puts one finger up and pulls out his wallet to pay the lady. What did he just buy? The lady pulls out a single peach-colored rose and hands it to Chase and he pays her.
"A beautiful rose for a beautiful young lady," she comments as she takes the money from Chase.
"I couldn't agree with you more," Chase says taking the flower from the lady before giving it to me. Smiling I take the rose from Chase and give it a smell. It is such a beautiful rose, and the peach color looks stunning against the petals.
I ask the lady if she knew what the meaning was behind the peach rose and the reply, she gave me seems fitting for this new adventure Chase and I are going on together. "The peach rose means sincerity, innocent affection, care, gratitude, and warm feelings."
"That sounds perfect," both Chase and I say in unison, and we look at each other and burst into laughter. I thank the lady as she continues her journey around the tables through the restaurant.
"Thank you for the rose Chase you didn't have to get me one, but it is beautiful," I hold the rose to my chest almost like I am hugging it. Thinking to myself luckily this rose has been dethorned as hugging it to my chest would hurt.
"Savannah, this is your birthday date, of course, I will buy you flowers and gifts. This is the day I want to spoil you more than ever, but you're welcome for the rose," Chase said.
When we finished our meals and drinks Chase pulls out his phone from his pocket to send a text to somebody. When he's finished with the text, he puts it back in his pocket and then asks for the check. I don't wanna be one of those girlfriends, but this is the first time he has pulled out his phone to do something other than take pictures with me or of me.
When the check was paid for, and we left a generous tip on the table. Mostly compensation for Candace's disturbance, we left the restaurant to head home. When we are seated in the car, I ask the question I was arguing with myself whether to ask it or not. And as you guessed it, my curiosity won the battle.
"Chase, when we were in the restaurant who did you text? That was the first time I've seen you on it besides when taking pictures of our day together," I ask him. Just as he is about to answer his phone chimes alerting him to a text. He pulls his phone out to look at the text before putting it in the center console and driving away.
"Do you want me to be honest with you?" He asks in return. I nod answering his question he sighs just before he replies. "It was your dad, there is a surprise waiting for you at your house. I texted your dad to see if your surprise was ready before we get there, and that was him replying saying it's ready." Oh god, what have they done? Why is my dad partnering up with Chase to make a surprise for me? This is so unlike him.
"Oh, well um thank you for being honest with me, but I'm not a huge fan of surprises. Whose idea, was it?"
"Sweetheart when I spoke to your father about taking you on this date last night your father ran an idea by me that he is doing, and I suggested an add-on to it and he agreed. The surprise is all your dad's doing my part was my add-on, but I am here with you for you to enjoy our first date and nothing more."
"And how have you found our first date?" I can't wait to hear his answer.
"It's the best first date I have had, and if I have my way in the future this will be the last first date that either of us will go on," He looks in my direction quickly smiling and winks before he concentrates on the road.
"You're so certain on that aren't ya," I giggle softly to myself. "But I will agree with you this has also been the best first date I have ever had, no other guy has made me smile and made me so happy like you have today."
Chase takes hold of my hand and kisses the back of it and refuses to let go of it while he's driving. "I plan on keeping you happy like this sweetheart. Seeing you this happy I can't describe the feelings that go on inside me every time I see that smile on your face."
"Oh, how sweet of you."
"As it says in that 'Fifty Shades of Grey' book we aim to please Miss. Blakemoore." Wait, What?
"You've read that book?" This just got interesting.
"Not just read baby, I've watched the movies too, learned a thing or two from it too but I promise I won't show you unless you are ready."
"How chivalrous of you, I didn't expect for you to pick up a smut book like that to read."
"I presume you have read them too?"
"I read them out of curiosity, and it was the love story is what I was more interested in. It had nothing to do with the sex scenes, it was the connection between the two characters that had me read it multiple times." Why did I just say that to him? I'm an idiot he's gonna know I am into those sorts of books. But for the reason I said yeah, I enjoy the smut and spice in them but it's the romance connection that has me wanting to read them.
"Can I tell you something?" He asks just as he pulls up outside my house, parks the car and turns the ignition off, then turns to face me.
"Anything, you know that" I turn and face him too after I removed my seatbelt.
Chase cups my face before he tells me what he wants to tell me "Just hearing you read those sorts of books has turned me on so much, you have no idea what I wish I could do to you right now." He leans forward and places a long kiss on my lips then rests his forehead against mine when he breaks away from the kiss. "But because I know we are not ready together as a couple nor are you ready for that step, and I have more respect for your father than that. I need to keep these thoughts to myself and make them a fantasy that we could one day live out together."
"I like the sound of that I can't wait," I admit to him. He kisses me one more time.
"Come on sweetheart let's go and see this surprise," We get out of the car and slowly walk up to my front door hand in hand.
With one last kiss before heading inside, I open the door and strangely hear nothing. I don't hear music, I don't hear Toni doing what she would be doing at this time of night, and I don't hear my dad on the phone. Nothing. It seems eerily quiet here and I don't know how I feel about that. I call out for my dad to get no response. Huh that's odd he's not here but the hall lights are on. I offer Chase a drink and he accepted my offer, so we walk into the kitchen, I flick the kitchen light on, turn around and there is everyone who matters the most to me, standing in my kitchen under a banner that says Happy Birthday Savannah.
"SURPRISE!"