I stir, opening my eyes to a bright June morning. Warm and comfortable between clean, crisp sheets, I take a moment to orientate myself and am overwhelmed by a sense of déja vu. Of course, I’m at the Imperial.
“Shit! Dad.” I gasp out loud, recalling with a gut-wrenching surge of apprehension that twists my heart and starts it pounding why I’m in Phitsanulok.
“Hey.” Bible is sitting on the edge of the bed. He strokes my cheek with his knuckles, instantly calming me. “I called the ICU this morning. Dan had a good night. It’s all good,” He says reassuringly.
“Good. Thank you,” I mutter, sitting up.
He leans in and presses his lips to my forehead. “Good morning, Bui,” He whispers and kisses my temple.
“Hi,” I mutter. He’s up and dressed in a black T-shirt and jeans.
“Hi,” He replies, his eyes soft and warm. “I want to wish you happy birthday. Is that okay?”
I offer him a tentative smile and caress his cheek. “Yes, of course. Thank you. For everything.”
His brow furrows. “Everything?”
“Everything.”
He looks momentarily confused, but it’s fleeting and his eyes widen with anticipation.
“Here.” He hands me a small, exquisitely wrapped box with a tiny gift card.
In spite of the worry I feel about my father, I sense Bible’s anxiety and excitement, and it’s infectious. I read the card.
For all our firsts on your first birthday as my beloved husband
I love you
B x
Wow, how sweet is that? “I love you, too,” I murmur, smiling at him.
He grins. “Open it.”
Unwrapping the paper carefully so it doesn’t tear, I find a beautiful red leather box. Cartier. It’s familiar, thanks to my second-chance bracelet and my watch.
Cautiously, I open the box to discover a delicate charm bracelet of silver, or platinum or white gold—I don’t know, but it’s absolutely enchanting. Attached to it are several charms: the Eiffel Tower, a Bangkok black bike, a helicopter—Charlie Tango, a glider—the soaring, a catamaran—The Som, a bed, and an ice cream cone? I look up at him, bemused.
“Vanilla?” He shrugs apologetically, and I can’t help but laugh. Of course.
“Bible, this is beautiful. Thank you. It’s yar.”
He grins. My favourite is the heart. It’s a locket.
“You can put a picture or whatever in that.”
“A picture of you.” I glance at him through my lashes. “Always in my heart.”
He smiles his lovely, heartbreakingly shy smile.
I fondle the last two charms: a letter B—oh yes, I was his first boyfriend to use his first name. I smile at the thought. And finally, there’s a key.
“To my heart and soul,” He whispers.
Tears prick my eyes. I launch myself at him, curling my arms around his neck and settling into his lap. “It’s such a thoughtful present. I love it. Thank you,” I murmur against his ear. Oh, he smells so good—clean, of fresh linen, body wash, and Bible. Like home, my home. My threatened tears begin to fall.
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A Thousand Deaths (Sumettikul's Universe Three)
FanfictionNow, Build and Bible have it all-love, passion, intimacy, wealth and a world of possibilities for their future. But Build knows that loving Bible will not be easy, and that being together will pose challenges that neither of the would anticipate. Ju...
