My Penpal

15- Sweet and Charming

As the evening sky darkened and stars began to twinkle overhead, Alexander felt a rush of excitement mixed with nervousness. He had been planning this surprise for weeks, meticulously organizing every detail to ensure it would be perfect for Amelia.

“**Ready for your surprise?**” he asked, a hint of mischief in his voice as he stood up from the porch swing, offering her his hand.

“**What surprise? You didn’t tell me anything about it!**” Amelia exclaimed, a smile spreading across her face. She loved surprises, especially from him, and her curiosity was piqued.

“**Just trust me,**” Alexander replied, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. “**I promise you’ll love it.**”

He led her through the garden, the air fragrant with blooming flowers and the soft chirping of crickets. They walked past the well-tended rose bushes and under the canopy of twinkling fairy lights strung overhead, creating a magical atmosphere. Amelia’s heart raced with excitement as she wondered what he had in store.

Finally, they reached a secluded spot in the garden, where a cozy picnic blanket was spread out, adorned with an array of her favorite snacks and treats. A bottle of sparkling cider chilled in an ice bucket, and soft music played in the background, enhancing the romantic ambiance.

“**Wow, this is amazing!**” Amelia gasped, her eyes wide with delight. “**You did all this?**”

“**I wanted to create a special moment for us,**” Alexander replied, his voice warm and sincere. “**You deserve it. I thought we could spend some time together, just the two of us, away from everything.**”

Amelia felt her heart swell at his thoughtfulness. “**This is incredible. Thank you, Alexander!**” She leaned in and kissed him softly, feeling the warmth of his body radiating against hers.

They settled onto the blanket, and Alexander poured them each a glass of sparkling cider. As they clinked their glasses together, Amelia couldn’t help but admire how perfect everything felt—the food, the setting, and most importantly, Alexander by her side.

“**So, what made you think of this?**” Amelia asked, her curiosity returning as they began to nibble on the spread.

“**I just wanted to do something different, something that reflected how much I care about you,**” he said, looking her in the eye. “**I know things have been complicated lately with Michael reaching out, and I wanted to remind you of what we have.**”

Amelia smiled, touched by his honesty. “**You really know how to make me feel special, Alexander. I appreciate that more than you know.**”

They shared stories, laughed, and enjoyed each other’s company as the night deepened. The stars shone brightly above them, and the world outside felt like a distant memory. In this moment, surrounded by the warmth of their connection, Amelia realized just how much she had come to cherish Alexander.

“**I want to create more moments like this with you,**” Alexander said, his voice low and sincere. “**I’m serious about us, Amelia. You mean a lot to me.**”

Her heart raced at his words. “**You mean a lot to me too, Alexander. I feel safe with you, and I want to see where this goes.**”

As the night wore on, they shared more than just food and laughter. They opened up about their dreams, their fears, and their hopes for the future. Each moment felt like a step deeper into a bond that neither of them wanted to end.

With the last of the cider poured, Alexander reached out and took her hand, intertwining their fingers. “**Amelia, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you…**”