HER SAFE PLACE

Gift

Changing my username to writingsbyelara!
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Shivangi's POV

I reached out to the first gift box, but before I could start unwrapping it, he placed his hand on mine, halting me. “Not yet,” he said, his voice low and firm, sending a shiver down my spine. His eyes held a teasing glint as he leaned closer, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. “Let’s cut the cake first.”

I frowned playfully, tilting my head at him. “But I’ve already cut the cake, Rocky.”

He smirked, his gaze dipping briefly to my lips before meeting my eyes again. “Not the one I baked for you myself.”

I blinked at him in disbelief, the words still echoing in my mind. “You... baked a cake? For me?”

Rocky’s lips curved into that boyish smirk that always made my heart skip a beat. “Of course, for you, baby doll. Who else would I bake it for?” His tone was teasing, but his eyes held a softness that made my chest tighten.

I opened my mouth to respond, but the rush of memories stopped me. My mother’s laughter, the way she’d hum while whipping up batter, and how she’d make me feel like the center of her world on my birthdays—it all came flooding back. My throat tightened, and before I knew it, tears were brimming in my eyes.

Rocky’s smile faltered, his brows knitting together in concern. He quickly closed the distance between us, cupping my face with his warm hands. “Hey, hey, why are you crying?” he asked, his voice full of panic. “Did I do something wrong? Shivangi, I’m so sorry if—”

“No,” I interrupted, shaking my head as the first tear spilled down my cheek. “No, Rocky. You didn’t do anything wrong.” I placed my hands over his, trying to steady my shaky breath. “It’s just... my mom. She used to bake cakes for me every year. And now—” I paused, my voice breaking as I smiled through the tears. “Now you’ve done the same. You’re making sure I don’t feel alone, not even for a second.”

For a moment, his expression froze, and then it crumbled into something raw and beautiful. He pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly, his chin resting on top of my head. “Oh, baby,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “I didn’t mean to make you sad. I just... I wanted to make you happy. You deserve to feel special. You are special.”

I buried my face in his chest, inhaling his familiar scent, feeling the safety of his embrace. “You did make me happy, Rocky,” I whispered, my voice muffled against him. “You always do.”

He pulled back slightly, his hands never leaving me, his thumb brushing away my tears with a tenderness that made my heart ache. “No more tears, okay? It’s your birthday, and I want to see that gorgeous smile of yours.” He leaned in closer, his forehead touching mine. “Your mom would want that too, wouldn’t she?”

I nodded, the lump in my throat easing. He kissed my forehead, lingering just enough to make me feel loved in a way I couldn’t describe.

I moved toward the cake, my fingers trembling slightly as I reached for the knife. But just as my hand wrapped around the handle, I paused and turned, my eyes locking with Rocky's. Without saying a word, I reached out, grabbing his hand and pulling him closer.

“Together,” I whispered, my voice barely audible but laced with emotion.

Rocky didn’t need to be told twice. He stepped in, his chest pressing against my back, his warmth enveloping me completely. The closeness made my heart race, my breath hitching as his hand settled over mine on the knife. His face lowered to my shoulder, the faint tickle of his breath against my neck sending a shiver down my spine.