Just One Look

Happy Birthday!

Nicole's POV
I was in the middle of a deep sleep and I hear somebody banging around in the kitchen. I roll over and look at the clock and see it is 4:30 in the morning on a Saturday. It is either Chelsea sleep eating again or somebody broke into the apartment.  I grab the hockey stick I keep under my bed for protection and I make my into the kitchen.  I see a big vase of white and red roses on the table with candles lit all around it. I then see some standing in Russian Flag boxers and an apron that smells like he is frying some bacon. The person turns and it is my lover boy Artemi.

"Happy Birthday Baby. Sorry if I was too loud, I just want to make breakfast for you." He says putting the bacon on a plate and taking it to the table and then kissing me on the cheek. 

"Awww, Artemi you shouldn't have." I say blushing and kissing him back on the lips. I grab my plate and fill it up with the amazing variety of food he's cooked. He made chocolate chip pancakes, hashbrowns, cinnamon rolls, bacon, biscuits and gravy, and had a pitcher of screw drivers for us to enjoy.

"You deserve the world baby." He says grabbing everything and putting it on his plate. He then fills my glass with the screwdriver he prepared and pulls my seat at the table out for me. What a gentlemen.

"Thank you so much baby! I really appreciate it!" I say kissing him on the cheek.

"No problem baby! I love you so much. I have a gift for you to open right now/ I have a couple gifts for you to open later during the day." Artemi says handing me a small package that is nicely wrapped in glittery red and blue striped wrapping paper and a small white bow. I tear the package open and see it is a small Russian phrasebook. 

"I thought it maybe smart to start learning little Russian incase you meet parents and go to Russia with me one day." Artemi say taking a bite out of his pancakes.

"That is so sweet of you baby. Spasibo!" I say kissing him on the forehead and put my plate in the dishwasher.

"I know. What do you want to do today for your birthday? The day is still young." Artemi says taking his plate and putting it in the dishwasher.

"How about we go to Millennium Park because I have never been there before even though I have lived in Chicago for a year now. Let's go get ready, you can use  Chelsea's bathroom." I say walking away to go get ready for the day. I hop in the shower and wash and condition my hair with this sweet smelling watermelon shampoo/conditioner that Chelsea bought for me. I hop out of the shower and dry off. I put on some dark wash skinny jeans, a navy and white polka dot Ralph Lauren tunic, black leather Tommy Hilfiger riding boots, and grab a matching navy leather Ralph Lauren cross body purse. I do my makeup naturally with a cats eye eyeliner and a swipe of red lipstick. I curl my hair in loose waves. Damn I am looking fine. I come out of the bathroom and see Artemi sitting in the living room looking mighty dapper. He was wearing a red Ralph Lauren polo shirt, some navy chinos, and some navy Sperry boat shoes. Boy, my man looks so cute.

"Finally ready to go?" Artemi sighed in a overly dramatic way.

"Yes babe." I say taking his hand we walk out the apartment door. We step out of the apartment and hit the streets of Chicago. We walk about ten blocks till we arrived at Millennium Park. It is such a lovely day today. I see the famous metallic bean that everybody takes pictures in front of.

"Lets take some pictures baby!" Artemi says excitedly and starts dragging me by the hand to the bean. He is so cute when he gets excited like that. We find some guy who is there with what appears to be his kids and takes some pictures of us.  We take one silly picture, one picture where he picks me up bridal style, and the last picture is where we are both kissing each other. The guy hands out phones back and we both thank him.  I see and ice cream cart and get excited like a five year old in a candy store.

"Ooo ooo! Artemi can we pleaseeee go get some ice cream?" I say dragging his ass towards the ice cream vendor.

"Sure baby. Can I get a large vanilla ice cream cone and a large mint chocolate cone please." Artemi says handing the money to the vendor and we find  a bench to sit down. He hands me a small envelope with a small red bow tied around it.

"Artemi can I open it?" I say smiling in anticipation to what Artemi got me this time.

"Da! That's why I gave you it to open silly." He says kissing me softly on the cheek. I open the envelope and see it is one plane ticket to Moscow, Russia.

"We are going to Russia?" I ask with a wide-eyed look on my face and I look at Artemi and he is nodding his head and grinning from ear to ear.

"Da! That is why I got you the Russian word book. I want you to learn to speak some Russian so you could speak to my family." He says resting his head on my shoulder

"When are we going? I ask

"Well, we are going to go near the end of June. Also, I figured since it is your first time going to Russia, we travel to Moscow for week, go to St. Petersburg for week, Go home to Korkino/Chelyabinsk for week, and maybe road trip around Eastern Russia for a couple weeks. What you think about that baby?" He asks me putting his hand on my knee and keeps his head on my shoulder.

"I can't wait till I go to Russia. I am so excited and I hope the next two and a half months go by quickly." I say with a mock Russian accent and he just laughs and shakes his head.

"You are going to need to work on your accent before we go. Do you want to go somewhere for lunch?" He asks helping me off the bench we have been sitting at for the last two and a half hours just watching life pass by us.

"How about we go to Gino's East. They have really delicious pizza and I have a massive craving for it lately." I say taking him by the hand and we walk out in the park and make our way to the restaurant. We walk for about twenty minutes till we got to the restaurant. We were seated by the hostess and a waiter sat us down.

"What would you guys like to eat and drink?" The waiter asks us in a very polite tone.

"I would like a Pepsi and a large cheese and pepperoni pizza please." Artemi says

"And for you Miss?" The waiter says to me

"I would like a Pepsi also and  cheese, sausage, and green pepper deep dish pizza please." I say in a polite tone

The waiter quickly brings out our pizzas and Pepsis out to the table. We quietly eat and occasionally take bites of each others food. After our meal is done he grabs a small box that is wrapped in a shiny gold wrapping paper and with a black bow on top. Is this what I think it? I open it and see it was from Tiffany's. I open the box and see it is a dainty pearl ring with small diamonds around this. My mouth dropped from how nice this ring is.

"Before you say anything, this is a promise ring. I want to be with you forever Nicole. I have loved you ever since I saw you at open practice. You are best thing to ever happen to me. I know we are to young to get married but this ring is for one day in the future I keep my promise to make you my wife. " Artemi says slipping the ring on my finger.

"I love you so much Artemi. I want to marry you one day in the future." I say kissing him on the lips

"I love you too baby. Happy Birthday and I hope to spend the rest of your birthdays with you." Artemi says kissing me back.

Finished that chapter.....Please tell me what you think of it.