Another Chance To Say... [ON HOLD]

The Birthday Present

"Wake up, birthday girl. Wake up, sleepy head," Gael gently caressed Sabine's hair as he tried to coax her awake from her sleep. He hated to do this, to wake her up from such a peaceful slumber when this was the longest sleep he'd ever seen her take. He rested one hand under his head as he continued to look down at his girlfriend's angelic face. "Wake up, babe."

"Hmmm," Sabine murmured and turned to face away from Gael.

Gael chuckled softly at his girlfriend's actions. He leaned over and kissed her exposed cheek. She drooled a little from sleeping with her lips slightly parted, and he wiped the corner of her mouth with the pad of his thumb. He whispered into her ear, trying to wake her up. He still wanted to take her shopping before meeting with her parents for dinner.

"Babe, wake up now. We still have to swing by the mall to pick out your outfit for dinner."

"Hmmm," Sabine moaned again. "What time is it?" she sleepily asked.

"Almost five. We have dinner reservations at 7."

"Okay," she rolled over and stretched out her limbs.

"How long was I out for?"

"8 hours. How are you feeling?"

"Incredible."

"That's the magic of rest," he smiled at her and kissed her still shut eyelids. "Come on, babe, get up. I told Edith's favorite boutique to hold a couple of dresses and shoes for you, and her make up artist and hairstylist are on their way to meet us there."

Her eyes flew wide open at what she heard. "Wait, what? Why?" she asked genuinely confused.

"Babe, it's your birthday. I'm taking you to the fanciest French restaurant in town. I want you to be the most beautiful woman there tonight."

"What, babe...you didn't need to. I'd be fine with whatever..."

"Babe, I love you. You deserve the best life has to offer, and if I'm the one to give that to you, then so be it."

"But, babe..."

He put a finger over her mouth. "No buts. It's a done deal. We're gonna have a fantastic time tonight. I'll have my driver pick up your parents at your house tonight and meet us at the restaurant. So if you can please get up so we can go, that would be fantastic," he winked at her. "Don't make me carry you out of this bed caveman style, babe," he playfully said to her.

"Okay, okay, I'm getting up."

She walked to the bathroom and brushed her teeth. She washed her face and pulled her hair in a ponytail. She put her clothes from the morning back on and was done in under 10 minutes. Gael was just putting a shirt over his naked torso when she came out of the bathroom. She had to clear her throat at the sight. He looked over to her blushing face and grinned. He walked over to her and helped her to wrap her arms around his waist.

"What's the matter, babe?" he looked down at her teasingly.

"Nothing. I thought we had to go," she changed the subject.

"Did you like the view?" he continued to goad her.

"Yeah, didn't I say this room had a nice view when we got here?" she turned to face the large windows.

"I don't mean that view," he looked deeply into her eyes.

"Oh, um, you, um, mean, um, your body..." she tripped over her words. "You, um, must work out," she said stupidly and silently berated herself, closing her eyes and wincing at what she just said.