Bringing Me Closer

Chapter Five

Our lunch date at the park was full of jokes, deep conversations, and lots of food. I couldn't believe how close Liam and I were becoming, I could literally tell him everything. Our relationship had grown so much since I decided to become a Christian, we were growing together in God.

When it was about a week until my birthday, I started to become antsy about things. I was going to be an adult! Liam was getting me pumped saying that he had a huge surprise planned for my birthday. Honestly, I had no clue what to expect, he was surprising me more and more each day. I felt like he was never this real with me, but now that we had the same beliefs and hopes, it was much easier to relate.

"So Roxy... If you could have anything right now, what would it be?" "Well it depends, how many different ways can you think of to ask me what I want for my birthday?" "I'm starting to run out! You should just tell me." "Liam, you've given me everything I have ever needed and wanted in these past few months. Please don't get me anything, really." "Roxy, thanks for being you." "What do you mean?" "Well you're just the sweetest girl I know. You listen to everything I say, and I believe you truly do love me. So, thank you." "Liam, that's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me. Honestly, I've always loved and admired you. I've always hoped that we could be together, and now it's finally happening, so thank YOU!" We hugged, which was a common occurrence.

I woke up and my eyes shot open, I was officially an adult! I read my mini devotional as I did every morning. Then I checked my phone only to see a text from Liam, "good morning... You're the most beautiful adult I've ever met ;)" I couldn't help but grin, even though I wasn't much of a morning person. I was instructed last night to dress however I wanted and to be ready by 9am, pretty early, but I'm sure it was worth it. I drove down to a diner by my house to meet Liam, who, surprising wasn't there yet. He was probably too busy getting changed for our special day together. After abut fifteen minutes of waiting, I decided to give him a call. It went to voicemail after ringing for a little while, this was strange. I started to panic, my heart beating faster and my breaths shortening. Shaking, I dialed his mom's number and pressed 'call'. "Roxy! I can't believe," she was panting, crying actually, "Liam was in an accident."

When my brain finally registered what Mrs. Nixon said, I grabbed my car keys and ran. After speeding to the hospital and finding his room I ran in. He was in pretty bad shape, but completely conscious. "Oh my Liam, I'm so sorry." I ran to his bedside and grabbed his hand, emulating what he did to me just a few months ago after I fell. "Roxy, I'm so glad you're here. I'm sorry for ruining your birthday." "Liam, no, no. I'm just glad you're okay. Please tell me you're okay?" Mr. Nixon chimed in, "He'll be fine! He only broke his nose and sprained his wrist from the impact of the crash." I nodded and kissed his hand, not letting go. At this his parents gave us our privacy. "Roxy, I had so much planned for today, I'm so sorry." "Liam, you need to stop apologizing, really. We can do it another day! Okay?" "Okay," he said with a frown on his face, "but I still feel bad." "Don't feel bad," I sat on the edge of his bed, "I'd say watching tv in a hospital room with the best boyfriend in the world is better than any birthday I've had!" "You must have had some pretty bad birthdays," he said finally letting his humor return, "but the doctors said I could be released today. They just have to cover up my nose and put a brace on my wrist and then we go back to my place for some cuddle time." I smiled, glad to know we wouldn't be stuck in one of my least favorite places on my birthday.

"Okay so it's between these two?" I glanced down at Liam who was holding two movies; The Hunger Games and Forrest Gump. "Alright, since it's already ten o'clock, I say we watch Hunger Games, not sure if I'm up to a three hour movie at this time." He nodded, and quickly stuck the DVD in. As he grabbed a plaid blanket and sat next to me, I realized how exhausted I was. Liam looked adorable in his little nose cast, I couldn't stop thinking about how selfless he was. The point that he apologized for ruining my birthday when his life could have been in danger was beyond me! Liam put his arm around my shoulder and nuzzled closer to me, "Beats me why you would wanna watch a movie about people fighting to the death on your birthday," he said smirking. "Hey! You said it was my choice, no mocking me!" I put on a fake pouting face. "I know, I know. I'm only joking." As the movie began my eyes instantly felt like they weighed ten pounds heavier. I laid my head on his shoulder and Liam began to play with my hair, twirling it around in circles within his index and middle finger. "Hey Liam?" "Yeah babe?" "Do you think it would be okay if I fell asleep?" I said in such a quiet whisper it was almost silent. "Go ahead hun." It was as if I passed out immediately.

I was so exhausted I didn't even dream and I woke up to Liam getting up. "You okay?" I said drowsily. "Yeah I'm alright!" He exclaimed, his voice sounding stuffed up. I heard him padding around in the bathroom, so I decided to join him. When I walked in, I saw lots of blood dripping into the sink from his nose bandage. "The doctor said this would happen, I'm just not real good with..." "Liam, it's okay. Let me take care of it." I pulled a blood-soaked bandage off with ease and wiped his nose as gently as I could. As I reapplied the gauze and bandage he winced. "I'm almost done, okay?" He nodded, not wanting to share his weakness. "Okay, all done. You're all better." "Thanks Roxy." He looked into my eyes and then at my lips, and there we kissed, in his bathroom with blood in the sink, on our hands, and on the floor. I let all of this drift out of my mind as soon as our lips touched.