One Chance

Chapter 19

The view before us brings tears to my eyes. I mean little things make me emotional but the fact that our family and friends are all standing in the room, just makes me cry happy tears. 

Amanda and I quickly looked at each other and went to go hug our parents. Then we greet each and every guest in the room. When we were done, our parents told us to go change into the dresses they got us as gifts a while ago. 

We rush to our rooms to change. I take a quick shower and change as quickly as I can. By the time I'm done, I hear Amanda knock before she enters my room. 

" You ready to go? I can't believe they did all of this. So many people showed up. I guess I'm more surprised our parents kept it a secret too. This is the first time that's happened. At least as far as I know. Who knows what they haven't told us about ? " As soon as she says this, we both end up laughing.

Our laughter stops as soon as we hear another knock followed by Ashlyn's voice. " Are you guys ready yet ? The party is about to start and it's not going to be a party with you both so please hurry."

Even before she finishes her sentence we open the door and the smile on her face makes me happy too. She compliments our dresses and we all walk down into the party room. 

The whole room goes silent as soon as we enter. A few gasps here and there and people immediately start complimenting us. Our parents come and give us a hug and they make us stand in the centre. 

Then someone ties a blindfold around my eyes and by the surprise tone of Amanda's I guess they are doing the same to her too. I giggle at the silliness of it all. Then I feel someone's hand holding mine and leading me. I hold it tightly and can instantly feel that it's Toby's so I relax and squeeze it to thank him. That small action has become something we both use when we want to reassure or just acknowledge each other without other people knowing. He squeezes my hand in return and I smile. 

We walk for a few minutes before we stop abruptly. I could sense that we weren't inside the cottage anymore and before I could even say anything, the cloth around my eyes is removed. As soon as I adjust my eyes to the view I let out a loud gasp. I immediately turn to look for Amanda, who has the same look on her face as I do and Mark is holding her hand. 

I turn and look at Toby who is still holding my hand and he looks at me waiting for me to say something, anything.

After a few seconds, I take him into a hug and whisper in his ear," you've really outdone yourself. I thought yesterday was great but this is just beyond what I can ever imagine." 

The whole area was decorated with pink and purple decorations and with tiny lanterns hanging from the trees, a three tier cake in front of me and a table full of desserts and drinks on the side. It took a lot of self control to not scream and him with happiness but my mind was definitely doing all the things I was stopping my body from doing. All the guests are staring at us now and my face is stuck in a huge smile that I can't seem to wipe off. 

Amanda and I cut the cake together and everyone sings us Happy birthday in unison. Surprisingly they were all in tune which made it sound that much better. We all dance and sing and eat the delicious,decadent desserts and drink till our heart's content. 

As the party winds down around 2, people leave to go sleep in the accommodations that Mark arranged for them. Since the cottage isn't big enough for  everyone,he made prior arrangements for them in a nearby hotel. Our parents are the last to say goodnight because they are staying in the cottage too. After we help Mark put the remaining food in the kitchen, we wish each other a goodnight and head to our rooms.

Amanda enters her room as soon as we reach our rooms while Toby and I linger outside mine. I kiss him slowly at first to just feel his body close to me. He then pulls me to him and intensifies the kiss. Before we know it we are headed inside my room without breaking the kiss. My hands are around his neck and his one hand is on my waist and the other holding my cheek.