True love is eternal, infinite, and always like itself. It is equal and pure, without violent demonstrations: it is seen with white hairs and is always young in the heart.

Honore de Balzac

"Are the penguin glasses ready, babycakes? It's your birthday so they're necessary. They're coming any minute now." I ask, wiping down the counters as quick as I can. Dalaric nods, setting them on the table. A few seconds later, I feel arms come around my waist.

"Show me." I sigh, turning around and laying my head on his chest.

"This is the seventh time." He's been asking me to do this for him all morning. I'm not annoyed but my heart keeps beating quick and it's embarrassing.

"And ?" He raises his brow before giving me an encouraging nod.

I hide my face in his warm chest and put my left hand forward, showing him the ring. He keeps wanting to see it and I get shy.

"Happy ?" I murmur. "Fuck yeah. Show me again." Dalaric kisses it with a small smile that feels like he's proud to call me his. His eyes literally glitter at the sight of it and I don't think it has anything to do with the reflection of the diamond.

A diamond...I never thought I was worth actual diamonds. I love him so much. I get to marry this dude.

The doorbell rings and I run to get it, but am pulled back by my ring finger by my fiancé- that sounds so nice- who's not done fangirling over it. We walk to the door together and open it to see our family.

"Do you think they're sleeping- oh, hey y'all !" Jan greets ecstatically.

"Hey, guys !! Thank you all for coming. Don't forget to wish the birthday boy ! Hehe. Here's your party hat, babycakes. You must not take it off, fine ?" I whisper the last part and he nods warily. As he should. My baby deserves all the wishes in the world.

Fatima and Jan enter first. She runs up to me and takes my hand, putting a hand over her forehead in feign jealousy.

"God, when? When ?" Rafael murmurs as he does the same but Dalaric pulls him back, annoyed at the contact.

Dean and Vera enter too and hand me a cake box, even though I specified not to bring anything. I try to wink at Vera as they hold hands but she asks me if there's something in my eye.

We have such sweet friends. "Stop glaring." I poke my fiancé- that sounds so cool-when he starts staring down at Clancy who is innocently playing with the penguin balloons. They even have little feet popping out. Clancy got us peanut butter, like a lot of it, as an apology. As well as some of those yummy orange ladoos that Dalaric and I snack on a lot.

T and Kirra also enter and hug each of us. I heard they might be going out...teehee. Ale walks in with a whole cigarette and Dalaric drags him out the door, telling him to step on it.

"Put it out or no cake." He orders sternly. Aw. I wanna boop. He looks so adorable with the party hat on. My finger twitches with the urge to boop.

"Damn, don't go that far, the fuck..." Ale looks horrified and comes to give me our special fist bump. I can feel the jealousy radiate from my man as we complete our special sign of friendship.

I literally kiss this man a hundred times a day, sleep in his shirts, let him make my body a pillow yet he has the audacity to be jealous. My baby. I wanna boop so bad.

"Girl, do you know how much my mama's been bugging me ever since she saw those ring photos? Also, she wants to gift you some goats from the village..."

"I didn't mean to send it to her toooo....okay, she did ask me to keep her updated !! She's sweet, Fatima. How can you resist that !? And goats ?! I want. Can I have five? Is that too greedy? I'll pay. Maybe Dalaric won't-"

"Girl, wait. Goats as in goat meat. I'm so sorry, Hunny. You're too sweet," She wipes a non-existent tear off her face and flips her hijab. ", my pure baby is getting married off. What are you going to do without me ?" She squishes my cheeks with both her hands and I try to glare at her.

"We're not moving anywhere..."

"Chile let me be dramatic...I'm getting a discount, yeah? How much? Eighty? Make it ninety and I'll leave a good Yelp review for sure." Ever since Dalaric took her insight into the women-only dining area for the restaurant, my best friend wants to eat for free. Which we were going to do anyway.

"Yes. Ninety. You can pay for the water." She sighs in relief, hugging me tight. I'm so thankful for such a great friend.

"Wait, like, you killed t-the goats? S-so their m-me-mea-" I frown, rubbing my eyes at how cute the goats would be. Dalaric rushes to my side and hides me from everyone else.

"Mayella, look, baby, they're alive okay ?" He shows me a random picture of some goats and I nod. Maybe they're alive. "Let's cry after they're gone, fine ?" I nod and he kisses my forehead, leaving to join the boys.

"I was joking..." Fatima looks at me with cautiousness.

"C-can you please not joke about t-the goats ?" I glare at my favourite girl as she holds back a laugh and nods.

"Yeah. They were yummy as h- ow, ow, owww. Stop biting me all the time!" Teehee. I poke my tongue out at her as we call the girls to join us in the guest room. We want to have a mini-bridesmaids party so we're using the guest room while the boys use the living room. I also have penguie balloons. And cake. And lasagne.

"So...you and T-" Vera starts, side-eyeing Kirra. I tried my best to make Kirra feel comfortable since she's new here and doesn't know anyone apart from T & I. And since I have the sweetest friends, it's almost like they've known her for years.

"Nononono- we're just friends. I want to take it slow because you know, he needs time so um...ok, he's literally the sweetest man ever. I have fallen so hard." Kirra hides her face in her hands and shakes her head. Ah, young love. I'm really happy that she's giving him time to recover properly and they're taking it slow, she's the one for him, I just know it. T's a goof so they go well together.

My phone buzzes as they all gush and I take it out to see a message that bothers me. Bothers me in many different ways.

🐧: I'll be waiting for my gift.

"Wow, you're turning really red." I feel a poke on my cheek. I look up from the phone to see all the girls with inquisitive stares. And Vera's hand in the air to poke me again.

"It's, like, so hot in here." I lie as my cheeks start to get warmer. " I'll turn the AC on, gimme a sec." I leave, smiling at how loud it is in the living room where all the boys are. Now successfully distracted by the penguin balloons I ordered for him, I bump into a body I'm very familiar with.

"O-oh, h-hello." I clear my throat. He's literally my fiancé.

"Don't go getting all shy, Mayella. Hm? Not when I haven't got my gift yet." Dalaric takes his sweet time whispering the words into my ear, sending shivers down my entire being. I'm so nervous. He's not helping.

"O-Okie. Um. Oh, Fatima's calling me...Ah, yes, Fatima ?" I turn as I notice her leave the room with a biscuit in her hand.

She reads the room and looks at me weirdly. "Ah, yes, Maya. Can you tell me where the washroom is? I am in dire need of that knowledge...?" She's not very good at this. "Girl, just get here. Ricky, leave." She asks, covering up for me even though she's always in the washroom checking her hijab and acting like she's filming a tutorial.

Dalaric does leave- but not before sending me a sexy smirk and successfully making me want to end the party and kiss him all day.

"You're nervous, right munchkin ?" Fatima asks as we enter the guest washroom together. She passes me her eyelash curler and a mirror.

"I-I don't- yes. I'm nervous. I've worn it like ten times as practice but I still don't think I'm ready. It's so pretty, maybe I-"

"Say one bad thing about yourself and I'm not askin' mama to send goat pictures." She holds one finger up, silencing me.

I don't think I look nice in lingerie.

But I want to look nice for him. And I think that's okay. So I've been trying for the past week to be a bit more confident for when I show him. It's working. I think. It all comes down to tonight.

"Listen, munchkin. That man loves you in anything. And I don't doubt that he'll appreciate how hard you're trying. When you do something with love, it naturally brings happiness, got that? Now, where's the cake ?" I nod, kissing her on her cheek and feeling much more confident. I love him and I promised I'd show it to him every day. So I'm gonna do just that.

"Thank you, Fatima, and thank you for coming to choose it with me. I think white looks pretty on me. He said he likes the colour white too." Now I'm excited. I'm very excited to see his reaction.

Teehee.

-

"Maya, can I take some of this home ?" T munches on the chicken puffs I made with my fiancé-I love how that sounds- and asks me with a full mouth. He's healing so well and that makes me happy.

" I called dibs already." Dean and Vera both say at the same time, grinning sweetly at me.

"I'll make more and send them over tomorrow if that's okay ?" Everyone, for some reason, nods and says yes. Do they all want it...? Dalaric's making them anyways since all i did was put them in the oven. Hehe. I have a personal chef and they don't.

The table continues being lively as they all laugh at something Clancy does. I get up to take out the apple pie. I feel a presence behind me so I assume it's Fatima and giggle mischievously, turning around to bite him-

"Why'd you stop? Hm, fiancée?" Dalaric backs me up into the counter until my back hits the edge and I let out a small squeal. He smooths down a flyaway and straightens the neckline of my dress, purposefully skimming the skin below.

"P-p-pie. I-I need to, um," My mouth seems unable to speak when he moves closer. One hand lays firmly around my waist and the other traces my thigh, grabbing at the fabric that covers it until its all the way up and he can easily access my sensitive bahookie. When his gentle fingers come in contact with it, only then do I straighten up and remember to breathe.

"Pie! I need to g-get pie." I push him away, kissing his cheek in case he's hurt and make my way to the oven with wobbly legs. Taking out the freshly baked dish, we both take a sniff and talk about whether or not we should add it to the restaurant's menu.

It's still noisy as we return, except everyone's splayed around the living room couches, squabbling over who got the best gift for my babycakes. I think I win that contest...teehee.

"Fatima, can you help with the pie, please ?" She smirks for some reason unbeknownst to me and gets up.

"You sure look suspicious, munchkin. I wonder what happened in that kitchen, you know, where you went to get the pie..."

"Pie." Is my only answer as I walk faster and distribute the plates to the boys. I hear a laugh behind and blush even harder. Dalaric pulls at my hand so I can sit next to him on the big bean bag we got at a sale.

"Aight, I'm going first. I got you an apron." Ale passes the bag to Dalaric and he lets me catch it so I murmur a 'yay.' We open it up, and I giggle at the lettering on the front of the apron.

''

Dalaric smirks and everyone rolls their eyes when he proudly says "Damn right I am." Aw.

That's my baby. I wanna boop.

The girls collectively pitched in for a present and Dalaric thanks them for the photo album for every milestone we reach. It also comes with little penguin stickers for me. I love my girls.

Raf and Jan both gift Dalaric a 'World's best boss' mug as well as a new stapler. I'm not sure why. Clancy sheepishly points at the seven jars of chunky and smooth peanut butter.

"Maya, where's your gift ?"

"O-oh, u-um, it's not here right now. It'll-" I fiddle with my fingers, startled when Dalaric suddenly moves.

"Aight, parties over. Thank you all for coming, lots of love." Dalaric gets up from the bean bag and claps his hand, ushering everyone out. It's already very late so they should be going home. I hug everyone goodbye and make my way to the washroom as Dalaric leads them to the driveway.

Okie, Maya. You can do this. Grabbing what I need from the closet, I lock myself inside the bathroom quickly and take off my dress. And bra. Yuppie, this is that type of lingerie.

It's all white, with a lace outer layer. The silky hem reaches just above mid-thigh and fits snugly around my hips. The neckline holds together by a thin silky string that I tie in a bow shape, fitting the nature of the event. My chest peeks out a teeny bit but with one tug at the string, it'll do more than that. My arms and collarbones are bare so I moisturise them with some lotion that makes them shine.

Letting my hair free, I spritz his favourite perfume of mine and brush through my brows, adding a bit of blush just for colour. I don't look at myself in the mirror because I don't feel the need to. I feel sexy. Like, really sexy. So I confidently unlock the door and strut out, doing it quietly when I notice his back facing me as he shuffles through something. I look down at my toes, which were painted white by my babycakes because I kept messing it up, and take a deep breath before clearing my throat.

"You don-" Dalaric turns hastily but slows down when his eyes meet mine and move downwards. They drink me in like I'm a rare sight or something. I blush when he stays staring at me with lustful eyes.

His mouth parts and his tongue wets his already luscious lips. I bite my own.

The man in front of me clears his throat, trying to knock himself out of his own daze and asks me something which reminds me of why I am so in love with this person.

"You comfortable in that ?" Dalaric's look is genuine- with no ulterior motive and just pure concern. I nod shyly, shuffling my feet before I move forward. I tug at his shirt gently and he gets the hint, lifting his arms for me.

It's not like this is new to me. I help him get changed every morning because it makes me happy. And he likes being babied. So, why is it so hard to breathe?

After I get his shirt and his nice, very nice, eight pack is on display for my eyes and my eyes only, I stand still because I'm not sure what to do. Do I show him my bahookie or...?

Dalaric takes a step further, and then once more before putting both his hands on my waist. He gulps and lifts me up, earning a squeal as my legs wrap around his form when he pats my bahookie. Our eyes don't separate as he takes a seat on the bed's edge and moves his hand to my thigh.

"For me ?" Who else? I want to say, but I know he gets sour when he even thinks of an answer so I don't do anything except nod. My hands make their way onto his shoulders and I peck his cheek, still shy because his eyes are, like, glued to my face or something.

At this point, I get nervous and afraid that maybe he wants something else too. He does get greedy sometimes. I straddle him in a more comfortable position and play with his fingers.

"Um, I don't have another gift but-" Soft lips silence my own until I gasp for air. I pout, not knowing what to do.

"Already running away, baby ?" He says against my mouth and I gulp. His eyes flicker down.

"I haven't even opened this one yet."

My eyes get wider when he moves backwards with me in his arms until his back hits the headboard. Dalaric lays one firm hand on the back of my thigh and the other cups my face.

"Does the birthday boy get to unwrap his gift? Hm, Mayella ?"

"I-If you wan-want to. He can." He pushes my face closer and kisses me deeply, moving down my neck and sucking on the skin there. Dalaric's hands leave my body to travel up my waist slowly and teasingly, all the way to the bow.

I look down at the thin string right before I feel fingers grasp my chin, making me meet the most beautiful pair of eyes that are all mine. His fingers go back down to the thin fabric and he pulls one string, and then the other. One more tug later, the cloth is loose in the front and he holds it by the neckline.

My heart beats erratically when my skin is revealed and he pushes me closer, right until I'm sat on his thighs. Dalaric places both my hands on his shoulders, and moves his own to mine as I feel the tips of his fingers skim the straps that hold the dress from falling to my waist. His eyes ask me if I'm okay and I nod, moving further up his body. I want to know if his heart is thumping just as hard as mine so I move the palm of my hand until it lays just above what I'm proud to call my own.

One strap slips down my shoulder and soon does the other.

I subconsciously move to cover myself and he doesn't stop me, no. He waits, instead. He just looks at me like I'm the loveliest sight he has ever laid eyes upon. They give me silent comfort, something only he manages to do. Dalaric doesn't tell me that I shouldn't be covering myself in front of him.

I don't know how he does it. Understand me. He just knows. Knows how I feel. Knows how much of a big step this is for me. He knows that I want to do this. And he knows that it's hard for me. His eyes tell me that I deserve patience. I do.

Almost naturally, my hands fall. And so does a tear. I just love him so much. Dalaric's lips turn and he kisses the drop away, kissing my shoulders afterwards and then all along my arms.

"I love you," I mutter when he pulls me even closer, both our unclothed chests touching. I feel comfortable.

"Way fucking more, Mayella. I love you." I boop his nose with my own, finally fulfilling the urge I've had for a long time.

"You been itchin' to do that the whole day, hm ?" He scoffs and I nod with a grin. Dalaric sneaks his hands below the dress so that he can take it off and leave me in his second gift. It's lacey, white and it's so cute. It was also on sale!

"Fuck, Mayella..." Babycakes sighs and lays his head on my shoulder, one of his hands skimming the band of the very thin cloth that's held together by two bows; each on the sides of my hips.

I lean closer to his ear, "You can open the gift once the Jones aren't watching, babycakes." Dalaric rolls his eyes and throws a sheet on our penguins, earning a giggle from me.

I move further back, setting myself firmly on his body as my hands lay on his sculpted abdomen and giving it a peck. Moving away from his body now, I scoot towards the end of the bed and sit on my heels and placing my hands shyly behind my back. One finger moves to the band of my underwear and I loosely tug at one of the strings, just for the hehes, and watch as his lips part in pure amazement.

"Happy birthday, Mr Mikel. You may unwrap your present now."

Teehee.

______

3521