30. ONLY FOR YOU

I hear the click of heels against the floor and my head swivels in the direction of the staircase. My breath hitches at the back of my throat as I see her descending the steps, looking as gorgeous as the princess that she is.

She looks up, her curls whipping in the air, and for a moment I forget how to breathe. She looks unbearably beautiful and the dress fit her like a glove.

As cheesy as it may sound, all the Disney princesses combined won't even come close to her if they were to see her right now. I'd say it is love at first sight but I don't remember feeling any emotion other than love every single time I put my eyes on her. So it's love at every sight.

This is the most unique quality of Eliza. She looks mesmerizing in just about everything.

As soon as she starts to approach me, my eyes drink in her form from her heel clad feet up to her perfectly fitted dress and her loosely curled locks that are bouncing behind her shoulders along with minimal makeup. Her plump lips were painted in a shade of blood-red and I have a feeling that I will soon be ruining it.

"I am sorry for taking so much time."

"You look breathtaking."

We both say simultaneously.

A blush creeps up her neck and she bites her lip, "Thanks." She mutters quietly.

I cover the distance between us with three long strides and cup her face with my hands before pulling her in for a kiss. She freezes in my hold for a split second but recovers quickly and kisses me back. Her lips move shyly against mine for a few seconds before she finally let loose and matches my pace.

One of her hands slide up from my chest to my hair and her fingers move through them, slightly tugging at the ends. I groan in the kiss and pull her body flush against mine causing her hand to fist my shirt. She moans lightly when I squeeze her waist in response and tug at her bottom lip with my teeth before pulling away.

Resting my forehead against hers, I kiss the tip of her nose and she takes a step back, my arms still caging her, "You ruined my lipstick." She whispers and her eyes move to my lips.

A soft giggle pushes past her lips as she brings her right thumb to wipe my lips that probably had her lipstick stains. I keep staring at her in a trance and just then she snaps her fingers in front of my face.

"What are you looking at?" She asks.

"You." I reply without missing a heartbeat.

Her cheeks turn pink and she gently pries my arms off of her waist, "You were going to take me somewhere?"

I have completely forgotten about that but I reply, "Of course."

The small puppy comes running down the stairs and steals Liza's attention completely who is now picking him up in her arms.

I roll my eyes at the needy puppy, "Liza, we're getting late." I say.

"Can we bring him along?"

I stare at her back in horror, "What?!"

"Yeah, are we going to leave him alone?" She pouts.

"Liza-" I start to say but the puppy rests his head on Liza's shoulder and looks directly at me as if it was challenging me.

I narrow my eyes at him and I swear I see his eyes sparkle with a mischievous glint, "No, Liza. The housekeeper will look after it."

She turns around with a deep frown, "He is not it." She emphasizes.

I clear my throat, "Of course, bambi. I am sorry."

The seemingly innocent puppy in her arms smirks at me and my jaw ticks, "Leave him be, will you? We have to leave." I say trying to keep my voice as soft as possible.

"Yes." She says and reluctantly lets go of the tiny monster.

I place my hand on the small of her back and lead her out of the house and away from the evil beast.

"I miss him already. What should we name him?" She turns to ask me once we've hit the road.

"We?"

"Yes, it's our puppy."

"I am not too sure about it." I mutter under my breath but she hears me.

"What's wrong with you?" She questions in suspicion.

"Nothing." I play it cool.

"So you're saying you're not jealous of a puppy?" She scoffs in disbelief.

"Nope." I deny quickly.

"You're the one who got me a gift."

"Definitely second-guessing my decision."

"You're unbelievable."

"No, I am yours."

"I know. Where are you taking me?"

"Can't say."

"Please."

"It's a surprise."

"Oh." She mumbles and stays quiet for a whole minute.

"So like I-"

"Read my lips, baby, I ain't saying a word."

"Whatever."

I park my car outside a restaurant and she turns to look at me with a weird expression, "Is this a date?"

"Ouch, don't you want it to be?"

"I do but I think I am overdressed." She admits shyly.

"You look gorgeous, bambi and you're not overdressed at all."

"Okay." She mumbles and I get out of the car before going to her side and opening the door for her.

"Come." I say softly and take her hand in mine.

Instead of taking her to the restaurant, I direct her towards a small door right next to the restaurant and she glances at me, unsure of my actions.

"Relax." I say, rubbing her back.

"Why are we here?"

"See for yourself." I answer and open the door.

She steps inside and gasps looking around in awe, "Do you like it?" I whisper ask in her ear.

She turns her head towards me and I see her eyes glistening with tears, "I love it." She whispers back.

My eyes shift to the man standing behind her and I give him a subtle nod of the head. He taps on Eliza's shoulder and her head whips in his direction.

"Surprise." Elijah whispered in her ear and one by one, all the bulbs light up and everybody comes out of the shadows singing 'Happy Birthday' to her.

She places a hand over her mouth as tears fall down her cheeks and leans into Elijah's side who hugs her.

"Thank you." She whispers to him as he wipes her tears.

"I won't take the credit for something that was not my idea. It was all Nick." He says.

She turns to face me with the biggest smile on her face and hugs me, "I love you."

"You deserve everything, bambi."

Everyone comes to wish her birthday and she is absolutely ecstatic to find Anne, Adrian, and Natasha in the crowd.

"You guys came." She says looking at Anne.

"Anything for our princess." Anne replies to her.

Anne is Savannah's best friend who was a part of their trio group; Nathaniel, Savannah, and Anne.

Seeing Liza smile for the rest of the night is probably the highlight of the day. She glances at me briefly as we now sit beside one another having dinner and me? I can't keep my eyes off of her.

There is this overwhelming feeling in my chest that I just cannot shake off even when I want to.

---

I was loading my car trunk with all the gifts Liza has received today when she walks up to me. I shut it close and turn to face her with a soft smile.

"Thank you for everything you did tonight. This was the best birthday ever." She whispers and kisses my cheek.

"It is but I have something to give to you."

"And that would be?" She asks with a lazy grin stretched on her face.

I look around to see everyone staring at us and I look back at her, "Eliza, I was absolutely jealous of the dog I gifted you and I think it's gonna happen a lot more in the future since I am not leaving your side until my last breath."

She chuckles slightly, "I don't ever want you to."

"Good. This is why I am going to do this and I hope I don't freak you out." I say and slip my hand in my pocket.

She looks at me in confusion, "What?"

I get down on one knee and her eyes widen in shock, "Bambi, I don't think I could have found a better day to do this. I just wanted to make sure that this day was as perfect as I ought for it to be and by the smile on your face, I think I did a pretty decent job. I have loved you from the very beginning and if there's another way to tell you this, I would choose it in a heartbeat."

I pause and open the small black box in my head making her lips part in surprise, "I am not asking you to marry me, not yet at least. This is a promise ring. I promise to be yours and yours alone till the day I die and I promise to slip another ring to replace this one, in the future. I am promising to be the one to put a smile on your face every single day and be a better man for you and our future. I am promising to go to any length for us and I promise to make efforts. Do you promise the same? Do you believe in us?"

She sniffs and nods her head, "I promise. I love you, too."

I grin and slip the finger in her ring causing everyone to cheer and clap for us. I get up and she instantly wraps her arms around my neck and brings my lips down to hers for a brief kiss.

I pull away and point towards the sky where fireworks begin to explode and she sobs looking at me, "Just so you know, you already are the better man." She whispers and I lean down to kiss her forehead.

"Only for you."