A Promise of Forever
ARIANA'S POV
I lay on my bed, the plush comforter pulled up to my waist, one hand tucked under my cheek while the other held my phone close to my ear. The screen glowed softly in the darkness, the only source of light in the room. Outside, the city had quieted into a soft hum, and the clock on my nightstand ticked steadily toward midnight. Almost his birthday.
Hardin’s voice came through the phone, low and lazy, thick with sleep and longing. "You know what I want for my birthday, right?"
I smiled, rolling onto my back and letting out a small laugh. "If you say something dirty, I swear I’ll hang up."
He gasped dramatically. "Me? Dirty? I'm offended."
"Mm-hmm," I said, biting my lip to keep from laughing again.
"I just want you in my arms. That’s all. That’s not dirty. That’s sweet. Romantic even."
"Romantic," I echoed. "You? Since when did you become a Hallmark card?"
He chuckled, that deep, velvety sound that always made my stomach flip. "Since you made me soft. I’m a mess without you. I’m lying here staring at the ceiling like some tragic love-struck fool."
I turned to my side, tucking the pillow under my chin. "You are a tragic love-struck fool."
"And proud of it," he said. "Come on, baby. Just sneak out, come over. I’ll leave the door open. We’ll pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist."
I rolled my eyes, but my heart fluttered anyway. "It’s almost midnight. You’ll see me later at your party. I’m not stealing you from your family. This is your first birthday with them. You need to be there."
He sighed. Long and heavy. "You’re right. But I still don’t like it."
"You can not like it all you want, but you’ll survive."
"Barely."
We both went quiet for a moment, the kind of silence that felt full, not awkward. Comfortable. Like we were lying side by side, tangled up in sheets and each other.
"It’s almost time," I whispered.
"Mm," he hummed. "You keeping track for me?"
"Of course. Someone has to."
"Three minutes to midnight," he murmured. "You nervous?"
I laughed softly. "About what?"
"You know... how unforgettable my birthday gift will be."
"You mean a navy-blue tie?"
He groaned. "A tie? Come on, Ari. That’s a corporate gift. I’m your man. I need passion. Emotion. A striptease."
"Hardin!"
"What? Just being honest."
"You’re getting worse every day."
"You love it."
I laughed, covering my face with my free hand. "I really do. God help me."
The clock ticked to midnight. I held my breath for a beat.
"Happy birthday, Hardin," I whispered.
There was a pause. Then a soft exhale. "That sounded better than a choir of angels."
"You’re so dramatic."
"I’m serious," he said, and this time his voice was quieter, more tender. "You’re the best gift that’s ever been given to me, Ariana. I mean that. No tie, no party, no champagne or cake can ever compare. Just you. You’re all I need."
My chest ached—in that wonderful, weightless way. My heart expanded, flooding every inch of me with warmth.
"Don’t say stuff like that you make me melt."
"I mean every damn word. I want everything with you. The whole damn messy, beautiful future."
I swallowed. "Yeah?"
"Yeah. I’m talking house on a hill, five kids, a dog, maybe a cat if you insist—"
"Five kids?!" I interrupted, choking on a laugh. "Do you know how hard it is to push one baby out, let alone five?"
He laughed too, deep and rich. "Fine. We’ll make it six."
"Hardin!"
"Kidding. Mostly."
I narrowed my eyes even though he couldn’t see me. "Three. That’s my limit."
"Ugh, fine," he grumbled. "But I want a full house. Chaos. Laughter. Tiny feet running through the halls. A lot of love."
I exhaled softly. "You’ll have that. Maybe not five kids, but the rest... yeah. You’ll have all of that."
Another silence stretched between us, but this one was soaked in sweetness.
"What’re you wearing right now?" he asked suddenly.
I rolled my eyes. "Hardin."
"Come on, indulge me. It’s my birthday."
"A t-shirt and shorts."
"What kind of t-shirt?"
"Oversized."
"Is it mine?"
I smiled, looking down at the black tee. "Yeah."
He groaned. "God, now I really want you here. That shirt was barely hanging on you, and it’s definitely drowning you. Which means no bra."
"Correct."
He groaned again, louder this time. "You’re trying to kill me."
"Maybe."
"Come over, baby. I’ll unwrap you like the gift you are."
I shook my head, laughing. "Nope. Not happening."
"Please?"
"No."
"You’re cruel."
"You love it."
"God help me, I do."
I yawned, snuggling deeper into the bed. "You better get some sleep. Big day later."
"You’re coming to the party, right?"
"Of course. I told you I’d be there."
"Good. I’ll be the one ignoring everyone just to stare at you."
"Don’t you dare."
"Too late. Plan’s already in motion."
I giggled. "Well, I’ll be the one in the dress that matches your tie."
"You got a dress to match the tie?"
"Obviously. It’s your favorite color."
He exhaled. "You really are perfect."
"I try."
"I’ll see you later, okay? But just know... if I catch even a second alone with you tomorrow night, I’m stealing a kiss that’ll make up for every second you weren’t here tonight."
"Deal," I whispered.
"Goodnight, baby. Thank you. For everything."
"Happy birthday, Hardin. I love you."
"I love you more."
We both hung up, smiling.
And somewhere in the dark, wrapped in his thoughts and mine, I knew—this was just the beginning of forever.
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