Chapter 149
Soon, the plates are cleared and we move to the sitting room where dessert is served. The fire burns brightly in the fireplace, creating warmth and making the room incredibly cozy as we settle around on the couches with presents of our names beside us. Taking a small spoonful of the pudding from Gabriel's plate while he takes a spoonful of apple pie from mine, the sound of wrapping paper ripping echoes in the room as everyone opens their gifts. We had decided to wait until after lunch since everyone woke up late this morning.
Paloma receives the latest model of a skateboard he has been wanting for months now from Isabella and Nero, a new phone from Gabriel, video games from me and an expensive looking bracelet from Valeria. Valeria receives a new laptop from Isabella and Nero, new lace-up boots she had hinted for Gabriel to get her, jewelry from Paloma and a burgundy leather jacket from me to add to her collection.
Gabriel, Valeria, Paloma and I bought Isabella the handbag and shoes she had been wanting, and a watch with a camera for Nero. Isabella is over the moon as she beams down at the gifts in delight, enthusiastically showing them off to Nero. I receive two bestselling books from Valeria who had somehow figured out that they have been on my list for a good while now, a bracelet and earrings from Isabella and Nero, and a watch from Paloma. At the end of my pile lies a rectangular box, wrapped in white with neat black ribbon tied into a bow on the top.
Smiling when I see that it's from Gabriel, I unwrap it with care, revealing a velvet black box with 'Bvlgari' engraved onto it in cursive gold writing. I gasp quietly when I open it to see a diamond necklace laying inside with purple, pink and green gemstones embedded into the design. It's exquisite and just by the recognition of the brand name, I also know it must have been very expensive.
I look over to Gabriel who is already staring down at me in affection, smiling slightly as he leans forward to press a chaste kiss to my lips before pulling away. "Do you like it?"
"Oh my god, this is too much." I start to protest but am cut off by the shake of his head, his eyes burning in refusal.
"Only the best for my mate, please accept it." His bright green eyes take on an almost pleading look, making me sigh in defeat and nod.
I press my lips to his cheek, lingering of their own accord and creating delightful sensations on my skin. I intertwine our hands, my thumb rubbing across his skin in an affectionate manner. Green to grey, our eyes connect and remain fixated at each other, staring into each other's souls, not wanting to let go just yet.
"You spoil me too much." I whisper, placing the box on the coffee table carefully.
A slow, easy going smile spreads across his lips making my heart race uncontrollably. "You love it."
I roll my eyes as a light chuckle escapes my lips before I nod at the presents in his lap, gesturing for him to open them. Nervousness rises within me as he starts unwrapping his presents, leaving mine for last. Paloma has bought him a new diary for the upcoming year with an engraved gold pen and new shoes, Valeria went for a sleek looking turntable to accompany all the vinyl's he has stocked in his office. Isabella and Nero have bought him a Giorgio Armani perfume with an accessories box that includes a watch, sunglasses, a belt and a bracelet in a black and silver color theme.
The others leave to stand by the front door when Valeria notices snow beginning to fall. Now, it's just Gabriel and I sitting on the couches with the blanket wrapped around us, although the heat he provides is more than enough.
All too soon, he is unwrapping the last presents which are from me. I bite my lip when he opens the first one, which is a professional camera. The reason I had bought it is because Gabriel loves photography and has about a million amazing pictures on his phone of those perfect shots that I can never take. He makes simple views seem wonderful!
I smile shyly and shrug when he glances at me with raised brows, his expression of pure shock. Moving onto the next one, it's a framed picture of him and I in Anchorage, Alaska, having one of those moments where you forget your surroundings and just focus on the person you love. Isabella managed to capture the perfect moment of us staring deeply into each other's eyes, our noses and cheeks red from the cold and wrapped up in warm clothing.
The last frame is of two family pictures, one of my parents and I and the other of him and his family that I had found in the drawer of his office's desk, taken two years prior to when tragedy struck in the Silva household. He has been wanting to put it on his desk in his office but something always stopped him, almost as if it hurt him to see the picture.
I want to remind him that it's okay to miss your parents; that nobody walking on this earth can ever be constantly strong; that we must let ourselves break to become stronger. Gabriel masks the pain of losing his parents and eventually, it will only end up hurting him. So, in a way, I'm helping the both of us to heal and move on with the memory of our parents. I sense longing and sadness through our bond which makes me curl up into his side and intertwine our hands, squeezing it slightly to offer some support. My head falls onto his broad shoulder and his cheek meets the top of mine as we stare at the pictures in front of us.
"You will never be alone again, Gabriel. I'm always here for you, even if it means feeling your pain...we'll get through this together. You and I."
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