"D'awe. Don’t make me blush, sweetheart. Now go have fun." Lucian takes my hand, and we head over to greet everyone. Damn, I can’t believe they organized all this.
"Are you surprised? " Ash asks, hugging me.
"Of course. I can’t believe you guys did this. Thank you. It means a lot to finally be out and about again.
"No problem, bestie! I’ve missed you. When are we going to do another D&D night?" She addresses Lucian on that one.
"Well, I adjusted that campaign a little bit, so maybe in two weeks, just before we leave. We can do it for Cassie’s birthday if you guys want. Make a whole night of it. And after, we can continue it on Discord like before." Lucian answers. It's just over two weeks until we head to California and start our new life. The doctor said I would be OK to travel by then.
"I can’t believe you guys are moving. What am I supposed to do?" She pouts.
"Move to California with us?" I tease. She glances at Jayme.
"Nope, too close to dickhead over there.” She sticks her tongue out at him when he glances over. He laughs, shaking his head as he returns to his conversation with Odette.
"Yeah, sure.” I laugh. She couldn’t be more obvious that she likes him.
"Ok, time for presents." She claps her hands together, and we walk around the corner. There is a large table at least 10 feet long filled with gifts. Lucian presses against my back and wraps his arms around my middle, nuzzling his face into my neck.
"Are you having fun? Look at all the gifts that people have brought for you. You deserve to be spoiled." He kisses my neck just below my ear, and my body explodes in goosebumps. Sunny runs up to me with a big box in his hands.
"Here, open this first. It’s from me." He is grinning ear to ear. I gently shake the box. I love trying to guess what it is before I open it, but, for the life of me, I can't figure it out. I set it on the table and rip open the paper.
"It’s a margarita machine!!!!!" Sunny screeches.
"Oh my God, I love it! Thank you, Sunny." I’m going to miss my margarita nights with them.
"Me next. Me next!" Ash shoves a small box toward me.
"Ash, are you proposing to me?" I wink.
"Just open it, you nerd." Inside is a custom necklace with a hollowed-out metal D20. Inside is a cube with pictures of us on it. My eyes brim with tears.
"Ash, this is beautiful. How the heck did you find something like this?"
"I had it custom-made. I met someone at Nat20 who makes D&D-based jewelry. It’s so cool, right? Now, I’ll always be with you." I hug her tightly. I’m going to miss her, but maybe one day, she will move out to California, and then Sunny will have to follow.
"Wow, that’s cool, Ash. Nice job." Lucian commends her.
I spent the rest of the evening drinking, opening gifts, and enjoying being surrounded by friends and family. Nothing could have made this night better.
73. Lucian
She looks so happy hanging out with everyone. She’s been down lately, with a few side effects still lingering after the attack, so I’m glad to see her smiling and having fun. I have to finish up that campaign. It has to be good since we are going to be moving. I do have something else special planned, but that has to wait. I watch her from a distance while drinking a beer with Jayme.
"God, your love is making me sick." Jayme jokes. "But in all seriousness, I’m glad you finally came to your senses about that one. I might have had to turn up the charm and claim her for myself if you hadn't." He nudges me. "So, did you get it?" I glance around before I nod.
"Yep, it came in 2 days ago, and I picked it up this morning."
"I can’t believe you are going to propose. You’ve only been dating a few months. You sure it’s not too soon?" He asks.
"I’ve known that woman for almost 16 years. I’ve known every part of her—the good, the bad, and now the kinky, too. I can’t imagine spending even one day without her, man. She’s my everything. I hope she says yes."
I’m planning on proposing on her birthday. I have a whole thing planned. I hope I don’t get too nervous. In such a short time, she has become my everything, my will to live, my obsession.
"What are you boys plotting over here? You both look like you are up to no good." Cassie snakes between us grabs Jayme’s Corona and takes a swig.
"We were just talking about your birthday gift from us; what do you think about round 2 of the auction night?" Jayme asks coyly. This causes both Cassie and I to spit our drinks.
