“Bedside drawer.” He motioned with his head to the nightstand on the left side of the bed. I retrieved the key and took off the cuffs. We lay on the bed, silently enjoying embracing one another.
Then, I remembered. “Hold on for a sec.”
I hopped off the bed and ran downstairs. I reached into my backpack and pulled out Cody’s gift. When I returned, Cody lay on the bed. The look of blissful satisfaction brought me immense happiness. Seeing him like that was the best thing in the world.
I returned to my spot on the bed and handed him the case. “This is for you.”
Cody sat up, looking at it wide-eyed. “What? You bought me a gift?”
“Yeah.”
He looked at it with concern. “I didn’t get you anything.”
“Cody, you bought handcuffs and a riding crop. Believe me, you definitely gave me a gift.”
He rolled his eyes at that. “Well, this looks like something big.”
That’s what he said.Don’t worry, I didn’t say that.
Cody opened the box to reveal a necklace with an angel wings pendant.
“Rafael! Oh, my goodness!” He removed the necklace from the box and studied the pendant. “Angel wings.”
I nodded. “Cuz, you’re my angel. You saved me, Cody. I wouldn’t be who I am today without you. I wanted to give you something that would remind you that you’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“Oh, Rafael.” A tear ran down his cheek, and I hurried up and kissed it away. “This is beautiful. Will you help me put it on?” He handed me the necklace, and I clasped it around his neck. “I’ll never take it off.”
“Well, that’s not safe. What about when I choke you in the bedroom? I don’t want to break the necklace.”
“I’ll fucking kill you!” Cody started tickling me.
“No tickling! Off limits!”
“Fuck your limits!” He hollered back as we cackled on the bed.
I almost bought Cody a ring, but that felt very extra considering we were only eighteen. In time, there’d be a ring. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Cody, but I’d pop the big question later.
We’d had enough milestones for one year.
Epilogue (One Month Later)
Cody
The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow on Rafael’s tan complexion. He carried a gorgeous bouquet of plumeria and hibiscus as he descended the stairs of our Maui B&B. We’d decided to take a trip for the Christmas break as a family, Sue included.
There was also another reason for the trip that we’d kept hidden from Mom.
“Oh, those are beautiful! Let’s put the big bouquets on either side of the arbor,” I suggested.
Our little B&B couldn’t be more perfect. Birds of paradise flanked the sides of the backyard. A staircase from the house opened to a cobblestone path leading to an arbor that overlooked the beachfront view.
Hank stood beneath the arbor. Beads of sweat dripped from his hairline. The officiant was kind enough to hand him a handkerchief to dab his forehead.
I walked around, placing tea citronella candles in bowls of water throughout the area.
Rafael drew closer to me. “Looks good,” he mused.
“It’s perfect. She’s gonna flip.”
