Chapter 22 -
Now, before I tell you what was in that little box.... let me just say, everyone in that room was silent as I opened the gift. I held it in my hand and gazed at it quietly, pondering what it could be for.
"What is it?" Taylor asked.
I pulled the object out of the box and held it up. The silver gleamed brightly and I smiled.
"What's the key for?" Isaac asked.
"Well, I know it's not much Zac.... but I bought a house last week, and I wanted you to have a key too. I thought you might like it. And whenever you come to New York, you can just stay with me instead of staying in a hotel."
"It's wonderful, thank you." I kissed her lips gently and put the key back into the box.
That's not what you were thinking, now was it? Admit it, you thought she was going to ask me to marry her or something, right? We'd only been together for 4 months at that point, marriage wouldn't happen for a while. But anyway....
"Yes, that's a very thoughtful gift. So how is everything going Kim? School is good?" My mom asked.
"Oh yes Diana, school is great. I'm almost finished. I've got finals coming up, and I have a job offer actually."
"Really? Where?" I asked.
"I was offered a job as the Guidance counselor at Monroe Middle School in upstate. That's why I bought my own place, so I could be closer. I took the job."
"Oh Kim, that's great. I'm very happy for you." I smiled brightly at her. I looked down at my plate, and to be honest, I wasn't really hungry anymore.
"Zac, please eat."
"I'm sorry mom, I'm just not that hungry." I said pushing my plate away.
"You ok?" Isaac asked, concerned.
"Yeah man, I'm fine. Just not hungry is all. I'm gonna go get dressed." I pushed my chair out from the table and stood up. Kim glanced up at me and smiled. She pushed her chair out and stood up next to me.
"We'll be right back." She smiled at my family. "If you'll excuse me."
"Of course." Dad smiled.
We walked up the stairs to my room and I closed the door.
"Zac, are you ok? You don't seem like yourself today." She asked me quietly.
"Yes baby, I'm fine. I'm seriously fine. I'm just not hungry right now." I grabbed her around the waist and pulled her toward me.
"Ok, if you're sure. It's not the gift is it? I knew I should have gotten you something else."
"No Kim, it's a wonderful gift. I love it."
"I just wasn't sure what to get you, and I figured you'd be happy about my job. College is almost over, and I'll have more time to come see you." She smiled.
"Well, that's good news. 3 months between visits is too long. I missed you so much." I whispered and kissed her lips.
"I missed you too. I love you Zac."
"I love you too. Oh Kim, thank you so much." I sighed heavily. I wanted so much to cry, and I had no idea why.
"For what Zac? I didn't do anything."
"That's where you're wrong. You've done so much, and I appreciate everything you have done to help me make this work for us. You mean so much to me, and I love you more than I could ever tell you." I closed my eyes and pushed my nose into her hair. I inhaled deeply, taking all of her in.
"I love you too Zac, very much. We have a long time ahead of us to elaborate on that, but for now, why don't you get dressed. I'm sure your family has a lot of stuff planned for you today."
"Ok, but one more thing."
"Ok, what?" She smiled again.
"Promise me...... promise me that you'll never leave me."
"Oh Zac, if I can help it....... I promise. I hope to have a long life ahead of me, and that I'll be able to tell you everyday that I love you."
"I hope so too. Life just wouldn't be the same without you." I kissed her lips again gently.
"Oh Zac, I know how you feel."
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