The alarm blared at 7:00 AM. It was that J-pop song she used to love. Hearing it every morning had fixed that.
She rolled over and slapped it quiet. Lying still, she watched the ceiling fan complete a slow, clicking rotation before she finally sat up.
Her grey hoodie, its cuffs comfortably frayed, hung on the door right where she'd left it. She pulled it on. The sleeves were a little shorter than she remembered, but that always happened after a run through the dryer.
In the kitchen, the cereal box stood waiting on the counter, the cartoon sun on its front grinning its usual wide grin. She poured a bowl, added milk, and ate. The first spoonful tasted faintly of cardboard, the way it always did when the box was nearly empty.
After rinsing the bowl and leaving it on the counter, she checked her phone.
One new message from David.
Meet me at the corner café. Usual time.
A smile touched her lips before she even thought about it. She slipped on her shoes and stepped outside.
Her walk through the neighborhood followed the same familiar script. The two dogs trotted up to their fence to bark a cheerful greeting. The house a few lots down still wore its awful seafoam green paint. And the blue sedan at the curb was still there, its one flat tire looking permanent.
The little bell above the coffee shop door chimed as she stepped inside. He was already there, and he looked up as she entered. He smiled.
Hey, Claire, he said.
A smile lit up her face. The scent of roasted coffee beans wrapped around her, steps quickening just a little. David! There you are! Right on time.
She slinked into the chair opposite him, setting her woven bag down beside her. Her heart did that little flip it always would when he looked at her.
David reached out and placed a hand over hers. Of course. Today's the day for your big surprise. Remember? You didn't forget to take the weekend off, right?
A delighted laugh escaped her. As if I could forget. I cleared my calendar the moment you mentioned it. Her fingers turned under his, giving his hand a squeeze. But you've been so… mysterious about the whole thing. What's your game here?
David kept one hand holding hers, the other bobbing into his coat pocket. He quickly produced two thick pamphlets, placing them in front of her. Check it out. Where you've always wanted to go, and the weather is warm there this time of year.
Claire's breath caught. Her free hand flew to her mouth as she looked down. Tuscany. Vineyards and sun-drenched hillsides stared back. David, you didn't. This is… Her eyes lifted to meet his. I only mentioned that in passing on my travel blog ages ago. You remembered?
David tapped the pamphlets. Anything for you. But that's not all. He flipped one open. Inside a pocket, a printed receipt for a private jet rental slid forward. Just us. The whole way. Jet leaves in two hours.
Claire's world seemed to tilt. Her hands trembled as she picked up the paper. A private jet. For them.
David… this.. this is too much. It's more than I ever… The protests died, overwritten by gratitude and excitement. You planned all of this? For me? Her gaze was pure and unguarded. Do I even need to go home first, or are we leaving straight from here?
David's voice carried a deep warmth. Figured we could leave right away. I packed you some clothes. Even a cute little swimsuit that I'm dying to see you in. He walked behind her, dropping his chin to her shoulder. And hopefully… get you out of. He tapped the ring on her finger. To celebrate this, you know?
A shiver ran down her spine, her cheeks flushing a warm at his words. She leaned back into him for just a moment, tilting her head. You think of everything, don't you? The ring… She looked down at the simple band on her finger, a promise of so much more.
David wrapped his arms around the front of her. Of course. And there's still more yet to come. You'll leave this town as Claire Whitmore, my loving fiancée. But I promise you'll come back changed. He fiddled with the ring briefly, before letting her go. He offered a hand to her, as his phone vibrated. Let's go. The Uber's here.
She placed her hand in his without a thought as she stood. Changed? I already feel different. Just from this. Lead the way. I'm ready to trade this latte for champagne at forty thousand feet. My ordinary Monday for a whisper of a life I only ever dreamed of.
The time passed in a blur for Claire. When her mind settled, she collected herself. The interior of the jet was clean, and built for a couple. They lay on a lush couch at the back of the aircraft. The champagne hit harder up here. She looked at David, and her thoughts solidified. She'd never do this otherwise, but that alcohol… It woke something in her. She lowered her eyelids as she ran a hand down his chest.
David smirked, drawing the curtain as the pilot drew his too. He fished out the swimsuit he bought for her. It was… incredibly revealing. He shook it in front of her, eyebrows bobbing.
Claire's fingers traced the line of his jaw before trailing back down, over the soft cotton of his shirt. Everything felt heightened, deliciously real. Her gaze drifted to the swimsuit in his hand, and a slow, knowing smile curved her lips. Oh, my. That is… ambitious. She took the delicate fabric, letting it drape over her fingers. It felt like barely anything at all. I suppose we're skipping the sunbathing and going straight for the scandal? She leaned closer, her voice a hot whisper against his ear. You'll have to help me. I'm not sure I could manage the knots in this state. And you did promise to get me out of something. Her eyes, dark and liquid, held his. But out of everything you've given me today, David, this feeling… this is the most extravagant gift. To be so completely, foolishly yours.
The flight passed quickly, the time lost in the passion. When they touched down, David helped her re-dress, slowly tying every knot in her swimsuit, as his hands caught sensitive skin. Oh, sorry. Accident. He smirked.
Clair knew that was bullshit. But she craved his touch in a way that felt supernatural. They took a taxi to their hotel. Beachfront, and lovely. The suite was a vision love. Doors were thrown open to a private balcony. Claire drifted toward the sunlight. She paused at the balcony's edge, the vast, glittering Mediterranean stretching before them.
She glanced over her shoulder. It's even more beautiful than the pictures. She extended a hand back toward him, her smile soft and inviting. Come see. I want to remember this view forever, with you standing right here beside me.
David stood beside her, gripping he hand. Just as lovely as you. Before we leave again… I have one last surprise. Stay put. Everything will be different this time. David left the room, ensuring she didn't follow.
She leaned against the balcony railing. A soft, bewildered smile touched her lips as she watched the door click shut behind him. Different? Everything already was.
The sea breeze toyed with the loose ties at her back and shoulders. She closed her eyes, committing it all to her memory: the cry of distant gulls, the rustle of palm fronds, the fading warmth of the sun on her skin. Her heart felt full. It was a sweet, aching pressure behind her ribs. Whatever came next was just another layer of the dream he was building for them. She would wait right here, exactly as he commanded.
David returned after a moment too long. Just enough for Claire to miss him. When the door opened, what looked to be a protest followed in tow. Claire… I did my share of all the necessary paperwork. I wanted you to leave our town as Whitmore. But… Hjs voice began to break. I want you to go back with me as… As us. He stepped to her and grabbed her hands, the other man following close.
Claire's eyes darted from David's earnest, strained face to the kindly, official-looking man behind him. The pieces clicked together with a soft certainty. Paperwork. Us. Oh, David. Her voice was hushed. Emotional. She brought his hands to her lips, pressing a kiss to his knuckles. Her gaze settled on the stranger, a smile blooming through her tears. You must be the witness to my greatest yes.
The ceremony was quick. Painless. Within minutes, Claire was no longer the girl she knew. She would be something new. A half, that finally found its whole. David spoke the words. I do.
The words seemed to rise from a place deeper than breath, a truth that had been waiting her whole life to be spoken. Her eyes never left his, the world narrowing to the feel of his hands in hers. When the words formed, she let them fly. With you. Always with you. It was a whisper, a vow, the only answer that had ever mattered. The official's presence faded into the background; there was only David. Behind him, the endless blue horizon, and the silent, seismic shift of a universe gently slotting into its proper order.
The next days were a haze of consummation, adoration and joy. It was their last day here. They went to the beach. David's eyes lingered on Claire's form. They locked to her chest. Her hips. He grabbed her from behind, his fingertips digging into her stomach. All mine, Claire. This is what you wanted, right?
She melted back against him, her own hands coming to rest over his where they pressed against her stomach. The sea foam swirled around their ankles, cool and fleeting.
Every part of me, she murmured, her voice barely louder than the sigh of the waves. This is everything I dreamed of. Her head tilted back, eyes closing. You are my anchor, David. My only want. The words were a soft seal, tangible and real as the warm Italian sand beneath their feet.