Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Blair

I watched the illuminated Eiffel Tower through the window of my hotel room. It was after three thirty in the morning and I was just finishing getting ready when a message came on my cell phone.

"Are you sure about this?"

I sighed, picking up my cell phone and making a video call to Dimitri.

" Good morning, Commander," I cracked my best smile as soon as he answered the call, "are you ready for our adventure?

" You really haven't changed your mind? Blair, this is crazy," he laughed in reply, watching me with a fond expression.

" Don't you want to see me? It's your birthday and I have your present," I crooned as I put some of the items I had separated into my purse.

" I'll leave in twenty minutes, I'll meet you at the observation deck," he didn't answer my question.

" You won't regret it, Commander. I have everything timed out," I assured him before ending the call.

I hurried to finish getting ready; if I wanted to make the most of the two hours we had together, I had to hurry.

I left my hotel in Paris at four o'clock sharp, boarding the car I had rented for the purpose, following the directions the GPS gave me to our meeting place.

The landscape of northern France was very beautiful, especially when we drove away from the city, but in the darkness of dawn, I was not able to appreciate it as I should have.

But it would be worth it.

I felt tired, I had spent the day chasing Dimitri's gift and slept only a few hours before waking up to meet him.

Dimitri, although not opposed to my plan, seemed to consider it utter madness. A madness he was willing to commit, but still, a madness.

After I found out about his birthday, we both went through our schedules looking for a loophole. December was a very busy month and we would have no chance of seeing each other before January, but then, I found a way.

I was in Paris for almost two days and Dimitri landed in Wevelgem, Belgium in the early evening. After a few hours of planning, we found a spot halfway between the two cities, and a time that suited both of us.

Yes, I had to get up at three in the morning to get ready and had nothing to eat. But it would be worth it.

Damn, I am so screwed!

I couldn't help but smile at that thought. It had been a long time since I had felt in love enough to commit this kind of madness, and my experience told me that I should make the most of it.

After an hour of driving, I left the main road and took a secondary one, following all the GPS instructions to the letter. The environment was plunged into complete darkness, the only illumination coming from the headlights of my car. I was beginning to feel tense when a message from Dimitri, telling me that he was already waiting for me, reassured me.

I soon visualized his car parked a little off the road, and followed his example, parking in the vacant space there, and then turning off the engine. Dimitri got out of the car, coming toward me. I unlocked the doors, waiting for him to take his place in the passenger seat, and caressed his face, bringing my hand to the nape of his neck, pulling his face toward mine.

" Happy birthday," I smiled as I pulled away from his lips.

" You're completely crazy," he laughed, returning the caress to my face.

" That's what made you call me in the first place," I assured him, pulling away.

I turned to the back seat, grabbing the bag I had prepared earlier, while Dimitri watched me. It was after five thirty in the morning and the sky was already beginning to lighten in color as the sunrise approached.

We had parked by a natural lookout, just below the cliff, a chain of river valleys opened up before us, beginning to take shape as the day lightened.

" What do you have planned? " he broke the silence.

" A deluxe breakfast, Commander," I winked at him.

He frowned as I removed all the items I had taken from the mini bar before leaving the hotel.

" Blair.”

" Okay, I raided the mini bar, but that stupid hotel had room service hours and wouldn't serve me at dawn," I complained.

" You know this is going to cost a fortune," he warned me with an amused look on his face.

" I told you it was a deluxe breakfast," I blinked.

He laughed, still looking at everything I had brought out of the bag.

" I brought granola bars, peanuts, potato chips, grape juice, and chocolate milk. What can I get you? " I offered.

" A varied menu," he winked, taking the bag of peanuts I offered him and a can of juice.

" Only the best for the birthday man," I returned satisfied.

Okay, this wasn't the most luxurious birthday in the universe, but I had planned every detail and was enjoying spending time with him.

The first rays of sunlight began to appear on the Horizon as we both enjoyed each other's company and our pseudo meal.

We didn't need much for the situation to suit us. We were together, and at that moment, that was all that mattered.

The valley below us began to look more and more beautiful as the sun's rays touched its vegetation, already partially asleep from the imminent arrival of winter. Outside the vehicle the temperature was already below ten degrees and soon all that vegetation would be dyed white with the arrival of snow.

I felt Dimitri's hand reach for mine, intertwining our fingers as we watched this beautiful natural spectacle together.

" You planned it all," he declared with a half smile on his lips.

" I promised I would," I allowed myself a closer look.

Dimitri leaned towards me and kissed me again, increasing the intensity with each second. We only broke apart when we were completely out of breath and about to combust. I leaned back in my seat, trying to normalize my breathing, returning my attention to the landscape in front of us.

" You said you had a present," he glanced at me, also leaning back in his seat.

" Yes. Me," I blinked at him.

My body warmed as I felt his gaze roam brazenly across my body.

" Really? " a small smile broke out on his face.

" No, you shameless bastard! " I laughed before punching his arm a little, having the pleasure of hearing his laughter in response.

" That would be a nice gift," he scoffed as I reached for my purse again, rummaging through it for my goal.

Dimitri watched me curiously, frowning when I finally found the small velvet box and held it out in his direction.

" Okay, Blair. If you kneel down, I swear I'll leave," he joked, though accepting the box.

" Dimitri, you really need to let this go. I don't plan on getting married any time soon," I rolled my eyes as he ruffled the small box in his hands.

" Well, I don't usually receive jewelry as gifts," he returned, "what did you buy?”

" Why don't you see it? " I stared at him expectantly.

I had spent the last few days searching for the perfect gift and scoured countless antique and pawn stores in Paris until I found this, and I hoped he would like it.

His gaze locked on the contents of the box as he opened it. I had asked him to polish the little jewel well. It was an insignia of a French pilot, a hero of World War II who received a fine decoration for his bravery. A decoration that had not been properly appreciated by his grandson, who was more interested in the money it was worth, but I knew Dimitri would appreciate the meaning behind it all.

" So? " I pulled him out of his contemplation.

" It's practically new! How did you get it? " he held it up against the sun, causing a golden glow to shine off the piece.

" Being a maniac with unassuming shopping problems? " I shrugged.

" Well, assuming that you don't assume you have a problem is the first step," he stared at me.

" I'm sure that assuming the problem is the first step," I returned, "do you like it?”

Dimitri simply came toward me and kissed me. His kiss was tender and loving, making me wish that the few hours we had together that morning would never end.

" I need to gift you more often," I declared with my eyes still closed as he pulled away.

His laughter reached my ears next, making me smile as I contemplated the extent of my happiness at that moment. I couldn't remember the last time I had felt this way, and despite the shadow that surrounded me in fear that everything was starting to fall apart, I felt good with him.

" We have one more hour," I felt his beard brushing against my neck, giving me goose bumps.

" Let's enjoy every second of it, then," I declared, looking into his eyes with a half smile on my face.”

A few minutes later I was lying under Dimitri's chest, watching our spectacular view. Although our position was not the most comfortable, I didn't want to move an inch.

I loved his company, every minute in his presence made me yearn for more. I wanted to know him in every detail, and he seemed to have the same thought.

" What was it like growing up with your parents? " he broke the silence that had taken over the room.

I couldn't help smiling at his question.

" You must imagine it was crazy, and indeed it was. They embarrassed me sometimes, but I won't lie, it was really cool to have the coolest and most adored parents in the class.”

" So your friends really liked them?”

" They were a legend at my school. Everyone knew that they organized the best parties, and unlike the other parents, everyone looked forward to going to a party at my house just because they would be there. They had a special way of dealing with teenagers, they never let anything get out of hand, and they didn't even serve alcohol at the parties. But they still loved it.”

Dimitri was watching me with a half smile on his lips.

" When I had my rhinoplasty when I was 16, it was the peak. The girls were jealous since their parents never allowed plastic surgery.”

That information seemed to catch him off guard, he gave me a surprised look before speaking up.

" Your parents let you have plastic surgery when you were 16?”

I smiled at his reaction. People found it strange how naturally my parents treated aesthetic procedures, but it couldn't be otherwise.

" My father is one of the most prestigious plastic surgeons in Istanbul," I explained.

" So he was the one who operated on you?”

" No, I don't think that would even be ethical," I laughed, "he just got the best specialists on the subject and accompanied me to all the consultations. And he also took care of me after every surgery.”

" Every surgery? You had more than one?”

" Yes, I also had silicone injections when I was 18.”

" Wow, that's... different…”

I frowned at his reaction. Does he have a problem with the fact that I have had cosmetic surgery?

" Is there something wrong with this?”

" No, it's just that women don't usually assume the procedures they undergo. At least not the ones I met. They always try to convince me that it's all natural," he gave a half smile, making me laugh.

" Well, my parents always encouraged me to feel good about myself, and always gave me the choice to change something I didn't like. I saw the opportunity to increase my self esteem and I took it. I don't see it as a bad thing," I shrugged.

" I certainly don't," he laughed, leaning down to reach my face.

We spent the next few minutes together, exchanging kisses and caresses. I knew that the time was coming for goodbye, and then I didn't know when I would be able to see him again, and it depressed me more than I would like to admit.

" Thank you," he declared, his forehead resting against mine.

" For what?”

" For caring enough to do this. It was the best birthday celebration I've had in years.”

The sparkle in his eyes showed me how happy he had been, and I knew at that moment that I would do anything to see that sparkle in his eyes always.