HARRO.
From the moment Orion wouldn't spill the beans about where we were heading this evening, my curiosity bubbled inside me like crazy. His smirk and mysterious glances only added to the frustration. I was all set for a surprise, the weight of anticipation heavy in the air, but when he finally pulled up in front of a quiet cemetery, my heart sank slightly. What could this possibly be?
"Are we going to a graveyard?" I asked the moment he held the car's door open for me, eyeing the delicate tombstones that lined the path. I honestly hadn't expected this.
"Just trust me," he replied, his voice soft and reassuring.
With a nod, I followed behind him as we left the car. The air around us felt thick with nostalgia—a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, creating a calming symphony as Orion stopped and took my hand into his, we walked hand in hand toward a beautifully kept tombstone. As we drew closer, the name carved into the stone brought a swell of emotions within me.
"This is my mother's resting place." Orion said, his voice barely above a whisper. His eyes softened, a hint of vulnerability flickering across his face.
At that moment, I understood why he had brought me here. It wasn't just the element of surprise, this was an invitation into this part of his life, his world. I felt honored that he was ready for me to be involved in such an important part of his life.
Orion went ahead to officially introduce me to his mom. He told me all about the times he'd come here to talk to her about me while I was unconscious after my accident. How sweet is that? How can I not love him when he does things like this?
After a while, we took our seats together on the bench beside her tomb, the atmosphere calming as the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over everything. I could see the way Orion's gaze softened when he looked at the tombstone.
"You know," he began, his voice steadying as he spoke, "my mom was always supportive of me and all my crazy hobbies as a kid. She always told me I could be whatever I wanted to be. Even on her deathbed she made it very clear that I didn't have to inherit Stone Pharmaceuticals unless I really wanted to. She had this way of solving every possible problem when she was alive and I'd always envied that..."
I nodded, leaning closer to hear him better. Despite the somber setting, there was a charm to his stories that made my heart swell. He recounted tales of childhood mischief and the wisdom his mother imparted. I laughed as he shared mischief of his past—how she used to chase him with a wooden spoon when he misbehaved or how she'd sing off-pitch while cooking dinner.
"It's so beautiful to hear you talk about her," I said honestly, squeezing his hand tighter. The bond he shared with her radiated through his words, and I felt grateful to be a part of this moment, even if it was bittersweet.
"She would have loved you," he said suddenly, his gaze cutting through the air and landing on me with sincerity. My heart fluttered at the thought, imagining his mother's warm smile as she welcomed me into their family. "She always believed in love and happiness, and finding someone I'm truly in love with…well, it would've made her very happy."
Tears filled my eyes as I turned to look at his mother's resting place. The experience felt so intimate and meaningful. "Thank you for bringing me here, babe. This means more to me than you know. You're so important to me, and sharing this part of your life just strengthens that love."
He smiled then, that gorgeous, lopsided grin that seemed to light up even the dimmest corners of my heart. Leaning in, he gently pressed his lips to my forehead. "I love you too, so much!" he murmured, the words wrapping around me like a warm blanket.
Once we'd spent enough time in silence, reflecting on everything, we stood to leave. I could feel the connection between us deepen with each step we took back to the car.
As we settled into the vehicle, the thought of home made me giddy. "Our home," I whispered to myself, hardly able to keep the smile off my face. The idea felt so profound and yet so simple—our home, me with the man I love. Our own place filled with happiness, love and laughter.
"Are you okay? You're kinda creeping me out!" Orion asked, glancing over with gentle concern and I laughed.
"Yeah, I just…I'm really happy. I can't imagine a better life than what we have right now. Also, thank you for bringing me here, it must have been a tough decision." I expressed sincerely.
His expression softened, and I could see gratitude dancing in his eyes. "You make it easy to share everything about myself with you. I never knew I could do that, It's truly magical." Orion said chuckling and I nodded smiling in understanding.
We drove back to our home, the warm glow of the setting sun wrapping around us like a protective cocoon. Each moment spent in his company reaffirmed my feelings—no life could be better than this one, with him by my side. There was something about this ordinary evening that felt extraordinary, and it was all because of the love we shared.
As we pulled into the driveway, I felt a rush of excitement. This was our safe space, a sanctuary where we could show each other everything—the playful laughs, the tears, the love, and the comfort. Every day felt like a new adventure waiting to happen.
With our hands still intertwined, we stepped into our home. I looked at him, the love of my life, and felt a deep gratitude for this life we were building together. I smiled, knowing that my heart belonged to him—always.