Surprise Plans

Chapter 51: Surprise Plans

The early morning light filtered through the curtains of their shared room, casting a soft glow on the familiar space that had become a sanctuary for Elvis and Alexander. They had emerged victorious from the battle, and yet, a new chapter had begun for them. The sounds of the kingdom settling into a new peace filled the air, and for the first time in a long while, Elvis felt a heavy weight lift from her shoulders. She had proven herself, not just to the council, but to herself.

She stretched lazily in bed, feeling the warmth of Alexander beside her. His arm was draped over her, and his breathing was deep and steady. She smiled softly to herself, still in awe of how things had changed, how they had changed. Life had never seemed so full of possibility, and for the first time, Elvis allowed herself to feel at ease.

As the day began to take shape, she felt a shift—a tug at the back of her mind. It was a sense that something was about to happen. The moment would be important. But she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was. The thought faded quickly, replaced by the comfort of Alexander's presence.

Elvis slowly slid out of bed, careful not to disturb him. The room was peaceful, and she relished the quiet for a moment. As she moved toward the window to draw the curtains back, her eyes fell on the small table near the dresser. There, on the surface, lay something she hadn't noticed before—a notebook. It was thin, the edges worn from frequent use.

Curious, Elvis moved toward it, wondering what it could be. She reached for the notebook and felt a sense of excitement surge within her. It wasn't hers. It wasn't anything she'd ever seen before. She flipped it open, her fingers running along the pages.

The first thing that caught her eye was a list. A birthday wish list.

Her heart skipped a beat as she read the delicate handwriting that filled the page. It was hers. Her handwriting. But how had it gotten here? The list was written in a way that revealed both simple desires and more intimate hopes. It contained everything from small things she wanted to experience—like watching a sunset together on the beach—to larger dreams she had never voiced aloud. There were even notes on things she secretly yearned for—moments to share with Alexander that only existed in the deepest corners of her mind.

She couldn't help but smile. This was a side of her that she had kept hidden. A side that was soft and vulnerable. And it was clear, as she read through the list, that Alexander had found a way to peek into her soul.

The pages revealed a part of her that she hadn't even known she was ready to share. It was a list of hopes and wishes, things she wanted to experience with him, things she imagined when she closed her eyes at night. They weren't just things that came from materialistic desires, but moments that were tender, full of love and longing.

"Spend a day at the beach with Alexander, no distractions."

"Have a quiet evening with just us—no war, no responsibilities."

"Take a vacation somewhere far from everything—just the two of us."

Elvis couldn't help but feel a rush of emotions. Her heart swelled as she realized that Alexander had understood her better than she had ever expected. But there was something even more overwhelming—something she couldn't put into words. It was the realization that he had been listening, watching, understanding every little thing she had been too afraid to ask for.

Suddenly, she heard the familiar sound of movement behind her, and she quickly closed the notebook, turning around to find Alexander standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable. He had been watching her the entire time.

"You found it," he said quietly, his voice filled with something she couldn't quite identify.

Elvis froze, holding the notebook tightly in her hands. She didn't know what to say. There was no hiding it now. She had been caught.

"I didn't mean for you to see that," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alexander stepped forward, his gaze softening. "I knew you had dreams, Elvis. Things you wanted that you hadn't said aloud. I wanted to give you those moments."

Elvis swallowed, feeling a mixture of emotions. "I didn't think I could ask for them. I didn't want to burden you with my wishes when there's so much else going on."

He crossed the room in a few quick strides, taking her hands gently in his. "You're never a burden to me, Elvis. Not now, not ever. These dreams of yours are the very reason I want to fight for us, to give you the world. We've been through so much together, and I want to give you everything you've ever wanted. The small moments, the big moments... everything."

His words were enough to make her heart ache with love. She never expected such tenderness, especially after everything they had been through. His hand reached out to gently touch her cheek, a soft, lingering gesture that left her breathless.

"I've already planned something for us," Alexander continued, his voice filled with a quiet intensity. "A surprise. Just like you wanted. A chance for us to experience something new, just the two of us. It's time to make those dreams come true."

Her eyes widened as she realized what he was saying. "A surprise? You're... you're really going to make it happen?"

He nodded, a smile tugging at his lips. "I am. We deserve it. We've earned it."

Elvis felt her heart flutter as she closed her eyes for a moment, allowing herself to feel the weight of his words. She had always been strong, had always fought for what she believed in. But here, in this moment, she realized that it was okay to let herself be vulnerable, to embrace the love that Alexander was offering her.

"You don't have to do this, Alex," she said softly, still holding onto the notebook. "I already have everything I need with you."

His fingers gently pried the notebook from her hands, setting it aside before cupping her face in his hands. "That's exactly it. I want you to have everything. Everything you didn't think you could ask for. Everything you deserve."

Elvis felt a tear escape her eye, but it wasn't sadness—it was pure, unadulterated happiness. For the first time, she allowed herself to believe in a future, in a life where love and dreams could coexist. Alexander had made that possible.

He leaned in to kiss her forehead gently, and then her lips, soft and full of love. "Get ready, my love," he whispered. "We're about to create some memories that will last a lifetime."

And as Elvis let herself believe in the promises he had made, she couldn't help but wonder just how much more of the world Alexander was willing to give her.