After two days, they finally reached the island and settled back into their routine. Work, cooking, TV, and playing—everything felt simple, like a normal couple's life, free from the weight of worry about what the future might bring.
Simon walked back to the mansion after talking to Rocco, who had come to the island. As he opened the door, a quiet stillness met him. For a moment, tension gripped him, thinking Stella might have run away, but then he heard it—soft humming, a soothing melody. Stella's voice floated out like the sound of a nightingale.
"We could leave the Christmas lights up 'til January
And this is our place, we make the rules
And there's a dazzling haze, a mysterious way about you, dear
Have I known you 20 seconds or 20 years?"
She appeared from behind a corner, holding a small cake, her dark green dress accentuating her emerald eyes. Her long blonde hair cascaded down to her hips. Simon froze, his heart skipping a beat as he watched her, entranced by the sight.
She placed the cake on the table, then walked toward him. As she did, the instrumental version of the song continued to play on her phone. Simon stepped closer, interlocking her left hand with his. With a gentle pull, he guided her into the kitchen.
"We could light a bunch of candles
And dance around the kitchen, baby
Pictures of when we were young would hang on the wall
We would sit on the stoop
I'll sing love songs to you when we're eighty
See, I finally got you now, honey,
I won't let you fall."
Stella's eyes widened as the lyrics matched their life perfectly—the candles surrounding them, the photos on the wall, and the music. They danced together, their voices melding in harmony, lost in the moment. When the song ended, Stella tipped her head back, a radiant smile lighting up her face.
"How could I forget that you're a Taylor Swift devotee?" Simon grinned, his eyes full of amusement.
"She's always the best," Stella grinned back, her eyes sparkling.
"So, now may I ask," Simon said, pulling her closer, his hands resting on her waist, "what is all this about?"
Stella placed her hands on his chest and looked up at him, her expression softening. "You said you didn't have a birthday, so I thought… Why not give you one myself? Today marks four years since I met you on that rooftop, running away from Marcus. I never thought I'd feel like this about a guy. To the thousand-year-old vampire who stole my first kiss." A light blush spread across her cheeks.
Simon smiled knowingly. "There's a slight correction in your sentence," he said, lifting her and gently placing her on the table.
Stella frowned in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"I'll be the guy who takes every first from you," Simon murmured before leaning in to kiss her.
Stella smiled, her heart racing as she kissed him back. They continued to tangle in the moment, their breaths mingling, completing each other with every touch.
But suddenly, Stella pulled away, breaking the kiss. She rushed over as the microwave beeped.
"The food!" she exclaimed, and Simon groaned, annoyance flickering in his eyes. "Really?"
Simon helped Stella set the table, and she served their meal with care, placing each dish on the table like it was a special occasion. She'd prepared the cake, the pasta, and the seafood—each dish with Simon in mind. As Simon reached for the knife to cut the cake, Stella gently stopped him, her fingers brushing his hand. She placed a single candle on the cake and lit it, its warm glow casting a soft light in the room.
"Make a wish," she said, her eyes meeting his with a quiet intensity.
Simon raised an eyebrow, a playful grin tugging at his lips. "I'm a vampire, Stella. I don't—"
Before he could finish, Stella placed her hand over his eyes, her touch soft but commanding. "Make a wish."
Sighing, Simon closed his eyes. This wasn't really a wish, he thought. It was more like a silent vow. A warning to himself: Never let her go. Make her stay with you. Protect her, love her, never let anything hurt her. She was everything to him—no one else could compare.
He opened his eyes slowly, his gaze meeting hers as he took the knife from her hand. Together, they cut the cake, and Stella's smile made his heart beat faster, despite everything he'd lived through. Maybe, just maybe, he could have this—this love, this simple happiness. Like the fairy tales Stella always dreamed of.
"Happy Birthday, Simon," she whispered, her voice full of affection.
The words melted Simon's heart, and the love in her eyes moved him more than he could ever say. This girl, this beautiful, fierce, caring woman, was more precious to him than she could possibly know. He dipped his head, placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Thank you for everything, shorty," he teased, and Stella glared at him.
"Seriously?" she said, playfully pushing him away, but he pulled her back to his side, a grin on his face.
"Shall we eat, shorty?" he teased again, his voice low and affectionate.
"My friends already tease me. Isn't that enough? Now you're joining in?" Stella said, crossing her arms in mock indignation.
Simon smirked, his eyes glinting with mischief. "My back is going to hurt one day, from bending every time to reach you."
Stella scoffed, her voice playful. "You're a vampire, stop lying. Even my neck hurts from always looking up at you. Who told you to bend down for me? I can look up."
Simon laughed, a deep, rich sound that made her heart flutter. "My girlfriend never adjusts. I should be the one who adjusts for her."
Stella turned her head away, but a smile tugged at her lips. "Should you say such cheesy things? And since when did I become your girlfriend? You haven't even proposed," she teased, her voice laced with mock seriousness.
"Since four years ago," Simon replied, his voice smooth as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "We did long distance for three years, how could you forget? And when I decide you're mine, you're mine."
Stella's breath caught in her throat, her heart skipping a beat. Simon smirked, clearly noticing the effect he had on her.
"Your heart's skipping a beat a lot lately," he said with a teasing glint in his eye. "Shall we go to the doctor, to find out who's causing your heart to flutter so much?"
"Shut up and eat," she said quickly, stuffing a forkful of food into her mouth to avoid answering, though a smile played at the corner of her lips.
They continued to eat, sitting side by side. Simon took another bite of the pasta, nodding in approval. "It's tasty," he said, his voice soft with genuine appreciation.
Stella smiled at the compliment, watching him as he savored the food she'd made. She had prepared his favorite seafood, and the red wine completed the meal perfectly. When they finished eating, Stella stood up, feeling content and full. The night wasn't over yet, though—there was still something in the air between them, a quiet energy that made everything feel just right.
Simon watched her, a quiet smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he followed her movement. He stood up too, walking over to her side.
"It's time for dessert," Stella said with a playful gleam in her eyes, heading toward the freezer.
But before she could reach it, Simon stood up quickly, pulling her into his arms. She gasped as he lifted her effortlessly, wrapping her arms around his neck in surprise.
"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and amusement.
"That dessert can wait until tomorrow," Simon murmured, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Right now, let me have my dessert."
With that, he climbed the stairs, carrying her toward the bedroom, his steps steady and sure. Stella's heart raced as she realized what he meant, a smile spreading across her face as she let herself relax into his embrace.