Coffee Shop Romance

Chapter 5

As the days rolled by, life tried to go back to normal for me. I continued to see Elijah on my days off. The days turned into months...and soon it was January. Our birthdays were very close, I knew he was planning something big for me. He told me to keep that entire week open. I didn't know what to expect. The days ticked by....

On the morning of January 22nd, I awoke to the sound of my telephone. Clawing the hair out of my eyes I grabbed the phone, "Hello?"

"G'morning beautiful! I'll be at your house in one hour. Be packed for a weeks worth of vacation! Happy Birthday!" He hung up the phone and I leapt out of bed. I threw clothes into a suitcase and jumped into the shower. Exactly one hour later, my doorbell rang. I ran downstairs and threw open the door. Jumping into his arms I kissed him, and hugged him tight.

He laughed, "Ready to go?"

I smiled and handed him my suitcase. On the way to the airport we dropped Duchess off at his Mom's house to watch. We ran to our gate and plopped into our first class seats. The Hostess brought us Champaign, and we toasted to our happiness. The flight to Europe was uneventful, we landed in Scotland. We got into a limo and drove into the countryside. It was like a fairy tale, with castles and the bright green grass. We pulled up to a lovely country estate and got out to enter into the manor house. Billy, Dom, and Orlando ran out of the house to hug me hello. Another filled out to meet me for the first time, Sir Ian McKellen. He smiled and shook my hand, "Very pleased to meet you young lady. Elijah has spoken very highly of you."

"Thank you!" I brightened and took in my surroundings. "Where are we?"

It was Billy who spoke up, "Glasgow, this is my home. And you are more than welcome here. We are going to celebrate your birthdays Hobbit Style!" He winked at Elijah and ushered us inside. The large dinning hall was filled with food of all shapes, types, and cultures. He saw my expression at I saw the meat. He laughed, "Don't worry, I remember that you’re a Vegetarian. Orlando is too, so I got lots of Veggie Friendly Food for the nuts here." He patted my back and took my bags. "Here, let me show you to your room." We walked up a flight of stars. Our room was large and filled with flowers. The usage of wood was amazing, a huge mahogany bed was surrounded by a huge canopy.

"Wow." I said, and clearly expressed what Elijah was thinking. Billy left us to get changed for dinner.

A few minutes later we were all gathered at the large table. We pilled our plates high with food and deserts. We ate and laughed for hours. The wine was from Italy, brought back by Sir Ian when he went there on holiday. During a pause in the laughter, Elijah rose, "Sarah, we have come here to give you the best birthday ever. And we all have contributed to your gift. It isn't big, but it is from the heart." He retrieved a package from a table and handed it to me.

"I don't know what to say." I opened the package and gasped to see my father’s book. "How did you get this? I have been missing this forever!"

Elijah smiled, "You left it in my car, the day we met. Open it."

I looked to see the others with big grins. "Okay," I opened the cover to see that everyone in the Fellowship had signed it. "When did you do this?"

"Every time we got together we'd pass the book around to make sure everyone got a chance to sign it." Dom explained. "Even the ones who couldn't be here today."

I stood up and hugged each and every one of them. Tears were dripping down my face, and I looked pretty ridiculous. "You guys, are wonderful!" I hugged Elijah, "You especially." He kissed me and we sat back down.

"One more gift, my lady." He rose and joined Billy, Dom, and Orlando at the front of the room. "Ready boys?"

"Right"

"Lets Do it"

Elijah picked up a microphone, and the others followed suit. "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday little angel, Happy Birthday to you!" Then they broke into Beatles karaoke and did several interesting songs of their own. Elijah then took my hand and sat me down on a stool in front of them. He looked at me and smiled, then began to sing "Sara", an old eighties song by Starship.

I cried.

The week rolled by, as we toured Europe. He took me to places that I'd only dreamed of. Time seemed to stand still. It was while in Italy that I got my last present. While sitting in a Gondola, Elijah suddenly got very quiet. "Sarah, I know that we haven't known each other very long, but I cannot imagine life without you. You have allowed me to be myself around you." He pulled out a white gold ring. "It has a variation of the One Ring Poem on it. Here, read it."

I turned it over in my hand, "One ring to seal their love, One ring to bind them, One ring to keep them whole, And forever bring them Joy". I looked up at him.

"And you know what else?" He took the ring, and placed it on my hand. "The words on the Ring of Power were only visible when exposed to fire. The words on this ring will be visible as long as love is in the heart of it's owners.

As the boat sailed down the rivers of Venice, I kissed him. A man that had become my life, my love, my precious.

The End...?

*End Part 1*


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This story is far from over!! I promise more later. Stay with me it'll be worth it.