Coming home from Bali I was glad we had arranged to have a couple of days at home before we both got back to work. For one thing we both needed to readjust to British time as Bali had been 8 hours ahead. There was also the climate change, Bali had been humid, sunny and warm, while London at the end of August was wet, rainy and cold in comparison. The minute I stepped off the plane I felt cold, and I remained cold for days on end. The climate change was even less kind to James. A few days after we came home James got sick, and I nursed him through a bad throat infection that left him voiceless for a week. As soon as James got well again we went for a motorcycle ride, James borrowing me one of his bikes. August had gone over to September, we had to enjoy our chance to go for rides before it became too cold and dreary. Seeing all the beautiful autumn colours from a bike was beautiful and a lovely experience.
Going back to work life wasn't as bad as I had hoped. Our vacation had been much more needed than I had even been aware of. We had gotten a chance to relax and focus on each other, which had brought us closer together, and I was more head over heels for James than I had ever been. Together we had gotten some new impulses and memories that we could cherish and live on for a long time. I really felt like I had recharged my batteries and going back to work I felt energetic and happy. My only problem was missing James when I wasn't with him, which I knew was a luxury problem.
All through September I mentally prepared for James going away by the end of the month. Top Gear was doing a weeks worth of live-shows in South Africa, then they were off to Uganda to record another special. I knew that the three weeks James was scheduled to be away were going to be extremely long and a little sad because I would miss him so much. And because they were doing another special I knew I would worry about him, about all of them. The day before James was set to leave for Africa he had some last meetings to get through at the BBC; some last minute planning and manuscript changes to finalise. As he was about to set off around noon I wrapped my arms around him and looked at him sternly.
«You are not allowed to come home late tonight.»
«And why is that?» He challenged, raising an eyebrow.
«Because I am not missing out on a single minute of my time with you before you're leaving me for three weeks».
«Mm, fair enough,» he smirked and leaned in for a kiss. From the look on his face I could tell that I had charmed him.
«You are not allowed to come home late tonight.»
«And why is that?» He challenged, raising an eyebrow.
«Because I am not missing out on a single minute of my time with you before you're leaving me for three weeks».
«Mm, fair enough,» he smirked and leaned in for a kiss. From the look on his face I could tell that I had charmed him.
When James came home, just on time, he was met by lit candles already in the hallway. I hadn't heard him drive up in his car and was busy in the dining room when I heard the door.
«Emily!» He called, and I quickly made my way to the door.
«What's all th---» James began, but stopped short when he saw me. I had spent a good few hours earlier in the day pruning myself; taking a long bath, scrubbing and shaving, taking extra time to do my hair and makeup. I had bought a short dress in a warm, purple colour and wore heels for once. James' mouth fell open a little as he eyed me up and down slowly. «Wow.»
«Hello,» I smiled sweetly at him. James looked pointedly at the candles scattered around the hallway, on the stairs, on the floor, on the little table.
«What's all this?» He asked with a smile, then he made his way over to me and put his hands on my sides.
«I wanted to make this night a bit special since you are leaving tomorrow,» I explained, feeling how I blushed a little under his searching gaze.
«Aw... That is very nice, sweetie.» The hands on my sides pulled me in a little closer as he leaned in to give me a long, loving kiss, then he wrapped his arms lovingly around me. «God, you smell so good,» he sighed, burying his face in my hair for a second before pulling away. «And you look absolutely gorgeous.»
«Thank you, love,» I said, averting my eyes and blushing a little. «Come here.» Taking his hand in mine I lead him into the house. Music was on, a playlist of a lot of the songs James and I had often listened to together. The living room was filled with a few more candles, leading the way into the next room. I had decorated the dining room with lots and lots of faerie lights and dozens upon dozens of candles. The table cloth was a dark petrol blue colour and I had adorned it with more candles and a flower centerpiece, and set it with plates, cutlery and wine glasses. A bottle of wine was ready on the table. Before James came home I had turned off the lights in the livingroom and diningroom, and the faerie lights gave it a warm glow along with the candles. «I know its not... a sunset beach dinner or anything, but I did the best I could...» I mumbled a little awkwardly, suddenly feeling like this was stupid and absolutely nothing compared to the romantic surprise dinner James had organised for me on Bali. James tugged on my hand, making him face me, then wrapped his arms around me.
«Don't be silly. This is... absolutely perfect, I love it. Honestly, I wouldn't have thought I would have liked the dining room filled with faerie lights, but I do,» he smiled and gave me another kiss. «Don't tell anyone I said that,» he added as an afterthought and I giggled.
«I promise. Want some wine?»
«That would be lovely.» I poured wine for both of us and gave a glass to James. We clinked glasses and had a sip. Seemingly unable to help himself, James slid his free arm around my lower back and pulled me closer. I felt myself going weak at the knees from his soft, lingering kiss. Slowly I opened my eyes and looked dazedly at him and had to clear my throat to find my voice again.
«I hope you're hungry. There's food,» I said weakly. James grinned, satisfied that his kisses had had such an effect on me.
«Mm, I am,» he hummed.
«Good. I have made it myself, I admit. If it's horrid we'll just throw it out and order in. Okay?»
«Okay,» James said with a snort. I nodded at the table, gesturing for him to sit down.
«I'll be right back.» Also unable to help myself I leaned down and kissed him quickly before tearing myself away and heading into the kitchen. Knowing my limitations I had made a simple pasta dish with bacon, lots of herbs and cheese. For dessert I had been a little braver and gone for chocolate fondant with ice cream. With a sigh of relief I noted that James hummed happily when he tasted his food in a way he always did when it was good. A little surprised at myself I had to agree with him, and we quickly got through dinner and moved on to dessert.
«Oh god. Why have you not made this before?» James groaned, closing his eyes as he relished his chocolate fondant.
«I wasn't sure I would be able to make it...» I mumbled.
«Well, you're making it more often,» he decided and had another bite.
«Emily!» He called, and I quickly made my way to the door.
«What's all th---» James began, but stopped short when he saw me. I had spent a good few hours earlier in the day pruning myself; taking a long bath, scrubbing and shaving, taking extra time to do my hair and makeup. I had bought a short dress in a warm, purple colour and wore heels for once. James' mouth fell open a little as he eyed me up and down slowly. «Wow.»
«Hello,» I smiled sweetly at him. James looked pointedly at the candles scattered around the hallway, on the stairs, on the floor, on the little table.
«What's all this?» He asked with a smile, then he made his way over to me and put his hands on my sides.
«I wanted to make this night a bit special since you are leaving tomorrow,» I explained, feeling how I blushed a little under his searching gaze.
«Aw... That is very nice, sweetie.» The hands on my sides pulled me in a little closer as he leaned in to give me a long, loving kiss, then he wrapped his arms lovingly around me. «God, you smell so good,» he sighed, burying his face in my hair for a second before pulling away. «And you look absolutely gorgeous.»
«Thank you, love,» I said, averting my eyes and blushing a little. «Come here.» Taking his hand in mine I lead him into the house. Music was on, a playlist of a lot of the songs James and I had often listened to together. The living room was filled with a few more candles, leading the way into the next room. I had decorated the dining room with lots and lots of faerie lights and dozens upon dozens of candles. The table cloth was a dark petrol blue colour and I had adorned it with more candles and a flower centerpiece, and set it with plates, cutlery and wine glasses. A bottle of wine was ready on the table. Before James came home I had turned off the lights in the livingroom and diningroom, and the faerie lights gave it a warm glow along with the candles. «I know its not... a sunset beach dinner or anything, but I did the best I could...» I mumbled a little awkwardly, suddenly feeling like this was stupid and absolutely nothing compared to the romantic surprise dinner James had organised for me on Bali. James tugged on my hand, making him face me, then wrapped his arms around me.
«Don't be silly. This is... absolutely perfect, I love it. Honestly, I wouldn't have thought I would have liked the dining room filled with faerie lights, but I do,» he smiled and gave me another kiss. «Don't tell anyone I said that,» he added as an afterthought and I giggled.
«I promise. Want some wine?»
«That would be lovely.» I poured wine for both of us and gave a glass to James. We clinked glasses and had a sip. Seemingly unable to help himself, James slid his free arm around my lower back and pulled me closer. I felt myself going weak at the knees from his soft, lingering kiss. Slowly I opened my eyes and looked dazedly at him and had to clear my throat to find my voice again.
«I hope you're hungry. There's food,» I said weakly. James grinned, satisfied that his kisses had had such an effect on me.
«Mm, I am,» he hummed.
«Good. I have made it myself, I admit. If it's horrid we'll just throw it out and order in. Okay?»
«Okay,» James said with a snort. I nodded at the table, gesturing for him to sit down.
«I'll be right back.» Also unable to help myself I leaned down and kissed him quickly before tearing myself away and heading into the kitchen. Knowing my limitations I had made a simple pasta dish with bacon, lots of herbs and cheese. For dessert I had been a little braver and gone for chocolate fondant with ice cream. With a sigh of relief I noted that James hummed happily when he tasted his food in a way he always did when it was good. A little surprised at myself I had to agree with him, and we quickly got through dinner and moved on to dessert.
«Oh god. Why have you not made this before?» James groaned, closing his eyes as he relished his chocolate fondant.
«I wasn't sure I would be able to make it...» I mumbled.
«Well, you're making it more often,» he decided and had another bite.
When the dessert was gone I moved a lot of the candles into the living room and poured some more wine for the both of us. As I set our wine glasses down on the table James reached out a hand for me and pulled me down on the sofa next to him. «Listen, thank you for all of this, sweetie, for going to all this effort just for me, making dinner and decorating... This is all lovely,» he smiled and squeezed my hand. I returned the smile and felt myself blushing a little and looked down at our interlaced hands.
«Well, I... I wanted to do something special, you know... Make an effort and give you some attention. I can tell you that I love you and how much you mean to me until the cows come home, but still I feel like it's not enough, that I'm not doing enough to show you that. Actions speak louder than words, I guess, saying I love you is easy, but showing it is something else. And you spoiled me rotten in Bali. I want to spoil you a little, too.»
«You do more than enough to show me how you feel, Emily. Just the way you look at me makes me feel loved. Don't worry that you're not doing enough, because you are,» James reassured me.
«Ok, good. Thank you,» I said gratefully, squeezing his hand. «I'm just glad I didn't burn down the house and that the food was edible.»
«The food was very good. And all the candles and things look good. And you look incredibly good. I feel like a revolting slob sitting next to you,» James mumbled, looking down at his jeans and plaid, colorful shirt in blue, green and pink. I put my wineglass down, inched up closer to James and placed my palm on his cheek, caressing him gently. For a moment I didn't speak, I just looked at him meaningfully.
«You're not a slob. You're a handsome man. With nice hair and beautiful eyes. Whom I am very attracted to and awfully in love with.» I ran my fingers through his hair as I talked. James blushed a little and blinked rapidly a few times, as if he still couldn't believe that I was really talking about him. Then he gave a grateful, shy little smile and leaned in to kiss me lovingly. I hummed happily and kissed him back, deepening the kiss a little.
«You know, I actually have a little surprise for you, too,» James said, straightening up and getting out of the sofa. «Hang on.»
«Surprise? For me?» I mumbled, watching James' back as he disappeared into the hallway. He didn't answer, but he rummaged around in the hallway for a second and returned with a gift-wrapped, little box in his hands.
«I have a birthday present for you,» he said when he'd sat down next to me on the sofa again. «Last year when it was your birthday, you never told me about it. Even though you and I were out drinking beer the day before!» As he said this I laughed and nodded, remembering.
«Yeah, I know, I just... That was what, the third time we met? If I'd told you I would've just felt like I was searching for attention!» I admitted. James just shook his head a little exasperatedly at me.
«Anyway... This year I know I won't be home for your birthday, and I'm sorry about that. So I thought I'd get you a present before I left. Of course, it's up to you if you want it now or after I get home,» he added with a teasing smirk, knowing that I would be far too impatient and curious to wait three weeks until he came home again.
«Aw, James... You didn't have to get me anything, you've given me so much!» I said, and I meant it. I looked from him to the box and back again. «I mean, you gave me that trip to Bali, and that dinner on the beach, and...»
«Taking you to Bali... That was because I thought you deserved a good holiday, because I wanted to spend some time with you and simply because I love you. This..» he said, rattling the box in his hand. «This is a birthday present. Completely different thing.»
«Okay then,» I said with a little chuckle. «Then I want to open it now. If I can. Please?» James just smiled and nodded, handing me the present. Eagerly I tore off the paper to find a black box inside. Opening it I first saw a short, little note, and I quickly recognised James' handwriting. 'Each one of these signify a moment or a memory with you that I will never forget. - x, James.' I drew a sharp intake of breath when I lifted away the note. Underneath it I found a silver chain bracelet, and it was adorned with little charms hanging from it. I quickly looked up at James, smiling from ear to ear, then looked back to the bracelet, taking it out of its little box to study the charms.
«Aaaw, a little band-aid!» I said as I saw the first charm. «Is that for the first time we met?»
«Mm, because you patched me up and took care of me,» he hummed, wrapped an arm around my shoulder to bring me in closer and kissed my temple. "And meeting you is one of the most important things that has happened in my life."
«And I'm guessing the screwdriver would be for the second time we met? Building all my furniture?» I looked up at James and he nodded.
«Like I told you in Bali, I still have no idea what possessed me to do that, that was very unlike me, but... I just had to see you. And I know it was just one short evening but I felt like I got to know you that night.»
«I felt that too. Like I got to know you,» I smiled. «But.. I'm struggling a little with this pizza slice,» I admitted, looking at the charm with a frown, failing to grasp the deep significance of it. «I remember us making pizzas once, and it was a fun and cozy evening, but...»
«Well... I will always remember that night because... That's the night I fell in love with you. I remember exactly when and where. It was in my garage, we were sitting on the old sofa, just talking. And there was this.. moment, and I just knew that I'd fallen for you. After that you were the only person I could think of.»
«You never told me that before!» I crooned, looking up at him.
«The jewellery designer that made this... I know her a little, she's a friend of a friend. She asked me if had been aware of when I'd fallen in love with you, or if it had been a gradual thing. I didn't think I knew, but when I thought back I realised that I did.»
«I think I was in love with you even before that,» I admitted. I turned my attention back to the bracelet again, and seeing that the next charm looked like a firework going off I knew exactly what it meant.
«Aaw, new years eve!» I exclaimed. «When I realised it was you, that you'd come all the way to Norway... I thought I was going to faint with happiness.»
«And I thought I was going to faint with nerves,» James said with a little chuckle. «I was half expecting you to ask me what the hell I was doing there and just.. not understand why.»
«I did understand why. At least I hoped I did. Until you kissed me, then I knew for sure.» Looking back down at the bracelet I saw the turtle hanging next to the firework. «This must be the Aquarium?»
«Yeah... All the things leading up to that, the argument and the time we spent apart, I wish I didn't remember that. Mostly I wish none of it had ever happened. But that night in the Aquarium, I will always remember that. Just the fact that you forgave me and still wanted to be with me made me feel like the happiest man in the universe. It was a good night, I got to apologise to you and come closer to you again. Even though I am a fat, ancient turtle,» he added.
«I love my ancient turtle,» I giggled and gave him a kiss. The next charm on the bracelet looked like a cardboard moving box. «The day I moved in?»
«Mm. Part of me thought I had lost my marbles asking you to move in, I've never lived with anyone before apart from Fusker. But I haven't regretted it for a single day.» James' arm squeezed me a little as he talked. The next to last charm on the bracelet was a hammock.
«This must be Bali,» I said simply, and James hummed. The hammock had been our favourite place to be, and we'd spent countless hours in it just watching the sea and the sunset, talking or reading books.
«Those two weeks were just... perfect,» he sighed. I turned the bracelet another fraction of an inch, touching the last one, which was a beautiful, simple heart. «And that one is just because I love you,» James whispered into my hair, squeezing me tight. "And there's room for lots more on it. Because I know we're going to make lots more happy memories together." I looked over the bracelet once more, trying to take in everything it meant. I was amazed at the amount of thought James had put into it. Just the fact that he had had it made just for me was more than anyone had ever done for me when it came to a birthday gift. Looking at the charms I realised that the moments and memories that meant most to him, were also the ones that meant the most to me.
«James, this is... Amazing. Thank you so, so much. I love it. And I love you,» I smiled, wrapping my arms around him and hugging him tightly, burying my face against his neck as I tried desperately not to cry my usual happy tears. Letting go of James again I gave him the bracelet and held out my wrist for him to put it on. He fiddled with the tiny lock for a little.
«You know what? You've actually done it. You've actually managed to give your girlfriend the perfect birthday present,» I said as I admired the bracelet again, grinning widely to myself. Then I turned to face James, wrapping my arms around his shoulders. «It's perfect. And you're perfect. And now I will always have something with me to remind me of just how perfect you are.»
«Well, I... I wanted to do something special, you know... Make an effort and give you some attention. I can tell you that I love you and how much you mean to me until the cows come home, but still I feel like it's not enough, that I'm not doing enough to show you that. Actions speak louder than words, I guess, saying I love you is easy, but showing it is something else. And you spoiled me rotten in Bali. I want to spoil you a little, too.»
«You do more than enough to show me how you feel, Emily. Just the way you look at me makes me feel loved. Don't worry that you're not doing enough, because you are,» James reassured me.
«Ok, good. Thank you,» I said gratefully, squeezing his hand. «I'm just glad I didn't burn down the house and that the food was edible.»
«The food was very good. And all the candles and things look good. And you look incredibly good. I feel like a revolting slob sitting next to you,» James mumbled, looking down at his jeans and plaid, colorful shirt in blue, green and pink. I put my wineglass down, inched up closer to James and placed my palm on his cheek, caressing him gently. For a moment I didn't speak, I just looked at him meaningfully.
«You're not a slob. You're a handsome man. With nice hair and beautiful eyes. Whom I am very attracted to and awfully in love with.» I ran my fingers through his hair as I talked. James blushed a little and blinked rapidly a few times, as if he still couldn't believe that I was really talking about him. Then he gave a grateful, shy little smile and leaned in to kiss me lovingly. I hummed happily and kissed him back, deepening the kiss a little.
«You know, I actually have a little surprise for you, too,» James said, straightening up and getting out of the sofa. «Hang on.»
«Surprise? For me?» I mumbled, watching James' back as he disappeared into the hallway. He didn't answer, but he rummaged around in the hallway for a second and returned with a gift-wrapped, little box in his hands.
«I have a birthday present for you,» he said when he'd sat down next to me on the sofa again. «Last year when it was your birthday, you never told me about it. Even though you and I were out drinking beer the day before!» As he said this I laughed and nodded, remembering.
«Yeah, I know, I just... That was what, the third time we met? If I'd told you I would've just felt like I was searching for attention!» I admitted. James just shook his head a little exasperatedly at me.
«Anyway... This year I know I won't be home for your birthday, and I'm sorry about that. So I thought I'd get you a present before I left. Of course, it's up to you if you want it now or after I get home,» he added with a teasing smirk, knowing that I would be far too impatient and curious to wait three weeks until he came home again.
«Aw, James... You didn't have to get me anything, you've given me so much!» I said, and I meant it. I looked from him to the box and back again. «I mean, you gave me that trip to Bali, and that dinner on the beach, and...»
«Taking you to Bali... That was because I thought you deserved a good holiday, because I wanted to spend some time with you and simply because I love you. This..» he said, rattling the box in his hand. «This is a birthday present. Completely different thing.»
«Okay then,» I said with a little chuckle. «Then I want to open it now. If I can. Please?» James just smiled and nodded, handing me the present. Eagerly I tore off the paper to find a black box inside. Opening it I first saw a short, little note, and I quickly recognised James' handwriting. 'Each one of these signify a moment or a memory with you that I will never forget. - x, James.' I drew a sharp intake of breath when I lifted away the note. Underneath it I found a silver chain bracelet, and it was adorned with little charms hanging from it. I quickly looked up at James, smiling from ear to ear, then looked back to the bracelet, taking it out of its little box to study the charms.
«Aaaw, a little band-aid!» I said as I saw the first charm. «Is that for the first time we met?»
«Mm, because you patched me up and took care of me,» he hummed, wrapped an arm around my shoulder to bring me in closer and kissed my temple. "And meeting you is one of the most important things that has happened in my life."
«And I'm guessing the screwdriver would be for the second time we met? Building all my furniture?» I looked up at James and he nodded.
«Like I told you in Bali, I still have no idea what possessed me to do that, that was very unlike me, but... I just had to see you. And I know it was just one short evening but I felt like I got to know you that night.»
«I felt that too. Like I got to know you,» I smiled. «But.. I'm struggling a little with this pizza slice,» I admitted, looking at the charm with a frown, failing to grasp the deep significance of it. «I remember us making pizzas once, and it was a fun and cozy evening, but...»
«Well... I will always remember that night because... That's the night I fell in love with you. I remember exactly when and where. It was in my garage, we were sitting on the old sofa, just talking. And there was this.. moment, and I just knew that I'd fallen for you. After that you were the only person I could think of.»
«You never told me that before!» I crooned, looking up at him.
«The jewellery designer that made this... I know her a little, she's a friend of a friend. She asked me if had been aware of when I'd fallen in love with you, or if it had been a gradual thing. I didn't think I knew, but when I thought back I realised that I did.»
«I think I was in love with you even before that,» I admitted. I turned my attention back to the bracelet again, and seeing that the next charm looked like a firework going off I knew exactly what it meant.
«Aaw, new years eve!» I exclaimed. «When I realised it was you, that you'd come all the way to Norway... I thought I was going to faint with happiness.»
«And I thought I was going to faint with nerves,» James said with a little chuckle. «I was half expecting you to ask me what the hell I was doing there and just.. not understand why.»
«I did understand why. At least I hoped I did. Until you kissed me, then I knew for sure.» Looking back down at the bracelet I saw the turtle hanging next to the firework. «This must be the Aquarium?»
«Yeah... All the things leading up to that, the argument and the time we spent apart, I wish I didn't remember that. Mostly I wish none of it had ever happened. But that night in the Aquarium, I will always remember that. Just the fact that you forgave me and still wanted to be with me made me feel like the happiest man in the universe. It was a good night, I got to apologise to you and come closer to you again. Even though I am a fat, ancient turtle,» he added.
«I love my ancient turtle,» I giggled and gave him a kiss. The next charm on the bracelet looked like a cardboard moving box. «The day I moved in?»
«Mm. Part of me thought I had lost my marbles asking you to move in, I've never lived with anyone before apart from Fusker. But I haven't regretted it for a single day.» James' arm squeezed me a little as he talked. The next to last charm on the bracelet was a hammock.
«This must be Bali,» I said simply, and James hummed. The hammock had been our favourite place to be, and we'd spent countless hours in it just watching the sea and the sunset, talking or reading books.
«Those two weeks were just... perfect,» he sighed. I turned the bracelet another fraction of an inch, touching the last one, which was a beautiful, simple heart. «And that one is just because I love you,» James whispered into my hair, squeezing me tight. "And there's room for lots more on it. Because I know we're going to make lots more happy memories together." I looked over the bracelet once more, trying to take in everything it meant. I was amazed at the amount of thought James had put into it. Just the fact that he had had it made just for me was more than anyone had ever done for me when it came to a birthday gift. Looking at the charms I realised that the moments and memories that meant most to him, were also the ones that meant the most to me.
«James, this is... Amazing. Thank you so, so much. I love it. And I love you,» I smiled, wrapping my arms around him and hugging him tightly, burying my face against his neck as I tried desperately not to cry my usual happy tears. Letting go of James again I gave him the bracelet and held out my wrist for him to put it on. He fiddled with the tiny lock for a little.
«You know what? You've actually done it. You've actually managed to give your girlfriend the perfect birthday present,» I said as I admired the bracelet again, grinning widely to myself. Then I turned to face James, wrapping my arms around his shoulders. «It's perfect. And you're perfect. And now I will always have something with me to remind me of just how perfect you are.»
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