Hannah's 18th Birthday II

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~~~(POV: Ulysses Kennedy)~~~

~~~(Date: May 12th, 2026)~~~

~~~(Location: Outside Hannah's home, Holden, Oregon)~~~

~~~(Time: 7:58 AM)~~~

I gently let Hannah out of my arms, and she looks up at me with a beaming smile. Today is her day, and we've got all her favorite activities planned out. Our first stop is bowling. I'm honestly excited to do some bowling.

"Alright, we're heading to the bowling alley first, and I'm happy to say that I've got my custom ordered bowling shoes! Not to mention that we get the first 2 hours all to ourselves!"

As I turn to the car and express my excitement, Hannah stays quiet and makes her way to the driver's side. I'd be happy to drive if I could comfortably. But at my height, just sitting in her car is a painful challenge.

I do my best to get in the best position, and she turns on the car seeing that I'm all good. I look at her, and she's got a nervous glow about her, like positive nervousness. And I don't know what. It's not like Hannah at all...

"Are you okay? You seem a little off... If you're not feeling up for bowling, we can try one of the other things today? The new laser tag place was somewhere you wanted to go today!!"

Getting her out of this weird state she's in on her birthday is going to be tough. 18th birthdays are supposed to be special, and something to remember. I don't want to force her to do something she doesn't want to do. I'm not that type of person.

"I'm just nervous about today... 18 is a big one and the beginning of adult life... Just thinking about how things will change after today..."

Hannah doesn't sound like herself, and she slowly pulls out of the driveway. She turns on her favorite radio station but keeps the music low enough in case we want to talk.

"You can tell me anything, Hannah... If you're not okay doing anything today, we can just head to my house to watch TV. I don't want you to feel obligated or forced because it's your birthday."

The birthday girl should get to decide what she wants to do. And if the plans we made get canceled, then oh well. We can do them some other day. If she wants to laze about and relax in comfortable clothes while watching TV, then she is allowed to...

"You're sweet for worrying about me. But I promise that I'm perfectly okay. Weren't you nervous about your 18th birthday?

She's not wrong... Since she says she's fine, then I won't bother her about it. I've done my asking, and if she shows any signs of wanting to change plans. Then we will, for now. I'll just be watching her.

~~~(POV: Hannah Fiona)~~~

~~~(Date: May 12th, 2026)~~~

~~~(Location: Outside Holiday Inn, Holden, Oregon)~~~

~~~(Time: 8:18 AM)~~~

As I park in the parking lot, Ulysses looks out the window with confusion. He turns back to me and waits for an explanation. I can see slight hints of worry in his features.

"Ulysses... This is what I want to do today... I want to go up there and spend the day with you... And not just watching TV..."

He knows what I mean... And he looks away and to the dashboard... He's afraid, and that's what I love about him. He's so scared of hurting me, that he's been putting off any progress in this field of our relationship... But I'm the one that will move it forward now.

Instead of saying anything, he stuffs his hand into his coat jacket and takes out a jewelry box. His hands are shaking from how nervous he is.

"Here... I wanted to give this to you at your actual party... But this might be a better time too..."

He hands me the box, and the soft velvet of it makes my heart race. His eyes are darting back and forth between me and the box. And as I slowly open it, my breath is taken away. It's an open locket with the movie tickets for our first date, and a picture from that night.

"Wow... This is... I don't know what to say..."

I'm out of words... He's put so much thought and care into this gift... He's kept the tickets from that night with him all this time? That night meant too much to him... Just like it did me...