*Ray's Point Of View*

        The next day I woke up and realized she was gone. You might think our relationship is moving fast, but I think I'm in love with her. Every moment I am without Lexi, all I can do is think about is her. So today we are both off of work, and I want to surprise her. Because today is her birthday. It's six o'clock in the morning and I know she is still sleeping. After a few minutes I got dressed and head to the store. I put on my best clothes I had, dark blue jeans and a button up collared shirt, and some black dress shoes.  Soon I arrived at the store, and I bought her some chocolates, a birthday card, and a dozen red roses. I call Lexi up as I head to her house.

Ray: Hey Lexi you mind if I come over for a bit?

Lexi: No I don't. Is everything okay? It's seven o'clock on a Sunday.

Ray: Everything is great! Come outside, I'm here!

       I made it to her house as she was walking outside, I could not think of a better timing. She was not dressed up as me but, she still looked beautiful. The way the morning sun glistened off her hair, it was blinding me. Her eyes twinkled when they met mine. In that moment, I never wanted to be with anyone else, as much as I wanted to be with her. She always knew how to put a smile on my face, just by seeing her smile.

       "Happy birthday gorgeous," I exclaimed, hugging her back.

       "Ray- you didn't have to do this! I can't believe you remembered! Thank you so much. I wasn't expecting this," Lexi cried hugging me tighter.

      "Anything for you baby girl. I just wanted to surprise you on your special day," I replied, pressing my lips against hers. I wrapped my arms around Lexi and swung her in a circle.

      "Come inside baby, you must be cold," Lexi exclaimed, taking the flowers from my hand.

     Lexi walked me inside and grabbed a vase for her flowers. She filled it up with water, trimmed the ends, and put each rose in the vase, one by one. Each rose she put in the vase, she starred at it for a few minutes. She likes the roses, doesn't she?

       "Hey you like the roses don't you? Red is your favorite color!" I said, wrapping my arms around her.

    "It's not that I don't like them, I love them! It's just... Well.. never mind," she shuddered.

     "If their is something on your mind, you can tell me! I'm here for you!" I comforted her.

     "It is nothing baby, really I'm fine!" She whispered.

      I know something is bothering her but I do not want to make it worse. So I just let it go and try to help her have the best day, on her birthday. She is 17 now. This was just the beginning, I had a whole day planned out.

     "Go get dressed and by ready by eight o'clock!" I teased.

    "Why? Are we going somewhere?" Lexi asked.

     "Go get dressed and you will find out," I chuckled, as I watched her race to her room.

     About 30 minutes pass and she is almost done. But she has no idea we are going to her favorite restaurant and a few other places. First we're going to the park, then we are going to her favorite store '2nd and Charles', and then her favorite restaurant, 'Olive Garden'. She loves being at the park with the animals, she loves books, and she loves Italian food. Today is a very special day, for my girlfriend.

"I'm ready!" Lexi hollered.

"Let's go baby girl," I laughed.

      I opened the door for Lexi and go into the driver side and drove off. The first stop is the park. Lexi turned on the radio and sang her heart out. We smiled and laughed the entire ride. Surely but slowly, she was being herself around me. I pulled up to the park and opened her door for her.

       "Aw Ray. I love it here! The animals and the swings!" She yelled with excitement.

       "Well what are you waiting for?" I said smiling at her. She smiled back and ran for the swings.

    I pushed Lexi on the swing as she kissed me every chance she got, while swinging back and forth. She jumped out the swing and took off towards the ducks and geese. I went and got a loaf of bread and handed it to her. We both fed the animals.

   "I'm getting hungry baby! Can we go eat?" She asked.

    "One more place and we will go eat! Let's go baby!" I exclaimed walking her to the car, while I held her hand.

    I opened her door for her and we drove to her favorite store, the book store. I remember the first time I saw her room, she had a solid wood book shelf in the corner of her room with lights dangling off it. And every shelf was filled with books. So I knew then, she loved books. We arrived at our second stop, 2nd and Charles, her favorite book store.

    "Ray how did you know I love books? Oh wait! My book shelf is filled with books!" Lexi laughed.

   "Come on baby girl, go pick you out some books," I exclaimed holding her hand as we walked inside the store. She looked and looked at every shelf. She grabbed six books that she really liked the most. I told her she could get more, but she insisted that was enough and she could always get more. Considering she does not have much room for the ones I bought her now.

    "Now can we eat?" Lexi begged me again, with her puppy eyes.

    "Yes ma'am, we are going to eat now," I said helping her into the car and shutting her door. I got into the drive side and drove off to the third place. Her favorite restaurant, Olive Garden. She was a huge fan of Italian. I asked her mom her favorite food, so I could bring her their for her birthday today. She thought it was sweet of me, and told me no other guy has done that for her, so I wanted it to be special. We arrived at our final place, I killed the engine and opened the door for her.

     "Olive Garden? Oh my gosh! Thank you so much Ray." She exclaimed hugging me tight.

    "I thought you were hungry?" I asked.

     I held her hand and led her inside to the restaurant. I had reservations for us. The waiter led us to our table and got our drinks.

    "Yes I'll have a sweet tea with lemon!" Lexi replied.

     "I'll have the same as the lady,"

Please don't forget to comment and vote! Let me know what you think! Thank you! This was a chapter for my birthday:)