Believe It Or Not (An Eddie Munson Story)

Birthday Bliss

"Alright, love. I'm going to cover your eyes. Keep the bandana on for me." Eddie says as we sit at a stop sign on a back road. I look around and see nothing but a wooded area and furrow my brows, unsure of where we are.

"I know the blindfold can be a little nerve-wracking," he says softly as he folds the bandana up neatly and turns in his seat. His eyes are warm and reassuring as he gazes over at me. "But I'm right here. I'll hold your hand the entire time. I'm just taking you somewhere familiar and I want it to be a surprise until we are there. I don't want you to guess at what I have planned."

My hands shake a little in my lap as he lifts the bandana in question towards my face and I nod, letting him know to proceed. He makes quick work tying it around my head and once he is done, his warm hand slides immediately into mine, just as he promised. He starts to drive again and the rumble of the van is sort of soothing. Eddie also hums softly, making me relax into my seat. My earlier anxiety is forgotten and I find myself stroking the back of his palm affectionately. I continue to listen to his soft humming for the remainder of the ride and before I know it, the van comes to a halt and I hear Eddie park.

"Alright," he says and I can hear a smile in his voice. "I'm coming around to get you. Hang tight for just a second."

As soon as his hand leaves mine, a knot forms in my chest and I feel my palms start to shake again. His door opens and closes and I try to focus on my inhalations and exhalations as I wait for my own door to open. When it finally does, a cold gust of air smacks my face, making me gasp and then Eddie's arms are around me as he unfastens my seatbelt. The contact eases me again and I nearly sink into him as he helps me down from the van.

He keeps one arm around my waist and the other in my hand as he guides me forward, the only sound my heels clacking against the asphalt. He guides me up a few steps before we make our way through a threshold, the temperature drastically changing from cold to heated air. Eddie makes me pause as he helps me out of my coat. My senses are heightened by not being able to see, so the sensation of his fingers moving over my front makes me shake slightly.

"Easy, sweetheart," he breathes in my ear and I can practically hear the cheeky grin on his face. I grin slightly as well and shake my head, wishing he could see me rolling my eyes.

He steps away momentarily to set my coat down and when he returns, he takes both of my hands in his. He walks in front of me, guiding me forward. We giggle together at how unsteady I am on my feet and Eddie does his best to help me to our destination without injury. He stops and sets my arms down at my sides and I can hear his feet moving around me. His fingers come up to the knot in the bandana at the back of my head and he quickly unties me. The fabric falls away and I blink slightly in the dim light.

"SURPRISE!" Our friends yell around me and I inhale sharply, surprised by my surroundings. I take a slight step back and bump right into Eddie, his arms coming around to circle around my waist as my eyes take everything in.

The room is covered in pink and white balloons and there are arrangements of different types of pink and white flowers to match scattered around the room as well. The room is dimly lit with more than three dozen fake candles blazing from different perches on the furniture. All of our friends are gathered around, dressed in semi-formal clothes and smiling at Eddie and I.

My chest bubbles with emotion and I can't help the tears that escape my eyes as I turn to look up at Eddie. His own smile is bright and warm and I am momentarily stunned at how dazzling he looks.

"You did all of this for me?" I whisper and he sighs softly, leaning in to tap his nose against mine.

"I keep saying I'll do anything for you," he says softly, and my heart flutters in my chest. "When are you going to believe me?"