Page 71 of GR8VITY

The little raccoon-looking animal I bought yesterday sits there hugging a leafless tree. There are tiny pieces of cloth tied to limbs with writing on them.

"That's my Pixel," Yoon Ji answers, rubbing a hand up my back. "And my reasons why I love you tree."

A tear has already escaped and is rolling down my cheek as I reach for it. I take my time reading every single piece as he took the time to write them.

I love that you're so pretty.

I love how kind you are.

I love how you make us all smile.

I love the sound of your voice.

I love your intelligence.

There are more that I read through tear-filled, blurry eyes and a bunch that simply say I love you.

"Yoon Ji," I choke out in a whisper, turning back over to him and hugging him tight.

"They're going to kill me for making you cry this early," he teases, pressing kisses all over my face.

"Thank you for risking it then," I tell him, stealing his lips. "That was really sweet."

"Mmm," he says, kissing me again. "Ready for your next present?"

"If they're all going to be like this, I don't know," I answer honestly.

He chuckles, ushering us out of bed and toward the bathroom. That’s where we find In Se sitting on the counter, swinging his legs and waiting for us. Yoon Ji eases me inside and shuts the door, leaving us alone.

"Good morning, beautiful," In Se says, holding out a huge yellow rose that he'd been twirling between his fingers when we walked in.

I reach out to take it from him, giving it a sniff before moving between his legs and lifting my chin for a kiss. Only after he complies for the third time do I answer, "Good morning."

He does this little head nod thing to the counter beside him. I gasp softly at the sight of his little black cat sitting beside the entire collection of my favorite skincare and body care products.

"In Se, this is too much," I tell him, knowing good and well how much this costs.

Pressing a finger against my lips, he replies easily, "We don't say such things on one's birthday."

I stick my tongue out and slightly lick his finger, making him laugh before he adds, "Take as much time as you want getting ready. We'll be waiting for you."

He jumps down off the counter, pulling me into a hug and kissing me to the point where I want to beg him to stay and shower with me. But, he doesn't give me the chance to as he kisses my chin, nose, and then forehead before saying, "Happy Birthday, our Liz."

Before he leaves, I have to know something. “Why did it matter so much that I brought Nova home?”

It’s a question that’s been bothering me since last night when I saw his expression through my tears of him hugging his little black cat.

He gives me a soft smile. “Because I know what it feels like to be the one that nobody chooses.”

When he steps out, I have to stop for a second and breathe my way through the anxiety trying to fight its way into my chest. I'm glad no one is in here to witness when I pick up the black kitty and hug it to my chest as tightly as I wish I still could hug In Se right now. I can't call him back in here, because I won't want him to leave again. Setting it back down, I semi-rush through a routine of a shower, using all the new stuff he got for me. The clothes someone was thoughtful enough to leave for me are my comfy jeans and soft grey shirt.

It feels wrong leaving my little guys behind, so I backtrack into Yoon Ji's room and grab Pixel before getting the kitty out of the bathroom and leaving In Se’s room. I follow the sound of voices and food into the kitchen. In Se and Yeon are standing near the stove, cooking and talking softly as the others bustle around setting the table.

Dav En spots me first since he's filling cups of juice from the fridge.

"Happy birthday, Lizzy!" he says, pulling me in for a hug.

He drops a kiss against my cheek as I thank him before he spins me on my heel and pushes me to a waiting Kyung.