A Tale After Four Lives - Volume 1: Receiving The Reward Chapter 6 6: A Gift From The Heart.

A few months later.

Alex woke up early in the morning, today was a special day. Sneaking out of his room he went to the kitchen and prepared some breakfast and coffee and with both in hand he made his way towards Anne’s room.

With a kick, he opened the door and quickly stepped aside just in time as a pillow went flying by. Peeking inside to make sure it’s safe Alex walked into the room with the food and coffee while smiling at the droopy-eyed Anne. Putting down her breakfast and coffee at the bedside table Alex sat down at the edge of the bed and gave Anne to her surprise a strong hug, “Happy birthday Anne”, Alex said in a jovial voice.

Anne was confused for some time before her eye’s finally lit up realization and she hugged Alex back, “Hahaha, thanks, Alex.” she said. Alex grabbed the plate and handed Anne her breakfast, “Here eat up, you have a big day”, after saying his piece Alex got up walked out of the room.

…

Having finished freshening up both Anne and Alex sat on the couch watching television and relaxing. Alex suddenly grabbed the remote and turned off the television and looked at Anne. Anne looked at Alex wondering what he’s doing and didn’t have to wait long before he gave her the answer. “Present time”, those words immediately made Anne sit up straight and waited in anticipation.

Seeing how excited she was Alex didn’t dare make her wait long before taking something from his pocket and dangling it in front of her from a chain. Anne’s eye’s immediately lit up when she saw it. It was a templar style cross pendant with very tiny words written on it. “It’s beautiful,” said Anne as she saw the pendant. She moved her hair to the side and looked at Alex expectantly and not being a dense person Alex quickly picked up on what she wanted and went behind her to put the pendant around her neck.

Taking a step back he saw Anne make a twirl and looking at him asking how it looked, Alex stared at the pendant that hung around her neck as a myriad of emotions ran through him before looking at Anne and smiled, “You look absolutely beautiful”. Blushing slightly Anne looked quite satisfied with his answer but remembering the news she got the day before, she suddenly got depressed.

Alex quickly noticed the change in her mood, “Hey wat’s the matter?” he asked as he put his hand on her shoulder as comfort. Anne looked at him and smiled bitterly and told him what she was depressed about to which Alex didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Anne had to start work soon and she was depressed since she won’t be able to spend any more time with him. Thinking about it, Alex realized he had stayed with her far longer than intended. He similarly made a bitter smile as he looked at her. “I guess it’s for the best, I too should probably be heading home.”

Anne was shocked at what he said and then remember that he lived in Japan. “How will you get there, if you need money I can buy you the ticket and…” Alex stopped by covering her mouth with his hand,” shhh,” she shushed her and then gently spoke,” Don’t worry about anything I’ve got everything under control. Now, let’s end this topic, it’s your birthday and we should be celebrating”.

Nodding Anne finally calmed down as they sat down on the couch and kept talking. They talked about all kinds of topics, from politics to hobby’s while making jokes along the way. Alex had figured out that Anne likes talking and getting attention long ago so for the day he gave her his full attention. Before they knew it the sun had set and night came and with it, Anne’s stomach grumbled which caused her to blush, but before she could get up to make some dinner Alex stopped her and got up himself while saying, ” It’s your birthday so why not relax? I’ll make us something to eat so just chill”, with that Alex entered the kitchen and started cooking.

Alex searched around the cupboards and to his horror, it was almost empty. With all his willpower and knowledge of the culinary arts of four lifetimes, Alex started working on the diner. 25 minutes later Alex walked out of the kitchen with two plates.

Anne waited in anticipation as Alex placed the food down in front of her while saying,” Your Saucy Bean Baked Eggs madam, Bon Appetit” and overdramatically bowed before sitting next to her on the couch and started digging in.

“Delicious,” said Anne after taking a mouth full of beans, Alex just smiled and kept eating. They quickly finished their food and Alex took there plate’s going into the kitchen and quickly cleaning the dishes.

Heading back into the living room he saw Anne walking over to him, “Well, I think I’ll be going to bed now, we might not have gone somewhere exiting or special but today was the best birthday I ever had, thank you”, with that Anne gave him a big hug sneaking in a kiss to the cheek, which she had to jump to achieve, before running off to her room leafing a chuckling Alex behind.

…

Alex laid in bed and thought about the day’s events, especially the pendant he gave her. He didn’t know why but felt like he wanted to give her something special so he chose something that he held very dear. The pendant was no mere trinket but something he had worn for over three-hundred years when he was still known as Sir Lambert. Although not having any enchantment embedded into it it was still a holy artifact and something that had absorbed his aura for three centuries, and its value could not be put into numbers.

Made from the purest mithril and packed in the highest quality holy water for a decade it could help the wearer resist disease, poison, and any other ailments while also boosting the body’s natural healing. That is what the pendants usually did after being made but this one had been hanging on the neck of the most powerful paladin for centuries, not only where its base ability’s strengthened but the aura emitted from it repelled evil in all its forms making those with evil intentions hesitant to make a move against its wielder.

“Maybe in giving it to her I can leave for Japan with an eased mind.” thought Alex before dosing off.