Page 31 of Love Legacy

Naomi

T oday’s the last day before I return to Georgia for Winter Break, and I’m absolutely nervous to go home.

I miss Grannie Mae, so I’m excited to get to see her.

But I’ve been dreading seeing my parents.

Knowing the conversation I plan to have with them and anticipating their reactions, it’s been eating at me all week.

I think Sage has picked up on my off-mood because she decided to plan this big date for us before she drives me to the airport in the morning.

I roll over in bed, expecting to snuggle close to Sage’s warm body, but surprised when I find her side of the bed empty and cold.

Sitting up, I rub my eyes, looking around.

Sage must already be up and moving this morning because her change of clothes that she laid out on my desk chair last night are gone too.

I move to get out of bed when a slip of paper on Sage’s pillow catches my eye. Grabbing the envelope, I take the card out, reading the words written inside.

Morning Church Girl! These next couple of weeks apart are going to be rough for the both of us, but especially you.

I want to take you out for the day, to take your mind off things, and to show you how much you truly mean to me.

I hung up some clothes for you on the door of your closet, so once you’re ready, get dressed and head into the kitchen.

-xoxo, Sagey

I smile to myself, letting out a wistful sigh.

I still can’t get over the fact that Pinebrook’s resident playgirl is, deep down, a cheesy, hopeless romantic at heart.

And that I’m the one who gets to experience this side of Sage.

I get out of bed, gently padding over to my closet to see what Sage has picked out for me.

She pulled for me a light green cowl neck sweater and a pair of light wash skinny jeans.

I grin when I see the sweater. I’ve had it for years, but I never wore it much.

Now, it’s one of my favorite pieces of clothing because the color matches Sage’s eyes so well.

After putting on the clothes, I do my makeup really quickly—just something light and easy—before pulling my curls into a high, messy bun, letting a few pieces fall free around my face.

I head into the kitchen, expecting to find Sage, but instead, I find another note. Opening the envelope, I read Sage’s written words in this next card.

Hi baby,

I bet you’re disappointed that I’m not there to eat breakfast with you.

I had a few loose ends to tie up this morning for our day.

I made you some shrimp and grits and left your bowl in the microwave to keep warm.

I know it’s probably not as good as your Grannie Mae’s, but I tried my best because I know it’s one of your favorite foods.

I’ll be back soon, I just have one question: Do you trust me? If so, text me a thumbs-up emoji to agree to my surprise. If you don’t want to take the chance, text me a thumbs down. I know you trust me either way, so I won’t be upset if you choose no.

- xoxo, Sagey

“’Do you trust me?’ Well, that’s a loaded question,” I mutter to myself.

I take my phone out, texting Sage the thumbs-up emoji.

I trust her completely, so I’m sure she’s planned a fun, exciting surprise for me.

Taking my bowl of food out of the microwave, I take a seat at the kitchen breakfast bar, digging into my shrimp and grits.

“Mm…” I say, letting out a soft moan as I eat the food Sage made me.

Usually I cook, so to have her make me a proper breakfast, and one of my favorites no less, was such a turn-on.

She surprisingly did really good! Don’t get me wrong, no one can hold a candle to Grannie’s cooking, but this was still extremely delicious.

I’m finishing my food when Sage steps through the door, holding a small bouquet of flowers and holding a large gift bag behind her back. I grin widely, standing up for her. “Hi, baby!”

She matches my grin, stepping into the kitchen, placing the flowers on the counter and the bag on the floor before wrapping her arms around my waist and pulling me close.

“God, I can’t get enough of that,” she says, pressing her lips to mine.

I kiss her back before pulling back a little, looking at the bouquet on the counter.

“You got me flowers? That’s so sweet!”

“I know you’re getting ready to leave, so it was probably silly because they’re going to die. But I saw them and I just couldn’t help myself.”

I scrunch up my nose, taking in the kind gesture. “Aw, thank you, Sage. And they’re sunflowers, my favorite!” I pick up the bouquet, gently inhaling the flowers’ sweet aroma. She never fails to surprise me.

“I got you something else too. This is an early Christmas present from me,” Sage says, picking up the large gift bag off the floor to hand to me. Taking the present, I peek inside, my eyes going wide when I take in the contents.

“There’s a lot in here! I have to do this on the couch,” I say, making my way to the living room with the bag. I take a seat on the couch, placing the bag on the ground, and Sage sits close next to me, the heat radiating from her body as she scoots behind me, resting her chin on my shoulder.

I pull out the items she got me one by one, laying them out on the couch. It was such a thoughtful gift. Sage picked up some of my haircare products, a couple satin bonnets, a slightly weighted sweatshirt with a satin-lined hood, and an aromatherapy essential oils set to help with my anxiety.

I twist in my spot to look at my girlfriend. Who knew she was such a softie?

“Sage, this was so nice. You know me so well! I had no idea you were paying this close attention to the products I use.”

She beams, feeling proud of her haul. “I took notes and photos, when I was staying at your apartment over Thanksgiving Break, but I also had Theia give her curly girl stamp of approval before I purchased anything. I got you two sets of hair products and a second bonnet, so that way you could leave some at my apartment. This way, you don’t have to worry about bringing anything back and forth between my place and yours. ”

Happy tears well up in my eyes. “Sage, that’s so sweet of you.

Thank you. I love it all,” I say, pressing my lips to hers.

I already had commandeered a drawer at Sage’s apartment so I could keep clothes there, but now she was actively encouraging me to leave my things at her place, which was a big step for us.

“And then the hoodie has a satin lining so that it doesn’t mess up your hair and it’s slightly weighted, so it’s like a portable weighted blanket. I know you’re always cold, plus the weight can help with your anxiety.”

I pick up the hoodie, examining the weight before holding it close to my chest. It was made out of an extremely soft material and smelled so good. I take another whiff of it, enjoying the familiar scent. “Wait, isn’t that your perfume?”

Sage nods, rubbing the back of her neck as she blushes slightly.

“It is. And I slipped a little travel-sized dispenser of it in the hidden pocket in the pouch. We’re going to be apart for the next month, so I wanted to give you something to sleep in or sleep with that reminds you of me since I won’t be there. ”

I can’t keep the smile off my face as I reach into the pocket of the hoodie, and sure enough, the travel container was in there, just as she said it would be. I straddle Sage’s lap, wrapping my arms around her neck.

“You’re so amazing, Sagey. Thank you,” I murmur, planting gentle kisses all over her face. She laughs before burying her face in my neck.

“There’s more to your surprise if you’re interested.”

I laugh. “What else could you have possibly gotten me, Sage? This is already too much.”

She picks her head up, her eyes searching my face.

“So I know when you got your nose piercing, you talked about being open to getting a tattoo at a later date. The shop is closed this week, but Ryan agreed to come into the shop today if you were interested. No pressure though. This is completely up to you.”

My eyebrows raise in surprise. I knew Sage and Ryan were close friends, but she’s willing to come tattoo me on her day off? I’m honored, honestly. “How’d you manage to convince her to do that?”

“She thinks of me as the little sister she never had, plus she really likes you. It’d be a very short session for her since you probably wouldn’t get anything big, so she didn’t mind,” Sage says, rubbing small circles with her thumbs as she holds my hips.

I grin. “Then let’s do it.”

She raises an eyebrow, as if she’s surprised by my answer. “You’re ready to go get your first tattoo?”

“You seem surprised.”

“I am! I wasn’t sure if you’d put any more thought into it. I honestly expected this to just jump-start a conversation about getting tattoos, not that you would be ready to do it.”

I bite my lip. “If I’m going to be honest, I’m super nervous. But I know myself, and if I put it off or try to schedule it ahead of time, I’m just giving myself an opportunity to chicken out. Now that there’s an opportunity being presented to me, I just have to take it.”

Sage smiles. “Alright then, let me just give Ryan a call. You should pack your suitcase for your trip home now. We can stay at my parents’ house, and then we’ll drive you to the airport in the morning from their house. It’ll save an extra trip tonight.”

“We?”

“Yeah, knowing my mom, she’s going to want to drive with me to see you off.”

I grin, pressing my lips to hers. “I guess I’ll go get packed then.”

She returns my smile, giving me a gentle smack on the butt before allowing me to get up from the couch. I head to my room to pack a suitcase for the next month while Sage makes her call. In the past, I wouldn’t have too many clothes with me at school, partially because I was so close to home.