Chapter thirty-seven

Richie was woken up by a text message on his phone. He reached for it, grumbling that it was too early to be texting, especially while they had a concert the night before, after unlocking the screen he read the message.

A little annoyed he rolled to his back, Jon wanted to meet him at the gym?

They were in Athens; he even more gladly got up at dawn to go sightseeing privately.

Before he could even answer the text, he received another one, urging him on. He answered Jon and got out of bed, still reluctant to get up at all. It was simply too early to be up on a morning after a concert, an amazing concert.

He found some clothes and went down to the gym, finding Jon already on a treadmill. With a sigh Richie got on the one next to him.

“Man, you drag me out of bed to go running? He complained after a few minutes.

Jon didn’t even answer him, like he was too busy running.

“I’m gonna ask her when she comes over.” Richie said after another few minutes, trying to get Jon’s attention another way.
“What?” Jon looked over at him, a little confused and amazed.
“I’m going to ask Sarah to marry me as soon as she gets here.” Richie clarified for him.
“Really?” Asked Jon without slowing down on his treadmill.
“Yeah man, why not?” Richie shrugged as he ran. “I love her, there’s just that connection, you know. I’ll ask her and we’ll have a wedding at the beach.”
“Do you have a ring?”
“No, but you made me get up so I’m making you go ring shopping with me. Probably Saturday.” Richie thought.

Jon looked a little dumbfounded, he had no clue what to say.

“Only fair.” Richie said, assuming Jon was thinking about the shopping.

Finally Jon agreed.



Richie thought it over while running. Monday. That was the big day. Since Sarah would be flying in early, she’d probably want to sleep when they got to the hotel. They could spend the afternoon together, maybe there were more places she wanted to visit.

Depending on what they’d do, one of the touristic places might be a nice place to propose. Otherwise he’d take her out for a nice romantic dinner, maybe ask her then or back at the hotel in private.

He had some more planning to do to figure this out.

Instead of thinking, he resumed staring at the hotel’s garden through the ceiling high windows in front of him.

The garden looked amazing, just like at the rehab centre it made him think of a park.

The grass was very green, bushes against the walls; particularly he liked the big rose bush in the middle, full of bright red roses.

How long did Jon want to run?



Apparently another exhausting, ten whole minutes, that’s when Jon stopped his treadmill and got off. Richie didn’t hesitate to do the same. He was still wondering why Jon had asked him to come. Jon knew he didn’t like to get up as early as he did, especially not to go running.



In the elevator Richie finally decided to ask while Jon all of a sudden made his camera appear as if out of nowhere. Did he really carry it everywhere?

“Any particular reason you couldn’t let me sleep in?” Richie asked.
“I didn’t want to run alone.” Said Jon as he turned his camera on.

Why was he fiddling with it in an elevator?

“Then why didn’t we talk?”
“You were clearly thinking about some stuff.” Jon looked up at him.
“Only because you didn’t talk.” Richie agreed.



They got to their floor and the elevator doors opened to let them walk to their rooms, as usual, across of each other.

Just when Richie was about to unlock his door, Jon’s voice made him turn around again.

“Oh Rich, your birthday present should have arrived by now.” Jon said and with it, snapped a photo.

Confused, Richie just nodded and opened the door.

For a second he didn’t know what to do but with a smile, he looked over his shoulder. Jon snapped another photo and Richie rolled his eyes, making clear how annoying it was at times. Then he smiled again.

“Thanks.” He said and walked into the room, closing the door behind him.


That was his birthday present that got delivered to the wrong place? Somehow Jon had gotten him the most perfect birthday present, exactly what he could wish for. He didn’t care it was late, just glad he got it.

There on his bed Sarah was sitting, waiting for him with that beautiful smile of hers.

All his thoughts of getting up so early and having to run until he was stinky and sweaty were immediately forgotten as he walked over to her to wrap his arms around her.

“I can’t believe you’re here. What about Monday?” He asked beaming with happiness that Sarah was finally there.
“Jon phoned me.” She simply answered.
“So when we talked two days ago, you really had to go pack? When did you leave?”
“Right after we talked last night, I got here five minutes ago, I just went to sit down and you walked in.” She explained with an equally bright smile.
“You must be tired.” He said as he let go of her and moved on to the bed so they could lay together.

Sarah, all too willingly obliged, he was right, she hadn’t been able to sleep on the plane this time either.

Quickly she moved on the bed, back into his arms where she always was most comfortable.

Richie kissed her softly and held her tight.

They didn’t talk anymore and just watched each other, so delighted to be together again. Richie was sure he couldn’t have waited another five days to see her.

Sarah tried her best to keep her eyes open as she watched him, so glad she was able to watch him again, if she wasn’t so tired she wouldn’t be able to keep her eyes off of him.

“I love you.” She said.
“I love you too. I can’t believe you’re here.” He answered, still with disbelief.
“It was Jon’s idea to surprise you. He phoned me the second day after you left.” Sarah confessed.
“You’ve been hiding this for eleven days?”
“Not really, I phoned Jon back after telling you I’d come Monday. You had no clue?” She asked a little surprised.
“None at all.”
“Jon wanted me to come over on your birthday but I couldn’t.” Her words sounded apologetic.
“Doesn’t matter, you’re here now.” Richie was still smiling happily.
Sarah smiled back and finally let her eyes drift shut.

The only thing that made him sure he wasn’t just dreaming was feeling her breath so close to him. She really was back in his arms.

Then he remembered he was going to propose as soon as she came over.

Carefully he started to get up.

“Where are you going?” She asked but didn’t hear his answer as she already was back to sleep.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be right back.” He had answered her as he stood, bending over the bed to kiss her forehead before leaving the room.