Crownie

You love your girlfriend, Mabel, very much. You remember meeting her at a protest for climate change and you two hit it off. Sure, you guys were at the same class at Beaverton University but you didn't really speak to each other that much until that very protest. Time really flies by because now...

It's your one year anniversary.

It felt like yesterday when you two talked, when you showed her your paintings and photos of nature and wildlife, when you first kissed her at the glade.

You arrived home from work, placing your bag onto the table. You moved in with Mabel a few months into dating. Sure some people might think it's a little fast but you both love living fast.

"Babe! I'm home," you called out.

You heard footsteps coming from the room to see Mabel poking her head out.

"You're home! How's work?" Mabel asked as she walked over to you.

"Work was fine I guess," you sighed, "Had to deal with some jerks at work today. What about you?"

"It was fine. Dr. Sam's working on a pet collar translator," Mabel replied.

After graduation, Mabel had secured the job of being Dr. Sam's assistant which means that Mabel would be apart of some interesting inventions. Meanwhile you were on the other side of the spectrum as the creative and artsy person, known for her nature paintings and photography.

"You know what today is?" Mabel asked. "Of course I know," you replied, grinning, "Our one year anniversary."

"I knew you wouldn't forget..." Mabel smiled, "I think you're gonna like what I planned for tonight."

"Really now?" you raised an eyebrow, "And what is it?"

"It's a surprise~" Mabel teased.

Of course...

You rolled your eyes before going to the bedroom. There was a bookshelf sitting against the wall with different books on biology, nature and different sketchbooks you owed. The top shelf was the only one that was empty... most of the time. You and Mabel were too short to reach without the help of a stool so that was the perfect place to hide the gift. You brought the chair from your desk over to the bookshelf before climbing the chair to retrieve the gift. The gift in question was a gouache painting of you and Mabel, sitting on the rock that looks out towards the lake at the same glade where you had your date, your backs turned towards whoever saw it. There were other animals friends that Mabel knew, such as King George, Loaf, Ellen and Tom.

You remembered that Mabel introduced you to EVERY animal in the glade. It was one of the pond rules, don't be a stranger.

You smiled as you look at the painting, it took several months and several thoughts of self criticism to make it amazing... At least to a non artist. You heard the door open and immediately hid the painting behind your back. It was Mabel who was at the door.

"Hey, we'll leave in a couple of hours. Just letting you know," Mabel informed you.

You nodded your head before Mabel left, you sighed as you put the painting back. That was close.

Skip to a few hours later, you and Mabel left the house. You held your gift in your tote bag as well as a photo album and a camera around your neck. You couldn't help but think about how Mabel will react to the gift. You followed Mabel as you walked throughout Beaverton until you arrived at the glade.

"So..." Mabel asked, "You remember our first date?"

You looked at her, "Yeah, it was at this glade. We were stargazing."

"And I was nervous as hell."

"That you were."

"I figured we would do it again," Mabel told you as you both arrived at the rock.

"It was such a beautiful thing to witness, especially with a beautiful girl," Mabel added on as the both of you sat down on the grassy area.

"Aww babe..." you cooed.

You sat down, crossing your legs as Mabel laid down with her head in your lap. You took several pictures of the night sky and the glade, knowing that you rarely get pictures of these things at night. You guys talked about all the different memories you had, whether it be environment protests, college work, or random thoughts in general.

After a while, you sighed, gaining the courage for the big reveal.

"Hey babe?" you asked.

Mabel perked up before looking up at you.

"Yeah?"

"I have something to give you."

You reached for the painting from your tote bag before revealing it to Mabel, who was now sitting up.

"Happy anniversary," you mumbled, slightly nervous for her reaction.

She stared at the artwork in shock, taking in the picture before breaking out into a huge smile.

"YOU MADE THIS?!" she asked, full with awe.

"Yeah," you responded, "It took several months."

"Babe... this is amazing!"

You blinked with shock and happiness.

"It is?" you asked.

"Everything you do is amazing but oh my god!"

Safe to say that Mabel was very happy right now.

You started to smile back before bringing up your camera.

"Wanna take a picture?" "Of course I do!" Mabel answered happily.

You backed up slightly, adjusting the focus before taking the picture. You watched as the photo slid out from the camera, watching as it slowly developed. You slid that picture into the picture album, where's full of pictures you took of nature, yourself and Mabel.

You put the book down before looking at Mabel before she put the painting down on the grass.

Her gaze was full of softened joy as she leaned in closer.

"Happy anniversary," she murmured before kissing you on the lips.

She pulled away as you inhaled.

"You will always be my girl..." she assured you before going back in for another kiss.