A Lovely Surprise ~ Fluff

Sofia entered her apartment after a long, exhausting day of work. Her back and shoulders ached from the position she’d sat in all day, hunched over her sewing machine in the back of the trendy fashion shop she’d been working at for a week now. She didn't realize how draining working the job of your dream could be.

As she entered, the first thing Sofia noticed was the smell of strawberries along with something baked, sweet and warm, coming from the kitchen. The next thing she noticed were the ambient lights and candle sticks around the house, on the desks and tables and shelves. Then she glanced at the floor, eyes widening a bit in surprise. Bright red and pink rose petals were scattered around the hard floor, creating a path towards the long couch near the fireplace in the living room area.

Sofia slowly walked along the trail of roses, making her way to the couch. Sitting on the couch, dressed in a short velvet dress and hair up in a messy bun, was Cocoa, her beloved girlfriend, smiling as if she had been expecting her. They had been together for a year now, maybe a bit longer than that, and they had just moved into an apartment together in the big city. Sofia loved Cocoa dearly, but she had been so busy with her job at the fashion shop that she barely had any time to hang out with her girlfriend lately.

Cocoa stood up, standing nearly half a foot taller than Sofia. Cocoa stared into her girlfriend’s eyes for a moment before she pressed her body to Sofia’s, gently putting her hands on her face and tilting her head down to rest her forehead against Sofia’s. Sofia’s face went warm and her heart fluttered.

“Welcome home, love.” Cocoa whispered softly, tilting her head back up to stare lovingly with her chocolate brown eyes into Sofia’s.

Sofia smiled awkwardly, backing up a bit. “What is all this?” She asked, waving around to all the candles and petals scattered around the apartment.

“Do you not like my surprise?” Cocoa asked teasingly, her warm smile sending Sofia’s heart soaring.

“No! I love it! This is… lovely,” Sofia told her quickly. “I wish I had time to dress into something a bit more… fashionable,” She glanced at Cocoa’s velvet dress, then at her own sweaty T Shirt and jeans. Cocoa usually never dressed up. This must be an important occasion.

“You look gorgeous just the way you are,” Cocoa assured her. Sofia smiled uncontrollably. Cocoa gently took Sofia’s arm, leading her to the couch and sitting her down. “Relax, darling. I made you strawberry muffins!”

“This is wonderful and all, but…” Sofia started, watching Cocoa grab a silver tray on the coffee table full of fresh strawberry muffins and setting it on Sofia’s lap.

Cocoa put a finger to Sofia’s lips, interrupting her. “Hush. I don't want to hear you say anything about how you don't deserve this. You deserve this and more, darling.”

Sofia felt a bit guilty that Cocoa had done all of this for her. But Cocoa’s reassurance eased her a bit. She looked down at the muffins on the tray in her lap, her mouth watering at the warm, fresh scent. Her fluffy tail swished back and forth happily as she took a small bite, the sweet strawberry flavor flooding her mouth. “This is delicious, Cocoa,” She mumbled between bites.

Cocoa laughed happily. “I'm glad you like them. I tried out a new recipe today. Got it off of Pinterest.”

Sofia gave her girlfriend a grateful smile and finished her muffin. She grabbed another one, offering it to Cocoa politely.

Cocoa shook her head. “I already ate a couple before you got home. I'm stuffed.”

Sofia took the muffin back, eating quietly. She could feel Cocoa’s eyes on her, watching her eat. She didn't mind - it made her happy, having the attention of her girlfriend on her.

When she finished eating the delicious strawberry muffins, she sat up to take the tray to the kitchen to wash, but Cocoa quickly extended an arm out, keeping Sofia from standing up.

“You've done enough work today, darling. Allow me to take that for you,” Cocoa took the tray from Sofia’s hands, then trotted into the kitchen.

Sofia watched her go, frowning. She wanted to help Cocoa do some work. She felt like she was being lazy, or not doing enough, having her girlfriend do all this work for her. Baking the muffins, setting up candles, buying flower petals, dressing up… Cocoa was the best girlfriend to ever exist, and Sofia wanted to repay her kindness somehow.

When Cocoa came back, Sofia’s ears perked up. “Cocoa, thank you… for all of this.” She smiled gratefully. “I owe you.”

“Oh, you owe me nothing at all!” Cocoa waved her off and rolled her eyes playfully. “Except maybe a kiss.”

Sofia smiled awkwardly and hesitantly reached up to kiss Cocoa on the cheek. Cocoa let out a soft laugh and sat down beside her. She wrapped one arm around Sofia, bringing her closer to her body. “Your breath smells of strawberries,” She commented.

Sofia blushed and put a hand on her mouth. “Sorry.”

“Oh, it's not a bad thing. Strawberries are lovely,” Cocoa leaned in slowly, sending Sofia’s heart fluttering furiously. Cocoa put her soft lips to hers, and they stayed like that for a moment before Cocoa pulled back and said softly, “You taste like strawberries, too. How sweet.”

Sofia giggled, her face red as a cherry. “Gosh. You really know how to fluster me.”

Cocoa smiled at her for a moment before getting closer, putting a hand on Sofia’s small waist. Her touch was unusually soft for a woman who was so strong. Cocoa was known to carry things twice her size, but she really was just as gentle as a deer. Cocoa stared deep into her eyes. Sofia stared back, feeling her face heat up more than it had before. Cocoa’s hand slowly drifted down, and Sofia awkwardly leaned in closer, enjoying Cocoa’s warmth.

“I love you dearly,” Cocoa breathed, tilting her head to kiss Sofia’s neck.

“I love you too,” Sofia smiled giddily, her heart racing excitedly.

They kissed again before Cocoa pulled back. “I think it's time we get you to sleep, darling. I can tell you’re exhausted,” She reached her hands up to massage Sofia’s shoulders. “You’re all hunched over and your eyes are drooping. You deserve some rest.”

Sofia’s shoulders slumped disappointedly. Cocoa noticed and she brushed her girlfriend’s messy hair out of her face. “I'll cuddle you to sleep. And tomorrow morning, we’ll have breakfast in bed. How does that sound?”

“Absolutely wonderful,” Sofia smiled happily.

Cocoa smiled back and stood up. Before Sofia could stand up with her, she was scooped off of the couch by her strong girlfriend. Sofia let out a small squeak and wrapped her arms around Cocoa’s neck as she bridle-carried Sofia back to their room.

Sofia was laid gently down onto the bed, the sheets having been pulled back already. Cocoa brought the sheets back up to Sofia’s chest, tucking her in and kissing her forehead. The blankets smelled fresh too, as if Cocoa had done the laundry this afternoon.

“You baby me too much,” Sofia sighed, but she couldn't help but smile uncontrollably.

“I love spoiling you. It makes me happy to see you smile,” Cocoa told her, laying in bed next to her and rolling onto her side, facing Sofia, wrapping her arms around her girlfriend.

Sofia laughed quietly. “You know damn well I'm going to spoil you back. I’m going to sew you the best outfit in your life, and you’ll want to wear it every night. I promise you.”

“We’ll see,” Cocoa yawned, pulling Sofia closer to her. “Goodnight, love.”

“Goodnight…” Sofia whispered, her eyes closing slowly.

As Sofia drifted off into a peaceful slumber, she smiled to herself. Tonight she would dream of the love of her life, nothing but happy thoughts.