Chapter 30

One afternoon at the Academy, Sonny finds Jess between classes. She is leaning against the hallway wall, chatting with someone and laughing like nothing in the world can touch her.

Sonny waits until the conversation ends, then steps closer. "Jess," he says.

She turns and smiles. "Hey, ether boy. What’s up?"

Sonny asks a question that contradicts his sad, blank expression. "What am I supposed to do for Ellie’s birthday?"

Jess gazes at him like the question was meant to be sarcastic. "Is this a real question?"

"It is," Sonny says.

Jess’s eyes narrow like she is measuring how serious he is. "I just didn’t expect that out of your mouth. Okay. How much money are you willing to spend?"

Sonny answers immediately. "Any amount. Money isn’t an issue."

Jess’s eyebrows jump. "Oh?" She grins. "In that case, you’re taking her somewhere she’ll never forget. Fancy dinner. Incredible view. Make it feel like a movie."

Sonny’s interest is piqued. "You have an idea in mind?"

"Gilt," Jess says. "It’s one of the nicest places in all of Bronzeland and not to far from campus. It’s expensive and the view is ridiculous. Reservations are usually impossible. If money is no object, start there.”

Sonny nods his head like he is receiving mission orders. "Understood."

Jess points at him. "And you don’t tell her. You keep it secret. The anticipation is part of the gift."

"I won’t say a word," Sonny says.

Jess laughs. "You’re cute when you talk like this. Now go be romantic."

Sonny walks out of the hallway and heads straight for the city.

He enters Gilt at opening time with an envelope in hand. The host stands behind a polished desk and looks up with a practiced smile. "Can I help you?"

"I would like a reservation for March twenty second at seven p.m.," Sonny says.

The host’s smile tightens. "We don’t have availability. Those reservations book months in advance."

Sonny has never made a reservation before. "Oh. Okay. Could I speak to a manager?"

The host hesitates. "About what?"

"A reservation. I think we can figure something out," Sonny says.

The waitress tries to hide her eye roll and goes to fetch the manager. A few minutes later, the manager arrives and leads Sonny a few steps away where he explains the situation.

"You’re asking for a premium table at peak time on short notice," the manager says. "We don’t do walk-in reservations like that."

Sonny’s expression stays solid. "I understand. I have an offer."

The manager sighs but feels obligated to listen. "Go on."

Sonny speaks plainly. "Five hundred dollars to you personally. Ten thousand to the restaurant prepaid. Unlimited food and drink that night. Best window table. Make it an unforgettable evening for us."

The manager laughs once, then stops when she realizes he is serious. "Oh, you’re serious. Who are you?" she asks.

Sonny answers honestly. "Just a student."

The manager studies him, then glances at the envelope he is holding. She clears her throat. "We can make an accommodation."

Sonny hands her the envelope containing the five hundred dollars he promised. “I’ll stop by later today to drop off the rest of the money.” Sonny exclaims.

The manager returns to the host and speaks in a low voice. The host looks up at Sonny again, shocked, then types quickly. "Reservation confirmed," the host says, voice suddenly much sweeter. "March twenty second. Seven p.m. Window table."

Sonny nods once. "Thank you for your help." He departs the restaurant.

That night, Sonny returns to the apartment and finds Ellie studying with her headphones on. He taps her shoulder. She jumps and yanks one earbud out. "Don’t sneak up on me."

"I have plans for your birthday," Sonny says. "Don’t schedule anything."

Ellie’s eyes light up instantly. "What is it? Tell me."

Sonny shakes his head. "It’s a secret."

Ellie groans dramatically. "I hate secrets."

"Too bad. You will have to wait. Waiting builds excitement."

A few days pass. March twenty second arrives. Ellie wakes up excited but immediately starts spiraling when she realizes she does not have any details about tonight. She still doesn’t know the dress code. She doesn’t know if she needs makeup. She doesn’t know if Sonny is taking her somewhere casual or somewhere serious. She needs the details for him, but he is not home. All day, she is distracted.

After classes, Ellie rushes home. Sonny is already there, calm as always.

He looks up and smiles. "Happy birthday."

Ellie rushes him and hugs him. "Okay, what do I need to do to get ready? What is the attire?"

Sonny answers without hesitation. "Wear a nice dress. Like the ball."

Ellie’s glances at the clock. "How much time do I have?"

"We leave at six thirty," Sonny says.

She beings to panic. "That’s not enough time."

Sonny places a steady hand on her shoulder. "Everything is going to be ok. Just go get ready.”

Ellie scurries to the bathroom to put herself together. When she finally steps out of her room, she is dressed and glowing.

Sonny pauses like he needs a second to process. "You look beautiful," he says.

Ellie blushes. "You also look handsome."

A limousine Sonny arranged waits outside.

Ellie stops in shock. "Are you serious?"

"Go on, get in," Sonny says.

They ride into the city.

On the way, Sonny asks, "Any update on Guild Grimm and Bull’s father?"

Ellie smiles. "We agreed to his terms. Payments start to reduce next month. And after this semester, during break, Bull will be a full-time apprentice."

Sonny gives a short nod. "You made it happen. You should be proud. Another reason to celebrate tonight."

Ellie laughs. "I wonder how Bull will feel that he is going to be working with me during break. He owes me big time."

Sonny’s eyes soften. "Looks like your relationship with Bull has done a complete 180 since the beginning of the school year."

They arrive at Gilt. Ellie stares at the building. "No way."

Sonny offers his arm. "Seven p.m. reservation. Let's go."

Inside, the manager greets them personally and escorts them to a window table with a view that makes the whole city look like a painting.

Ellie sits slowly. "How did you even get this? I’ve heard reservations are impossible. Can we even afford it?"

Sonny answers like it is nothing. "I walked in and asked the manager."

Ellie narrows her eyes. "That doesn’t exactly answer my question."

Sonny looks at her. "Well it’s my answer."

The waiter introduces himself and explains they have prepaid and can order anything. He departs to give them a moment to look over their options.

Ellie’s jaw drops. She stares at Sonny and whispers to him. "Seriously can we afford this?"

"Yes. Everything is taken care of." Sonny says like this is par for the course.

Ellie lowers her voice. "How?"

Sonny realizes she is looking for a real answer here. He responds calmly. "The Omegas have a vault that contains all of our excess offerings. Artifacts, rare items, jewels, precious resources, and money. Any Omega can summon anything from the vault. The vault is seldom used because the Omegas do not have much need for materialistic items.”

Ellie sits back, stunned. "So you can just… summon money?"

Sonny has never thought about it that way. "Basically."

“Not to pry about the Omegas, but shouldn’t they have cut you off from vault access or something?” Ellie asks.

Sonny responds, “I sleep outside most nights and could hunt for my food. We were raised and trained to survive without money and resources. It would make no difference if they somehow cut me off.”

Ellie takes a careful sip of champagne. "I guess that’s true. Even I rarely see you spend money.” She continues, “Then we’re going all out tonight."

She orders a premium bottle of wine and nearly everything off the menu. The waiter returns with the bottle. He uncorks and decants it for them. They pour a glass for Ellie and she is wowed by how tasty it is.

The first course arrives, plated like art. Ellie takes one bite and freezes. She chews slowly, eyes widening as the flavor hits.

“Oh my God,” she mutters through chewing food. Sonny watches her reaction more than eating food himself.

Then the next dish arrives. And the next. Each course is different, each one somehow better. Ellie keeps thinking she hits the peak, and then the waiter sets down another plate and proves her wrong. The wine keeps flowing too, rich and smooth, the kind of taste that makes her sit back and laugh like she’s forgetting what week it is.

Sonny eats steadily, but can’t hide his reactions to how delicious the food is. He keeps glancing at Ellie to make sure she’s enjoying it as well.

By the end, they are completely stuffed.

Ellie leans back in her chair, hand on her stomach, and exhales. “I can’t move.”

After they finish, Ellie looks out at the city lights soaking in the spectacular view.

"Thank you," she says quietly. "This is a dream. Why did you go so big?"

Sonny’s voice stays soft. "I’m no birthday expert, so I asked Jess for a recommendation. She told me this would be a good spot to take you and she was correct."

Ellie studies Sonny for a moment, multiple glasses of wine warming her cheeks and loosening the words she tries not to say.

“Is something else going on,” she asks quietly.

She doesn’t explain what she means. She doesn’t want to say it out loud, that fear sitting in the back of her head. The idea that this might be him trying to give her a perfect memory before he leaves for good.

Sonny meets her eyes. “Nothing is going on.”

Ellie does not look convinced.

Sonny continues, calm and direct. “I love you. I want you to have a night you never forget.”

Ellie’s throat tightens. She looks away and forces a small laugh. “It’s probably just the wine talking,” she says, and she changes topics before her voice can crack.

She gestures toward his wrapped arm. “How are your injuries? Are you actually healing.”

Sonny nods once once. “I’m pretty much back to one hundred percent. It’s probably the longest I’ve ever had to recover from injuries.”

Ellie exhales, relieved, even if she doesn’t fully believe him.

The waiter returns one last time, smiling like he’s been waiting for the right moment.

“Thank you again for dining with us tonight,” he says. “And if you’re up for it, we have one last surprise.” They are invited to the roof for a final glass of champagne.

On the rooftop, Ellie steps close to Sonny and takes in the view. "One more thank you," she whispers, and kisses him.

They take some time to bask in the view and enjoy their waning time at Gilt.

Afterward, they decide to walk home, about a mile and half. Ellie holds Sonny’s arm the whole way, content and full and glowing.

Back in the apartment, Ellie stops in front of him, suddenly shy. "I have one more birthday request," she says. "Don’t ask questions."

Sonny gives a short nod. "Okay."

She asks him to remove his shirt and unwrap the bandages from his torso. Sonny obeys, cheeks faintly warm. Ellie runs her hands over the scars and muscle, then rests her palm over the familiar mark on his chest.

"I’ve never seen your mark up close," she whispers. Sonny doesn’t know how to feel with her so close.

Ellie leans in, kisses him again, and murmurs, "Does this perfect night have to end yet?"

Sonny answers quietly. "No."

They move toward the bed together, and the door clicks shut behind them.