When Rosalie reached the orchid garden at the back of the house, J1 immediately asked her to go inside. She stepped through the entrance, still wondering why J1 had brought her there. The moment she entered the garden, however, her eyes instinctively moved toward the figure standing farther ahead that was Julian.
He was looking at her with a gentle smile, his expression calm and warm beneath the soft afternoon light. The moment their eyes met, he slowly walked toward her.
"Juu… When did you get here?"
Rosalie asked in surprise and before Julian could answer, she ran toward him and threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly as though she had been waiting for this moment all day.
Julian immediately wrapped his arms around her in return. One hand gently rested against her back while the other moved through her hair, smoothing the loose strands away from her face. He lowered his head and placed a soft kiss against her forehead.
"I haven't been here for long. I called home and they told me you went out. I thought you might come here, so I came to look for you."
He paused for a moment, his voice becoming softer.
"I wanted a little more time with you before I leave for the trip. I've already been neglecting you too much lately."
There was a trace of guilt in his voice. Rosalie smiled when she heard him and tightened her arms around him. Because she had missed him too.
Even though the difference in their heights was not significant, with Rosalie standing around five feet six and Julian around five feet eight, she could comfortably rest her head against his shoulder. For a while, she simply stayed there, enjoying the warmth of his embrace. After a moment, she slowly lifted her head and looked up at him.
"I haven't been able to see you these past few days… I couldn't even get a little time to meet you. I missed you."
Julian smiled.
"I know. I missed you too, Baby…"
His fingers gently brushed a strand of hair away from her forehead.
"That's why I arranged to see you today. I wanted us to spend some quiet time together before I leave."
Then, as though remembering something, he looked at her face and asked,
"By the way… do you know what day it is today?"
Rosalie froze. Her eyebrows knitted together as she tried to remember.
"Today is…"
She thought for a few seconds. Then suddenly, her eyes widened.
"Oh…"
She covered her mouth with both hands.
"Juu… I'm sorry! I forgot your birthday!"
Her expression immediately turned guilty, like a child who had just realized she had made a terrible mistake. Julian couldn't help but laugh softly. Seeing her look so disappointed in herself made it impossible for him to be angry with her. In fact, he found her reaction rather adorable.
"I'm not angry. It's Ok."
He gently brushed the strands of hair falling over her forehead aside.
"Honestly, I only asked because I wanted to see if you remembered."
He paused before continuing in a warm voice.
"Anyway, what matters is that on a special day like this, someone remembers and makes an effort to spend time together. That is what matters to us. And you didn't forget on purpose."
He reached up and lightly tapped the tip of her nose with his finger.
"But this is the only time I'm letting it go, okay? You can't forget again next time. Understand, my little one?"
"Yes…"
Rosalie answered quietly, still looking a little guilty. However, there was already a smile hiding in her voice. Julian took her hand and led her toward a table that had been prepared nearby. Fresh fruit had been arranged neatly across the table, and in the center sat a birthday cake decorated especially for the occasion.
"Juu… all of this…"
"For the two of us."
Julian smiled.
Before Rosalie could say anything else, J1 approached and carefully lit the candles on the cake and then stood beside the table. A familiar birthday melody soon filled the orchid garden. Rosalie looked at J1 and burst into laughter.
"I prepared it beforehand for you."
The little garden suddenly felt warmer. The soft music, the scent of orchids, the candles flickering in the gentle breeze, and the person she loved standing beside her made the moment feel almost unreal. When the birthday song ended, Julian closed his eyes for a moment and silently made his wish.
Rosalie stood beside him, watching his face quietly. She wondered what he had wished for. After a few seconds, Julian opened his eyes and blew out the candles. J1 immediately released a small shower of flower petals from above. Rosalie couldn't help laughing again as petals drifted gently around them.
"You even prepared this?"
She looked at Julian with amused disbelief. He only smiled innocently.
"It's your fault for making J1 too capable."
Rosalie laughed and shook her head. Julian then cut the cake and carefully placed the first slice onto a small plate.
"The first piece is for you."
Rosalie looked at him for a moment before opening her mouth with a small smile. Julian gently fed her the first bite. For a while, they simply enjoyed the small celebration together just the two of them beneath the orchids.
After they finished cutting the birthday cake, J1 was carefully returned to the storage room inside the laboratory and connected to its charging system. Once J1 was safely stored away, Julian and Rosalie returned to the orchid garden. They spent the rest of their time together in quiet solitude.
Rosalie rested comfortably in Julian's arms while gazing at the orchids surrounding them. The gentle breeze moved through the flowers, carrying their faint fragrance through the garden. Julian lowered his gaze toward her. He gently moved the strands of hair away from her forehead before softly kissing the top of her head.
"Rosie…"
"Hmm?"
"When I'm away, if anything urgent happens regarding your health, call me immediately, okay?"
His voice became slightly more serious.
"And don't forget to go to the hospital if you need to. I've already spoken to Dr. Bright properly. While I'm away, he'll keep an eye on you and take care of anything necessary."
He gently rubbed her shoulder.
"I'll come back as soon as I can."
Rosalie looked up at him and moved closer and buried her face against his neck.
"Come back soon, okay?"
Julian's arms tightened around her. She remained silent for a moment before continuing in a quieter voice.
"And also…"
She hesitated.
"Juu is like a rose bouquet that every girl desires, so I'm worried. I mean..."
Julian let out a soft laugh. His hand gently moved to her waist, pulling her closer.
"I understand. My little one is jealous again."
"It's not strange!"
Rosalie immediately protested.
"I've always been jealous. It's just that you're going far away this time. You won't be in front of me."
She lifted her head slightly.
"And because you're such a nice doctor, what if some woman says she's drunk or not feeling well and asks you to escort her to her room… and then something complicated happens afterward?"
Her expression became serious.
"Then I'll be the one crying."
Julian's smile disappeared immediately. He pulled her slender body more firmly into his embrace.
"Trust me, little one. I'll always call you. And I'm worried about you too. So, I have something to tell you as well."
Rosalie looked up at him.
"While I'm gone, it's fine to go out with your friends. But don't go anywhere alone with someone you aren't close to. No matter what the reason is. You understand what I mean, right?"
Rosalie thought for a moment before answering.
"Uhmm….For example… Ethan and Isabella?"
"Uhm…Yes. They're the main ones. Other than Mia, Elara, and Lily, don't go anywhere alone with people you're not familiar with. I won't feel comfortable knowing you're doing that."
Rosalie couldn't help laughing. She reached up and gently squeezed both of his cheeks between her fingers.
"Don't worry, Juu… I'm not some ignorant little child anymore."
Julian looked at her for a moment before smiling.
"Exactly. That's why I'm even more worried."
"You really are an overprotective guardian."
She rested against his chest again.
"Don't worry, okay? And come back soon. Stay safe on the journey."
"I will."
Julian gently stroked her hair. The quietness of the garden seemed to make the approaching separation feel even more real.
"This is the first time we're going to be apart for such a long journey. It's not somewhere I can return from overnight, so I'm more worried than usual. The drive alone takes almost two days one way. If something happens, I won't be able to come back immediately."
"I'll miss you…"
Then, as though suddenly remembering something important, she lifted her head.
"Oh, and I bought everything you might need for the trip. Check everything later and see if you're missing anything. J1 went shopping with me."
"All right, then."
Despite his smile, however, Julian's heart remained heavy. He didn't want to leave her. But the journey was necessary for his education and work, and it was not something he could simply cancel. So, while he still had time, he held the woman he loved a little tighter.