Rudy buzzed with excitement as he lead you through the busy mall, making sure to guide you properly since your eyes were shut tight, per his orders.

"No peeking, mi amor. Or else you'll ruin the surprise." He said, his accent thick as he walked you further into the mall It was your birthday, and he had actually made it home just in time to celebrate it with you.

You took a few more steps before he stopped, and in turn, you did as well.

Once he gave the go ahead, you opened your eyes and all but squealed in excitement as you stood in front of the biggest build-a-bear that you'd ever seen. You looked at him, happiness written all over your face. You couldn't believe he'd remembered something so small that you'd told him back on your first date. You'd told him about how you'd always wanted to go to build-a-bear since you never got to as a child.

"I was thinking maybe we could pick one out for each other? You make mine, and i'll make yours?" He asked as he linked his hand with yours as he lead you into the store.

The next hour was spent picking out the perfect stuffed animal for each other, choosing accessories and the like before taking everything over to one of the workers who helped you stuff your new friends. You both opted for recording special messages to go inside of your stuffie. Rudy stepped away from you when he recorded his, saying that he wanted it to be a surprise, that you could only listen to it when he was gone on his next deployment.

You did your best to keep yours hidden, wanting to show them to each other at the same time. You each left the store with the toy housed in one of their iconic house-shaped box.

When you got home, he pulls you into the living room, ready to exchange stuffies.

"On the count of three, we show each other what we picked out, okay?" He says as he opens his box and wraps his hand around the plushie. He was so excited for you to see what he picked out for you.

"One."

"Two"

"Three!" He says as he holds up the toy he made just for you, the light of his life.