Beautifully Awake (35 page)

“Sea glass?” I whispered, enamored.

“Doesn’t even come close to the real thing, but I wanted you to see a glimmer of what I see when I look in your eyes, Blue. Color and sparkle, baby. You are
beautiful
...” His fingertips grazed my cheeks. “I want to spend forever
awake,
staring into your eyes.”

There were no words to describe the tidal wave of emotion crashing down upon me. None.
Why even try?
I felt so cherished and adored, truly and utterly loved. He loved me.

He secured the stunning bracelet on my wrist. A small silver charm dangled from the clasp. The inscription stole my heart:
beautifully awake.

For the past three years, fear of waking back up to life terrified me. Sleep-running had been my safe haven. My time to heal. Now the thought of being anywhere else but living in the moment, feeling everything life had to throw at me was unimaginable. Different circumstances had put us to sleep, but together we fought that battle. Finding each other and winning the fight woke us both up.

“Forever,” I said. Forever was my answer. I didn’t cry. I smiled. No more tears. Not even happy tears. Not tonight. Tonight, I needed to share forever with the man I loved. My happily ever after, even if it took all night long.

I
woke up to a gorgeous hydrangea flower arrangement from my dad and Sharon and several texts from the girls at the hospital wishing me a happy birthday. Guy even remembered, with a
Happy birthday, doll
. Let’s not forget the massive white box at the bottom of
our
bed. Of course Chase downplayed the seriously kickass designer dress and even more kickass shoes when I insisted my bracelet and jewelry box were already too much.

“Baby, this way we’re not rushed later; saves time, and you won’t have to go back to your apartment to change for dinner.” One day I’d throw his ludicrous argument back at him, but not today. Hell, no. Not today. He got away with whatever he wanted today. Today I said
thank you
and then showed him just how thankful I was. Happy freaking Birthday to me!

We spent the better part of the morning and most of the afternoon taking in the sights. Even though I’d lived here a while, I’d only done the touristy loop once with Sierra the week I moved here. Her attempt at distraction. Needless to say, my frame of mind at the time was questionable at best, so today it was all pretty new to me. Dad and Sharon had never been, and surprisingly Dr. Worldly said it had been
years
—whatever that meant, but I appreciated his enthusiasm. Yet another thank you I looked forward to showing, or should I have said,
sharing.

The sports challenge at the Franklin Institute could have kept my dad entertained all day. I gave Chase some serious credit when he stood next to my dad, studying the physics of athletes via virtual reality versus heading downstairs to explore the science geek’s dream through the giant heart situation. It was obvious he had maxed out on brownie points last night alone, so the sex credits were exponentially increasing by the second. As long as I was spending the day with the three of them I had no opinion.

Sharon finally persuaded her husband to leave since she
needed
to hang out with Rocky, even if he was at the bottom of the steps. Several pictures with the bronze statue later, we eventually climbed the infamous steps and enjoyed the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The ridiculous smirk on Chase’s face told me he was replaying our last museum experience just like I was.
Talk about taboo with your dad by your side.
I couldn’t even look in Chase’s direction without blushing ten shades of crimson. We had sex in a planetarium, for god’s sake. And hell if he didn’t love how embarrassed I was about it. His grin was priceless. I’d give him a repeat performance in a heartbeat, just not with my dad in the building, or the several hundred other people meandering about.

After the museum stop, we grabbed a late lunch at an outdoor cafe. Chase sensed I was dragging and suggested we head our separate ways to relax before dinner. Neither one of us had gotten a lot of sleep lately, and a nap was calling our names.

I laid down on the couch and my eyes involuntarily closed. Chase sat at the other end and pulled my feet onto his lap, gently massaging my arches. I sunk deeper into the couch.

“Having a nice birthday, baby?”

“Best ever. Thanks so much for today. You know, hanging with my dad, doing the sports thing.”

“First, stop thanking me. Your dad is a great guy and I enjoy his company. Even if I didn’t, know I’d do just about anything to put that shit-eating grin on your face. And for the record, I love sports. Been an athlete my whole life.”

No shit, Sherlock, seen you naked.
I kept that quiet for obvious reasons.

“Mmm,” I mumbled, keeping my sassy comments to myself. My body was succumbing to sleep.

“Sleep, beautiful.”

I heard the television flip on. Sports Center. He was too much. I smirked and rolled my eyes under my lids before I drifted into a restful sleep.

Twenty minutes or two hours later, I had no idea…

“Blue, you want to take a shower before dinner?” Chase sat on the edge of the couch caressing my arm.

“Mmm. Was I asleep long?”

“Try a coma, baby ... a bomb could have gone off and I don’t think you would have woken up.”

“I was tired,” I stretched and sat up, “but I feel great now. Quick shower sounds good. Do I have time?” I still had no idea what our dinner plans entailed.

“Yes. Come, let’s shower.”

Mmm, even better.

I glanced at the TV getting up and saw Sports Center was still on. “How’s ESPN? Did I miss anything?” I smirked, feeling sassy again. I could have counted on one hand how many times he had watched Sports Center, or TV in general, actually.

Dressed in my new Nanette Lepore sundress and my new Jimmy Choo silver cork wedge slides, I walked from Chase’s bedroom. The dress was a lovely mint lace with a sweet perforated texture. Delicate pleats added a hint of volume to the bodice and skirt before falling to a perfect mid-thigh scalloped hem. My diamond and blue sea glass bracelet hung loosely around my wrist, complementing my dress. Chase had sick taste. Lucky me.

Chase turned his head from the window when I padded down the short hall. “Blue, you look gorgeous.” With his hands snaked in his pockets, Chase stood by the window in his signature stance. He was gorgeous in his low-slung grey pants and simple un-tucked white button down. With his sleeves rolled halfway, the contrast of the stark white against his bronzed skin was gloriously sexy.

“Chase, what are you trying to do to me?”

That wicked suggestive grin slowly crept up his cheeks.

“What? You’re the one who is killing
me
.” He closed our gap. “Baby, this dress is stunning, and your bracelet looks beautiful with it.”

“Someone I know has amazing taste.” I twirled around and smiled.

“If we don’t leave now the only thing I’m tasting is you,” he growled, causing everything in my lower region to tingle.

“Feed me first, then I’m yours to do whatever you like. Let’s go, I’m starving.”

“Anything for my birthday girl.”

Why was I not shocked when we pulled up in front of my favorite sushi restaurant? And why was I not surprised when I walked in and realized Chase had rented the entire restaurant just for me and my closest circle?

A loud
Happy Birthday
resonated through the tiny room, followed by a very quiet “Happy Birthday, Blue” whispered in my ear. I was all smiles.

I walked straight for my BFF who was supposed to be on bed rest. “What are you doing here, Asspuck? You’re supposed to be in bed!”

“You think I’d miss your birthday? Besides, I thought a little sake might shake some things up in here.” She rubbed her pop belly. We were practically eye level, and I realized she should be shorter than me.

“Sier, you’re in heels? Are you crazy?”

“Puck—you think I’d be out celebrating my best friend’s birthday in anything other than heels? You’re the one that’s crazy.” She hated my flats. “I stuffed my swollen ass feet into these Jimmy’s, but they’re in and they aren’t coming off.”

“She wouldn’t listen to me, never does.” Dodd chimed in, pretending to look defeated, but I knew better. He freaking loved Sierra’s flair. He shook Chase’s hand, and Chase kissed Sierra on the cheek. “By the way, I owe you guys. When my plane touched ground in London, I had about eighteen missed calls and twenty-five texts. I thought for sure I missed the birth of my first child.” He teasingly rolled his eyes at his still preggo wife. “I really appreciate you guys taking care of her the other night.”

“Dodd, please. After all the times she’s rescued me, we wouldn’t have it any other way.” I affectionately squeezed Sierra into my side. Chase, on the other hand, furrowed his brows just slightly, knowing that he caused a couple of those rescue sessions. He needed to let it go, I sure as hell had.

“Enough with the mush, it’s time to party! Dodd, can you get me some sake?” Sierra was a woman on a mission. I had to smirk. “What! I’m just gonna have a little. Stop giving me your disapproving Lili look, eye roll and all.”

I laughed. “Whatever, go drink your little glass of sake. Maybe I’ll be able to meet my niece sooner than later.”

She was all talk. Lucky if she had a glass and a half total of anything the past nine months.

“Uh, hate to break it you, but the whole have-a-glass-of-wine-to-bring-on-labor thing is a total farce. Alcohol’s actually a tocolytic,” Chase said, very matter of fact, like we understood what tocolytic meant. But I had to admit, he was sexy as all hell when he got all medical. Mmm. He saw Sierra’s confusion, and who knew what he saw on my face. My mind was way deep in the gutter. A three-year sexual hiatus hadn’t helped. So Chase clarified, “Alcohol relaxes the uterus, as in, prevents labor.”

Sierra’s mouth dropped wide open.
Hello, flies
. “The books never mentioned that!”

The three of us tried our best to stifle our laughs. Chase, always the professional, put it in perspective for her. “Sorry, Sierra, it’s an old wives’ tale. And pretty sure the reputable pregnancy books left that tidbit out just because they were more focused on driving home all the possible dangers of alcohol in pregnancy. No conspiracy from the medical community, promise.” He held his hand up in scout’s honor. I almost peed my pants.

“Well, if that’s an old wives’ tale, what about sex and nipple stim?” she asked with zero hesitation. The girl had no shame. Zero.

I blushed for her. Chase chuckled. “Those techniques actually have some merit.”

Dodd was definitely a shade pinker than his usual coloring. He shook his head and grabbed his wife’s hand. “Wife, enough. The baby will come when she’s ready. Now stop grilling Chase, because if I’m not mistaken, he’s a neurosurgeon … not your personal gynecologist. Now before you molest me in public in the name of inducing labor, I definitely need some sake.”

Chase and I smiled at each other. Too freaking funny.

“Did someone say sake? I’m in.” I turned around. Sharon stood next to my dad. “Lili, you look gorgeous. Happy Birthday, sweetie. Now show me the way to the sake.”

“Thanks, Shar. Now follow the pregnant one...” I giggled, pointing to Sierra and Dodd making their way to the tiny bar.

“This old man needs a kiss from the birthday girl, first.” I kissed my dad’s cheek and he pulled me in for a hug. “Happy Birthday, babydoll.”

I snuggled in closer, inhaling his familiar scent. A rush of old memories flooded my brain. Growing up, my dad was always very affectionate, constantly hugging me and saying
I love you.
I never felt like he was trying to make up for me not having a mother, but maybe he was. It didn’t matter though—my dad gave me enough love for a hundred people. I was his little girl, always would be.

“Thanks, Dad, I really am so happy you’re here.”

“Well hell, I want a kiss from the birthday girl too. I’m not gonna be the only one missin’ out.” Asher’s green eyes sparkled as he cut his way between my dad and me. He really was a good-looking man. I wished Kate was here. Maybe she could finally dump her loser boyfriend and pursue Asher. Chase shot my idea down once, but we were definitely going to revisit that topic.

“Hey, keep your filthy paws off my girl, asshole.” Chase smirked at Asher. I knew he was totally kidding, but also totally dead serious.

“Yeah, nice to see you too, C.” They bumped fists and Asher turned to give me his undivided attention. “Happy Birthday, Lil, what a beauty you are.” Asher kissed my cheek, and I’m sure I blushed.

“Thanks, Ash, always the charmer.” I reached for my dad’s hand so I could introduce them.

“Ash, think you can find your own girl so you can stop hitting on mine?”

“Ok, enough, you two,” I interrupted. My dad was grinning, getting a kick out the boys’ banter. “Dad, this is Chase’s best friend, Asher Craig. Asher, this is my dad, James Porter, and my stepmom, Sharon is over there drinking sake with Sierra.”

“Asher, nice to meet you. Please call me Jim.”

The men shook hands. “Jim, the pleasure is all mine. You have an amazing daughter to put up with this guy.” Asher slapped Chase’s back. I loved how they constantly teased each other. They had been through a lot together and their friendship was as strong as ever. He was Chase’s family by every definition that mattered, and I was so grateful Chase had someone to stand by him through those ugly years.

“So, Jim-” My stepmom sauntered toward us, swaying her petite hips. She encircled an arm around my dad’s waist and he kissed her temple. “You’ve been holding out on me. Please tell me the new Japanese restaurant in our strip mall at home is opening soon.”

I glanced at Chase who smirked and cocked his head. Who was he kidding? A new sushi joint in the center of Wrangel was not a coincidence. He totally planned that.

“This sake is delicious,” Sharon continued. She was drinking, not sipping, from her shot glass.

I looked over my shoulder at Sierra who was pointing at Sharon and mouthing
three
while holding up three fingers. Sharon was on her third glass already.
Oh boy.

“Shar, sake is a bit stronger than normal wine. Trust me, I’m speaking from experience.” My lips curled remembering
most
of that completely mortifying night. Chase chuckled beside me.

“Is this an inside joke I don’t want to know about?”

“Yeah, Dad. Let’s just say when Chase and I first met, I made a bit of a scene.”

“Baby, it was the night I fell in love with you.” Chase tucked me into his side and kissed
my
temple.

That was the night I fell in love with him, I just didn’t know it yet. My feminine products rolling around the hardwood floor were quite the distraction, among other things.
Lips, chest, abs, hair, eyes ... oh god, his eyes … always my distraction.

“Oh, Lil sweetie, you got yourself an old romantic. Dana totally called it the first night she met him,” Sharon said. Chase flashed me a beautiful smile. Damn, I loved him. “Jim used to-”

“Um, Shar,” my dad cut her off mid-sentence, “Chase and Lili do not need to hear whatever was about to come out of your mouth.” My dad knew his wife all too well.

“Oh Jim, you’re such a prude.” She swatted his shoulder.

Chase and I exchanged let’s-quietly-excuse-ourselves-from-this-conservation looks ... like right fucking now. We didn’t need a replay of the other night. Sharon knew how to take a conversation to a whole new awkward level.