Stephan (20 page)

“Of course you can. It’s a birthday present.
You have to keep everything I get you today.”

“What do you mean everything you get me? This
is all you’re giving me for my birthday. You’ve already given me
way too much. Usually the only person who gets me presents are my
friends. They haven’t ever gotten me anything like what you have. I
don’t expect them to.”

“I wanted to get you more, but other people
need a chance to get you things.”

By the time I got to the last present I
couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. No one had ever done anything
like Stephan had. I’d never gotten so many presents in my whole
life. I would never be able to pay Stephan back for all his gifts
and not just for what he bought me, but for the memory he’d given
me this morning.

The last was a smaller box and inside was a
velvet jeweler’s box. I didn’t own any expensive jewelry.
Everything I had I’d bought from the cheap shop. Holding my breath
I opened it and inside was a gold charm bracelet. “It’s
beautiful.”

“It has everything about us on it. The
raindrop from the first time I met you when it was pouring down
rain. The jumper because it’s what I made you wear. The rugby ball,
from when I saw you again at practice. The bikini because it was
when I realized you were going to drive me crazy. The bullet is
because you’re a survivor and lastly the heart, because you hold
mine.”

“Stephan.” Pulling his head down I kissed
him. How could I not fall head over heels for him. I was trying to
slowly ease back in with him. I knew after this morning that there
was no going back.

*****

Stephan

When I walked into the kitchen with Jade, I
knew I was grinning like a loon. I seemed to be finally getting my
message through to Jade that I loved her and would do anything for
her. I could see her slowly warming to me again. I had decided I
needed to up my game and not give her a chance to retreat. So I
touched her every time she was close and this morning I showered
with her, washing her hair and her amazing body. I knew I’d have a
permanent boner if I kept this up but I didn’t care. Jade was worth
it.

My family was eagerly waiting to wish Jade a
happy birthday. The chef we hired during the week was in the
kitchen cooking a special breakfast for Jade. My mum jumped up from
the table and pulled Jade into a hug.

“Happy Birthday.” Mum kissed her cheek.
“Come. Sit.”

Jade sat and I took the seat next to her.

“Happy birthday, Sis.” Derick winked at
Jade.

“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” my dad added.
“I say we eat and then do presents.”

“Presents. You didn’t need to get me
anything. I didn’t expect a thing.”

“We wanted to. You’re a part of our family.”
My mum smiled and patted Jade’s arm.

I couldn’t help wincing when I saw Jade
flinch at my mum words and back away from her touch. Mum had hurt
Jade too, I know they’d become close before the school shooting,
but since then Jade stayed cleared of Mum. I knew Jade didn’t
believe Mum, because it had been said before she was a part of the
family and then I’d convinced them all to leave her. That it was
best for her safety we didn’t have anything to do with her. Mum
hadn’t liked it and even tried talking me out of what I did, but in
the end she took my side and left Jade be. Now Jade was not only
finding it hard to trust me again and let me back into her heart
but the rest of my family too.

“Er, thanks.”

I groaned as I watched her retreat, her spine
stiffened and she rolled her shoulders back. A fake smile stretched
her lips and her eyes were what scared me the most, they almost
became blank, like there was no emotion in her. I’d done this. I’d
broken her. My chest ached and a sick feeling came over me each
time I saw what I’d done. I was a bastard and didn’t deserve her or
a second chance but I’d be damned if I gave up. Gathering her hand
I held it in mine, bringing it up I kissed her knuckles. “I love
you.” I turned her head so she gazed into my eyes. Ignoring my
family I stared at Jade and kissed her hand again. “I love you.”
She studied me like she was searching for an answer for a while and
everyone was quiet around us. Her shoulders dropped and she
squeezed my hand turning from my gaze. I suppose it was the best
I’d get.

The food was placed on the table and I
reluctantly let her go and helped her with her food. We ate in
silence for a moment and the tension was still high in the room.
Today was better than yesterday though and yesterday was better
than the day before. The first two days Jade came home she refused
to eat any meal with the family. She didn’t even come to the rugby
game last weekend or watch practice.

“I booked a hair and beauty package for this
afternoon,” Mum said. “They’ll be arriving at the house half an
hour after your rugby game so I need Jade back by then.”

“Thanks, Evelin. You shouldn’t have.” Jade
smiled at my mum. “If I’m going to the rugby game I better go get
changed.”

“No, this is your outfit for the day. You
have something different for tonight, so don’t change.” I had
planned the whole day out. I wanted everything perfect. “You only
turn eighteen once. You get to be in a pretty dress today. It’s all
part of my plan.”

Jade shook her head. “What are you up to,
Stephan?”

“Nothing you have to worry about, little
bit.” Jade stared at me and I winked at her. I had been planning
her birthday for weeks. I didn’t stop when I left her, I just made
it bigger and Cassie helped.

*****

Jade

After breakfast everyone stood and Stephan
placed a pink silk blindfold over my eyes and guided me through the
house and outside. My heart beat loudly in my chest as I tried to
think of what they were doing. Stephan undid the blindfold and
Evelin and Lucas stood in front of me.

“Happy birthday.” They stepped out of my line
of vision and there with a big black velvet bow was a car.
Stephan’s parents had bought me a friggin’ car. I was speechless.
It was a red Volkswagen Beetle. My dream car.

Blinking, I was frozen to the spot. Who the
hell got their son’s girlfriend a car and not a second hand one but
a brand fucking new Beetle. Clearing my dry throat, I gazed at
Evelin and Lucas. “I don’t drive.” I should have said thank you or
something along those lines but my brain wasn’t functioning
properly.

Lucas chuckled and handed me a card. In it
was a letter stating I had a hundred paid hours with a driving
school, it had over eighty locations. “We made sure it had lots of
locations so when you’re at university next year you can still
learn.”

All I could do was nod. I turned to Stephan.
“It’s a red Beetle.” I remembered telling him once when we first
started dating when he asked me about my dream car. I didn’t think
he’d remember. “You remembered.”

He shrugged. “Of course I did. Go on. Go
look.” He nudged me and taking a deep breath in, I calmed my raging
emotions as I walked to the shiny new car. Running my fingers over
the hood, I grinned at the smooth surface. Flashes blinded me and I
looked up to see Derick taking pictures of me with a camera.

“Thanks. I didn’t need to see.”

“Stop dawdling and get in.”

I opened the driver’s door and stuck my
tongue out at Derick. “I’m savoring this.”

“Well savor this quicker, you still have my
present.”

“I know how to take my time and enjoy things,
unlike you.”

Derick stuck his middle finger up at me and
Stephan and his parents chuckled.

“Leave her be, Derick,” Evelin berated her
son.

Sitting in the driver’s seat I squealed with
joy. “I have a car,” I yelled. Hugging the steering wheel I pressed
all the buttons. Today was the best day of my life. There was no
way it could get any better.

*****

I was wrong. After Stephan dragged me out of
my awesome car, Derick sulked we didn’t have much time for his
present. Rolling my eyes I followed Derick out to the back of the
house.

“Wait here.” I watched as Derick disappeared
into the pool house. He returned with his hands behind his back. He
came and stood before me and brought his hand from behind him.
There in his hand was a squirming ball of brown fun. “Happy
birthday. He is a Chocolate Labrador.”

“Oh. My. God.” I threw myself at Derick and
grabbed the little guy. “I love him.” I kissed both Derick’s cheeks
before kissing his lips.

My feet left the ground and growls that
weren’t the puppy’s came from behind me. “No kissing my
brother.”

I turned in Stephan’s arms. “He got me a
puppy,” I screamed, “I’ve never had a pet.” I brought the puppy up
and his big brown eyes stared into mine and his tongue came out and
licked my nose. I was in love. “I love him. He’s so cute.

“What you gonna name him, Sis?” I turned back
to Derick hugging my puppy.

“I would have named him Rex, but that doesn’t
feel appropriate now.” I walked over to the big grassy area and sat
down not caring about my dress.

“No. I don’t think Rex would like a dog being
named after him,” Lucas said.

I didn’t even realize Stephan’s parents were
still there. Lucas held the camera and he must have turned the
bright flash off because I didn’t feel the blinding light.

I watched as the puppy ran around everyone
and came back and licked me. He was full of energy and the perfect
pet. “Fido.” I’d always wanted a pet and I loved having the cartoon
dog name.

“Okay, Fido it is. We’ll go out and get him a
collar and name tag before the game.”

I looked up at Stephan. “I can’t leave him to
go to the game or the shops. He’s just a baby.”

Stephan’s eyes narrowed behind me and Derick
laughed. “Jade, we have things planed. Fido will be fine here. Mum
and Dad are home to be with him.”

I clutched Fido to me. I didn’t want to leave
him. “You can go to rugby without me. I’ll see you when you get
home.”

“Good job, genius. You couldn’t wait until
like Christmas or something to give her a puppy?” Stephan growled
at Derick.

“Hey, leave Derick alone. Fido is the best
present ever. Thanks, Derick.” Derick preened and I laughed when
Stephan went for him wrapping his fingers around Derick’s neck and
they fell to the ground wrestling. Fido thought it was awesome and
joined in jumping on their back and nipping at them.

This was the best birthday I’d ever had.

*****

The rugby game had been embarrassing. Stephan
wouldn’t let me get out of my party dress and he carried me to the
seats. My friends ooh’d and ahh’d over Stephan’s behavior and all
his gifts. I told them about my car and Fido.

I’d spent the afternoon with Evelin in the
family room with a group of beauty specialists getting a massage,
my hair done, and make-up. Evelin had helped me into a sparkling
cream ball gown with gorgeous matching diamante covered shoes. I
felt like a princess.

I now sat in a limo with Stephan, who looked
scrumptious in a tux. When he’d come to get me I almost jumped him
he looked so yummy. “Are you going to tell me where we are
going?”

“Nope. It’s a surprise.”

I sat next to him and held his arm. “Thank
you so much for today. It’s been amazing.”

He kissed my forehead. “I’m glad you’ve had a
great day.”

Tilting my head I kissed him. He looked so
good and my day had been so wonderful. I wanted to climb on him and
show him just how grateful I was. My tongue searched for his and I
leaned in closer, eager for more. I inwardly grinned when his arms
came around me and held me to him. I bunched the long dress up my
thighs and climbed over his lap.

He eased his mouth from mine. “Little bit, we
have to stop.”

Oh God I didn’t want to. He felt so good and
my body arched for him. I pouted and he laughed. “I never thought I
would see you pout.”

I stuck my tongue out.

“I’d love to go home with you, but we are
here. ”

I groaned and buried my face into his neck.
How had I not felt the car stop? Groaning, I eased off him. “Where
are we?” I checked my hair and knew how I must look.

“I wouldn’t bother, little bit. They’re going
to know.” His fingers came up and traced my lip. “These are puffy
and your cheeks are flushed.”

“Who are ‘they’?”

“You’ll see. Let’s go.” He opened the door
and a man in suit held it open and helped us out.

I looked around to see we were at The Beaches
Returned and Services League, it sat almost on the beach. Stephan
took my arm and guided me into the RSL. Once inside he took me up
the stairs and to double doors. At the door he gathered me to him.
“I love you.” He kissed me and I melted against him. With a moan he
eased away and opened the door pushing me into the room.

The room was covered in balloons, streamers,
and a huge sign that said, Happy Birthday Jade. I gazed around and
saw all my friends, Jess and all my old friends, Stephan’s guy
friends and all my new friends along with Stephan’s parents, his
cousins, Cassie’s parents, and Jess’s mother.

Emotions like I’d never felt before bombarded
me: gratitude, amazement, happiness, and a deep love. I couldn’t
stop the tears and I didn’t care. I turned back to Stephan. “You
did this all for me?”

“Cassie helped.” He nodded over at Cassie. I
didn’t turn. I didn’t care that everyone was staring at me, I was
too busy gazing at the amazing man in front of me.

“Why did you do this?”

“I love you. I would do anything for you. All
I ever want for you is to be safe and happy.”

There it went. My heart was now
Stephan’s.

Jade

HSC trials started this week and all I’d done
was study, walk Fido around the property, and taken driving
lessons, oh and studied some more. Tonight the girls and I were
going out. Stephan was due home soon and I intended to be gone
before he came in.