The Trials of Loving Her

Happy Birthday Love Chapter 16

A few days later, on Wednesday the 16th of July, her birthday came. I got up at six in the morning, trying my best not to disturb her as she slept. She spent the night over and she kept reminding me how fast life creeps up on us when we're not living purposefully. She kept giving me hint after hint that her big day will soon be upon us. After I showered and brushed my teeth, I went into the kitchen and started whipping up a bowl of pancake mix, adding a little bit of blueberry powder into it. After a long half hour of being in the kitchen, making coffee, frying pancakes along with eggs and bacon, I took everything I had made for her on a platter. I placed it on my side of the bed as I pulled out a fairly large square gift box. I sat it next to the platter of food as I climbed over her. I began kissing her neck right down to her stomach.

"Hey," she whispered with a smile, "you're up early."

"Happy birthday love," I whispered back before kissing her lips, ignoring her bad breath. "I love you," I finished.

"I didn't think you knew," she admitted. "I should have known better. You know me better than I know myself."

"Open it," I told her as I gave her the gift box, "I hope it's the right one."

When she opened it, she was stunned. She kept looking at it with her mouth extending wide. "I've been wanting this for so long," she said, pulling it out. It was a long green silk dress of some big brand that I never cared to remember. I remembered it cost me a lot.

"Adaline and Sofia told me you fell in love with it the moment you saw it in the store. It was a little off your budget so I thought I'd get it for you."

"I love you so much right now," she said, giving me a hug. "I can't accept this, Jace. It's a twenty five hundred dollar dress. I'll feel selfish if I keep it."

"You don't have to worry about the money," I assured her. "Our family and friends chipped in. They just want you to be happy."

"I am," she whispered while hugging the dress.

"There's still one more thing that you need to open," I told her as I gave her a small white rectangular box. She looked at me curiously as she took her time removing the lid. When she finally opened it, she saw a key sitting there. She looked back at me, speechless.

"It's yours," I told her smiling.

"What's it for?" she then asked, still confused.

"I want you to move in with me," I confessed. "I know it's really early into our relationship but I believe we're..." before I could finish my sentence she started kissing me.

"Okay," she then whispered. "What about your mom? Don't you need her permission first?"

"No," I answered. "I don't think she'll have a problem since I'm the man of the house."

"You've already asked her, didn't you?"

"Yeah," I admitted.

"My parents are going to keep up a small get together amongst a few neighbours and friends in the afternoon. I'd like it if you could invite your mom and sister. I'm tired of holding onto the past. I have you in my life now. Nothing else matters. Tell her I forgive her if she promises to not steal my current boyfriend."

"That's gross, that's my sister."

"Thank you for breakfast," she then added before kissing me. She then proceeded to eat her breakfast while I helped.

Afterward, she got ready and it was time for her to go to work. I dropped her off and when I returned home, I began helping her mom and dad with all the arrangements for her party. Jessie and my mom came to show their support as they helped with the decoration. I never did mention I was now in a relationship with her old best friend. I made my mom promise to not mention anything about it until I could better explain things. I have this strong feeling that a lot of other people would disapprove if they found out about Sera and I, especially the people that know us. Sera and I talked about telling a few people but it all depended on the right time and the right moment.

The afternoon came and her dad went to pick her up while I stayed behind to keep my family company. After a while, he came back with her and her friends. She began smiling as she saw her backyard decorated with lights while I stood at the back with her mom, helping with the barbecuing. We barbecued chicken, lamb, and pork ribs while chips were frying in a large fryer a few feet away from us.

"Happy birthday," they all shouted as they took her to the table where her cake was. She stared at it laughing aloud as she saw Aerosmith's "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing's" chorus written all over it.

"I love you," she mouthed through the crowd while I mouthed it right back.

"Now who's the lucky person you'll be cutting cake with?" her friend Sofia asked.

"Maybe it's someone who drives a motorcycle," Adaline added.

"Actually," she said taking her time, "I want it to be with my parents who have supported me through everything and continue to support me even now."

I wasn't at all angry that she chose the two most important people in her life to cut her cake with. I would've been disappointed if she hadn't chosen them after everything they've done for her wellbeing. I was proud of her for making the right choice. I went up to her, dragging Jessie along with me while my mom chatted with her folks.

"You look really good," Jessie said complimenting her.

"Thank you," Sera replied. "Congratulations."

"Excuse me," Jessie said confused.

"I told her you're pregnant," I interrupted.

"Oh," she muttered. "Thank you. I'm really happy that you invited me. It's nice of you to forgive me after what I've done."

"Well, there's a reason for that," Sera responded while staring at me. "I can't be angry with my own family."

"I don't understand," my sister admitted. "Are you calling me your sister?"

"In a sense," Sera said smiling. "Jace and I are together now as weird as it sounds and seems."

My sister stood there in silence as she looked at me and Sera, taking a few steps backward as she scratched her head. "I really want a drink," she told us both.

"You're pregnant," I reminded her. "Remember. It's not good for you."

"Who made that stupid rule?" she argued. "You guys are messing with me. Is this you getting back at me?" she asked Sera.

"No," Sera answered, holding my hand while everyone around us started to notice. "I love him. He's kind and sweet and really amazing."

"Now I know you're kidding?" Jessie started laughing. "Good one. You almost had me fooled."

"Perhaps it sounds like a joke but it's not," I assured her. "We've been together for a little over a month and we're both crazy about each other."

"I just wanna mend our relationship," Sera told her. "Jace and I are in it for the long haul."

"I have to go," Jessie said, walking out with my mother chasing after her.

"We'll be fine," I said to Sera. I proceeded to hug her and kiss her in front of everyone. "As long as we're together, everything else will work itself out. It's just a matter of time before everything starts falling into place."

"You're really mature for your age, you know that."

"Yeah," I said agreeing. "Do you wanna go upstairs and have me rip those clothes off?"

"So badly," she admitted as she kissed me. She took my hand and started pulling me along as we went up to her room, ignoring everything around us. We spent the rest of the day in her room while her parents entertained the guest on her behalf. We just stayed up talking about our future. Everything she talked about included me. It was in that moment I knew I was hers forever.