His to Save

Chapter 27: It's My Birthday

Allison

Well, today is my twenty first birthday, and I can honestly say I'm excited about it. I don't really know what to expect, but I can say it has to be better than anything that would have happened had I been with that monster who is obsessed with me. Just the thought of him has my body shaking in fear.

"You okay sissy?" The sound of Lilith's voice brings me out of my dark thoughts.

Turning towards the door where she stands, I place my hand along my hip, with a raised eyebrow at the plate filled with two cupcakes on top of them. One with a candle stuck in the middle. Grayson fills the door behind her, his hands landing on her shoulders. My eyes find his, and I glare at him. Making his devious smile grow.

Causing my suspicion to grow that much more. "Hit it kid." At his words, Lilith begins to sing the happy birthday song to me. My hands reach for my face, covering it from their sight, so they can't see how red my cheeks are growing. I haven't had anyone celebrate my birthday in any way since I was five years old.

The feel of Grayson's big hand enveloping mine, pulling them away from my face, has my eyes opening wide. What I see looking back at me is astonishing. This man, who I once knew so well. That said I was nothing but a nuisance when we were children, now is looking at me with so much love filling his eyes, it puts all the pieces of my shattered heart back together once more.

"Make a wish." As Lilith says the words, my eyes go from his to hers, and I bend down to give her a loving kiss upon her cheek. "Thank you for this baby." I whispered loud enough for her to hear. Once I'm standing tall again, I look at the two people who mean more to me than anything in this life, and I know exactly what I want.

Closing my eyes, I hope and pray that someone is up there listening, and that they will make my most important wish come true. Blowing the candle out, something I haven't done since I was a young girl, has me smiling like crazy. I must hold back the happy tears that want to fall.

"What's wrong sis?" Lilith's brows are furrowed with confusion, as she looks from the cupcakes to me and back again. "Did we do something wrong?" The break in her voice has me kneeling so I'm eye level with her.

"You did absolutely nothing wrong. This is just one of the most wonderful things anyone has done for me in a long time." I have to hold back the sob that wants to work its way up my throat. The relief in her eyes has me feeling so happy, I find I can't hold myself back. I reached out and grabbed her in a bear hug.

"The cupcakes!" The sound of her screech in my ear, causes me to laugh.

"Don't worry about them, I caught 'em." Grayson answers from behind us.

I find myself doing something I haven't done with her since she was three years old, and Drake was out of the country for an entire three months. They were some of the best months of my life. I tickle her sides, the sound of her laughter filling the room, causes my heart to swell.

"I surrender..." She breathes out as loud as she can muster. I stop tickling her, bringing one hand to her forehead, I brush the strands of her unruly hair away from her eyes. Looking deep into the green blue eyes I see every day in the mirror. I get an overwhelming need to tell her, but I know this isn't the right time.

"Okay you two, come on up and eat these cupcakes before I do." Grayson holds out both his hands to us. Lifting us up from the floor, he releases Lilith right away, and she trots away toward the bed, where the cupcakes are. I hear her take an exaggerated bite, just as Grayson's arms tighten around my middle.

He buries his face into my hair. The feel of his tongue along my skin has my eyes closing with want. "Happy birthday Alley Cat." He whispers in my ear before sinking his teeth into the tip. I must nibble my bottom lip with my teeth, so I don't cry out. "I have a very special birthday present for you later." He pulls away from me and looks deep into my eyes. "If you want it of course."

I study him for a moment, heat working its way through my bloodstream, I feel like an inferno was lit inside of me. With no hesitance on my part, I nod my head yes, giving him the reassurance, I know he's looking for. A devastating devious smile forms along his lips, as a promise for what's to come later is deep in his eyes.

"Come on you two, lets go downstairs and open the presents." Lilith speaks with a mouth full of cupcakes. Her words cause my head to whip around. I lift one brow at her, asking her my silent question. The sound of Grayson clearing his throat, has my eyes shooting to him.

"What did you do mister?" I tap my foot for emphasis to my words. Letting him know how much I disapprove of these tactics. I'm not the kind of girl to boast. I don't like making a big deal about my birthday or anything really to do with me.

"Just you wait and see." He smirks at me, as he holds out his hand for me to take. When I do, he nips the tips of my fingers, before kissing them sweetly. "Come on kid, there's lots more sugar downstairs." He hollers at Lilith who is now behind us, eating my cupcake as well.

"Just how big of a party do you all have planned?" I know my voice sounds a bit shaky, and truth be told I hate that. However, I don't know how to make the anxiety I'm constantly feeling to go away.

"Hey, look at me Alley Cat." He brings one hand below my chin and turns my face his way. "It's going to be alright. It's just the family, and this is the first birthday we all get to spend with you in years. They wanted to make it special." At his words my heart breaks, I feel horrible for feeling nervous about all of this.

"If it becomes too much for you, let me know and we'll sneak away." He whispers in my ear. He was so agile I hadn't realized he was so close to my body once more. "I can give you your present at anytime baby girl." The last two words are spoken breathily. Showing his need and how much he wants me.

When I look into his mocha-colored eyes, I feel a sense of calm take over my body. Knowing with him standing beside me, and that there are no monsters here tonight, lurking around a corner to steal me away, and bring me pain I know I can do this. We will be okay. That I am safe, and home. Giving him a genuine smile, I lift my chin telling him to lead the way.