reputation

Happy Birthday

June 11, 2018

Seventeen - Emma

True to his word, Dean was there the instant she walked out of the airport terminal. People hurried out behind her, rushing to stretch their legs and be the first to the baggage claim, but she was pulled aside by the sleeve of her shirt, where the two of them waited for the crowd of people to pass.

She hadn't brought anything with her other than a small carry-on, so they skipped the baggage claim all together and went straight to the armored black car that was parked just a few yards away from the door. It was less than thrilling that Dean refused to let Amanda pick her up, but she had promised Taylor she wouldn't fight with him.

The driver's side door slammed shut as Dean got in the car and pressed the little button to start it. Without giving either of them time to sit, he switched the car into drive and pulled out of the spot, weaving slowly through cars and people resuming their lives.

"We should arrive within the hour, traffic permitting."

Emma jerked her head to look at the man sitting in front of her, slightly startled at his sharp voice breaking the comfortable silence they always fell into. "I actually need to get a few things from home first."

"No need." Dean pulled a familiar pink duffle bag from the floorboard of the passenger seat and tossed it back onto her lap. She unzipped it curiously, finding it stuffed full with her clothes and some toiletries.

"Thanks."

It was silent again for the remainder of the drive. Traffic was worse than expected and it took two hours instead of one, leaving Emma exhausted from both the flight and the drive. Her eyes drifted shut a few times, but they never stayed long enough for her to fully go to sleep. It didn't bother her too much. By the time they got up to Amanda's apartment, she knew she would be wide awake.

Amanda threw her arms around Emma the instant she opened the door, so fast that Emma wasn't even sure she had time to double check it was the right person. "I missed you! How've you been? You have to tell me everything."

Emma laughed and held onto her friend, ignoring the way Dean was standing by the opposite wall, staring and waiting for them to go inside. "I'm so good. God, I missed you too. How are you? How's Matteo? It's your birthday. Happy birthday!"

An unidentifiable voice called for them from the living room and Amanda took a step back into the apartment, smiling even brighter than before. "We have so much to talk about."

Emma took the cue and followed Amanda into the apartment. She tried to shut the door before Dean made it through the entryway, but he pushed it open and followed them inside, receiving a death glare from Emma and a confused one from Amanda. "I need to look around," he gestured around the living room area and towards the bedroom.

Matteo, Amanda's boyfriend, appeared at her side in an instant. He wrapped an arm around her waist and smiled lovingly at her before turning to size up the stranger. "Who are you?"

"Bodyguard. I need to look around. Can I?"

"Oh, uh," Amanda hesitated, "Sure. Do what you need to."

Dean left them without another word, presumably going off to check the windows and whatnot. Emma shrugged, hoping to ease some of the confusion for the two baffled people in front of her. "I've got something for you."

"You didn't have to get me anything. You flew all the way back here, that's the best present I could have asked for."

Emma shook her head and bent down to dig through her discarded backpack for the envelope she had shoved in a pocket. She pulled it out and handed the sealed envelope to Amanda, who ripped it unceremoniously and pulled out the plain white card with a hand-drawn picture of balloons tied to a walker and the words 'happy birthday, your chariot awaits.'