Playing Games (Stark's Daughter 4)

Chapter 7

*A week later*

Me and Zeke race into Lucas' room, singing happy birthday with a plate full of chocolate covered pancakes. He forces his eyes open, adjusting to what's going on and he starts to smile.

"Happy Birthday!" We shout and Hope walks in behind us, rubbing her eyes.

"Happy Birthday Lucas." Hope says.

Lucas sits up in his bed and grins at us. I pass him the plate of pancakes.

"Wow, these look amazing!" He comments, licking his lips.

"Your dad made them so i can't promise they'll be nice." I whisper and Lucas laughs, digging in and moaning. He lifts his head and a drop of chocolate sticks to his lips.

"You should get dressed, then you can open your presents." I point out. He nods and passes me the plate.

I get dressed in a white dress and use make up to cover up my scars and brush my hair over the recently removed staples. We walk into the kitchen where Hope is already dressed in shorts and a blue top and Zeke is in a shirt and jeans. Lucas walks in, a huge blue birthday boy badge on his black polo-shirt. He sits on the sofa and Zeke walks in, carrying a huge red gift box with silver ribbon. He places it on Lucas' lap and his face lights up. Lucas pulls the lid of and gasps at the contents, staring up at us. He pulls out the beautiful black and white electric guitar, Lucas' eyes scan the guitar and his hands trace the signature of his idol, Isaac Hunter.

"Its amazing! Its-Its just...so cool and perfect and amazing." He whispers. My heart melts inside me. Im going to show him his mother today.

"Glad you like it. It was your dads idea." I point out.

"Thank you, so much! Its amazing!" He comments, his fingers tracing the strings of the guitar.

"Lucas, Im going to give you my present. But we need to drive there." I explain. He nods and follows me to the car.

The music blares in the car as i park in the cemetery.

"Lucas, Im going to show you where your mum is." I explain as i look at him.

"Okay. Thank you." He whispers, climbing out of the car. I follow, looking through car behind me as we walk through the gate. I feel his shaking hand grab mine and we reach his mums grave. Nancy Smith is carved into the stone with an angel on it and the date.

"Did she have any friends or family?" He asks.

"No."

"Who paid for this then?"

"We did. We were the only people that came to her funeral." I explain.

"Thank you." He whispers.

"I'll leave you alone." I whisper back as i head to the car.

I wait in the car for half an hour, watching Lucas sat on the grass and talking to Nancy Smith's grave. He walks back, hands in his pockets and jumps back into the car.

"Thanks for this mum. I really appreciate it." He admits, smiling at me.

"There's a folder on Jarvis, its called Lucas' 13th birthday present. It's all the photos and information i know." I explain as i start the car.

"Okay." He mutters, nodding his head.

"Did you like your guitar?"

"I love it!" He excitedly shouts, smiling at me. His whole mood changed.

We reach home and Lucas races to his room, taking his guitar. I walk into the living room and Zeke is sat on the sofa, the house phone in his hand.