Chapter 17
"We're leaving."
I jerked awake at the sound of a suitcase hitting the bed. Bryce was packing.
"Oh," Bryce stopped and kissed my forehead. "I didn't mean to startle you."
"I'm fine." I looked around at the room.
It was clean! Like someone had sucked everything up in a vacuum. But in its place took my suitcase with a random sweater neatly folded and placed on top.
"What's this?" I asked as Bryce continued to pack.
"We're leaving today."
"Why?"
"Because this fast paced lifestyle is too much for the two of you."
"So where are we going?" I asked finally standing
"That's all that I'm saying. It will be a surprise but you won't regret it."
I folded my arms before sitting back on the bed. "I like Japan."
Bryce paused for a second. "I know what's best to do for you."
"But I like it here. We can't just leave... I'm just getting use,"
Suddenly Jessica appeared in the doorway. "Leaving so soon?"
I shrugged. "Apparently. But don't act too sad; I know that you like Trevor." I teased, sticking my tongue out playfully.
Jessica gasped. "Why are you saying these things? I... I don't even 'like' him."
I paused and shaking my head. Bryce nodded at Jessica before escaping the room.
"Ok maybe just a little." Jessica breathed happily. She stuck up her pinky. "But only this much."
I laughed and we shared a long dreamy silence.
"Hey, Jess?"
Jess tilted her head at me. "Don't tell mom, she will freak!"
"No, no, it's not about that."
"Then what?"
I let my hand play in the folds of the cover. I wasn't comfortable with thanking Jessica, especially since we fought all of the time. But, we were still sister's and it is nice for her to have my back when mom and dad didn't.
"I wanted to thank you for accepting me..." My voice lowered in order to make my sudden voice crack unnoticeable. "Thanks for being here."
Jessica smiled. "I can see in your eyes that you love him and I can tell how much he loves you. You know, even though you may think that Bryce is treating you like you're the baby,"
"Which he IS." I huffed at the thought of leaving Japan again. How could Bryce be so selfish?
"He's only doing this because he loves you and doesn't want you to get hurt by anything here. I've seen pictures of the home in Trevor's album and its beautiful and isolated with wonderful fully leaved evergreen trees and hills--."
"Show me please!" I begged but Jessica shook her head.
"No can do, Trevor says that Bryce wants it to be a surprise for you. Anyhow, I can tell he loves you, so cut him some slack!"
I hugged my sister. "Thanks... you smell weird."
"Oh, that's um this new perfume that I..."
I backed a little squinting my eyes. "You smell like a guy..." My eyes widened. "Trevor! Ah ha!"
"No! I just bought this-"
"Don't lie Jess! You like him like 'this' don't you?" I wiggled all of my fingers. "Wow, what a surprise mom will have. Now, all that we need is for Jade to find someone. Ha, ha... like a werewolf or something!" I fell backwards on the bed laughing.
"Get going Maria and stop picking on me!"
"Alright, alright. Wait until Bryce hears this'."
Jessica threw a pillow on my head. "I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too Jess."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
After we landed Bryce immediately put a blindfold on me and I was gently put into a car and drove off.
"Why do I have a blind fold on?" I asked slightly irritated.
"Because it's a surprise," Bryce said.
He was holding my hand the whole time; he would occasionally kiss my hand and nip lightly on my wrist.
I giggled softly.
I felt the car finally stop and the engine was cut off. I felt Bryce's cool breath on my cheek as he unbuckled my seatbelt. He pecked my cheek before he got out of the car and he opened mine. He grabbed my hands and carefully eased me out.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Yeah," I said nervously.
I felt tugs as he took off the blindfold and I gasped at the sight. I saw a huge white house with a wrap-around porch. I could tell that it was grand and huge.
"Is... is... is this your place?" I stuttered.
"Yeah," he said.
I hugged him hard and I heard his back pop several times.
Bryce groaned and I loosened my grip, but I still hugged him.
"Its beautiful," I whispered.
He hugged me and kissed my neck.
"I love you, Maria," he whispered.
"I love you, so much," I said softly looking into his green eyes.
I kissed his lips and he kissed me back vigorously. He bent down and lifted me up and walked up the steps and opened the door. He stepped over the threshold still carrying me.
He kissed me again and then he lifted me higher and kissed my growing stomach.
I knew we would have a happy life.
Bryce closed the door with his foot and with a click and we started our lives together.
