He Saved Me

Chapter fourty

"Leah, happy birthday" He smiles with glossy eyes.

"This can't be real" I smile through my tears.

"Hows your day so far?" He smiles. "Its good, really good" I sigh, happily.

"I can't talk for long right now but I will later" He says, a tear falling out of his eye.

I want nothing more but to cry to him over everything thats happened but decide not to. We don't have much time and I don't want to worry him.

"How are you?" I smile, nodding.

"I'm good. Yeah, I'm really glad I got to face time you today. You're legal, time to move" He laughs.

"Already have an apartment to look at" I smile, motioning for Grace to sit next to me.

"Thats great. Gracie, how are you? I miss you. I miss you both" He smiles, more tears welling in his eyes. She slings her arm around my shoulder, pulling me close to her.

Luke being in the army has been hard for the whole family. He was like an older brother to me. The moment him and his family left and he decided to go in the service was heart breaking. I knew what was to come and I wanted him here to protect me. Selfish, I know.

"Did you get my gift?" He smiles causing me to shake my head.

"It should have arrived today. Its pretty big. Go get it. I want you to open it" He smiles causing me to nod, running down the stairs.

I quickly scan the place for the present, it being no where in sight.

"Where's Mason?" I sniff, walking up to Brooks. Concern flashes across his face. "What happened?" He asks, placing his hands on my arms.

"I'm fine. Good tears" I laugh. "Leah, I've been looking all over for you" Mason smiles walking up to us.

"Where is that package that was here before? The big one. I need it now" I blurt out hugging him. "Its over here, why are you crying?" He asks leading me over to the present. I pick it up, running upstairs. "No time to explain" I smile at him, confusion on his face.

"I'm back" I huff, Grace laughing at the screen.

Grace sets the phone on the vanity, watching as I open the box.

I open it to see a couple things. The first being a book.

In the book has pages with numbers, 1-18. I look at them, realizing its photos of me and him or me, him and Grace. They are placed in chronological order, matching with the number on the page. Tears spring to my eyes at the memories.

Theres another, smaller box with a bunch of candy in it, all my favorites. There are also some candles, and another box full of little miscellaneous stuff. It takes me a while to realize what it is.

When I was little I would always ask him to get me something from everywhere he went. We even made a contract. On the bottom of the box the contract is there, clearly stating the rules.

'This contract is to ensure that Luke Johnson gets Leah Williams something from everywhere he goes until she turns 18.

Signed: Leah Williams
Signed: Luke Johnson'

He never broke that contract.

I open the box once again, smiling at the magnets, rings, keychains and jewelry from different states.

"It's not complete yet. I have some stuff in my bag" He smiles, the waterworks turn back on.

"Thank you Luke" I whisper. These gifts made me realize how loved I actually am. How even when I think no one is listening, someone is.