Chapter 64

Luke wanted more than anything to make me happy on my birthday.  However, the troubling thing to him was that we couldn't leave the house much.  And it was too risky to have his family come over.  He said he was sorry enough times about that... even though I'm not sure for what.  I haven't had a party before for my birthday so he shouldn't apologize if we couldn't have a proper one like he said.  He wanted to go all out.... Have his family over, get me a ton of stuff, and do whatever I wanted on my special day.  We both recognized that it was too dangerous to go out or to have his family over.  So it was just me and him on my special day in the house.  I don't know what he was so sorry about... because I was loving it.

The day was spent laughing, running around the house playing games, and eating.  Oh yes... So much food!  I woke to a great breakfast once again, guys!  That was just breakfast though.  That wasn't talking about dinner.  He made several small dishes for us and he managed to make me a cake.  He said that was one thing that we needed for my birthday, no excuses.  So he sat up after I went to bed last night and baked me a damn cake!  It reminded me of what I did for him over a week ago.  I got up at night to make the cake I wanted to surprise him with.  The cake we just ate before those people attacked the house.   However, I'm ashamed to say the one he made for me today was way better.  Mainly because it was my birthday cake.  He made it himself... and it was perfect. 

Looking down at it now, it was covered in vanilla frosting and he neatly wrote out, 'Happy 18th Birthday Albany' in the frosting with a toothpick.  It looked awesome to say the very least.  Especially when he had candles around the edges of the cake, 18 of them....  I mean, it was crazy awesome.  It was all because of the wonderful man standing in front of me.   

He strung Christmas lights around the living room and the kitchen, where we were standing right now.  And with those lights and the candles all that was lighting the room, they still managed to light up the flaming jade in his eyes.  Those sweet eyes... that were buried in mine as he stood before me.  All I could do was laugh at the sweet sight.  Even more so as my eyes swept over him. 

He was standing before me in the kitchen, holding the base of the cake in his arms as he held it before me, facing me.  And not only was that such a cute sight, what made it better was the party hat I was forcing him to wear.  Of course, I had to wear one too but it was worth it.  After all, he found all these decorations and things in his parents basement from past birthdays and was putting use to it today for me.  That's what I loved about him.  Even though he wanted to make this birthday better with his family here and the ability to go out and buy stuff, he made do with the things we had.  He was that determined to give me a good birthday.  He even sang me happy birthday a second ago.  Which was more than sweet and funny and made my heart ache - in love and amusement.

"You need to make a wish but don't say it.  Then blow out all the candles," he smiled brightly up to me, soaking everything in.  His eyes were fast, lips smiling all day.  Like he wanted to save every moment of today.  As did I.  I loved all this... and I knew from all he did that he had to be an angel sent to me.  I mean, who the fuck makes me breakfast, dinner, and a cake?!  And is that attractive?  Um, this wonderful miracle of a guy right here!

I lowered my eyebrows at his words, searching his eyes and smiling.  "What should I wish for?" I asked giddy, as strange as that sounds.  But today was so fun!  And we didn't even get to whatever surprise gifts he has for me yet.  Not that I cared what he got me.  It was just a thrill to do all these different things with him. 

"Well... you don't have to wish for the man of your dreams," he smirked, giving me a smug look on purpose.  Hinting that he was that man of my dreams.  But I couldn't let him believe that just yet.

"Are you sure about that?" I asked, biting my lip and lifting an eyebrow in question as I watched him carefully. 

"I better be," he laughed, joking with me.  "Woman, I'm wearing this stupid hat," he said, smirking slightly.  "Doesn't that alone scream that I'm your sexy dreamy man?"

"Not at all....  But you are right.  I don't need to wish for that," I grudgingly admitted, smiling softly as I rolled my eyes at admitting that I already had the guy of my dreams before me.  He blushed, looking down to the cake with a sweet smile caressing his lips.  So beautiful and sweet to me.  Because all kidding aside, he was the perfect man for anyone's dream.  I was just happy he chose to be the one in mine.

His eyes found mine and I bit my lip, looking down at the cake.  A wish I needed to make....  I don't think I ever did that before.  Made a wish before.  I mean, I had no reason to and never thought about it.  But as I did now, for the first time, it was simply without hesitation that I knew what I wanted to wish for.  And I did... running the words in my head and hoping it came true.  I wish to always be with you.  I didn't consider anything else.  Didn't think about if there was anything better or not.  I just knew I wanted that and it instantly became my wish.

"I made my wish..." I smiled in a whisper, looking up to him over the glowing cake between us.

"Good, now blow the candles out," he said, smiling as he watched me.  Which I did, leaning down to where he was holding the cake in his hands tilted up for me to see.  Because the table wouldn't do for some reason.  Maybe he was possessive of the cake since he baked it.  Either way, I bent my head lower and took a deep breath in, now blowing out and making that exhaling my wind over the candles.  Sure enough, I managed to blow them all out. 

Looking up to him, he grinned and I did a mini victory arm pump.  I mean, come on.  I never had a birthday cake before.  Never made a wish.  Never blew out candles....  And I blew them all out and made a wish, whether the wish would come true or not.  Despite Luke's words next through his words.  "Now your wish should come true."

I nodded, biting my lip.  Oh god, how I hope so.  Luke finally set the cake on the counter as I stood beside him.  I could still feel dinner roaming around in my stomach; I didn't know if I had room for cake.  But, when I said that before, he didn't care and said just blow out the candles and eat later.  "I might have to have a piece later," I reminded him again with a chuckle.  "I blame it on your awesome cooking skills," I smiled, searching his eyes as he looked up to me. 

"That's fine," he said, leaning closer to me and giving me a delicate kiss on my lips, his smile wearing through to mine and it made my lips tilt as well before he moved away slightly and looked back down to the cake. "But I'm having some right now," he said, getting a knife out to cut himself a piece.  And to do so, I walked over and turned the kitchen lights back on to see better. 

Once he got himself a piece of cake, and came to face me in the kitchen, I saw an excited glint reach his eyes.  Like a damn kid.  He was just as excited for my birthday as I was.  And it made this even more special to me.  He was just so excited to make me happy, no matter what we were limited too.  After all, his family wasn't here.  We couldn't leave.  And it still couldn't be any better than what this day was in my eyes.  Because it was just so perfect.  "Want to try some?" he asked as he took his first bite of cake.  Then, he offered me his fork.  "It's really good," he smiled, leaning back up against the cupboard, staring down to me.

I shrugged.  "Sure," I said, grabbing for the fork.  Only he wouldn't let me grab it.  Instead, just as I became confused as he moved his fork from my grasp, he set his plate down with the fork and came to face me.  He leaned down... and softly kissed me, and it was then that I noticed how much frosting was covering his lips - probably on purpose too, the bastard.  He tricked me... even though I was quickly swallowed away in his sweet frosting kiss he gave me as I felt him rest his strong hands on my sides.

I sucked along his bottom lip and moaned gently.  That kiss took me over, along with the sweet taste of the vanilla frosting I could taste.  I felt the kiss move deeper and he moaned, making me smile against his lips before moving back, licking my lips as I nodded.  "Wow, yeah that really is good tasting," I said, chuckling softly as I searched his eyes, trying to not breath as hard as I was.  I mean Jesus, I was nearly breathless.  Of course, sweets do take your breath away until you are dead.  It's a killer, after all.

"I know, I did better than I thought," he scoffed, looking down into my eyes.  I chuckled,  and in the next moment, I watched him pick up his plate of cake, his other hand grabbing mine as he began to pull me towards the living room with him.

"What are we doing?" I asked, following him as he towed me along and had me take a seat on the couch in the living room.  Lights strung along the walls as well in here, the main light dimmed but not enough to taint my sight.  I could still see Luke's shiny green eyes as they met mine.  But only for a moment.  When he had me sit down, he didn't sit with me.  He kept walking past the couch after setting his cake on the coffee table.  My eyes following him, I watched him open up a closet that was down the hall a little.  He was in the dark more now so I couldn't get a great look - but it was enough of one by the time I noticed him close the closet door.  Raising a brow, wondering what he was doing, I soon had an answer.  One that made my eyebrows shoot up and my guilt and love rise. 

"What the hell is that?" I asked, not being able to stop my smile.  I wish he hadn't got me anything.  I knew him well enough to know that he would go against that fully.  The thing was... I didn't really remember him going to the store to begin with.  We were here this whole time, besides a few times we had to go to the station and take care of reporting what happened and having people clean up the house.  How did he manage a present for me? 

He walked out of the dark hall and into the light where I was now certain of what he held.  That bastard....  Because he held a big wrapped box in his arms.  It looked to be about the size of what Jack's cage was, except a little smaller.  It was also supporting a huge purple bow on top of the solid orange wrapping paper.  And upon seeing that present Luke was holding, Jack quickly got involved in us and jumped up on the couch next to me, climbing in my lap and wagging his tail as he watched Luke.  I forgot Jack loved wrapping paper; I guess he didn't forget Christmas because he was excited now, sitting down with those excited beady eyes on the present. 

Running my fingers over Jack, I shook my head up at Luke as he finally answered me, coming closer.  "It's a big box," he smirked, setting it on the floor at my feet.  Jack's eyes never left it, his little head dipping to stare at it and his tail wagged faster.  He just wanted me to unwrap it and he would go in for the kill when I did that.  I had something to say first. 

Luke picked up his cake he had set down on the table and moved to the couch, sitting next to me.  And watching him this whole time, I  narrowed my eyes at his innocent look he held.  Crossing his legs, he turned his body more to face me, looking still very amused by my reaction as he took a bite of the cake with his fork.  

"That better be nothing more than my crown.  Do you understand?" I said, trying to keep my voice stern.  But my smile was obvious as was the excitement in my voice - and the slight distress over him actually getting me something. 

He only shrugged, pointing to the gift and offering me a flirty look.  "Open it and see, genius," he said.  God, if he only knew how overwhelming it was.  Of course, he would also get verification of my excitement if he was closer and touching me.  Because I felt nearly shaky with excitement.  And for once, I actually said screw the guilt.  He wanted to do this for me, spoil me rotten, and I wanted to see what it was.  Even when I already knew he was the most wonderful thing I could have on my birthday, I wont lie.  Presents sounded fun.  It was just unusual getting presents again, let alone on my birthday. I hope it was nothing big.  

I sighed and shook my head.  And just as I leaned down to where the big thing was on the floor at my feet to unwrap it, Luke grabbed my arm to stop me first.  He had one last thing to say - and he looked slightly shy.  "Um... I just first want you to know... that if we weren't trapped and hiding out in this house, I would have been able to get you everything that I wanted to get you.  I only managed a few things because I couldn't exactly go out and get you all the other things I want--"

"Shh," I said, my smile widening and I rested the hand he grabbed on his leg.  I rolled my eyes.  "All this is perfect.  I didn't want anything from you to begin with.  So I'm glad you were limited.  Otherwise, you would probably buy out whole stores for me," I slightly joked.

Looking down slightly, grinning, he sighed and nodded.  "I probably would," he responded, sitting back again and finished off the plate in his other hand.  His eyes on me, watching, he smiled and nodded towards the gift.  Lord, I could only imagine.  He said it wasn't much.  I knew him well enough to know he would manage to fit a store in this box and call it 'not much.' 

I leaned down slightly and began to unwrap the big gift.  And from the first loud tear into the paper, Jack leapt from my lap.  The happy little guy he was, he dive bombed the box only to fall off and he grabbed the piece I ripped off.  And he proudly pranced to the other side of the room with it, shaking his head and growling as he tore it up more.  Laughing at my buddy, I kept my attention on the box though.  And as I tore away all the paper (with Jack making a little collection as he had on Christmas) I found it to be a taped shut cardboard box.  Glancing behind me to where Luke was resting back into the couch, I saw him sit forward slightly like I was and meet my eyes, excited to see how I would react to his present. 

Biting my lip, I looked down to the box.  I started to work at the tape that was keeping it shut, picking at it with my nail until I was able to tear it away.  And when I opened the box, I saw the last thing that I expected.  It was made of paper... just like mine was that I made for him.  He got me my crown that he promised.  And it was awesome because he actually made it himself, I saw.  It was made from yellow construction paper and, unlike mine, he colored little diamonds randomly on the paper.  It was so sweet... and corny and perfect.  My smile grew to my full teeth showing and more at seeing the title he wrote on the crown in blue crayon. 

"Wow," I said under my breath.  My head finally was able to shoot up to my side and look into his eyes.  Still slightly bent down as I took the crown in, I lifted it from where it was resting on green crinkled tissue paper.  And coming to face him more, my grin wouldn't leave.  "Queen," I said, repeating the word he scrawled neatly across the crown.  I searched his eyes, teasingly. "But what am I queen of, Luke?" I asked in an oblivious voice. 

He laughed.  "I wanted to write 'Queen of (my) Johnson' but I felt you might not wear it in public if I said that.  So I just put queen because it fits more.  Because you are the queen of everything," he said, winking and making me elbow him as I cracked up laughing at his words.  God, to know he was going to write that made me laugh so hard....  That was probably his intent. 

"Oh so now, I have to wear it in public?" I asked, grinning more as I laughed under my breath, staring up at him.  My eyes drowning in his sweet ones, I lifted the crown he gave me and put it over the party hat I was wearing to.  And it fit well.  Of course, no doubt I looked like a dork but his present was so worth it. 

"Yes.  It's required," he laughed.  "Looks good."

I bit my smiling lips and nodded.  "Thank you.  It's really nice....  I mean, to know that I can get presents out of sex is just that best possible reward.  I was that good, Luke?" I teased him, raising my eyebrow.

"I don't think I willingly offered the crown; I believe it was out of a deal that crown came...." he said, teasing me.  But more sweetly, he added, "But yes.  You were perfect," he said, kissing my cheek before moving back.  His eyes lit up in excitement again and I knew why with his next words. "There is more in that box."

I bit my lip, head craning down to stare at where the tissue paper was.  It looked as if he was right.  The crown was sitting on top of paper that looked to be covering the other bottom half.  Oh great... now that I have my crown, I didn't know what to expect.  And I wouldn't have ever been able to guess I realized when I actually saw what it was when I removed the tissue paper and looked down to what else he was giving me.

It was a swim suit.  A bikini.  And... I really wasn't sure what to think.  My smile still there, I stared at it for a long second.  It was beautiful too.  It was a light blue color but unlike the one I have now, there was a design along it.  That of flowers and leaves and the straps of it had brown little beads on it.  Not to mention, the material looked nearly silk.  And as I gently ran my hand over it, I discovered it was just as soft as it appeared.  It was such a nice looking piece... I can only imagine why he got it for me.  I looked up to him and saw a smirk along his face, and a slight blush as his eyes met mine.

"I love this," I smiled.  "Why would you get it for me?"

He shrugged, grinning with that teasing expression again.  "What?  You going to sue me for liking your body?" he chuckled.  He said more seriously though, "It's going to be summer soon and that means swimming.  Be prepared," he nodded.  He reached forward into the box the suit was in and lifted up a lei, a flowered necklace that was hidden in the paper, and put it on me.  "And this will bring out your eyes when you wear it," he said, smiling to me as I looked down to see it along me.  Chuckling at his gift, I knew he did it out of love, a teasing gesture, and convenience for this summer.  He was perfect, ladies and gents.  What else can I say?  I obviously should have rethought that though.  He was about to surpass perfect in a few seconds. 

I grinned to him and sweetly stared into his eyes.  I turned to face him more with the box now empty and my heart and mind more than satisfied.  I was so happy with what he got me and even more so to just have today with him.  "Thank you so much for this," I said, leaning forward and kissing his gentle lips.  And just as I rested my hand against the white material of his dress shirt, and as he cupped my cheek, I heard him chuckle along my lips after I said that.  It made the kiss break as he stared into my eyes. 

"Oh sweetie....  You thought that was all I was going to give you?" he asked, amused at seeing I thought he was done with giving me things. I had my crown and suit; that was more than I needed.  And since the box was empty now, I had a right to think he was done.  His lips turned teasing.

"Well yeah," I sighed and nodded.

He shook his head.  "I may not have much more.  But it should be worth it," he said, his hand on my cheek coming to rest at my side as he leaned in, kissing me again.  This time a little deeper and I smiled against his lips at the mention of more. 

"As in... sex on my birthday?" I asked, wondering what it was he was giving me against his lips. 

He gave a throaty chuckle, his thumb stroking my cheek.  "Birthday sex... maybe.  But that's later," he said, teasing and making me laugh.  "I have more for you right now," he said, and I could hear that excitement reach his voice again.  And to hear that tone of his voice and having the curiosity sift through me, I couldn't take it.

I leaned away from him and raised an eyebrow.  "Where is it then?  I don't want much more," I warned. 

Leaning back more as I watched him carefully, he gave me a soft smile as I noticed his hand move.  From my side... to his.  He moved his arm and hand behind his back for a slight moment, grabbing something from the back pocket of his dress pants he found in his old clothes.  And yeah... he looked amazing as usual.  His looks, though always distracting, couldn't hold my attention when I saw his hand come back around and it was clear he was holding something, holding it up towards me.  With a little bow on top, It was a black velvet box.  You know... the shit you buy jewelry in.

I didn't take it and instead stared up at him. Groaning, I didn't want to accept it because I knew it was expensive.  It looked too small of a box for a necklace or a bracelet even....  And I knew well enough to know that the smaller it is, the more fucking money it costs.  "Luke..." I started.  But it was hard to continue.  I was silent for a long moment before I finally was able to continue.  "I'll kick your ass," was all I could say as I finally took the box from his hand and it fit in my palm perfectly. 

"Looking forward to it," was all he said in a whisper as he watched me intently.  Sighing, I glanced down to the box and I opened it.  Only to find... a ring.  A gorgeous beautiful ring....  Holy shit, it had a big pretty stone on it.  An aqua color to what looked to have hundreds of different facets.  The aqua diamond stone sparkled, the round crystalline stone standing out.  It kind of looked like the moon on the necklace he gave me, with so many facets and so pretty.  This though, surrounding the stone were actual bright white diamonds until it stopped at the rest of the silver band. 

The light blue diamond had nothing on his eyes though when I looked up to him.  My smile was lost and I was just trying to keep my breath even, my head from spinning.  I just... stared at him for the longest time.  "I... It's so beautiful," I said, looking down at it where I took it from the box and held it in my hand.  My eyes found his no more than a second later.  "You shouldn't have gotten me something... this...." I couldn't even describe it.  My heart was going fast and though I knew I couldn't accept something like this, he wanted me to. 

"Put it on," he said, his smile... so bright and loving.  Because it wasn't about nice things like this.  It wasn't about his money or buying me shit.  It was about just making me happy.  And he did that all day... just playing with me, and having the best time goofing around.  I should have known though, with having no birthday party in my past, he would have something like these gifts up his sleeve just to make me even more happy and surprised.  I was more than all of that though. 

Taking a hard deep breath, I took the ring between my thumb and index finger and slid it onto my right ring finger, loving it.  Loving how it looked to be wearing a ring he gave me.  From him... and that's what I was loving about it.  I would look at this ring and think about Luke each time.    "I swear, you are trying to kill me," I joked, finally chuckling though I kept telling myself this was too much for me to accept from him.  When my heart goes all freaky, it means something.  And it was going freaky right now in more ways than one.  To the point where I nearly felt a lump growing in my throat.

"It's your birthstone.  Aquamarine," he smiled as I was staring down at the beautiful stone.  At his words, I stared up into his eyes, surprised.  "So... it suites you," he grinned.  That just made it that much more important to me.  I knew, that just like with the necklace he gave me, I would never take this ring off.  It already felt right at home on my finger, fitting so nicely too.  Staring back down at it, I also knew I would never forget this moment.  With this sweet man I loved. 

"Yeah, you are definitely trying to make it hard for me to breath.  You already make me breathless....  This ring though," I bit my lip.  "I'll always look at it and think of you," I gazed up into his eyes.

"I would love that," he nodded softly.  "Because I'm trying to give you everything you missed out on," he said in a gently whisper.  His eyes were beautiful stones themselves and I was wrapped up in them as he came closer and rested his hand on my side in comfort.  At this point, it was plain instinct to hug him to me when he was close enough.  Which I did, wrapping my arms up around him from where he was on my side and turned more, moving slightly closer as I buried my head against his chest. 

I swallowed hard, breathing in his sweet scent as I held him to me and felt so happy... my smile was now present and it wouldn't lighten up either.  He wrapped his arms around my back and held me against him.  "Thank you... so much," I said, shaking my head against him.  "How did you manage to get me this.  This beautiful ring and the swim suit too?" I asked, chuckling against him.  I tilted my head up to find his eyes.

"I got all this before they attacked the house.  And when I got  these things for you, I was hiding it all in a locked box in case Clare found the box.  So I had this box recovered from where I had this hidden.  And when the police recovered it, I grabbed it from the station when you weren't looking the other day.  Including one other thing that was in that box," he said, smiling and making me sit up.  Because hold on to the shitter tight... he had another present to give me.  I wasn't sure how much more I could take.  The ring was still burning on my finger.

I sighed as I stared into his eyes.  "Another one?" I asked, smiling.

"Last one.  I promise. So make it last," he said.  Biting my lip, I watched him reach behind his back again.  How much was he hiding back there?  Holding my breath, he pulled out an envelope from his deep back pocket and he handed it to me.  Smiling, looking down at it, I felt my teeth bite my bottom lip.  Scrawled in his neat writing was, 'I love you' on the envelope.  It made my heart jump.  I can only imagine the card if those words were on just the envelope.

Taking a deep breath, I delicately tore it open along the top.  And when I did and took out the card, my heart did another flip in my chest.  'For my special lady on her birthday' the front of it said in cursive red print, the background yellow with a pattern of hearts and dinosaurs - which made me chuckle softly at the sweet card he was giving me.  When I opened it, there was a smaller envelope.  I wonder what that was?  Taking the other little envelope out, I read the loving and cute saying that was printed into the card.  And under it, in his own writing, Luke wrote something more.  To my beautiful girl.  I love you so much and I hope you have a great birthday.  I love you sweetheart - Luke.  It... nearly suffocated me to read that.  I swallowed hard, taking a deep breath and when I looked up to his sweet eyes, I gave him an unbelievable look that made him chuckle under his breath and his slightly flushed lips. 

"You're so sweet," I grinned, blushing myself and looking down at the other little envelope in the card.  Raising a brow, I took it in my hands and saw that the flap was already open.  But what was inside?  I took whatever was in out and it happen to be two strips of paper.  The little rectangular papers had writing on them....  And taking it in more, my eyes widened more.  Because I honestly think he was trying to kill me today.

They were two tickets.  Two plane tickets.  Not two movie tickets, play tickets, or tickets for a concert.  Oh no, guys.  Nope.  Plane tickets.  My body wasn't designed for breathing as hard as I needed to at that moment.  Especially when my legs had their own independent thoughts.  I felt myself jump up from the couch, spinning to face him as I continued looking down at the tickets I was holding.  Covering my mouth with my hand, I started to back up slowly in need to move.  "Oh my god," I whispered, stopping and swallowing, looking up to him.  Sitting forward on the couch, he was biting his lip and searching my eyes.  "You... You got us plane tickets!" I nearly squealed, as embarrassing as that it.  It was totally called for though.

He laughed at my reaction and stood up, smiling brightly now.  And... it was overwhelming.  I never got anything like this before.  Never.  I mean... a vacation.  Finally like we have wanted.  And it was going to happen; it made me smell freedom that much more clearly.  My heart rose in my throat, as if that was the lump that brought about tears.  And maybe it was because I actually felt my eyes have the need to water as I looked down to the tickets, and back up at him.  I mean... damn him.  Luke was.... He shouldn't have done this; yet at the same time, I felt the relief in me that he did.  It wasn't just plane tickets.  It was a way to express our full freedom we will be experiencing soon enough - and it gave me the hope and confidence that all will be successful with getting Emily, busting Clare, and taking down whoever attacked us.  This was a set in stone path to our happiness.

Luke took notice of my frozen state, staring at him with tears threatening to distort my vision.  He took a few steps towards me, staring down into my eyes.  His smile was beautiful, as was all he has done for me.  As was just... all of him.  I will never understand how I got so lucky with a man like him.  His hands came to rest on my hips and his mossy eyes searched mine.  "You excited?" he asked, chuckling softly because he already knew that was a complete understatement.  With my squeal, my smile, and hard breathing, he knew very well how much I loved this present - to the point of reluctance even because it was just so much!  But it was a done deal; he got us plane tickets.

"Am I excited?!" I said in a hard breath, smiling up to him as I felt him wrap his arms around my back, pressing closer against me.  His neck craned down to take in my face, I looked up to him and bit my lip.  "Officer, please arrest me now if I am not happy.  Who the hell wouldn't be happy!" I said, laughing and just so... surprised and excited. 

He laughed himself.  "Did you even see where we are going?"

I didn't!  Holy shit, I just saw plane tickets and knew we were going somewhere.  Christ, it's like I'm a dog, excited to go for a ride.  The destination did count and my eyes widened at his words.  His arms around my back under my arms, I lifted the tickets to my side to read what they said.  Where we were leaving, and where we were flying into.  And when my eyes found the location, they grew even bigger and I couldn't do anything but start jumping up and down in excitement in his arms.  "Yes, yes!  Oh fuck yeah!" I nearly screamed, throwing my hands around his neck as I jumped up against him.  And in the process, as he was laughing hard at me, he lifted me up slightly as I was bouncing with excitement and held me close, smiling down into my eyes through his laugh.  I stared at him after I calmed down a little.  "Fucking Hawaii man?!" I shouted, even though I was close enough to him.

He nodded, grinning.  Who the hell gets me a gorgeous ring (that was still circling in the back of my head), has the guts to get me a swim suit, and gets fucking tickets for Hawaii? And who the hell would after making this being a ghetto birthday of what he had in his basement - which was just as wonderful seeing how he would be creative and loving.  He was so wonderful.  And to think... he actually loved me.  Just like I loved him. 

"My special lady pointed out something very important.  That we need a vacation.  And I want to give you one.  We leave in June," he smiled, making me shake my head breathless.  "And when we get there, we are going to celebrate our freedom from this hell we have been though."

I bit my lip and felt the tears ready to come now at his words.  I just... could only shake my head and stare into his eyes.  My hands around his neck, one holding the tickets, I felt myself tighten against him.  And before I could let a tear fall, I leaned up and pressed my lips hard against his, kissing him deeply.  I wanted him to know how much this meant to me... even though I realized he already knew. And for that, for this wonderful birthday he has given me, I needed to kiss him at that exact second.  Nearly as urgently too, he kissed me back deeply to, a smile forming along his lips that reflected mine. 

With a soft moan coming from me, our lips slowly detached.  From that one kiss alone leaving me breathless, my next words were more than called for.  "You are going to give me a heart attack one of these days," I sighed, shaking my head and softly laughing.  I felt a slow tear escape my vision at just how happy he was making me.  At how overwhelming this was for me. 

He wiped away the tear and came to cup my cheeks.  "It better not be anytime soon," he said, giving me another soft kiss. 

***

Best birthday ever.  You know that's true when you wake up the next morning and smile at recalling the day before.  And smiling even more to know how wonderful Luke was.  Smiling at knowing we were going away together within a few months.  And smirking when my eyes opened and found my hand that was holding his ring resting on his bare chest.

I rubbed my thumb up and along the hairs cluttered along his skin, my cheek pressed against the front of his warm shoulder.  As was the rest of my bare body against him under the covers.  He smelled so good, felt glazed in a warmth I loved.  I took a deep breath and closed my eyes again.  But a few seconds later, after I did, I felt his hand raise and run along my hair as I rested against him.

"You up?" he whispered gently against me.

"No," I smiled as I spoke softly.

But I was as was he.  And it would be another great day I figured.  This past week was wonderful with him, even though I knew I would have to go back to school soon.  It would be nice to make this last.  And as we woke up more and started talking aimlessly with some banter, it felt like it would be just that.  Nice.  We talked and teased for a while as we laid there, laughing.  Until out words moved along the reality we were hiding from.

He sighed, looking down to where I came to lean up against him on my side.  My head now propped by my elbow, I stared up at him as he laid on his side as well, facing me.  I watched his smile slowly fall as his hand ran over my smooth side, his eyes searching mine.

"You know you are going to have to go back to school in two days," he said, frowning.

I sighed nodding.  "Yeah.  Then after that, we are going to get Emily," I said.  Because I was, in all honesty, a little scared.  We haven't been back there since it happened.  And with no word or contact from Clare, we were on edge about that too. Where was she and what did she think?  Did she know about our plan about getting Emily?  I knew she overheard our affection for each other.  And, though I thought that was all she heard, I thought back and realized there was a good chance we talked about getting Emily and she heard.  She could be waiting, hiding out and waiting for our return with those assassinating assholes or whatever they were.  Of course, we would be protected.  Luke made sure of that.  It was all still very risky.  It felt even more so with his next words.

I watched Luke sigh and purse his lips.  "You see... you are going back to school.  But we are going to have to get Emily's body before we planned," he said.  His words made me sit up more as my eyes widened.

"What? Why?"

He rubbed the back of his neck.  "I didn't want to tell you yesterday on your birthday.  But... it's warming up outside faster than I thought it would.  The ground is unfroze.  And we can dig her up.  But, even more importantly, I don't want to wait," he paused, and though I knew there was more, he didn't continue.

"Why don't you want to wait?" I asked, my hand moving up to rest on his shoulder.

He took a deep breath and looked down for a moment.  "You see... the longer we stay here for, the bigger the risk we are taking with them eventually finding us.  And Albany, I can't protect you if they attack again.  I'm one man.  Even though I would happily die for you, I would die facing dozens of men who would kill you too.  You need better protect than this.  So that's why we need to get this over with now."

I nodded, taking a deep breath.  Even though I knew he was right, that he alone couldn't protect me from an army, it hurt a little that he felt out of control of this situation.  I wanted him to feel as if he was protecting me because he was.  But I knew he was right that if they attacked, another miracle probably wouldn't happen and we would both die.  That's why we need to get Emily's body as soon as possible.  Because when we do, we will have Clare's ass.  And when that happens, she can tell us who is calling the shots for trying to kill me (since we were pretty sure she was working with them too now).

I swallowed, looking into his sorry eyes. He gave me a soft smile as I spoke.  "Then we will do it soon.  This week.  And we will be done with this shit," I said with a meaningful voice. 

He nodded.  "We are going to have to get you out of school early one of those days.  We need all day to do it and that night...."

I scoffed.  "Why can't I just skip school?"

"You will be dropped and it won't be marked as excused if you skip or if I even call in for you.  You would be expelled based on that tipping over all of your absences.  Bullshit, I know.  Just go to school that day and I'll pull you the first hour," he said, shrugging.

I nodded and though that seemed like a good enough plan, little did I know I would make a spontaneous one that would be even better for me getting out of school early.  And it would be a school excused one.  The only thing that it would do is benefit me in my anger over the school and help us get an early start to digging her up.  Of course, I didn't realize that until that time came.  But when it did, it would be the start of the end.  The start of the final step.