Chapter Twenty Eight - Birthday Bonds

Third February.

I make my way downstairs after showering and getting dressed. Today is Noah's birthday and we have planned a surprise party for him but we need to get him out of the house for the day. All of us had a celebratory breakfast this morning with his favorite food but everyone scattered after that. As there's a lot of people in this family I end up being the only one with nothing to do.

"Hey Noah." I greet as I reach the living room where he's sitting with his arms crossed.

"Hi Marcie." He grumbles and I frown at him.

"What's wrong?"

"Everyone's busy on my birthday and our dinner reservations aren't until tonight!" He sulks as he scuffs his shoe against the carpet. "I have the whole day off but nothing to do. Even my girlfriend is busy today. I bet you're busy too!"

"I'm not actually." I chuckle when he perks up in excitement. "Why don't we go do something?"

"Yes! Let's go right now!" He exclaims happily and runs to grab the keys of Judah's car. "You can drive right?"

"I sure can! Let me grab my purse." I smile when he cheers and races out the door.

I quickly run up to grab my things before looking around for Judah. I find most of the family outside working and grin when I hear them discussing how to get Noah to leave. The gloomy sky makes Judah's eyes appear darker when he turns to face me but his gorgeous smile brightens my day as usual. He kisses my cheek and wraps an arm around my waist just as I reach him.

"Me and Noah will be out for a few hours. He wanted to do something and I'm the only one not busy so..." I trail off with a shrug.

"Thank god!" Theo sighs in relief.

"Text us when you're about to head back sweet pea." Michelle states distractedly as she rummages in a box of decorations.

"Will do. I'll see you guys later!" I kiss Judah's cheek before backing away with a wave.

"Keep him busy until five!" Evan shouts and I give him a thumbs up before turning.

I get into the car and instantly smile when my favorite song is playing. "I love this song."

"No way?! It's my favorite!" Noah laughs as we leave the gates. "So, where do you want to go?"

"I should be asking you that birthday boy." I chuckle as we drive towards the city center. "What do you want to do today? We have a couple of hours before dinner."

"Can we go to six flags?"

"Sure, put it in the GPS." I nod and he grins before entering it.

"Look! That's where I go to school." He points to the building we pass. "It's where all of us studied anyways."

"It's your last year isn't it? Any idea what you want to do?"

"Yeah, I have finals in a few months and then I'm off to college. I've applied to universities wherever my brothers are so I can be close to someone." He explains as he lowers the volume a little. "I want to study something in Biology and Engineering."

"Oh wow!" I gasp before frowning in confusion. "Wait...what about your girlfriend, Evie? Are you guys going to be attending different universities?"

"No, she wants to do something in science too but she's just not sure what exactly to choose. So, she's going to do general science and then major in what she likes." He explains and I nod in understanding. "She's applied to wherever I have."

"That's great. And are you guys going to get an apartment together or stick to dorms?"

"Evie wanted to try out the dorms first which I don't mind." He shrugs half-heartedly.

"Excited about starting college then?"

"Nervous as fuck." He laughs which makes me smile knowingly. "My friends have all applied to different universities and it also depends on our scholarships obviously but I'm nervous about not making any more friends you know?"

"I get you. I never had friends up until university but just remember that everyone's in the same boat as you, trying to make friends while navigating this new chapter of their life. I'm sure you'll be telling me of all the people you've met within like a week!" I laugh and he shakes his head with a smile.

"I hope so!" He huffs before perking up. "There it is! We're here!"

As soon as I find a parking spot he's out the door and bouncing on his toes at the front of the car like a little kid. The sight makes me laugh as I grab my purse and we make our way to the ticket booth. We spend two hours going on every ride before finally stopping for food and indulging ourselves in the unhealthy snacks.

"I thought you'd be scared of the rollercoasters!" Noah grins as he takes a sip of his drink.

"No way! I love them!" I reply before telling him about the amusement parks in Venezuela. "I had to sneakily eat the junk food though."

"What?! Seriously?!"

"My dad always kept me and my brother on a strict diet. He had guards accompany us wherever we went that would rat us out if we strayed from his rules." I roll my eyes and he scoffs angrily.

"No offense but your dad was a dickhead."

I almost choke on my food before laughing. "None taken because I agree."

"So, what type of assignments would you have?" He asks curiously before his eyes widen. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to though!"

"It's fine." I smile before telling him about some assignments but sparing him the gory details.

"Wow! So...you guys had like departments of people doing different things?"

"Pretty much yeah." I nod before slouching in my chair with a groan. "We got way too much food Noah."

"Ugh I know." He huffs while picking up another slice of pizza. "We could go play soccer or something at the park after playing some games?"

"I'm down. Anything to get some digestion going." I burp before slapping a hand over my mouth in shock. "Oh my god – sorry!"

Noah burps even louder which makes some people glance at us. "Perdón." [Excuse me]

"Está bien." [It's okay]

"Oh yeah, you speak Spanish!" He exclaims and I nod in amusement. "Will you help me with my homework?"

"Nope!"

"Please?!" He whines with his hands joined. "I'll take it as my birthday gift!"

"I already got you one."

"Really?! Give me a hint!" He asks eagerly as we throw away the rubbish before walking around to play some games next.

"Hmm." I hum absentmindedly as we stop at a ring toss. "No."

"Marcie! You're no fun!"

"Wow!" I drag the word out as I pretend to be offended. "And here I was thinking of letting you practice driving on the way back –"

"I will love you forever if you let me." He turns to me with a serious expression.

"Get me one of those stuffed animals and it's a yes." I point to the game of tin cans set up with rows of prizes above it.

"Deal!" He smirks confidently as we walk over.

After losing both times and moving on to a different game Noah finally wins me a big stuffed bear that I take with an amused smile. He rushes towards the parking lot with a victorious smile and gloats about his "technique" the whole way there.

"I'm so excited! I've been practicing a little bit and I'm going to start my lessons next week!" He rubs his hands together as we buckle up and I drive off.

"Alright find a place that's quiet."

***

"Noah!" I scream as he races down the dirt road before drifting.

"Oops?" He smirks boyishly as he turns to me.

"That was such a shit drift! Do it again and this time listen to what I say." I straighten myself in my seat.

"Wait – you're serious?"

"Yes." I reply and arch a brow when he does nothing but stare at me with an unhinged jaw. "Start moving before I change my mind."

"Fuck yeah! Best birthday ever!" He hollers which makes me smile.

After eventually getting to a quiet road away from the city I let Noah take the wheel. He drove around nicely for a solid fifteen minutes before abandoning all safety and speeding across to the other side of the road.

I instruct him on how to drift properly and carefully while keeping an eye out for anyone that might show up, especially the police. Thankfully he's able to do it a few times before we decide to head to a nearby park. I manage to find a free space and he grabs the ball from the boot before we step onto the grass and find a space to play.

"Do you play soccer for your school too?" I ask as I successfully take the ball from him and make a goal.

"Shit!" He laughs before getting it back. "I'm the quarterback on the team yeah. We have a game this weekend actually...on Saturday. When do you and Judah leave?"

"We're leaving on Sunday so we'll be there to see what all the fuss is about." I tease and he scores a goal with a breathless laugh.

"I'm good! You'll see!"

We play some more before laying down on the grass for a bit to catch our breath and talk aimlessly. I admire the sun making its descent and the sky changing to a beautiful mix of pink and orange. Mid conversation with Noah my phone vibrates and I pull it out to see a text from Judah saying I can bring Noah back now.

"Time to head back." I grunt as I stand and pull him up. "We need to get to the restaurant on time too."

"Thanks for spending the day with me Mar." He drapes an arm across my shoulders with a content smile. "I wish you could stay longer. You're cool to hang out with."

That warms my heart and I hug him tightly. "Likewise. You're always welcome to visit me and Judah anytime."

We get back in the car and jam out to songs before we arrive at the house in time. Thankfully Noah doesn't notice anything as we step inside to see everyone dressed up. I smile knowingly at Judah who pushes him upstairs and tells him to get changed so that we can head to the restaurant.

Following behind, I quickly get dressed into a black satin dress with a sweetheart neckline. It has long diamond tassels lining the hem and the two thin straps over my shoulders are covered in diamonds to match. I throw on a black cardigan just because it's still chilly out there and slip on a pair of heels. Deciding to leave my hair open I spritz on my perfume before rushing downstairs.

Noah finally ventures down and we decide to give him his presents. Theo and Charlie start first before they sneak off to let all the guests into the back of the house where everything is set up. I loop my arm through Judah's and chuckle at Noah's reactions to his gifts before he gets to ours. But just when we're ready to guide Noah to the back door Judah clears his throat loudly to grab everyone's attention.

"I actually have one more present for you." He smirks cheekily as he takes Noah's arm and pulls him out to the driveway.

We all follow in confusion to the garage and I'm pulled out of my thoughts as Theo and Charlie fall into step beside me. They send me a look and I shrug my shoulders. "I don't know...apparently Judah has another gift for him."

"Hope you like it." Jude winks before pressing the button to open the door. Everyone gasps at the shiny new car sitting there with a big red bow on top. "Surprise!"

"No fucking way!" Noah yells excitedly before throwing himself at Judah.

"Language Noah!" Michelle grumbles with a shake of her head.

"He hasn't even started his lessons Judah!" Evan exclaims as he face palms himself.

"Yes he has..." Judah trails off with a confused frown before realization dawns on him after catching Noah's sheepish expression. "Oh...well...there's your motivation!"

"Did you know about this?" Charlie chuckles from beside me.

"Nope. This was all Judah." I smirk at the sight of my boyfriend being scolded for getting Noah an expensive car.

Roman and Ryder manage to calm their father down before we all guide Noah towards the back of the house. He follows in excitement thinking we have another gift for him and his jaw drops when the lights turn on and everyone he knows jumps up shouting, "Surprise! Happy birthday Noah!"

"Oh my god! I knew something was going on!" He laughs as he turns to us.

"No, you didn't." Hunter smirks as he pulls him into the crowd.

"Whatever." Noah smiles with a playful roll of his eyes. "Thank you guys, this really is the best birthday ever!"

Everyone cheers as he walks into the crowd to greet the people who came. Ryder and Ella bring out the cake and we all sing happy birthday as Noah cuts it. Michelle and Evan are too late to stop their sons smashing some of it onto Noah's face and I make sure to take a lot of pictures. Elena and Zoe help clean him up before he comes over to me.

"Please tell me you didn't get that?!"

"Yes, I did!" I sing before turning him around and draping my arm across his chest. "Look up."

"Wha – holy shit!" He smiles widely as fireworks go off.

We all end up singing happy birthday to him again as the fireworks end. Food is brought out next and I help in handing out cake to everyone before sitting beside Judah and digging in. He curls a hand around my bare thigh and kisses my cheek with a look of adoration before leaning in.

"You look stunning dove." He whispers and kisses my cheek again, as if he can't help himself, when I blush. "Thank you for spending the day with him today."

"Anytime. He's great company...and he said I'm cool." I beam which makes his eyes narrow.

"I'm his favorite though."

"Not anymore." I smirk as I finish my cake. "Sucks to be you love."

He glares at me playfully before slowly setting his plate down. I smile up at him innocently and watch him march across the dance floor to Noah. I watch Noah clearly buttering him up before he sends me a look when Judah's attention is elsewhere. I shrug with a mischievous smile before turning to the girls.

"Does anyone want to join me on the dance floor?"

"Hell yeah!" Elena exclaims as she springs up and pulls the rest of the girls with her.

I grin as I step onto the crowded dance floor before letting my body get lost in the rhythm. After a few upbeat songs I lose my cardigan and chuckle when Ella whistles loudly. We dance together for a few more songs before their husbands join in. I see Judah talking to a few people with his parents so I decide to find Noah.

"I got our favorite song to play next!" He yells over the music after he finds me.

We dance once it comes on and I laugh when Noah twirls and dips me. His girlfriend, Evie, joins us then and I take that as my cue to leave. I get lost in the crowd since there's so many people but eventually push and shove my way to the drinks table. There's a group of guys from Noah's school standing there who start whispering to each other as they eye me up and down. Rolling my eyes, I pour myself a drink before throwing away the paper cup and turning to make my way onto the dance floor.

"You don't look like you're from around here." The taller one of them grabs my arm and backs me up against the table. "What's your name pretty girl?"

"Let go of me." I state calmly but feel my blood boil when all they do is look at each other and snicker.

"How about a dance?"

"How about you fuck off?" I snarl as I shove him off me.

"Feisty are we?" Another guy chuckles as they corner me. "Just one dance sweetheart, that's all we're asking for."

I look around for any of the Jackson family but they all seem to be somewhere within the crowd or on the other side of it. My attention is captured when the taller boy grabs my chin roughly and makes me meet his gaze. He smirks mischievously as his eyes roam over my body hungrily.

"I won't say it again." I seethe as I twist his arm which makes him kneel on the ground with a loud cry. "Fuck off."

"What the fuck are you guys doing just standing there?! Get her off me!" He yells and one of them moves to hit me but is knocked out cold within seconds by a swift punch.

"Don't even think about touching my girl or I'll happily break your bones." Judah steps inside the circle with a menacing glare.

The rest of them scatter and I let go of the guy's arm. He moves to run but Judah grabs his head and slams it onto the table before he can escape. He slumps into an unconscious heap on the grass and I watch as Judah calls someone to take him away. He turns to me next with a worried look as he scans me from head to toe before letting out a sigh of relief when he sees that I'm unharmed.

"I'm so sorry little dove. Are you alright?" He murmurs as he cups my face and kisses me softly. "I was on my way to you on the dance floor when one of my business partners found me."

"It's fine. You know I would've handed their ass to them regardless." I smirk and he pulls me closer with a chuckle.

"Maybe I shouldn't have interfered. It would've been quite the show." He whispers in my ear which effectively makes me shudder.

I wind my arms around his neck with a seductive smile. "If it's a show you want then how about we take it to the bedroom?"

He stares at me with heady desire swirling in his eyes before picking me up. "Yep, party's over."

I squeal before throwing my head back with a laugh as he rushes inside and upstairs. 

Update schedule is: once a week whenever I find time!

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