~ ~ Chapter Thirteen ~ ~

My palms were all sweaty as I stood in front of my closet, I had no freaking idea what to even wear tonight! Amberly kept coming back into my room with clothes in her arms - dresses mostly and I hated dresses, she was just trying to use this as an excuse to make me look like a girly girl and I wasn't falling for it.

Groaning loudly I stormed out and picked up my phone off the kitchen table and dialled his number, I needed to have some idea as to what to wear! Great, now I'm panicking over a freaking outfit, I never care what I wear! What is this boy doing to me? Maybe I should cancel....

"Hey beautiful." he smiled through the phones speaker.

I rolled my eyes, if I wasn't so stressed I would have found that cute but not right now, "What the hell do I have to wear tonight?" I demanded as I walked back into my room and yet again stood in front of my closet.

Baden chuckled and I heard him whisper, "She's stressing over what to wear." he sounded amused, well I'm glad someone is getting entertainment out of this!

Someone laughed loudly in the background - Phil. I groaned, great, now he is going to give me hell for this. I have to make sure to catch up with him since I haven't actually seen him that much.

"My baby sis' is all grown up." he shouted out loud on purpose, just so I would hear him.

"Tell him to shut his mouth or I will shut it for him and just tell me what to freaking wear or tonight is cancelled!" I snapped, half yelling as my frustration grew even more.

Damn all males to the fiery pits!

"Alright, alright, settle down." Baden chuckled, "Phil, she's going to bash you if you say anymore." I heard Phil protest then a loud thumping sound and Phil shouting out in pain.

"Don't hit Philly boy!" I cried out.

Baden laughed, "Just go casual.......besides, you will look gorgeous no matter what you wear."

I rolled my eyes, "Your cheesy pick up line is not working!" I snapped, then hung up on him.

"What did he say?" Amberly walked in again, finally giving up on dresses, only to start on skirts now.

"That I will look gorgeous no matter what I wear." I groaned as I flopped down backwards on my bed and stared up at the ceiling.

"Nawww!" Amberly gushed, "That is so sweet!"

Lifting my head to stare at her with disbelief, "Are you serious? It's the lamest thing ever!"

"Not even, he called you gorgeous, that is so cute." she smiled as she held up a skirt. I shook my head, she held up another and I groaned. This went on for about the next ten skirts until I gave up, only to come up with the best idea ever.

"I know what I'm going to wear!" I shouted as I jumped off my bed and ran over to my closet, shifting through the clothes already hanging up.

~~

"What?" Amberly shrieked when she saw my outfit, "You can not wear that on your first date!" I swear she was about to have a heart attack as she jumped to her feet and grabbed my hand in an attempt to drag me back to my room but I had made up my mind and it was set.

"I can too, it is my date after all." I smirked, proud with my choice.

Amberly opened her mouth to argue back with me but was cut off by a loud knock on the front door, I smiled triumphantly at her which made her scowl as she ran past me like a freaking tiger and blocked my way to the front door, then pointed to the hallway, "Change. Now." she had a serious look on her face.

Staring at her for a second was all it took before I was on the floor in a fit of laughter. She looked so adorable trying to order me around. Another few loud impatient knocks on the door made me calm down as I looked back up at her pouting face, "You're keeping my date waiting." I sang in a sing song voice with a small amused smile on my face.

She glared at me for a moment, "Fine." she huffed then turned around and opened the door, "Have fun tonight with your obnoxious date." she muttered then walked back past me and into the kitchen as I climbed up off the floor.

Baden was already looking at me with one eyebrow raised as I smirked back at him, "Ready?" I asked, trying to keep my amusement out of my tone.

"Yep." he popped the P, "C'mon then." he nodded at the door as he held a hand out for me.

Disappointment flooded me, he didn't even care about what I was wearing! "Where are we going?"

He smiled as he shook his head, "It's a secret." he teased, I glared at him, I hated secrets, "By the way, you look gorgeous." then he turned around but not before giving me a flirtatious wink.

Glancing down at my choice of faded ripped denim jeans, black boots and a brown hooded jumper while my hair was pulled up into a messy bun, I knew he was playing with me, he had to be. Groaning I grabbed the handbag off the lounge, Amberly has lent it to me for the night since I still haven't brought my own and followed him out the door.

The second I stepped out onto the long front balcony I was swept up into his arms from behind as he pulled me close to his chest and circled his arms around my waist and stomach, kissing me gently on the side of my neck, "Absolutely gorgeous." he whispered, then turned me around to face him and planted a soft and tender kiss on my lips before pulling away with a satisfied grin and holding my hand.

I scowled at him, totally messing with me right now, "Whatever idiot." I muttered as I allowed him to lead me down the stairs and across the car park towards his car, "Can I drive?" I asked as I suddenly thought of it, excitement at driving filled me.

He turned and glanced at me, "Do you even have a licence?" he asked with doubt.

My jaw dropped slightly, was he serious? "What? Your whole job is against the law but you're worried if I drive without a licence? How hypocritical Baden." I wasn't impressed as he chuckled.

"Well, I don't want my car impounded.......or crashed." he whispered the last bit but I still heard it.

Narrowing my eyes I glared at him, "Do you want to go on a date or not? Because I can easily turn around and go back inside, locking you out." I threatened.

He smiled, "Okay, okay, settle down. I was only joking, I'm sure your an excellent driver but the answer is no."

"Whatever." I grumbled as I climbed into the passenger seat and dropped my bag onto the floor besides my feet. Maybe I should have gone with stealing Amberly's Elmo pyjamas to wear tonight. Teach him a lesson about not being helpful with what I should have worn.

Once he started the car and pulled out, I glanced over at him, he really was gorgeous. He looked so calm and laid back right in this moment, a small smile sitting in the corner of his lips. He looked nothing like what he does for a living, he didn't even look capable of harming another human being.

His tight black t-shirt showed off his muscular body and his dark denim jeans look sexy as hell on him, his hair ruffled up casually with no gel or styling products, I liked how he wasn't one to worry about his looks so much, he was just naturally a gorgeous and he was mine.

"Stop staring, you're creeping me out." he suddenly spoke teasingly, then turned to look at me as I looked away quickly, my face heating up as he busted me. Baden chuckled softly, then took one of my hands into his free one and entwined our fingers together. It felt so right to be holding him in this small gesture.

"I wasn't." I mumbled after a few seconds pause but still looking out my window into the night.

He chuckled again, "Sure. There's a six pack on the backseat if you want a drink." he nodded towards the back of the car.

I rolled my eyes, "Trying to get me drunk, hey?" I teased.

I swear he blushed but couldn't be sure since it was night time and shadows covered his face, "No, I don't need to get you drunk to fall head over heels for me."

Smiling I let out a small laugh, he is so full of himself but I could tell he was joking a little which was good, I hated people so far up themselves they can't even see the light of day.

"So...." I trailed off, knowing he would know what I wanted.

Baden chuckled softly and he shook his head, "You really can't wait, can you?"

I shook my head back at him, "Nope."

He sighed softly, "Alright, I'm taking you out to a fancy restaurant and then to a movie."

I stared at him with disbelief, was he serious? Despite the fact I am dressed like a major bogan right now, that's not really my ideal date but I faked a smile as I realised he was looking at me. I can't be horrible on our first official date, that would be so mean.

Then he suddenly cracked up laughing, so hard that he had to pull over and stop the car so he wouldn't hit other motorists. I didn't see what was so amusing so I folded my arms angrily over my chest and glared at him, "Stop laughing at me!" I snapped.

Finally he calmed down, "Your face was priceless, of course I'm not taking you there but I'm also not telling you. I have something better planned, something that's more you." then he pulled back onto the road.

I felt a bit stupid now, of course he knew me better than the 'dinner and movie' kind of girl but now I'm curious as to what he thinks is me. What has he planned? Am I going to like it? Am I dressed appropriately for it? What if I'm going to put him to shame and embarrass him? I didn't want to do that.

Suddenly my stubborn outfit idea sucked.

We had been driving for about twenty minutes and I noticed we were out of the central district area and heading towards the suburbs, I was confused but said nothing, knowing he wouldn't tell me anything anyway.

Reaching over to change the radio station I smiled as one of my favourite songs came on, Nosebleed Section by Hilltop Hoods. I started singing along, it was still in the first verse. Baden raised an eyebrow at me, "Didn't pick you for a fan."

I nodded as I sang louder, pretending to play the drums on the dashboard of his car, I had even convinced Amberly to go to their concert awhile ago, they weren't really her thing but she agreed when I promised her I would go to the next concert with her that she wants to go to. It was a small price to pay though, especially since she hasn't collected on that promise yet.

When the song finished I turned the radio down to a normal non deafening level and looked around, "Where the hell are we?" we were driving up a road with trees lining Baden's side of the car and a cliff drop on my side with only a pathetically small and flimsy looking metal rail to stop you from going over. Which I'm one hundred percent sure it wouldn't stop you at all.

"Secret." Baden smirked.

Eventually he slowed down and made a turn onto a dirt road, which opened out into a small clearing, almost like a car park and I realised it was a lookout. He pulled the car to a stop, facing the city and we both climbed out.

Walking up to the front of the car I gazed down from where we were parked up on the side of some kind of mountain, looking out over the dazzling city lights. It was so peaceful and still up here, it was hard to imagine the noise that was occurring down in amongst those lights right now.

Suddenly a pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind - I'm beginning to notice he sneaks up on me a lot, I smiled as I leaned my head back onto his shoulder, "Like it?" he asked in my ear softly.

I nodded, "It's so beautiful from up here." I smiled.

Baden kissed my cheek gently then let go and pulled away, I turned to watch him open the boot of his car and pull out something dark in one arm and what looked like a picnic basket in the other before he shut the boot and walked back over to me smiling.

He spread the thick quilt out on top of the hood of his car and place two large pillows at the top, then stepped up to me and grabbed hold of my waist and lifted me without any warning, a startled gasp escaped my lips as he sat me down on the quilt, then climbed up after me with the basket.

"A night time picnic, hey?"

He chuckled, "Yep, I thought you would like this more than a fancy dinner." he shrugged as he positioned himself behind me and pulled me in-between his legs with my back against his chest and his legs out along both sides of me. It was surprisingly comfy considering we were sitting on a metal hood.

"Hungry?" I nodded as he opened his basket, which just looked a bit comical, he is not the kind of guy you picture packing a picnic. Baden handed me a can of soft drink then a container with a fork before pulling out his own drink and container.

Slowly I opened the plastic container and laughed, it was sweet and sour stir fry with strips of beef and it was cold. How did he know I preferred it cold? "What if I wanted it hot like a normal person?" I asked, bluffing just to see what he would say.

Baden smirked at me, leaned down and kissed my cheek again, "I asked." he winked then opened his container and dug in. I shook my head and started eating my own, enjoying sitting under the stars in the quiet as we looked out over the sparkling city lights, feeling like the last two people in the world.

Once we had finished eating, I leaned on him with a small sigh of happiness, this night couldn't get any better.

"I got you something, a gift. I knew you wouldn't like the fancy dinner but I felt like I was being cheap tonight...." he trailed off as he pulled something small out of his pocket, he sounded nervous which made me smile.

"Naw, is big bad Baden nervous?" I teased in a baby voice, the nervous look looked cute on him.

"No." he scoffed but we both knew it was a lie, "Just open it." he muttered as he handed me the black velvet box. It was small but not small enough to be a ring box so I didn't panic.

Opening it slowly the silver sparkled against the moonlight and I gasped, it was a beautiful bracelet, with a delicate twisted pattern to it and small but long flat surface, pulling it gently out of the box I brought it up closer to my face and squinted my eyes to read what had been engraved in it

Leila, Together Forever, Love Baden xo

A small tear escaped my eye and I quickly wiped it away but he had noticed, "I love it." I whispered then clutching it tightly in my hand I turned around and slung my arms over his shoulder and pulled him in close, "Thank-you, it's beautiful."

"You're welcome." He smiled as he pulled back and gazed down into my eyes. How I had ever doubt that we weren't meant to be together, I don't know because the way he feels is totally obvious to me right now.

Smiling I reached up and pulled his face down closer to mine and our lips met, his love for me transformed into a passionate kiss that made my heart soar and breath get knocked away as I felt light headed and warm all over before we finally parted, he rested his forehead gently against mine, our lips still in close reach to one another as we caught our breath.

"I love you Leila, always have and always will." he spoke softly and tenderly.

My heart picked up again, I would never doubt his love for me ever again, "You've always been the love of my life Baden." I whispered softly.

We pulled away as he circled his arms around me as I rested back against his shoulder once more, unable to get the goofy grin off my face. Reaching out he took the bracelet from my hand and clasped it on my wrist, where it will always stay. I will die with that bracelet on.

The sound of Baden's phone ringing broke our alone time as we chatted away happily, I glared at his phone willing it to die as he pulled it out of his jeans pocket, frowning at the caller ID, "Phil, you all know I'm busy tonight-."

He got cut off as anger flashed through his face along with a hint of worry. I felt my body go stiff and dread fill me, what had happened? He hung up the phone and turned to face me,

"We have to go - Jeff's been shot."