I Cherish Your Heart

by C. M. King

  Peeling back the paper, I gasped in shock, opening the black jewellery box and stared at the exquisite silver butterfly necklace. It was beautiful. I touched the delicate metal, taking in all the fine detail.

  “I love it,” I whispered, and Elijah smiled at my response. He always did buy amazing gifts.

  “I knew the moment I saw it. I said to Sam when we found it in a little boutique that it was destined for your dainty little neck.”

  I unclipped my own necklace while Elijah reached around and secured it around my neck. I walked over to the mirror, admiring its beauty.

  Elijah came and wrapped his arms around me, kissing my shoulder. “A beautiful necklace for a beautiful lady,” he whispered, and my cheeks heated at his words. He spun me ’round to face him. “It’s true, I just wish you would see it, maybe one day you will.” His fingers gently stroked the curve of my cheek, placing a soft, sweet kiss in my hair. “Now then, are we ready to do lunch?”

  My stomach rumbled, and Elijah grinned. After barely leaving the bed all morning, I had certainly worked up an appetite. But my body never stopped craving Joel.

  “I think that’s a yes, have you been too occupied with other things to eat?”

  I slapped his arm in embarrassment, his face lit up telling him my blush was all he needed to know.

  We strolled out into the midday sun, my arm linked with his as he walked me out to his car. Ten minutes later, we were sat in a beautiful, old style tea room where Elijah ordered two traditional English teas. I smiled in delight; I was in heaven. After placing down the various delicious treats the waitress walked away, leaving us both grinning as our eyes flicked over the various cakes arranged on the stand.

  “I love how you know me so well.” I smiled, biting deep into the dainty tuna and cucumber sandwich. Within three bites it was gone, and I quickly helped myself to another.

  “Sweetie, I do, we are cake soul mates.” He winked. “Speaking of which, let’s celebrate.” He lifted up two giant scones, placing one down on my plate. My finger swiped against the rich clotted cream and a groan left me the moment it exploded on my taste buds.

  “Oh I’ve died and gone to carb heaven.” Elijah moaned too, taking a big bite of his scone. I had to agree. The mixture of sweet cream against the tart jam was exquisite. It didn’t take long before we’d mopped up every crumb. Pouring us another round of tea, I sighed, feeling contentedly full. Though I knew within moments, I’d be squeezing in the Victoria sponge that was now cheekily catching my attention.

  “So what has Joel got arranged for you today?” Elijah enquired, his eyes narrowing the moment my face dropped.

  “He’s working till six, so I don’t know maybe a meal?” I shrugged, I was quite in the dark when it came to Joel’s plans for today. “He said he’d give me my birthday present later.”

  “Ooh, wonder what he has in store, maybe a ring?” He clapped his hands in glee while I rolled my eyes at his over the top enthusiasm.

  “Elijah, not every gift is a ring.” He was convinced Joel was going to ask me to marry him. I had just turned twenty, which was still young but I knew in my heart there would never be anyone else. I subconsciously rubbed my ring finger.

  What if that was his intention?

  “You know me, Iz, I want real life to be like films. I know Sam is it for me, I’d marry him in a heartbeat.” He sighed, dropping his eyes down to the table as a look of doubt crossed his face.

  “Hey.” I grabbed his hand, squeezing it lightly. “He is head over heels in love with you. I see how fiercely he loves you in his eyes. You are perfect for each other. It will happen one day.”

  “You think?” he asked, still looking a little unsure. “I’ve played the field and know now Sam is all I’ll ever want. I want a future with him; I want kids, a dog, the whole shebang.”

  I smiled softly, still holding his hand. “And you’ll get it, and just think how much money you’ll save planning your own wedding, it will be perfect, just like you.”

  “Yeah, it will.” He smiled and I chuckled, the old Elijah was definitely back. “Speaking of which when Joel does pop the question, I hope you know I’m going to be the wedding planner for yours.”

  “Errr, well.”

  “No, sweetie, it will be my gift to you. You’ll be stress free as I’ll plan it all.”

  Stress free?

  I’d probably be more stressed with him doing the planning. I slightly hoped the wedding would be years from now so we could try to forget this little agreement. I was sure Joel would be less than thrilled when I eventually had to tell him.

  “Oh well yeah, that sounds great, thanks for your generous offer.”

  “Like anyone else would be in the frame. I’ll be covering all your future events, wedding, christenings, birthdays.”

  Oh god. Wait till I give Joel the good news.

  “Oh wow,” was all I could choke out. Elijah confused it with emotion and squeezed my hand, I nodded in reply, there were literally no words.

  “Now would madam like another cake?” He offered me the Victoria sponge I had previously been staring it. I smiled nodding, enjoying all its rich, spongy, creamy goodness—it was heaven. Elijah paid not long after. It was after two, he looked at his watch like he had somewhere he needed to be.

  “Elijah?” I asked. “Is there somewhere you need to go?” I didn’t want to hold him back, I’d just give my mother a quick ring and spend some time there. He finished tapping out his text, and within a few moments he got a reply back and smiled.

  “What? No, I’m hanging out with the birthday girl.”

  In the next moment my text alert went off, I quickly checked my phone to see it was from Joel asking to stop off at the pub to collect some cards. I was guessing they were from all the staff. I tried to cheer myself up, but seeing him working would only rub it in even more.

  When we reached the entrance, Elijah pulled me to the side. “Wait here, Iz, I just need to send Sam a text.”

  “I’ll just go in, you can catch up.” I made to walk forward when Joel strolled out smiling.

  “Hey Iz, did the birthday girl have a nice lunch?” He pulled me in for a quick kiss. “Mmm, you’ve had cake.” He grinned as I nodded. I didn’t need to mention the second one. He grabbed the couple of empty glasses, guiding me through the front door.

  I almost leapt back when the surprise erupted from everyone’s mouths, Joel snaked his arm around me, pulling me in tight. “Surprise, baby,” he whispered in my ear, and I spun around to face him.

  “What . . . how?” I literally was at a loss for words.

  His smile grew wider at my look of disbelief. “I’m not working today, I’ve been here setting it all up so I could surprise you,” he explained, but the words were barely sinking in.

  “You arranged this all for me?” I asked, still stunned he would go to all that bother. He pulled me in tighter, placing another sweet kiss on my lips. I groaned the moment we were pulled apart. Of course it was by Elijah.

  “Come on now, Joel, you’ve got to share the birthday girl.” He grinned, slowly dragging me away. I reluctantly let him, knowing it wasn’t possible to stay clamped to Joel throughout the party.

  Joel groaned, and I couldn’t blame him I was exactly where I needed to be until I was wrenched away and everyone descended on me offering hugs with cards and presents. Maybe this wasn’t so bad after all? After everyone cleared away, I scanned the room for Joel, but he was nowhere to be seen.

  My mother and Mike came through the door all smiles, rushing up to hug me. Mike’s hug lingered longer than usual, we weren’t fully back to normal but things were getting better between us. They both handed over presents that I quickly ripped open to reveal a book box set, jewellery and a whole lot of chocolate.

  They knew me well.

  “Here’s the birthday girl.” My dad shouted, walking across the bar, beaming from ear to ear. It had been a long time since we had celebrated my birthday together and for that reason alone tears instantly
sprang to my eyes. “Hey, the birthday girl can’t cry,” he said, drawing me into a hug trying to soothe me.

  “Thanks for being here, Dad, it means more than you’ll ever know.” I was becoming too emotional to speak, just having him here meant everything to me.

  “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I am so proud of you and to see you this happy is all I could ever hope for,” he wavered, his voice thick with emotion, and I grabbed his hands.

  “I am so happy too, now my family is finally complete.”

  His eyes glazed over at my words. “I never want to lose you again. I promise not a day will pass that we won’t speak. You’re my baby girl, no matter how big you grow, and I never want to miss a moment of your life ever again.”

  I clung to him as the tears flowed harder. Elijah came over, rescuing my makeup with a tissue; he always was reliant in those kind of situations.

  He made sure my eyes were not smeared and blew my nose before he walked off.

  My dad moved back and smiled, brushing away a tear. “What are we like?” He quickly composed himself reaching into his jacket to pull out a card. He handed it over smiling, and he looked at me weirdly handing it over.

  Opening the card two plane tickets fell out and despite already agreeing to fly over for Christmas, it all seemed so much more real standing with the tickets in my hand. I stared at them in wonder. I’d barely travelled only on the odd family holiday. My mother preferred to holiday here the majority of the time, but flying to the other side of the world was another thing.

  “You do still want to go, don’t you? I thought when you agreed the other day that it was fine to book the tickets, but if you’ve changed your mind . . . ?”

  I stared at him in wonder, feeling puzzled why he suddenly doubted me. “Yes, Dad, of course I still want to come. We’re both thrilled that you’re giving us this chance.”

  “Oh thank god, I rang Kay and the kids and they are thrilled that you are all coming over. I know it isn’t for another five months, but just knowing you’re coming is enough.”

  “Hey, we want to spend Christmas with you. I need this, I want this Christmas to be special.”

  “I know it will never make up for all the many I’ve missed, but it’s a start. I want us all to be together as a family to share this special day.”

  “I want that too, and you don’t have to keep making it up to me, Dad, just having you there on Christmas day is enough.”

  He smiled, the gratitude of my words was there present in his eyes, no more words were needed.

  Joel soon came over rescuing us before any more tears were shed. It was my birthday after all, and today was a day to smile—I had everything I ever wanted. We all helped ourselves to the buffet, Joel made sure we each had drinks on hand ready for the birthday toast. With plates heaped high, we tucked in to the food, not standing on ceremony. Even after the carbs consumed at lunch, I still managed to put more away.

  I was deep in conversation with Elijah when I heard a song strike up in the background, at the sound of his voice I turned around, looking at him astounded.

  Joel was staring right at me, a microphone by his lips, as he strummed on a guitar, singing our song. There were two other guys beside him playing guitars and, Lee, the barman was right at the back on drums. I stared at him confused. It was the first time I had ever heard him singing out loud, but hearing his voice now fill the room, I knew it was a crying shame he had kept this under wraps for so long.

  My eyes filled with tears when he reached the chorus, hearing him sing the words he often whispered along to me in bed at night.

  I walked over to stand closer to him, soon feeling Elijah’s arms wrap around me, encircling me from behind. I clung onto his arms, using him to maintain an upright position. Joel’s words were overwhelming me right now as he serenaded me with Lifehouse’s Breathing. A tear trickled down my cheek thinking of how far we had come. There was a time I never thought this would never be achievable, that I’d never get my fairytale ending, but seeing him up there, all my dreams had come true.

  His eyes locked on mine, and I was gone. He had a habit of just undoing me with one look. His eyes never left mine as he constantly took my breath away with every word. I felt the familiar pull, the electricity that flowed between us was overwhelming, I’d never fully adapt to it, he would always had the ability to completely disarm me each time. I leaned back into Elijah, fully submerging myself in the song until he reached the final note. The room filled with a loud applause, but all I could see was Joel heading towards me, it was like everything else just melted away. I felt Elijah’s hands slip from me as Joel’s wrapped around me tight.

  “You sang our song,” I breathed, barely able to get the words out.

  “I did, I wanted you to know.” His eyes stared deep into mine, the love inside them was so breathtaking.

  “To know what?” I whispered.

  “That you mean the world to me, that you are my forever.”

  “And I am yours,” I replied without hesitation. There was never anyone else.

  He smiled, and we launched into a soft, sweet kiss before I pulled back.

  “I never knew you could sing, or play the guitar, you were amazing.”

  He blushed and smiled shyly. “Thanks, I started learning when we were apart, it kept my mind on other things when I was missing you like crazy. We’re thinking of starting to do a few gigs. We’ve been secretly practising for months now, we’ve mainly been doing covers. I’ve wrote a few from scratch, maybe I can play them for you later?”

  I smiled at his words. “Of course, I’ll listen to anything you play. Are they about anyone in particular?” I didn’t want to assume, but god, I hoped it was me.

  A look of amusement crossed his face. “You know they are about you, it’s always you.”

  Oh my.

  I sighed in relief. “Well, that’s good to hear. Can I come to watch you when you get your first gig?” I asked eagerly.

  His lips brushed up against mine. “Of course, I want you front row, you are my inspiration after all.”

  I leaned back smiling. “Can I be your number one groupie?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

  A huge smile crossed his face. “You’ll be my only groupie.”

  “Good to hear, I can show you my appreciation afterwards.”

  Joel nuzzled my ear, and I willingly sank into his touch. “Does that apply today as well?”

  “Oh you’ll be getting extra thanks for today,” I breathed, falling under his spell again. Those lips were always my undoing.

  “Well that’s good to hear, how about now?”

  “Right, that’s it, you two, there are parents in the room,” Elijah barked, breaking the moment.

  I flushed when Elijah brought my thoughts back to where we were. Dear lord I was just about ready to launch myself at him, I needed to cool down fast.

  “You can pounce on him later.” Elijah winked, dragging me off, leaving a slightly frustrated Joel behind.

  * * *

  When I heard the clink of the knife against the glass I openly cringed, glaring at Joel but he just grinned back.

  Oh god, I hated public speeches, and he knew it.

  “I’d like to start by saying that I am so happy you all could attend this celebration of the most beautiful girl in the room.”

  Cringe.

  Everyone smiled looking my way.

  Double cringe.

  I glared harder at Joel, willing him to keep a lid on it.

  “I just want to say I’m so happy to share this day with you, baby, to see you smile, and I can’t wait to share many more. You’re my world, and I’ll continue to love you even more with each day that passes, if that’s even possible. You have my heart, baby, it’s yours, but I wanted to get you something I know you’ve always wanted. It’s my gift to you and I know you’re going to cry, but I’ve been waiting so long to see our family grow and now today it will. Let me welcome our newest member of the family.”

&nbs
p; I sat in stunned silence, then squealed loudly watching Joel bring out the gorgeous golden Labrador bundle. He was right, tears streamed down my face as its chocolate brown eyes locked with mine. I was officially in love.

  “Oh my god, Joel, could you be anymore perfect?” I whispered, taking the puppy from his arms and kissing its soft warm head.

  “It’s a girl,” he replied. “Now I have two girls.” His fingers softly swiped away the tears as she nuzzled into my chest. “Do you have a name yet?”

  I bit on my lip, I had to give her one with some meaning. “Ruby,” I finally said.

  Joel grinned. “You do love that film.” Already guessing the connection with The Wizard of Oz.

  “Well, there’s no place like home.” I smiled, and his eyes glazed over; we’d both found the family we’d truly been searching for.

  “Then it’s perfect.” He smiled as I turned my attention back to Ruby now falling asleep to the beat of my heart. Was it possible to love something this instant? Well that’s how I’d fallen for Joel, fast and hard. We were complete, there was nothing else I wanted or needed.

  “So when is Uncle Elijah going to get a hold?” He pouted, pulling his usual face. He was direct as always. I slowly handed a sleepy Ruby over to a beaming Elijah while I sat listening to him promising his little princess everything. I guess it was inevitable he would be sharing too, I’d no doubt she would be spoilt rotten by her two uncles, and that thought alone left me smiling.

  Sam joined us a while later, his face lit up taking in the sight of Elijah cuddling Ruby like a baby. He quickly bent over, giving her a kiss, handing me my card. I opened to reveal a £30 gift card. “That should keep you going with your book boyfriends.” He winked and Elijah smiled, he knew he was feeding my obsession. He settled down beside Ruby, and Joel wandered over with a beer and a plate of food which was gratefully received.

  “Have you had a good birthday, baby?”

  I nuzzled into him, breathing him in. “The best, thank you for my gift.”