By some miracle, we managed to make it through our meal without being asked to leave.
* * *
“Don’t leave,” Caeden wrapped his arm around my torso and pulled me back down onto the bed. He burrowed his face into my neck.
“I have to go get your stuff for the party,” I said.
“Let me go with you,” he begged.
“I don’t think so, mister. I have to get something while I’m out, that you definitely can’t see,” I wiggled, trying to get him to let me go.
“Fine,” he released me. “At least give the birthday boy a kiss before you leave.”
I was more than happy to oblige him and he was more than happy to take the kiss up several notches. If he kept this up, neither one of us would be leaving the bed today.
“I’ve really got to go,” I pulled away.
“I know,” he ran his fingers through his hair. “Hurry back?”
“Of course,” I smiled. “And Caeden?”
“Yeah?”
“Happy Birthday.”
He grinned. “Thanks babe.”
Before he could talk me into not leaving, I jumped in the shower. I knew there wouldn’t be time for one when I got home. I dried my hair and pulled it back into a sloppy ponytail. I dressed in some black yoga pants a loose white t-shirt before pulling on my new tennis shoes.
Caeden was back asleep and both the dogs had climbed in the bed.
I smiled at the peaceful vision of my little family.
* * *
A different person was working at the party store today, but as promised, my order was ready.
The woman helped me carry all the balloons and banner to my car. We stuffed the balloons in the trunk and I thanked her.
I headed over to the Target next door, to get my last minute item.
It didn’t take me long to locate it and I also grabbed up some wrapping paper and a box while I was there. I had used up the last of the wrapping paper on Caeden’s other presents.
I drove home and found Gram’s car in the driveway along with Amy’s.
I pulled into the garage and bounced into the house. “Hey, Amy! Can you help me with something?”
“Of course,” she came from the kitchen.
I motioned to the trunk of my car. “Can you bring the balloons in and hang the banner while I take care of this?” I lifted the Target bag.
“Sure,” she smiled. “Take your time, I’ve got this covered.”
“Thank you so much!” I hugged her and ran in the house and up the steps.
I grabbed some scissors and tape before barricading myself in the bathroom, so that I could take care of Caeden’s last present.
I disposed of ‘the evidence’ and put some makeup on before changing into jeans and a flowery top. I let my hair down from its ponytail so that it hung down my shoulders just the way Caeden liked it.
I grabbed the wrapped boxes from my closet, the shirt I had bought Nolan, and started down the steps.
“Whoa! Let me help you with that!” Nolan said, as he passed by below. He hopped up the steps and took the teetering stack from me. “I don’t think the birthday boy would be too happy if you dropped all of his presents.”
“No, he wouldn’t,” I laughed and tucked the small box in my back pocket. “I got this for you by the way,” I held up the tiger shirt.
He threw his head back and laughed. “That’s the coolest shirt ever.”
“Glad you like it,” I smiled and draped it over his arm.
The Happy Birthday banner hung from the archway of the family room and I saw that everyone else had arrived as well.
Amy had tied the balloons in different places throughout the room and they bobbed whenever someone passed them.
Gram came over to me and patted my cheek. “Hey Gram,” I hugged her. “I’ve missed you.”
“Not as much as I’ve missed you,” she squeezed me back.
“Thank you so much for making Caeden’s cake on such short notice. With everything going on, it just slipped my mind.”
“Don’t worry about it. I left the cake in the kitchen though. I think Amy said something about you wanting to do the cake first and then presents, but I doubted you wanted the cake in the family room.”
“You know me so well,” I smiled and kissed her wrinkled cheek.
“Where do you want me to put these?” Nolan nodded his head down at the presents he was holding.
“Oh, sorry! Just put them on the ottoman.”
I saw Caeden talking with Bentley and headed over to him.
Kissing his cheek I said, “Are you ready for your cake, birthday boy?”
“Oh yeah,” he patted his stomach.
“Everyone!” I had to yell to get their attention. “Let’s head to the kitchen for cake!”
The shifters practically ran to the kitchen when I said cake.
I laughed and Caeden took my hand. “They better not eat all of my cake,” he grumbled. “I want at least one piece left over.”
“Don’t worry,” Gram said, from the archway. “I made you an extra one and put it in the refrigerator.”
“Ah, Lucinda, you’re the best!” Caeden hugged her.
“I try,” she smiled.
“Hurry up!” Bryce called from the kitchen.
“We better get in there,” I laughed.
I grabbed up the boxes of candles I had bought the day before and proceeded to stick nineteen in. I pulled a lighter out of the drawer.
Once they were all lit, I started to sing Happy Birthday and everyone joined in.
“Make a wish!” I said before Caeden blew out the candles.
He promptly blew them all out and grinned like a little boy. “Now, cut me some cake.”
I laughed and grabbed the cake cutter. “Alright, birthday boy, which piece do you want?”
He pointed to one of the end pieces that had the most icing. “That one.”
I cut him an extra big slice of cake and stuck a fork in the middle of it before handing it to him.
“Who’s next?”
“Me! Me! Me!” Bryce shrilled.
Once everyone had a piece, I finally got to enjoy mine. Caeden was on his second slice.
“Happy Birthday, Caeden,” my dad told him.
“Thanks,” Caeden said with a smile.
“We’re so happy that Sophie has you,” my mom chimed in.
Caeden’s cheeks colored. “I think I’m the lucky one.”
And I think that I just swooned.
“Hey Lucinda!” Caeden called.
Gram lifted her head from her own plate. “The cake is delicious! Thank you!”
“You’re welcome,” Gram said.
“Are you guys done?” I looked around at all the empty plates. When they nodded I pulled out the trashcan from its hidden compartment in the cabinets and pointed. “Trash goes in here, not scattered around my house,” I warned them.
“Does this mean, present time?” Caeden asked, grinning.
“Yes,” I laughed and rolled my eyes.
“Woohoo,” he ran to the family room.
Amy laughed with me and said, “We better get in there before he rips them all open. Sometimes, I think he could give Bryce a run for his money with his exuberance over presents.”
I sat beside Caeden on the couch, where he was shaking a present. “Which one can I open first?”
“Whichever you want,” I said.
He ripped it open. It was the wallet.
“Thanks babe,” he grinned.
“Don’t thank me yet. There’s more.”
Next he opened a present from Bryce. It was an Xbox game. “Thanks Bryce!”
“I bought that with the intention that you’d invite me over to play,” Bryce said.
“Sure, sure,” Caeden chuckled.
“I mean it,” Bryce warned. “Don’t make me take it back. You know I will.”
Caeden chuckled. “I promise to let you come over and play it.”
“Thank you, tha
t’s all I ask,” Bryce relaxed.
Caeden looked over at me and rolled his eyes. “Bryce always buys presents with… ulterior motives.”
Bryce stuck his tongue out. “What’s the point in buying someone a present if I’m not going to benefit from it?”
Caeden shook his head and grabbed a present that was from my parents. “You guys really didn’t need to get me anything.”
“We know,” my dad said, “But we wanted too.”
Caeden lifted the lid off the box. An assortment of gift cards for all different places were scattered around the box. “Wow! Thank you!” he leaned over and hugged my mom. “Here, babe, hold onto these. I don’t want to lose them.”
I laughed as he grabbed another box. This box was huge and really long.
“I have no idea what this is…” he tore the paper off. “Holy shit! Mom! You didn’t!”
“I did,” she smiled.
“This is incredible!” He pulled out a guitar. I didn’t know what kind it was. All I knew, was it had a shiny blue finish. “I’ve wanted this for so long!” He strummed the strings and when something didn’t sound right he tuned it. “Wow, thank you, mom!” he put the guitar down long enough to hug her.
He unwrapped the rest of the presents from me, and then started in on the ones from Bentley, Chris, and Charlotte.
Bentley got him a desktop golf, bowling, and basketball set.
Chris and Charlotte both got him gift cards. I chuckled to myself. Caeden was going to have enough gift cards to last him the whole year.
“Thank you so much,” he told everybody. “This has been the best birthday I’ve ever had.” He stood and started to pick up the trash.
“Hold up, there’s one more,” I said.
“There is?” he looked around for it.
“I have a surprise for you, remember?” I asked.
“Oh, right,” he sat back down.
I pulled the small box out of my pocket and handed it to him. My heart was racing a mile a minute while he opened it. “I hope you love it,” my voice went all high-pitched with nervousness.
“Babe, I know I’ll love it,” he ripped the rest of the paper off.
It seemed like it took him an eternity to lift the lid off of the box but I knew in reality it only took seconds.
He stared for a minute in puzzlement.
“What is it?” Bryce asked.
“Caeden?” Amy asked.
“Tell us! We’re dying over here!” Chris shrieked.
Caeden’s eyes widened and he turned to me. “Does this mean what I think it means?”
I nodded, tears falling from my eyes.
He grinned and turned to the people gathered. “We’re having a baby!”
epilogue. travis.
I’d give it to them, the Williams’ pack put up a good fight, but they were nothing against my mutts.
Soon, I’ll have a whole army of mutants behind me and I will be unstoppable.
But I still want Caeden all to myself.
I want to feel my claws rip into his flesh and watch the light fade from his eyes.
I’m sure he wants to do the same to me, but that will never happen.
I will end this, once and for all.
Continue for an exclusive excerpt of Mari Arden’s, Flame, coming soon!
Caeden and Sophie’s story continues in the 4th and final installment. For cover, title and release date news check my blog or facebook page (links below).
I really hope you enjoyed this installment in Caeden and Sophie’s story!
You can find me at the following links:
BLOG: http://micaleasmeltzer.blogspot.com/
FACEBOOK FAN PAGE: http://www.facebook.com/MicaleaSmeltzerfanpage?ref=hl
EMAIL:
[email protected]
TWITTER
My username is @msmeltzer9793 but I rarely use it so you’re better off to contact me by one of the above avenues.
And don’t forget to check out Caeden and Sophie’s fan pages!
Caeden
http://www.facebook.com/CaedenWilliams?ref=hl
Sophie
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sophie-Beaumont/355566554527026?ref=hl
Pinterest
To see my inspirations follow this link: http://pinterest.com/micaleasmeltzer/
Acknowledgments
Thank you so super duper much to my MawMaw, for always being there for me! Thank you so much for keeping me calm (some what) when I started freaking out that Fighter wouldn’t be done on time! Thank you so much for always being there for me! I can never, ever, repay you for the love you’ve given me and everything you do! But believe me when I say, I’ll try.
Thank you to my mom and dad for being so supportive of my dreams! It means so, so, so much to me to know that you have my back and that I’ve made you proud!
SHELBY!!!!!! Girl! I don’t think I could’ve gotten this book done without you! Your emails have made me smile and often had me laughing out loud! When I was stressed and freaking out, an email always seemed to come from you, and I’d instantly feel better! Thank you so much for helping me edit! Your comments had me cracking up and I always loved your ‘chapter review’ at the end! You’re the best! (Now, we must go track down Caeden look alike) ;)
Thank you to Regina Wamba for creating the most beautiful covers! Everything you do is magic! Thank you for putting up with all my revisions and being so awesome! You’re amazing!
Thank you, thank you, thank you, a 1000x’s thank you to the fans! You guys are so amazing and I love each and every one of you! I love reading your emails, messages, comments, etc.! They keep me going! You guys are so amazing and I can never thank you enough! Thank you for buying my books! Thank you for being so supportive! And thank you for loving Caeden and Sophie as much as I do!
Exclusive Excerpt of Flame by Mari Arden
Scheduled to release in March 2013
"You got the money?" The voice is rough, and unnatural. The skinny man smiles dazedly at him. Cold eyes glare back. A thought crosses his mind that he should be scared, and he feels a slight tremor go through his body. The only thing that keeps him upright is the rush of adrenaline from the E-bomb he had snorted earlier.
He hands the cloaked figure the rolls of Benjamins from his jacket pocket. Fifteen thousand dollars. That's how much his sister had given. There are some hundreds missing that he used to pay off his dealer, but it'd been worth it. He couldn't be standing here with the delivery tonight if he had gotten jumped, now could he? Large hands count the hundred bills, muttering softly. He sees the exact moment the man realizes some money has disappeared. He gulps.
"Hey, man, chill, I can get you the rest later," he attempts to sound cool, but his voice sounds weak, and pleading. In the silence, one thought whispers in his mind: he should've snorted more. His heart's pounding now, but it isn't from the drug. It's from fear.
He peers into the voluminous hood, but the deep shadows make it impossible to see inside. Silence emanates from the cloaked figure like a threat. The skinny man is reminded yet again of how secluded they are from the city. The nearest road is over a mile away, and the cabin behind them looks old and dilapidated. The trees are bare and the ground barren. The winter breath has wiped it all away. Everything about where they are feels desolate and wrong. Even the euphoria from the drug can't hide that.
When the hooded figure speaks, his voice rumbles with tightly controlled anger. "The deal was fifteen thousand and not a penny less."
The smaller man takes a step back. "I don't know what type of deal my sister and her crazy husband made with you, but-"
"The deal," the man repeats again with lethal precision, "was fifteen thousand and not a penny less."
"Hey man," he responds nervously, taking another step back. "You can trust me. I can get you that money back. If you would just wait a few days-"
"Wait?" The dark figure interrupts. His voice continues to be low, but that's more deadly than yelling. The smirk is felt even though th
e smaller man can't see it. "You don't know who you're dealing with, do you?" The cloaked figure stares hard at him. "In fact, I don't think you know what you're dealing with." That realization makes him chuckle, and the sound sends cold shivers down the other man's spine. Something is very wrong here, he realizes with growing unease. Every instinct tells him to flee, but he can't move. It's like his feet are trapped on the ground. Suddenly, a strong hand shoots out, grabbing his neck with force.
"Your sister kept you in the dark about a lot of things, it seems." He is rasping for breath, but the hand is ruthless. "Where is the package?" he asks so softly that the other man almost doesn't hear it.
"B-b-b-ack th-e-re," he pants, his hands clawing at the force that holds his life. "In the car." His large hand squeezes for a second more, taking a perverted delight in the other one's suffering. When he's released, the man falls to his knees, gasping for air. The hooded figure watches him with detached interest.
"Bring it to me," he commands. Then he adds, "If you try to run, I will find you. And you will be very, very, sorry." They both know it isn't an empty threat.
The smaller man stumbles away, terrified. What kind of crap had his sister gotten herself into? But that thought is brushed aside with the nauseating smell of fear. This is the only thing his sister had ever asked him to do, so he's doing it. But after this, he's going to drive far, far away and never look back.
He pulls the car door open, and stares at the small box that contains his sister's most precious possession.
It holds a baby.
Her daughter. His niece. The "package" that needed to be delivered. He uses both hands to carry her. She's awake, and staring at him with wide eyes. He met her for the first time a week ago, and in that time he'd grown close to her- well, as close as a person like he could, anyway. He feels a wave of sadness as she cooes to him. He shakes it off, and continues forward to the scariest man he's ever seen. If he hadn't promised his sister, he would've ran with the baby right now, but he doesn't. She had looked desperate when she made him promise. And he loved her, so he agreed.
Crickets and owls are heard in the darkness, but the baby is oddly silent. Maybe she is starting to sense fear. He sure as hell feels it. When he's in front of the man, he can't bring himself to let go of the box. Even through his drug induced haze, he's having doubts about what is happening.
Fighter (Outsider Series) Page 22