A Brand New Ending

Chapter 55

Phoenix



My heart begins to race when I see the fabric dangle in front of my face. A small wave of panic flows through my body but I try to dismiss it quickly. It's just Braeden.

I look up into his eyes as his arms come around my head, my vision going completely dark. When we make it into what I assume is a cab I try to follow the turns in my head but soon become lost and disoriented. As I sit beside him with our hands intertwined, and I begin to calm down, my curiosity overtaking my fear. When the cab stops I inhale and I feel Braeden's hand tug on mine, his hands helping me guide my way.

"I'm afraid there are steps," I hear him say. I feel his hands slip onto my hips and my stomach clenches, always loving the feel of his hands on my skin. I lift my foot but miss the first one, both of us laughing a little.

Once I get a rhythm I try to listen to familiar sounds, only hearing the cars passing by and sound of creaking metal. When I feel that we have reached our destination I feel his fingers slip from my body and I begin to panic.

"Braeden?" I call out.

"I'm right here," he calls out.

I feel his lips against mine, his mouth hot and minty. Wrapping my arms around his neck I press harder, wanting, needing to be close to him. He pulls back and I feel his breath against my ear.

"I love you, Seraph, and happy birthday."

I hear a loud "surprise" and then the darkness is gone, my eyes adjusting to the sight in front of me. The roof is lit with string lights and candles. Standing before me is a group of people, recognizing most of their faces. I panic momentarily and curl into Braeden's chest, being the center of attention is not something I am used to. And then the tears start to fall but they aren't because I'm upset, but quite the opposite.

"Seraph?" I hear Braeden say, his arm wrapped around my back.

I pull away from him and look up.

"Are you crying?"

I look up at him, wondering what I did to ever deserve him. Then I can't help but smile.

"I didn't even know it was my birthday," I blurt out, only because it's true.

I look back at the crowds of people, all them have a worried look on their faces.

"Thank you."

Then the crowd breaks out into a loud chatter again, some of them coming up and hugging me. After a few minutes of mingling I turn around to find Braeden and I wrap my arms around him tight and I feel my feet lift off the ground.

"I love you," I whisper into his ear. "This is the first time since my father's death that I have celebrated a birthday. Thank you."

"It was my pleasure, Seraph," he responds. "I hope you like it."

I turn around and scan then area. The lights wrapped around the railing twinkle in the night sky, tables covered with food trays, adorned with small candles flickering.

"Where are we?" I laugh.

"On top of my apartment building."

"You did all this?" I ask.

"With a little help, but yes."

~

Braeden and I mingle with all the people but when we reach Donovan things seem odd.

"Happy birthday," he says nervously.

I smile. "I don't get a birthday hug?" I ask with a fake pouty look on my face.

I feel his strong arms come around me, my breathing being cut off.

"I'll be right back," Braeden says as he leans in close to me.

"OK. I'll stay with Donovan," I tell him.

We both stand there silent for a moment until Donovan speaks first.

"I'm really sorry last night. I didn't mean to cause problems."

I shake my head. "You didn't," I admit.

We both fall silent again for a moment.

"Are you two dating?" I ask.

"According to Braeden we are." He laughs.

I look over his shoulder.

"Is she not here?" I ask.

"Braeden didn't want you have to deal with that tonight."

I frown. "You should call her. If she's important to you than I think I can live with it."

He just smiles at me and I wink in return. I leave Donovan and make my way over to the food table, realizing how hungry I am. On my over I spot a table with a mountain of presents on it, a wave of guilt taking over me. I spot Braeden and walk up behind him, wrapping my arms around his torso.

"Having fun, Seraph?"

"I am!" I exclaim.

Walking around the side of him I grab a plate and when I shift my eyes upward I see Dr. Harris coming up the stairs, Chelsea in tow. I can feel a lump form in my throat, completely forgetting about it until now.

"Happy birthday, Phoenix," Dr Harris says.

"Thank you," I respond, trying to push my feelings down.

I see Chelsea round him and she throws her arms around me. When I go to lift my arms around her I feel a sharp pain in my hand and I withdraw quickly.

"Ouch," I say, looking down at my hand.

"Are you OK?" I hear Braeden ask.

"Yeah, I just got a really sharp pain in my hand."

Dr. Harris takes my hand and leads me under the glow of a candle. He runs his hand along the small cut and I feel the pain again.

"Right there," I say.

Dr. Harris continues to examine it. "You have a piece of glass in your hand," he says.

I look up at him and his eyes find mine. Something in his face shifts. Over the next moment we have a silent conversation, my heart pounding that I feel that I may throw up. He knows it was me. He knows that I know. He lets go of my hand and we both turn our attention back to Braeden and Chelsea.

"I'm gonna need tools to get that out," Dr. Harris explains. "But it's not critical at the moment."

I plaster on a fake smile and walk back over to Braeden, praying that he doesn't ask any questions.