Chapter 51 Your Favorite Leo’s Birthday （aka The Epilogue）
Your Favorite Leo’s Birthday (aka The Epilogue)
I have been to Jake’s birthdays since I can remember. My gift was the fact that I was there and wasn’t hosing him off. But now, I’m his girlfriend.
And I’ve never done this before, you know?
“You know, you’re clever.”
Jake hums, looking up from the book he’s reading.
“Making me your girlfriend right before your birthday, so now I have the responsibility to give you an amazing present.” I narrow my eyes at him.
“Yes, a lot of scheming. For years.” He agrees, going back to the book.
I mean, I do have an idea, but is it too basic? He’s a loud person in a good way, and I don’t want him to think I don’t know him or what he likes. Like, what if this is a gift I’d like to receive and not him?
Leave Before You Love Me by the Jonas Brothers plays on the old radio Miss Patty keeps around the library.
I hum along while staring off into the distance, overthinking my gift.
Then I remember our baby faces. And the way my cheeks must have been hurting by the way I was smiling, and how excited he looked to be photographing me, and my doubts fade away.
“Stop it.” Jake says, lifting his eyes from the book.
“What?” I ask, not so discreetly trying not to smile.
“You’re making me lose focus on the book.” He shakes it lightly in front of me.
“How so?” I question, curiosity getting the better of me.
“Your face is doing that thing when you get excited about something.” He accuses, with frowning eyes and a finger pointed at me. “Like when you see me.” He smirks like an idiot.
I roll my eyes, and he rolls back, taunting me. I get up smiling and force the book to his face.
“Read.”
He catches my hand and lays a kiss on the palm, and I blush.
“Those red cheeks make my day.” He laughs, and I pretend to be annoyed at the words he always throws back at me.
“I have to go.” I inform Miss Patty with a knowing look.
I have to get home to write the title on the photo and wrap the photo and frame.
“Why?” Jake asks, with a mischievous tone. He knows exactly why.
“I’m going to non ya.” I respond earnestly, and he doesn’t understand at first.
“Non ya?”
“Non ya business.” I childishly quip back, and he rolls his eyes.
“Oh, so you’re five now?” He crosses his arms.
“We’re finally the same age…” I respond, walking backwards towards the door, and he nods, amused.
“I love you!” He calls back before turning to the book.
“I know!” I say as I’m closing the door.
See, I did that because I know he’s coming after me. And I know I’m an attention seeker… Sue me for wanting the hottest boy in town coming after me, demanding a kiss.
Seconds later, I hear footsteps behind me, just as I slow down and take tiny steps. He hugs me from behind, stopping me from going home.
“You think you’re clever, huh?” He says, burying his head on my shoulder while I bite my lip.
“Takes one to know one.”
“Say it back.”
“Hmm…” I hum out loud. I let the back of my head rest against him.
“Tell me you love me right now.” He demands, and I beam.
“Love you too.” I spin within his embrace and kiss his nose, then run away while he stares at me, looking like he was just struck by lightning. I’m turning onto our street when I hear his voice in the distance.
“Don’t be late!” I grab the wall that separates both streets to look at him and shrug.
When I get to the house, I take the quickest shower in my life. I’ve never dressed up as quickly as I am doing right now. Allison mocks me, already ready.
“I never thought I’d live to see the day you hurried up for something.
” She lets out, leaning against the door as I put on Chapstick.
I put it down and grab the Lightning McQueen paper bag.
It’s his favorite movie ever, even though he tells people it’s Revenge Of The Sith.
I go down the stairs, each step faster than the previous one, as if I’m a kid again, proud of my present and kinda nervous too.
I annoy everyone out of the house, and soon enough, we’re opening their gate — my dad has a spare key — and stepping into a lit garden with tiny lamps floating above in the trees and between them.
Their dining table is standing with too many chairs and too many dishes.
Emily greets us, stepping out with food platters.
Hello and Hi all over the place as I see Jake’s other grandparents and English family standing around and chatting.
Even Patrick and Linda are here, with their little newborn Rosie.
Suddenly, I’m very embarrassed while carrying my cartoon paper bag.
I try to hide it and discreetly place it in the present pile.
I go and get snacks.
“Is the Cars paper bag yours?” Whom I recognize as Jake’s older cousin, Kate, asks.
“Uh, yes…” I say kind of flustered.
“Please never stop humbling him, I beg.” She smiles kindly, and I laugh.
“Oh, I’m the person for that, for sure.”
“Yes, she is.” Graham joins us, followed by the group.
“And how Jake is related to you is nature’s biggest mystery. Aaron.” He introduces himself, trying to flirt, and Kate is trying not to roll her eyes, I’m sure.
“Kate. Happily taken.” She smiles back, almost smirking at his weak attempt.
“She’s dating Jack Gray, dipshit.” Graham corrects, almost ashamed to be related to Aaron. The latter only counters with a shrug, and Graham sighs. “Soccer player? Led England to win the Eurocup? Epic game by the way.”
“How am I supposed to know? I don’t watch soccer!” He takes out a cigarette from his pocket and lights it. “Why on Earth would I watch soccer…”
“Yes, and he’d have an episode hearing you call it soccer.” She adds, and Graham nods as if he doesn’t blame him. “I suppose you’re Jake’s friends?”
“The moron pack, as she likes to call us.” Aaron blows out the smoke, and I freeze. “Don’t worry, I get it. It’s difficult to think otherwise when you have the Graham and Jake combo.”
“Happy birthday!” Paige yells as she hugs Jake’s waist, and we all turn to look at him.
His whole face lights up, and he hugs back. She steps away, and he takes her hands.
“So what did you buy me?” He asks, and she rolls her eyes.
“I’m not telling you, mister. That’s a secret!” She scrunches her nose, and he purses his lips and frowns.
“You’re supposed to be six years old.” He huffs, and she giggles.
“I’m six, not stupid.” She rolls her eyes again while she runs away to play with the dog.
“Happy Birthday!” I burst, throwing my arms around him.
“That’s the third time today.” He states, while my face drops.
“Shut up before I go get the hose.” This time, his face drops, not so fond memories filling his brain for sure. Then I realize he hasn’t seen his cousin from the other side of the world since Christmas and drop my arms, ashamed.
“Oh, sorry, I-”
“No worries.” She dismisses and walks up to him, giving him a quick hug.
Soon enough, everyone gathers to have dinner.
Everyone’s talking and laughing, all while telling stories about Jake.
Emily excuses herself and appears with a lit cake, and we all get up to cheer on the birthday boy.
I’m sitting next to him and am privileged to see his face light up as he watches every loved one sing him happy birthday.
He blows the candles, everyone claps, and he turns to me and pecks my lips.
I blush when everyone cheers louder, and he kisses the side of my head.
“Time for presents!” Miss Patty gets up and moves to the pile to get the biggest present on it. I feel myself shrinking in my chair, and I don’t even know what it is yet.
He hugs her and starts unwrapping the guitar he has been talking about for a year now.
His eyes shine, and he hugs Miss Patty again, but more emotionally.
“Thanks grandma.”
“You deserve it.” She kisses his cheek, and one by one, everyone gifts him fun games, clothes, and basically all this stuff he has been wanting for forever.
Oh, I hate myself right now. I’m giving him a miserable photo! I can’t give it to him now. Especially after everyone saw the guitar.
Miss Patty arches an eyebrow. No, I mouth to her, and she rolls her eyes, hands on her hips.
“Maddie has something, too.” She says.
I glare while he turns his gaze to me once again.
“I don’t. I forgot.” I burst. Clearly, I didn’t forget anything. The lonely, childish small bag on top of the table can attest that.
“Then who’s the owner of the Lightning McQueen bag?” Joey asks, and I bury my head in my hands.
“You brought me a Cars bag?” Jake chuckles, happy.
“It’s for later…” I end up saying.
At least, it’s not in front of all these people.
“Dirty present? Didn’t know you had it in you, Madelaine.” Aaron comments, arms crossed, with an arched eyebrow, and I die.
“NO! No, I promise.” My eyes dart to my dad. “Dad, I swear-”
He only laughs along with Jake’s entire family.
And thank god, later came. My family went home, and the Wests went inside, leaving me with him and an empty table, illuminated by tiny lamps.
We sit next to each other, facing the front of the house. I pass him the bag sideways.
“It’s not a guitar but, uh, I thought it could mean something.”
I play with my fingers, letting a glance escape my eyes to his. He opens it carefully so he doesn’t ruin the bag, and takes a frame from inside.
That photo I found when we were little shines a curious light. Maybe it’s the tiny lamps, or maybe it’s his smile. But something makes it brighter. I look forward, my chest a bit lighter, while my hands drop on the table.
He examines it carefully, as if he could break the moment.
“Mads, this is-” He stutters and carefully places the frame on top of the table. “It’s beautiful, thanks.” He kisses my forehead, and I bite my lip.
“Really?”
“Of course. This is better than anything you could have bought me. You can’t buy these faces.” He points at us, genuinely happy.
“There’s something on the back. "
He frowns and carefully removes the photo from the frame. After contemplating a bit longer, he turns the photo around. The date is scribbled there. 7/7/2011. And just above, with my messy handwriting, it reads, The actual first time you made me smile.
“I was always good at that, wasn’t I?” His voice mutters, and I nod, smiling.
He kisses me, and I barely contain my happiness. Not that this changes us or anything. After all, we will always be Madelaine and Jake, Brown and West, fighting for everything and for nothing all at once. Usually his fault.