Chapter Three

Jude drove through the dark city excited for what the night held for her. It was her and Mason's first anniversary. Jude was sure Mason had forgotten all about what today was, but this morning Jude woke up in her 2 bedroom upscale apartment all alone. She sat up and looked around the room, thinking he was just in the shower. 'Mason?' Jude whispered to an empty apartment. Jude pulled the covers from her legs and swung them to the floor. She instantly felt softness beneath her toes. Scattered across the floor was pink Gerbera Daisy petals. Her eyes followed the trail of petals over to her dressing table across the room. Trailing up the dresser in the shape of an S were more petals. These one's switching colors. White, pink, white, pink, until finally they reached the top of the dresser. Curious as to what Mason had prepared Jude leapt out of bed and skipped over to the dresser. Jude's face lit up as she found a single Gerbera daisy sitting there. The petals were all pealed off except two. One on each side was left, just the way she liked it. Jude thought back to the day she first met Mason.

It had been a long day at work. Some rookie decided he knew better than Jude and wanted to make a name for himself and nearly got himself killed in the process. Since when do you go without backup? Never the less there was a lot of paper work for Jude to fill out. She had decided to attempt cooking for herself, for the first time since she started the new job and went shopping for some supplies as her apartment seemed to be lacking in the food department. While measuring the weight of her vegetables Jude saw a man watching her from the Deli section. She shook it off saying it was probably because she was still in her uniform, but when she was at the check out paying for her groceries the man turned up again. This time he had something hiding behind his back. Jude demanded to see what was behind his back, hands on her waist ready to pull out her gun if she thought necessary.

Jude felt a little embarrassed when the young man pulled a bouquet of daisies from behind his back. Her hand left her belt and grasped the bouquet from him. A childish grin spread across his face and his eyes lit up with hope. "Uh...Yeah these well I got them for you, because you look like a simple girl. But you're not a girl you're a woman and not simple that makes you sound ordinary but your not, because you extra ordinary and..." Mason sighed and took a breath before running a hand over his shoulder "Hi, I'm Mason" He finished with the smile he started with. He nervously chuckled and rocked at Jude looked at him squinting her eyes.

She had asked him out to dinner that night, completely defeating the purpose of going shopping that day, but some how Jude seemed to come out with more than a meal. Fast track 12 months later and now here she was holding her favorite flower in hand, wondering how she deserved a guy as good as Mason. He did everything she ever needed. He cooked up her weird and wacky food mixtures, listened and hell the boy even cleaned. If he wasn't going out with Jude, she'd swear he was gay.

--

Jude pulled up outside the Chinese restaurant Mason made reservations at. Through the window she saw Mason sitting at the table waiting for her with a bag sitting next to her empty plate. Jude got his present out of the car and walked into the restaurant. If was just like the movies. The girl walked in and the guy turns and looks, amazed at just how beautiful she really is. But that was the reaction Jude got every time she walked into a room. Mason got up out of his seat and pulled Jude's out in true gentleman fashion. As Jude was about to sit Mason gave her a quick peck on the cheek before allowing her to sit down and then sitting down himself. Jude's eyes immediately scanned the table looking at everything and then finally reaching Mason's face. With a big goofy grin that seemed to be plastered across his face all day, every day, Mason pushed the bag towards Jude more. Her hands grabbed the bag and she pulled the handles apart to find what looked like a photo album. She pulled it out carefully not to rip the bag and placed it on the table.

She looked up at Mason with a smile before undoing the ribbon and opening the album.

On the first page there was a pressed red Gerbera Daisy and a poem the first letter of each line bold, spelling out Happy First.

Happy first anniversary!
A milestone, indeed!
Praised be those whose pleasure would be
Partial to their need.
Years will add a certain weight,
For now, the day is bright,
Intimately innocent,
Reverently right.
So may your love accumulate,
Till it lights well the night.

Jude grabbed Mason's hand that was sitting on the table and gave it a little squeeze, before turning the page. Page after page held precious moments and symbols of the year they had spent together and a tiny red Gerbera Daisy petal on the corner of the page. A smile of appreciation and a peck was given after every page 'till Jude reached the end of the album. Mason truly had gotten her exactly what she wanted. Nothing fancy, something simple just like her. She hated it when people made a fuss over her, every one had always wanted to treat Jude as the 'princess' being the only daughter of Stuart and Victoria, but Mason was the only one to treat her as a normal girl. Well Mason and Tommy, but he was not an issue tonight.

By the time Jude had gotten through the album tears were starting to well up in her eyes. Mason saw this and leaned over and wiped away the tear that dared fall. "What's the matter bubbles?" he asked, using his pet name for her. All Jude could do was sigh and hold back the other tears that threatened to fall. "Nothing" She finally said once regaining her composure. Mason gave her a look and she sighed again. "It's just that, how on earth did I end up with a guy like you?" She blurted out. Mason got out of his chair and kneeled beside Jude. "Do you wanna go for a walk, maybe talk?" He asked rubbing her back with one hand his pocket with the other. A small nod was given in response and they got up. They left a tip on the table and left after grabbing their presents.

--

It was that time again. His wife had just gotten home from 'an appointment with a client that ran late'. Yeah that's never happened before. His wife didn't even bother saying 'Goodnight,' she just walked in the door smelling of cigarettes and surprise, surprise men's cologne and not his cologne, no this was the cheap shit you buy when a pharmacy needs more shelf space. Even if he wanted this marriage to work, there would be no way to stop his wife from whoring herself out to everything with a piece between its legs. Heck he hasn't even touched his wife in the last 5 months, afraid of the diseases he may catch. He retraced his steps down to his office for the umpteenth time and gathered his equipment, then made his way to the car and left into the night, ready for what ever came his way.

--

Jude and Mason were walking hand in hand through the park and Jude noticed Mason's palm was getting sweaty.

She walked over to a bench releasing his hand as she sat down. She crossed her legs on the bench and pulled her jacket closer to her, to try and create some warmth. Maybe it wasn't the best night for a walk. Out of the corner of her eye Jude say Mason. He was fidgeting and looked troubled. "Babes you've been sweating all night, is everything ok?" Jude asked cocking her head to the side to try and get a glimpse of his face. For the first time since they left the restaurant Mason looked at Jude and smiled a genuine smile. Ever since they left he had been avoiding her face or giving her fake smiles. He shook his head and pulled Jude into a soft kiss. He pulled away moments later and blew hot air on Jude's nose before flicking it. "Everything's fine bubbles, listen I have to ask you something"

--

Driving down the streets of Los Angeles wasn't always the most enjoyable thing, but for 'The Alley Dumper' it was a necessity if he wanted to stake out the next target. He saw many potential victims, housewives, street walkers, uni students. But tonight he was after one person in particular. He saw her sitting on a park bench with some guy. The guy she was with seemed to have a very serious expression on his face. He's clothing was in good taste, well except the hat. Every damn time he saw that guy he had the stupid hat on. 'The Alley Dumper' pulled up at the end of the street and got out of his car. He pulled his baseball cap and his leather jacket on before making his way into the park. He was going to get a closer look her.

--

Mason's breathing got fast as Jude silently nodded her head. He reached into the front pocket of his jacket. Another nervous chuckle escaped and he used his free hand to wipe his forehead. Jude sat back and watched as he nervously fidgeted and then pulled something out of his jacket. Mason coughed and grabbed her hand once again. He looked Jude in the eyes and began the hardest speech in his life.

"Bubbles, ever since I saw you that night I knew there was something else to you. You make me laugh, you make me cry, heck you make want to punch walls sometimes." He paused "But most of all, you make me want to be a better guy" Jude was about to cut in but Mason shook his head and continued. "Jude when I'm not with you, I feel as though something is missing. I don't know what I'd do if we were to break-up. And I don't want to find out either. Jude this last year has been fantastic for us and I want to stay like this forever." Jude pulled her hand away from Mason and wiped a tear that fell away. She knew he was up to something but this, this she couldn't have foreseen this. "What I'm trying to say is Jude Alexandra Harrison, my bubbles I love you and want to spend the rest of my live with you beside me. Jude will you marry me?" Jude squealed and leaned over to Mason. She kissed every part of bare skin and then settled on his lips.

"Yes, Yes" She repeated over and over. 'Yes' she whispered one last time in his ear when she hugged him.

--

Had he heard correctly, that freak was going to marry her? That was not how it was supposed to be. She was supposed to be available; she was supposed to be vulnerable. She wasn't supposed to be engaged. In fury 'The Alley Dumper' stormed over to his car, and left the park in a hurry. He was going to make her pay for what she did. But in the meantime he was going to have a bit of fun

--

Jude giggled as Mason ran around the room trying to clean up the mess her just made. He had been trying to work the chocolate fountain that he bought her but it all went everywhere. There was chocolate on the floor, chocolate on the roof and even chocolate on Mason. Jude pulled him to her when he ran past. His eyes questioned her as she used her index finger to wipe the chocolate off his nose. She let go of Mason with a giggle and ate the chocolate on her finger. Mason wiped his hand in the mess and began chasing Jude around the apartment.

The apartment filled with laughter as the newly engaged couple ran around the house, but it was interrupted but the doorbell ringing. Mason ran over to the door and a questioning look appeared as he stared at the visitor. Mason glanced at his watch and saw it was 1.30 am. Why does a stranger knock on your door and 1.30? "Can I help you?" He asked with annoyance. The last thing he wanted was to have to say no to some poor guy in need. "Who are you" The stranger asked a bit more harshly than intended. Mason bit back a few choice words and simply smiled.

"I live here, this is my apartment so either tell me what you want, or piss off."

The stranger was a bit taken back; he didn't even know they were living together, hell he didn't even know they were together until today. "I'm looking for swe—Jude. Is Jude here? It's Tommy."

Tommy asked looking past Mason's head in search of Jude. She defiantly still lived her. The décor screamed Jude. Jude heard the two men talking and walked over to Mason, but stopped when she saw who was at the door. "What is it Tommy?" She asked ready to shut the door and go back to her little game with Mason.

"He's done it again." Was all Tommy said.