Chapter 4: Heaven

I can't believe I'm really going to do this!

Oh man, breathe, remember to breathe Annie you got this.

My bedroom window was open, letting in crisp evening air as I tired to gather my nerves. I was about to climb through it, sneaking out at night for the first time ever. I wasn't scared per say, being a Cameron made that impossible. My family had brass balls and nerves of steel to go with them; I was just savoring this momentous occasion, and if I told myself that enough times I'd actually start to believe it.

It really was stupid to be so worried. Amber had been a pro at this and she showed me the the tree she used to climb down just in case I ever needed to sneak out myself. They closest branches nestled against the house right between both of our windows. Mom hadn't let dad cut it down when they found out Amber had started using her window instead of the front door, worried she'd fall and break her neck if she tried to sneak out without it. The tree was probably better situated for me to use anyways, what with the way the branches had grown like a set of conveniently placed stairs.

Knowing Amber had never hesitated gave me the push I needed to reach out and grasp the nearest branch, testing it to make sure it would hold my weight. It seemed sturdy enough. Moving back into my room, I slipped on my black leather jacket. It had cooled off more than I had expected in the last few hours since I'd gotten home. In that time, I'd touched up my make-up and fixed my artfully curled and arranged hair while I waited for my parents to retire for the night allowing me to make my getaway. After checking my face a final time, I slipped the straps of my red heels into my mouth.

Sitting on the window sill, I dangled my legs over the edge and grabbed the branch I'd previously tested. After making sure I had a tight grip, I quietly scooted forward till I was hanging outside and swung first one then the other foot to a nearby branch allowing me to easily step forward with the grace of a gymnast. And just like that I was in the tree, hidden among the recently sprouted green foliage and quickly climbing down. The whole acrobatic adventure took less than two minutes and that was with my slowly cautious progress and carefully calculated movements.

Once back on solid ground I replaced my shoes and set off for Brady's house, adrenaline causing my heart to pump faster. It wasn't that long of a walk, but I was on edge the entire time starting to fear the reception I'd get when I reached. Every dancing shadow made me jump and I thought I heard voices carried to my ears on each gust of air that blew through my hair. I pulled my coat tighter around me to ward off the dark chill that had set in this late spring night.

Brady and I had been dating and I use that term very loosely for almost a year now, but so far nothing had changed with us. He held my hand when we went to the movies or dinner, but he'd always done that. In the meantime, the simmering desire I'd already felt for him developed into a rolling boil. Then tonight something changed. We'd gone to see a movie in Port Angeles and an older guy in line ignoring Brady completely hit on me, repeatedly. Brady possessively snuggled me close to his side, kissing my hair, forehead and cheeks repeatedly, staring daggers at any male, young and old, that even glanced my way.

It had to mean he saw me as more now. How could he not? My final growth spurt had done wonders for me, if I do say so myself. I was taller now, with a more slender frame than my mother and Amber, who were shaped like coke bottles, but I finally had breasts. Granted they were small, but they were proportional and definitely filled out my clothes nicely but he hadn't noticed. Seeing his possessiveness though was all the encouragement I needed to inspire me to push things along.

That was why I was sneaking over to his house well past midnight on a Friday night. I wanted my goodnight kiss and more if I could swing it, but I'd happily settle for the kiss, which I felt I was more than entitled to claim. When he'd dropped me off my parents were both still up and in the front room watching television making it impossible to do it then, but I'm sure he wanted to. More than usual he dragged his goodbye out, staring at me for several minutes and fidgeting uncertainly before leaving with a sigh. My dropping by now just—gave him the opportunity he lacked earlier.

When I got to his place I used the hidden spare key to let myself in, moving as silently as I was able to in the pitch black hallway. Quietly treading down the hallway, I was almost to his bedroom when the door swung open and a light flicked on, outlining Brady's perfect form in the doorway. He was clad only in a pair of blue and green striped boxers and seeing him nearly naked with his hair disheveled from sleep activated a torrent of butterflies haphazardly flapping around my stomach. The shadows on his darkened silhouette prevented me from seeing his expression, but I had no problem detecting the frightened confusion in his voice when he spoke.

"Annie?! Are you alright—did something happen?" He frantically asked as he quickly moved to embrace me, running his hands over the contours of my body checking I was ok.

I snuggled into his warmth, resting my face against his naked chest and holding him tightly.

"No, no I'm fine, really," I reassured him, eager to put his fears to rest in hopes of moving on to more pleasurable pursuits. He pulled back to see my face. His eyes rapidly zigzagged as he assessed me, anger darkening his face by the second as it replaced his fear.

"What the hell are you doing here so late?!" He yelled and I unconsciously leaned into him. I was unaffected and unimpressed by his angry, my desire for him undeterred by his less than friendly welcome and my movement was rewarded when he enclosed me in his arms again, hugging me close.

"I wanted to see you," I explained simply deeply inhaling his natural pine scent and noting his musky male scent was stronger than usual, something I instinctively liked immensely. What more motivation did I need to be here? We already spent too many hours apart each day, it didn't matter that most were spent asleep because that still felt just as wasteful.

He sighed pulling me tighter to him, gently running a large hand through my voluminous curls. "You shouldn't be here without your parents knowing. How did you even get here?"

"I snuck out," I whispered with a happy giggle, proud of myself for having successfully committed my first real act of teenage rebellion.

"What?!" He exclaimed jerking back to stare at me in disbelief. He took another deliberate step back, away from me to slump against the hallway wall.

"Why would you do that—weren't you thinking at all? Oh man, Jared is going to kill me… I have to get you home before they wake up," he said animatedly talking with his hands and shaking his head the entire time.

He was putting up a fight. I hadn't anticipated this happening, although I should have. Of course this wouldn't be as easy as showing up and having him immediately pull me into his arms to kiss me passionately the way you always saw guys do in movies. My mind was racing. I'd have to act quickly if I wanted to salvage this.

"No! If you do that he'll ground me and we won't be able to see each other at all for who knows how long," I insisted grabbing his arm to make him stop and see reason. He froze suddenly accessing the situation with squinted eyes.

I added persuasively, "he won't find out, I'll just leave here early in the morning before he wakes up. It'll be easier to sneak back in then… Amber did it all the time, remember?"

"Okay," he sighed in defeat, giving in rather gracefully. I know from the bemused look he tossed my way that he was perfectly aware I had just manipulated him but I was happy all the same. I grinned brilliantly, leaping into his arms and wrapping mine around his neck with my legs dangling a half foot off the ground, even in my four inch heels.

He chuckled, finishing with a stern, "but don't do this again. It's dangerous to walk alone at night and I don't want something to happen to you."

"Yeah right, La Push is like, the safest place ever and there are always wolves out patrolling," I pointed out, not agreeing to his request because I had every intention of doing this again, nightly if possible.

He let it slide, asking instead, "why did you need to see me?"

He might not be actively upset with me anymore, but I had a feeling he wasn't going to be very receptive to the idea of a kiss at this point, so with a dramatic sigh, I said, "I couldn't sleep. I need you to hold me, Brady."

My dad never let him stay over so I knew this would get to him. The only time I was permitted to sleep with him growing up was during naps when he watched me and he knew I always had an easier time falling asleep if I was in his arms. I argued all the time about unfair it was that Taylor could spend the night with Melody, but Brady couldn't stay with me. I had yet to win that one and not for lack of impassioned pleading either.

"Alright, Cupcake. Come on," he said tenderly. I still had my arms wrapped around him and I held tighter when he shifted, bending to hook one arm behind my knees and lift me princess style to his bedroom.

"Can I borrow something to sleep in?" I requested innocently when he set me down in the center of his brightly lit bedroom. The vague outline of an idea forming in the back of my mind which was sure to initiate some much sought after kissing.

I slipped off my jacket and rushed to discard my shirt as well, grateful I'd worn one of the lacy lingerie sets Amber had given me, while he rummaged through his dresser, pulling out a shirt and pair of boxers, which I knew he only wore when sleeping. He was hurrying, probably alerted that I was up to something by my speeding pulse.

Stupid traitorous heart.

I didn't have time to shimmy out of my jean skirt before he turned back to face me, but topless was at least something.

"Shit, Annie!" He immediately responded, staring at me wide eyed and stunned for a second before tossing the clothes at me and running out the room.

"I swear you're trying to kill me tonight," he muttered from the other side of the door. Not quite the positive reaction I'd hoped for, though I wasn't too disappointed—he did stare. Whenever I slept over Randy's house I changed in front of Randy and doing so never fazed me, but Brady's searing look heated the most intimate place on my body and made my skin tingle pleasantly.

After guaranteeing I was fully changed he moved towards his bed, pausing to throw on a navy shirt, almost as an afterthought, and climbing back in bed. I joined him eagerly and he pulled me close, cuddling my back against his chest, spooning me. The heat made me instantly drowsy and I was being lulled by the steady sound of his beating heart. Sighing, I leaned further into him. I didn't know what was happening with us but I knew this was perfect, complete happiness.

I almost missed it when he bent to kiss my cheek.

I turned my head at the last second, meeting his soft, slightly parted lips with my own. He didn't pull away as expected, but pressed lightly and brought one of his large, warm hands up to gently cup my cheek.

It didn't last long and it was very chaste, but it was pure heaven.