Chapter 9

Jonah

I woke up early which is unusual for me on a Saturday morning, I loved that I had woken up on my 17th birthday with the woman I love in my arms. I could only dream of waking up like this last year, it was amazing to me that I didn't know Cesca this time last year. She is my whole life now along with our two babies. I sat there for half an hour just laying there with Cesca, it was the best feeling in the world. Cesca woke up at this point and said 'Morning handsome, Happy 17th Birthday!' Cesca stood up at this point and went into the bathroom and appeared 10 minutes later with full make-up which made me laugh. Then we went downstairs to get some breakfast. We walked into the kitchen and I noticed on the table, a card and two presents. The card was from Ruth and she got me a pair of Ray Bans and a new leather jacket, I loved them. I wanted to thank Ruth but she had gone out by the looks of it. I called her and when she answered she sounded like she had just been woken up. I said 'Thanks for my birthday presents and card and where are you Ruth?' Ruth replied 'I went round to Harry's after you went to bed, you just woke me up as it so early in the morning and I am glad you like the presents. Bye.' She hung up then and I stood there laughing and Cesca looked at me over her cup of coffee confused as to why I was laughing. I then sat down and sipped on my coffee and Cesca and I just talked for an hour. We went upstairs to get dressed and were watching a film in the living room when someone knocked on the door. I opened it to see Dad standing there with Adanna both smiling at me and Dad said 'Happy Birthday son! I got you a present.' He put his hand in his pocket and gave me a set of car keys and I clicked it and a flashy car outside the house flashed. I couldn't believe my Dad had bought me a car. 'Thanks Dad' was all I could manage to say. Cesca came out of the living room to see what was going on then. I showed the car keys and she couldn't believe it. She said 'I guess that's better than my present of teaching you how to drive on my car.' Cesca welcomed Dad and Adanna in for a cup of coffee and the first thing Dad had to ask is 'Where's Ruth?' I replied that she stayed at a friend's house last night. H just smiled knowing that it wasn't technically the truth. We all sat there drinking coffee when the front door opened we heard Ruth saying to Harry 'I'll see you tonight, bye, love you too.' Then the front door closed, Ruth stepped into the living room. She noticed Dad and Adanna and she smiled at them. She went and sat down on the armchair. Dad spoke first by saying 'How's Harry then?' Ruth wasn't quite sure what to say back to that then replied 'He's fine thank you.' Then Dad said 'So you stayed at the Fisher's house last night when I know for a fact, Karen wasn't at home last night and I don't think Jess or Bex would have been in on a Friday night.' Ruth just looked away to show she wasn't going to answer the question. I wasn't too impressed to find this out but it didn't really matter as I was really happy today. Ruth's phone went off then 'Hi Vic…Yeah, I am wearing 4 inch heels…Jess is wearing 6 inch heels…Trust her…Who's this new boyfriend? Have you met him?...So he's actually alright…I don't think any of us trust Jess' taste in men lol…Yeah, I'll come meet you…I can't believe you haven't bought his present yet…how come you didn't ask Ro…Lol men are useless sometimes…I'll meet you at the end of the road, bye.' I smiled at her as she realised everyone had been listening to her conversation. I said 'Vicki and Ro still need to get my present then?' She nodded smiling as she got up to go get ready. As Ruth was about to leave, Cesca called out to her and Ruth came in 'Can you stop at the cake shop to get Jonah's cake for me, they have it on hold under Kirby.' Ruth smiled and nodded before walking out of the house and down the road to meet Vicki. I turned to Cesca and said 'You didn't have to get me a cake.' She smiled and said 'Yes, I did as you only turn 17 once and you should celebrate it properly.' We all had lunch together which was nice as we had a Chinese takeout and Ruth appeared just before lunch so we had a nice and pleasant lunch. We ended up talking about the past with Cesca and Adanna just listening. I said to Ruth 'I remember on the first day of Waterloo Road, you acted like such a brat.' Ruth protested 'I didn't!' Cesca said 'Yeah, you did. If Tom and I hadn't of found you, you could of died Ruth!' Ruth whispered quietly 'I know.' We then had to explain the whole story to Adanna who didn't know about what happened. It was good just sitting around everyone talking like a proper family. My phone went off then and I answered the phone as it was Mum who wanted to say Happy Birthday and that she was sending me a cheque for £200 for my birthday. When I went back in everyone was still talking which made me happy and I sat down. About an hour later, Ruth noticed the time and ran upstairs, as she had to get ready. Dad muttered something about how she really had changed. Cesca said she had to go and get ready as well. Dad and Adanna said they would only stay for part of the party. I went upstairs to get ready but both bathrooms were taken so I had to get ready in the bedroom. As I was about to walk downstairs, Cesca walked out of the bathroom looking so beautiful. I felt like the luckiest man ever as only a few months ago, I could of only dreamt of this life. I walked up to her kissing her passionately. Then the doorbell went so we both walked downstairs. I opened the front door to see Bex, Jess and Harry standing there with Mrs Fisher standing behind them. I welcomed all of them into the house but I noticed everyone else was outside and Dad was starting the barbeque. We were standing around talking when Ruth appeared in the doorway. I couldn't believe it as my sister looked so grown up. She was wearing a blue dress which was strapless and down to the knee with black high heels and beautifully done make-up. Dad couldn't believe it either. Then Jess said 'See Ruth it does suit you, we all told you that.' Ruth smiled then and went over and gave Jess a hug and then went and gave Bex a hug. Harry stood there speechless and Ruth just smiled at him. Cesca then said 'I guess I have good taste picking that out for you in the shop and getting the shoes and clutch bag to match.' Ruth turned and said thank you to Cesca. Then Vicki and Ronan turned up, Ronan had a bottle of vodka in his hand. Which all of the adults looked at disapprovingly. Then Mrs Fisher spoke 'Where did you buy that from Ronan? You are not old enough to buy alcohol, give it to me now!' Ronan looked at her and said 'This isn't school and anyway it's from the drinks cupboard at home so I didn't buy it.' Mrs Fisher just shook her head. Bex grabbed the bottle off of him which he tried to protest at but she told him that she was 19 so she could drink and he had to be quiet. She instructed Ruth to go and get some shot glasses, which Mrs Fisher, Dad and Adanna rolled their eyes at this. Ruth came back with shot glasses for everyone and a carton of orange juice. Bex poured a shot for everyone apart from Cesca, Ruth and Harry, she poured them orange juice shots instead. Ruth and Harry protested at this until Bex said to Ruth 'Don't you remember what you are like when you are drunk as you tend to regret some things you say and its probably better for my safety not to give either of you alcohol.' Bex whispered to Ruth but everyone heard 'Once my mother and your dad have disappeared you can drink, Harry can't though.' Ruth laughed at this. Mrs Fisher left ten minutes later as all of the teachers were meeting up for a meal this evening which Dad and Adanna were going to but I wanted Cesca to stay with me so she wasn't going. Before Mrs Fisher left she turned to Bex and said 'Don't you dare let Ruth or Harry drink and I mean it!' Bex just nodded. Dad and Adanna stayed for a bit longer and we all sat around chatting. Bex let Ruth and Harry have a shot of vodka which Dad rolled his eyes at but he accepted it as he said he would accept Ruth's life. As soon as Dad and Adanna left, everyone started drinking and talking properly. Cesca actually joined in with the girls' conversation and I sat there chatting with Ro and Harry. It was really nice then we ate some food once everything had been barbequed, it was fun. Then Bex suggested I opened all of my presents. Bex got me some cufflinks with the Simpsons on for a joke, Jess got me a box of chocolates and a bottle of tequila, Harry got me the latest COD and Ronan and Vicki got me FIFA 2010. I was really pleased with all my presents especially the tequila. We then did my birthday cake, Cesca had it especially made for me as it had 'Happy 17th Birthday, Jonah' on the cake and a picture of me, I loved it! It was the most gorgeous chocolate cake and everyone loved it. As I looked around, everyone looked so happy at point as Ronan and Vicki had each other, Bex was enjoying university life, Jess had her new boyfriend and Ruth and Harry were happy together plus I had Cesca so I was the happiest. I loved how life had turned out as we all had happy lives now! We carried on chatting for a couple more hours until Mrs Fisher turned up to pick Bex, Jess and Harry up. It had been a really good night and Ronan and Vicki left not long after that. Ruth and I cleared up everything in the garden. I had loved my birthday party and I couldn't wait to learn how to drive my new car. Ruth gave me a hug and went off to bed looking very happy. I walked upstairs to find Cesca sitting there on the bed waiting for me with a present in her hand. I opened it to find a book in Spanish and I read the blurb which told me it was a love story which I couldn't wait to read. I had loved my birthday as it had been brilliant with all of my friends, my sister and my beautiful wife there. I realised today that Ruth seems to be very much part of the group which I hadn't realised being so caught up in my own little world over the past few months. Cesca then started to kiss me passionately and the day started to get a lot better. What a wonderful 17th Birthday!