Thanks so much for the reviews! i love them so much! im currently having trouble finishing up chapter 13 but hope i will be finished with it soon! I'll probably post chapter 11 either tomorrow or Monday because I'll be busy during the weekend... but hope you like :) read and review :)
It was Monroe's birthday, and Michael and Sam had worked together to make something special of it for Monroe. Michael already knew that Monroe's birthday was never made a big deal at her house, and Michael wanted to make sure she knew that from now on it was going to be recognized.
Monroe woke up for school a little bit late, and was still confused to be waking up in a bed that wasn't her own. She quickly got out of bed and into the shower, she made it a fast one so she would have time to go down stairs and have a cup of coffee before heading to school. She thought it was odd that when she got back into the bedroom and looked at her phone, Michael hadn't texted her yet. He always texted her when he first woke up to say Good Morning, she shrugged it off and thought that maybe he was having a late start as well. She changed into her school uniform and pulled her hair into a low side braid with a bow at the bottom to hold it together. She applied a light amount of make up and went back into the bathroom to brush her teeth; she put her lip gloss in her purse to put on after she had eaten some breakfast. She was happy to know that she wouldn't have to rummage around Jason's kitchen for breakfast food because she and Michael always went to Kelly's to get muffins or bagels before school. She felt silly for thinking about Michael so much, but then again she didn't because he was her boyfriend and that's what she was supposed to do. She put on her shoes and then walked quickly down the stairs.
When she reached the bottom step she didn't even realize that she hadn't looked up yet, but when she did; Michael, Sam, and Jason were standing there and Michael had a present in his hand. She looked around and saw that there was a medium sized banner saying "Happy Birthday" in yellow with a light brown background hanging on the mantle. On the table there were a few presents and yellow daffodils, which she assumed were from Michael. Monroe was smiling from ear to ear and she wanted to cry from being so happy. Her birthday had never been acknowledged before; she looked around once more before running into Michael's arms and hugging him. Michael laughed at her before pushing his present into her hands.
"This is one for now, and you can have the other one later. The ones on the table are from Jason and Sam" Monroe nodded enthusiastically as she opened Michael's present that was wrapped in yellow wrapping paper. Sam must have really helped him pull this all together as she looked behind Michael and noticed that there were banana muffins on a yellow plate with a brown and yellow coffee mug filled with coffee next to it. "Yeah, that is for you too. Sam thought it would be nice for you to have your own coffee mug here because Jason, she and Brenda all have their own." Michael explained as he pointed to the coffee mug. "And the muffins are for all of us, my Grandpa Mike says Happy Birthday" Michael told her and she laughed.
Monroe was surprised that when she opened the little box in her hands there was a ring inside. It of course, wasn't a diamond ring, but it was beautiful to her. It was silver with small pink gems in it. She put it on her finger and it was the perfect size. She took it off again and just held it in her hand. "How did you know what size finger? That is serious talent" Monroe told him jokingly.
"Well you're the same size clothing as Sam, and you're small, so I took a wild shot and it turns out you're the same ring size." Michael said laughing. "Look at the inside of it" Michael said eagerly.
Monroe looked inside the ring and saw that engraved was Happy Birthday. Monroe looked up and smiled at Michael before giving him a quick kiss and putting it back on. "Thank you so much, I love it." She told him and he was smiling at her, pleased with himself for having such a great gift for her.
"Okay, hurry up and open these presents before you have to leave for school" Sam said excitedly pushing the two presents closer to the end of the table and to Monroe.
Monroe opened both presents and found a new purse and new sketchbooks. Sam explained to her that she didn't know if she would need sketch books, but Max told her that she had a serious purse collection back in her room so that is when Sam decided to get her another one. Monroe assured her that both presents were an amazing idea. She thanked both Sam and Jason and hugged them, Jason as quick as possible because with having the nick name "Stone Cold" from Spinelli, she figured he wasn't the hugging type. Monroe couldn't help it though, she was so happy to have these great people surrounding her, and making such a big deal out of her birthday unlike her own family that never did anything for it. After eating muffins as quickly as possible, Michael and Monroe were off to school. Michael could see a look on Sam's face that worried him, but he decided not to bring attention to it. Today was going to be all about Monroe.
"We have to tell her, Jason" Sam said, as soon as Monroe and Michael walked out the door.
"I know, I just don't think it needs to be brought up on her birthday, tomorrow is a new day" Jason told her.
"I don't want her to think we got her presents out of pity or something, I really did listen when she mentioned her birthday and wanted to get her gifts, not because her parents are going to be sent to prison for life" Sam said, her words jumbling together.
"I'm sure she knows we weren't doing it out of pity. And from the way she talks, I think she wants her parents in jail, she knows they are doing illegal things and hurting people. Money laundering, child trafficking, attempted murder… she can't think that they were going to get away scotch free."
"I know, I just feel so bad. I can't even tell if she likes it here" Sam told him honestly.
"I'm sure once Brenda is gone, we will all like it here." Jason told her which made Sam smile a little.
At school, Kristina even knew it was Monroe's birthday, handing her a birthday card with a gift certificate in it. "I feel like a princess today" Monroe said, glowing, this made Michael happy, considering it was what he was going for.
"Why?" Kristina asked curiously. Monroe told her what she woke up to this morning and Kristina was very surprised that Michael came up with an idea like that. She was even more impressed when she saw the beautiful ring he gave her. "Wow Michael, you did a good job" Kristina said, congratulating her brother for being so sweet and thoughtful.
After lunch, the rest of the day went by pretty quickly. Michael told Monroe during 7th period that after school they could go back to Jason's so she could get changed but then they would have to go over to his house because he promised his mom he would take Morgan and Josslyn. Monroe agreed, reluctantly, she was really nervous about meeting Carly. She had heard mixed reviews and she knew how moms could be with their sons. On the drive over Monroe voiced her worry to Michael.
"I'm nervous about meeting your mom, everyone has made her out to be really intimidating, and Brenda like hates her guts" Monroe told Michael.
"Don't worry about it, she will like you. You are perfect. Plus, you have been my motivation to apply to college and just act normal again; she has to love you for that." Michael told her, calming her down a bit.
They walked to the elevator and up to the penthouse together and Max let them in, apparently Brenda was inside, they could hear her. When Brenda heard the door close she turned around and smiled at them.
"You didn't hear anything? Right?" Brenda asked, mostly towards Michael.
"No" Michael said to her and Brenda let out a sigh of relief.
"Okay, well I'll be upstairs" Brenda said quickly, hurrying up the stairs, Spinelli close behind. Monroe could see the exasperated look on Jason's face and she felt really bad for him. He had three charity cases living under his roof. Monroe decided to ignore it for now, it was her birthday and she didn't want to get upset and ruin anything.
"Are we going anywhere after we take Morgan and Josslyn out?" Monroe asked Michael.
"Yes, to get something to eat." Michael told Monroe.
"Can I wear jeans?" Monroe asked him and he looked at her confused.
"Yes? You can wear whatever you want?" Michael replied, unsure of what she meant.
"I mean is it too fancy to wear jeans to" Monroe asked more simply.
"Oh, no. Jeans are fine" he told her.
"Good" she said, and hurried up the stairs.
When Monroe walked into "her" room, she ransacked the drawers to find a cute outfit to wear. She decided on a pair of black skinny jeans, black flats, a light pink tank top, and a distressed shorter black leather jacket. She took her hair out of the loose braid it had previously been tied in and it hung in loose waves down to her mid back. She reapplied her eyeliner and decided she didn't want to take any more time on her appearance as she pranced down the stairs to Michael, who was patiently waiting, leaned up against the wall. Monroe threw her stuff from her old purse and a few other things into the new purse Sam and Jason had gotten her that conveniently matched her outfit perfectly. A few seconds later she and Michael were out the door and headed to Michael's house, somewhere she had never been.
They pulled up to the Jacks mansion and Monroe just stared. She was used to living in a mansion, but this one was way bigger than the ones she grew up in. Michael got out of the car and let her out, grabbing her hand to hold it when she was out of the car and the door was closed. They walked up to the mansion hand in hand as Michael opened the door for them and walked into the living room where Carly, Morgan, and Josslyn were patiently waiting. Carly was smiling from ear to ear upon seeing Michael, and she even greeted Monroe with a smile as well. Carly stood up and handed Josslyn, who was dressed up as a pink ladybug, over to Michael and then extended her hand out to Monroe. "Hi, I'm Michael's mom, please call me Carly" she said nicely as they shook hands.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Monroe." Monroe replied, smiling back at her. So far, so good, Monroe thought to herself.
"It's really great to finally meet you too. Michael talks about you so much. I've heard that today is your birthday. I hope my boy is being extra special today."
"Yes it is, and yes he is. It has been a great day." Monroe told her, in all honesty.
"Well, I just have to grab my purse and then we can go." Carly told them and walked out of the room. Monroe started to focus her attention on Josslyn, since she had already knew Morgan she wanted to meet Josslyn, and besides that, she loved babies. A minute or so later, Carly walked in to Josslyn in Monroe's arms and Michael and Monroe and Morgan all fussing over her. She had to admit it was completely adorable.
"Okay, Okay, I want a picture of all four of you. And then a picture of my two dressed up children" Carly announced, Morgan was dressed up like a zombie, and she was hoping Josslyn would even let Morgan hold her for a minute in such a ridiculous looking outfit.
After pictures were taken, the four of them made their way out to go trick or treating. Michael was holding Josslyn and taking her up to most of the houses so this gave a chance to give Monroe the third degree.
"So do you have a job?" Carly asked Monroe, after already having asked her about four or five questions.
"Yep, I teach art to younger kids a few days a week. I love it" Monroe told her.
"So you are into art? Is that what you plan to go to college for?"
"Definitely. It is a huge part of my life. I've already been accepted to New York Academy of the Arts" she told Carly, who was impressed. She was actually starting to like Monroe aside from the dangers of her family, which Carly knew Jason would take care of. Talking about Monroe's college plans reminded Carly that Monroe got Michael interested in applying to colleges and she had to like Monroe for that. Carly was really scared for Michael until recently. He was always in a good mood now, and he was more talkative and open. Maybe a mature girlfriend with a good heart was what he needed, Carly thought to herself, giving Monroe a smile when she realized she the conversation and died out and she was staring.
They made it around the block when Morgan's pillowcase was filled to the top with candy and they decided to head back to the house. Michael was happy about this because he had reservations for himself and Monroe at 5:30pm and it was getting close to 5. After standing around and talking for a little while, Michael told Carly they had to go.
"I just have to go upstairs and get something real quick. Do you wanna wait for me in the car?" Michael asked Monroe and she nodded. Michael kissed her on the cheek quickly as she walked out the door. Once he was sure that she was close to the car he turned around to his mom.
"I'm having a cake for her at Jason's around 8. You should come with Morgan. I don't know about Jax though. I think Dad and Brenda might be there." Michael told Carly who rolled her eyes.
"Morgan and I will be there. I will be ignoring your father and Brenda for you and Monroe's sake. Jax can stay home with Josslyn." Carly told him, but Michael was hesitant to believe her. "I promise I will be on my best behavior" she said smiling at Michael and giving him a hug.
Michael raced up the stairs to get Monroe's last present and he walked out the door. As he walked up to his car he noticed that Monroe was bobbing her head to the music and he couldn't help but laugh. He knew he sounded extremely infatuated, but everything she did was so adorable to him. He got in the car and they made their way over to a new restaurant that opened where the Cellar used to be. He noticed about a month ago that they were remodeling and making a restaurant and he found out they opened on Halloween so he made reservations for her and Monroe a couple days earlier, and surprisingly it wasn't booked yet.
"So where are we going to eat?" Monroe asked Michael.
"Uh, this new place called Addison Grille, I'm pretty sure it's like a steakhouse, it just opened today." Michael told her.
Michael found a parking spot pretty easily and they walked up to the restaurant. They made their way up the host who asked who the reservation was for. When Michael said "Corinthos", the host looked relieved. Michael figured the restaurant owners and staff were glad that his father wasn't going to be there tonight. They host lead them over to a corner booth and they sat down, ordering drinks.
"Thank you so much for everything you are doing today. You, Sam, and Jason have been amazing. I even had fun trick or treating with your mom and siblings. It has been a perfect day and definitely what I needed with everything else that is going on." Monroe said sincerely, taking his hand in hers.
"You're welcome, you deserve this and a lot more" Michael told her.
After ordering their meals, Michael decided he wanted to tell her about something since the conversation was getting slow. "I wanted to let you know, that the ring I got you this morning is a promise ring, I know we've only known each other for two months, but I feel like we have this connection. And I want you to know I'll always be here for you. Even in the future if things don't work out and it's just as a friend, I'll always be here for you and so will my family. That is my promise to you." Michael promised and Monroe thought she was going to cry.
"Thank you, that means a lot to me. You are the best boyfriend" She said sweetly smiling at him across the table, then looking away so she didn't tear up. Luckily, there food came a couple seconds later so there could be a shift in the topic. Dinner conversation came easily, they talked about homecoming and thanksgiving coming up, keeping it light. Michael knew that tomorrow Monroe was going to have a lot to deal with when it came to her parents, so he wanted to keep things simple for tonight. After they were finished with dinner, the waiter took their plates, asking if they would like dessert. Michael was happy that Monroe didn't say she wanted any, because she didn't know he had people coming to Jason's for cake in about a half hour.
"So I have one more present for you, before we head back" Michael said, pulling out a card from his jacket's inner pocket.
"Really? You so don't have to do all this. The ring was enough." Monroe told Michael and he just grinned at her and handed it over. Monroe couldn't help but be excited to open another present. She opened up the envelope to see two tickets inside to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
"I figured we could go there, and spend the weekend in New York City. I know you've probably been there, but maybe we could walk around and you could teach me a thing or two about art" Michael suggested.
"This is so nice; I don't know how many times I can say this is the best day ever. And not just because I'm getting amazing presents" Monroe told him, laughing. They stood up together and she hugged him before they walked out to the car together.
By the time they got to the penthouse, Sonny, Brenda, Kristina, Molly, Morgan, Carly, Jason, Sam, Spinelli, Dante, Lulu, Max and Milo, were all there waiting to have cake. Michael texted Sam that they were in the elevator so she knew to light the candles. Michael made it a point to have Monroe walk through the door first.
"Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday dear Monroe, Happy Birthday to you" chimed throughout the living room as Sam carried the cake in front of Monroe so she could blow out the candles. Monroe closed her eyes and blew them out, wishing that everything could continue stay this good.
So this was a cute chapter :) the next one brings up the Balkan once again and how that is going to play out :) then the chapter after that is homecoming! love it!