Hey Guys!

So this is Chapter 12, I hope you guys like it!

Anyways, thanks to my Bff Iri for reading it and giving me some feedback, after all she is the inspiration for Yvette. Maxiekat! You are a life saver, thank you for Beta-ing ? this! Like I said I LOVE YOU!!

The song is called "Stay Close, Don't Go" by (did you guess?) Secondhand Serenade.

Now on with the story….

Chapter 12: Birthday Surprises

Almost three months had passed since they broke up, and things weren't going as well as they should have been…

"Get Up!" Yvette yelled, hitting him various times with a pillow.

"Leave me alone, man," he mumbled as he turned over and covered his head with his blanket.

"Get your ass up, Jack Mercer!"

"Go away, Yvette!" he yelled.

"Fine, you asked for it." She left his room in search of the mopping bucket, filled it with cold water and threw it on top of a slumbering Jack.

"What the fuck, Yvette!" he screamed as he jumped from the bed, staring daggers at her.

"I told you to get up. It's time for you to do something, dick head! Alex is doing just awful and so are you. So why don't you quit being such a moron and make up with her?"

"She won't take me back." He said this with such sadness and regret in his voice that Yvette had to decide whether to yell at him or hug him. Being who she was, she went with the yelling.

"Are you fucking kidding me? Jack, she loves you! And you know that she'll forgive you; come up with a better excuse."

She started walking toward the door, when Jack said ,"I wrote her a song."

Smiling to herself, she turned and said, "I knew you would say that!"

8

It was the week before her birthday and she had nothing planned, then again she really didn't feel like celebrating. The last few months had been a stir of heartbreak and loneliness, of pain and confusion.

For days she'd been dreading facing Yvette, who she knew would not cease and desist on her plans to celebrate, despite Alex begging her not to make a big deal out of her birthday. Alex had reluctantly agreed to have lunch with her, which she knew she would regret the moment they got into the car.

"Hey, Yvette."

"Hi, Alls! How are you?" She was happy, too happy and Alex was immediately suspicious.

"Ok," she answered carefully, clicking her seatbelt into place.

"So…" Yvette said with a grin.

"Oh spill it, Yvette," Alex said, sighing dramatically. "Just get it over with." She was surprised at herself; she normally wouldn't be this tumultuous.

"Jeez, relax woman. You're going to pop an artery or something. I was just gonna ask you if you had any birthday plans?"

"Nope, I already told you. I'm spending the day at home. I was thinking of inviting your good friends Mr. Ben and Mr. Jerry over to give me some company."

"Yeah right, come on Alex! It's your birthday, 'member? The happiest day of the year."

"I don't feel like celebrating this year, Yvette. It hasn't been much fun lately."

"So what? We will have fun! You need it… you know I'm right."

"I don't know." Alex shifted in her seat uncomfortably. She wasn't sure how much fun she'd be to hang around with. She'd been so moody and quiet in the last three months and just didn't want to be around people at the moment.

"We're going out and that is final. I don't care what you say, you need to have some fun. And if you don't come willingly, I'll just shove you in the trunk."

"Okay, whatever, you win!" Alex threw up her hands in defeat, turning her attention to the view passing by outside the window.

He felt as if he'd never seen her before.

She looked extremely hot in her outfit. She was wearing an olive colored shirt and it really brought out her eyes, not to mention what the v-neck did to her bustline. She had on a denim miniskirt and black pumps that somehow managed to make her short legs look like they went on for miles. He couldn't take his eyes off her.

She'd cut her hair recently and she now had bangs that gave her a kind of messy, sensual look, covering part of her brow and falling in her eyes. He chuckled to himself, knowing that it would drive her crazy when it came time to paint. She had the air of a Grecian goddess, a vision in emerald; but the look on her face showed her lack of enthusiasm.

She had obviously been unaware that he would be there for her birthday. But then again, where else would he be after what she'd done for his?


Flashback

The alarm clock read 12:00am in bright neon letters when Jack felt Alex's soft lips on his cheek. He knew why she was doing it, and he was determined not to budge this year. Every year on his birthday, since they met, Alex would wake him up at midnight and take him on what she called an "adventure".

"Mmm..." He grunted and tried to push her away.

"Wake up, sleepy head!" her voice full of annoying perkiness.

"What time is it?" He said, his deep voice groggy.

"Time for you to wake up, 'cause it's your birthday!"

"Oh come on, can't we stay in today? It can be my birthday present," there was a hopeful tone in his voice as he grabbed her and tucked her into his side, refusing to let go of her no matter how much she fought him.

"Jack, let go. Dammit! I already got you a birthday present." She shoved him aside and sat crossed legged beside him.

"Alex! It's supposed to be birth-day not birth-dawn! Come on now, let me sleep!" He pulled their big comforter from under her, purposely making her fall off the bed with a shriek and a flurry of hair. "I'm not going anywhere," he concluded as he snuggled into his pillow.

"Fine, I'll go by myself"

"No you will not; you can't take a walk by yourself at this hour"

"Of course I can. If anyone asks, I'll just say, 'Stay away from me, my big strong boyfriend is in bed celebrating his birthday.'" She started putting on some jeans and a pretty shirt. Seeing as how Jack was determined not to get up, she started to leave the room.

"Ok... I'm leaving now... walking out the door..." she announced dramatically as she made her way to the front door. She opened it and glanced behind her. Jack still hadn't made an appearance. With a wicked grin, she slammed the front door and rushed to hide in the kitchen to enjoy the show.

She heard Jack curse loudly and saw him coming out of their room, jumping from one foot to the other trying to get pants and shoes on. "Crazy ass Alex, getting up at midnight. I'm going to get you for this. Fuck!"

He slipped on a rug as he rushed toward the door and saw Alex doubled up in laughter in her hiding place.

"You think it's so funny, huh?" He ran toward her, ready to tickle-torture. She squealed and ran, knowing what was coming.

She knew she was too short to out run him, so she tried her best to jump over furniture and ran for the bathroom. Somehow he had cornered her in the shower.

"I've got you now! Buahahahaha!" He said feigning evil laughter; he started tickling her until he heard the shower go of in his face followed by ice-cold water. Now they were both laughing their asses of, sitting in the tub, drenched.

After a while, she rested her head on his shoulder and said, "Please, go for a walk with me. You're already awake"

Knowing he couldn't resist her, he looked into her puppy dog eyes and said, "Fine, but next year we are staying in, and that's final."

"Yeah Right! Next year we'll have the same little argument until you succumb to my will, but I'm proud of you Jackie. You held your own this year - had to get you wet before you said yes."

He chuckled lightly as he stepped out of the bathtub. He extended his hand, helping Alex out of the tub and catching her just in time when she slipped. They quickly dried themselves, changing into warm clothes.

"Were going to be late!"

"Late for what?"

"It's a surprise Jack" she said rolling her eyes at him, all the while grabbing a duffle bag from the kitchen and Jack's guitar. Once out on the street, she started towards her car, taking out the keys.

"Weren't we taking a walk?"

"Yeah, when we get there"

"Get where?"

"You look so cute pouting!"

"Shut up."

"Come on, what are you waiting for? Get in the car!"

"About time they got here." Bobby was pacing back and forth muttering profanities to himself.

"Oh, Bobby, calm down. They're only a couple of minutes late."

"A couple of minutes! Ma, it's been half an hour"

"Oh you know how hard Jack is to wake up and it's his birthday."

"It's still 1:30 in the morning; couldn't we do this like at lunch or something?"

"Its tradition," Evelyn said with a shrug.

"It's not my tradition; it's not a sane person's tradition. It's just like Jack to get himself a copy of La Vida Loca."

"Robert James Mercer you better not ruin Jack's birthday with that attitude. Alex worked really hard to get us here so we could surprise him, so behave"

"Yeah, Yeah, Yeah"

She knew Jack would never forget this night.
How many times had he told her he wished he could see his mom? Bobby? Angel? Jerry? So she called and bought tickets. Convincing Evelyn had been the easy part; Bobby on the other hand had been no easy task. He was a hard-headed jerk at first, but after the 80th phone conversation, Alex had convinced him to come. Unfortunately she hadn't been able to get a hold of Angel, she knew he was somewhere in Vegas but all her phone calls had been fruitless, and Jerry had to be at home helping his wife with their new baby girl. Still she was satisfied, two out of four was more than she had realistically thought she would get.

So, as she led Jack to where Bobby and Evelyn were, she smiled to herself in triumph. When she took the off the blindfold she had forced him to wear; she whispered "Happy Birthday" and stepped back.

He took a moment to understand what was happening.

His mom and brother were right there, he could step forward and touch them. The joy he felt was incredible. He lifted his mom in his arms, spinning her around. He hugged Bobby and playfully punched him in the arm.
He went to Alex and kissed her passionately, then turned to Bobby with a grin on his face and said, "I told you I'm not gay!"

End Flashback

She looked at Yvette with pleading eyes, silently letting her know how uncomfortable and unnecessary this was. But it had been Yvette's plan after all, to surprise Alex this way.

"Hi," Jack said, trying to hide how nervous he truly felt; after all it was now or never.

"Go Away," Alex murmured as she turned and grabbed Yvette in a vice grip pulling her away. "What the hell is going on?" she whispered angrily.

"Ouch! Let go of my arm, Alex!" Yvette yanked her arm, but Alex wasn't letting go. She couldn't believe that Jack was there and now she couldn't get a grasp on all the emotion that was bubbling up inside of her.

"What is he doing here? What the fuck are you trying to pull?"

"He wanted to see you. The band is playing here tonight. And you needed to see him." Yvette finally managed to get Alex to release her sleeve and she looked hurt, like she really thought her plan would work.

"I can't believe you brought me here. I'm going home."Alex turned and walked toward the door.

"Alex, come on!" Yvette said as she rushed after her. "Don't do this, its childish."

"I'm leaving. Fuck you both!"

Now it was time for Yvette to look at someone with pleading eyes. She looked at Sam mouthing, "Do something, for once."

"Sing to her, man!" Sam said, pulling Jack toward the stage.

"I… What?"

"The song, Jack!" Sam was clearly exasperated. "Alex is leaving, do something!"

Jack jumped onto the small stage and as the music started said into the microphone "Alex wait! This song is for you!" He shouted it in a rush, but once he got through the initial exclamation, his voice got softer, gentler and Alex couldn't help but listen. "I'm sorry. I… I hope that if you still care, you'll find in yourself the compassion I know you have and forgive me."

She stopped in her tracks.

Jack had written her a song, that was a first. He was a hopeless romantic, but to write her a song and sing it to her in front of all these people was the most out there, forward expression of romanticism she'd ever seen him do.

She blushed, going through every shade of red possible, and tried in vain to hide behind Yvette. Jack started singing the most beautiful, heartfelt song he'd ever written, all the while looking at her and only her. It was as if the room was empty. As if Alex wasn't ducking behind her best friend, red-faced and embarrassed.

I'm staring at the glass in front of me,
is it half empty or have I ruined all you've given me?
I know I've been selfish,
I know I've been foolish,
but look through that
and you will see,
that I'll do better, I know,
Baby, I can do better.

If you leave me tonight, I'll wake up alone,
don't tell me I will make it on my own,
don't leave me tonight,
this heart of stone will sing till it dies
if you leave me tonight.

He jumped off the stage and walked toward her, stopping right in front of her. He took her hand in his and sang to her, all the while staring right into her radiant emerald eyes.

Sometimes I stare at you while you are sleeping,
I listen to your breathing,
amazed how I somehow managed to
sweep you off your feet girl,
your perfect little feet girl
I took for granted what you do.
But I'll do better, I know
Baby, I can do better.

If you leave me tonight, I'll wake up alone,
don't tell me I will make it on my own,
don't leave me tonight,
this heart of stone will sing till it dies
if you leave me tonight.

And don't you know my heart is open, oh,
it's putting up the fight,
and I've got this feeling,
that everything's alright,
and don't you see,
I'm not the only one for you
but you're the only one for me.

If you leave me tonight I'll wake up alone,

(stay)If you leave me tonight,
(close) I'll wake up alone,
(don't)don't tell me I will
(go)make it on my own,
(stay)don't leave me tonight,
(close)this heart of stone
(don't) will sing till it dies
(go)if you leave me tonight.
Don't leave me tonight

He took her face in his hands and kissed her. It felt natural to Jack, like two pieces of a puzzle finally finding each other's fit.

But Alex felt there was something missing, and she had to pull away. She pushed on his chest and when he looked at her with triumph and joy in his eyes, all she felt was anger.

She slapped him and ran out of the bar, no tears this time around.