Chapter Thirty Six: No More Birthday Tears

It was Heather's birthday and Shannon was up bright and early. The effects of his own birthday had finally worn off. Heather was talking to Jeff again and she had finished rewriting her Book of Shadows. He wanted this birthday to be her best. He had planned an awesome birthday party, but made sure everyone he invited knew that there would be no alcohol at the party. It made a few people upset, but they would have to deal with it. He wasn't going to bring alcohol into this party. He had invited everyone on her cell phone under the friends category of her numbers. He didn't invite any of her family, knowing she wouldn't want to see her family this year, not when she was having a good time in North Carolina finally.

He went into the kitchen to begin making her breakfast. She wouldn't have to lift a finger today. She didn't need to do anything except have a good time. He could hear her in the bedroom, as silent as the house was, she turned over and the sheets rustled, she scratched an itch, she stretched and hit her hand on the headboard. He walked around the kitchen and began making coffee, pancakes, grits, and sausage. She was as much of a southerner as he was. She loved southern food and would kill for it. He would have had his mother make the food, but having his mother come all the way over to his house, when he wanted to have a private breakfast with his girlfriend was awkward.

He flew around the kitchen with precision and purpose. Something not usually found in a guy, he knew how to cook, and cook well. He didn't have to have a woman cook for him, though he enjoyed Heather's food a lot. The food was finished within a half an hour. Just enough for him and Heather to eat and probably some left over. He knew Heather would leave some of the sausage for Honnor it was just the way she did things. She wouldn't want him to have her pancakes or her grits so she would finish those and if she didn't have any room left for the sausage she would give it to her pup. He put both the meals on trays filled two glasses with orange juice and two more with coffee and fixed it perfect for both of them. Bringing the food into the bedroom he placed the trays on the night stand table next to Heather and sat down on the side of the bed.

He leaned over her and kissed her softly on the lips. He leaned back up and ran his hand through her hair. Air filled her lungs as she took her first deep breath bringing her into wakefulness. Her eyes flickered open and a smile graced her face.

"Morning beautiful." Shannon said kissing her again. He reached over to the nightstand table and brought her food in front of her. She smiled brightly as she sat up and he placed the tray on her lap.

"Good Morning Shannon, you made this for me?" She asked picking up the napkin he had placed on the tray and placing it on her lap.

"Of course I did." He said sitting next to her on his side of the bed and placing his own tray on his lap. She was already beginning to eat the pancakes and sausage. "I have a big day planned for us." He said and began eating as well.

"What are we going to do?" She asked and sipped her coffee. She closed her eyes and smiled with delight. "Perfect baby, this is awesome. I never knew you could cook so well. Why don't you ever cook?" She asked as Shannon chuckled to himself.

"I like your cooking better than my own, and we are going places. You don't need to know. Don't worry it's no place bad." He smiled as Heather leaned into him. She was still eating and making sure she didn't get any crumbs on him or the bed. He smiled and put an arm around her and sighed with content. The day had started wonderfully and Heather could see that this was going to be a great birthday. Heather finished all she could of the meal and whistled her pup over to her. Honnor padded over and put his big paws on the bed. She gave him the sausage and smiled as his tail wagged happily.

"You ready to start the day?" He asked and cleaned up the plates and cups. He walked out to the kitchen and put the dishes in the sink and returned to her. She was already up dressing. He dressed as well and picked her up throwing her over his shoulder. She squealed and he walked her out of the house and put her on the driveway. She was facing away from the drive way so she didn't see her birthday present from him. He smiled and she punched him in the chest.

"Don't do that!" She yelled and he pointed. In the drive way was a purple Ferrari Enzo. The interior was a beautiful neon green leather. On top was a big red bow. A jingling sound behind her made her shock disappear. She turned around and threw her arms around Shannon. She screamed at the top of her lungs getting the attention of several of Shannon's neighbors. They looked out of their houses and looked at the expensive car parked in the driveway. She didn't notice them; she only grabbed Shannon by his hair and dragged his head down to hers so she could kiss him.

She grabbed the keys from his hand and saw a keychain on it that said happy birthday. She pushed the unlock button on the keys and opened the driver side door. The doors flipped up and out to admit her. She squealed again and jumped in. She ran her hands along the steering wheel and breathed in the fresh scent of leather. The new car smell was fabulous as she ran her hands along the dash and above her where Shannon had put CD's in the holder. She picked out her favorite CD and put it into the player. She saw Shannon get in beside her and she put the keys into the ignition.

Turning the keys she could feel the engine rev and start. The vibrations pulsed through her as she turned up the bass and treble of the car and turned up the music. Nothing felt better than bass and the engine of a good sports car running through the body. It gave her a feeling of weightlessness, this was her high, and this was her freedom, her getaway, her solace. She closed her eyes and let the music speak to her as wave after wave of bass flowed through her.

Shannon put a hand on her hand and smiled when she looked at him. He could see the happiness and joy of being in an element so like her. She put the car in reverse and put her foot of the gas. The car rode smoothly out of the driveway and she put it into drive. She pushed the gas again and drove down the street with a smile plastered on her face. Nothing could take away this moment from her. She was happy and at peace.

"Harmony" Heather said watching the road. Shannon looked at her with confusion.

"Huh?" He asked looking at the road and then back to her.

"I'm naming her Harmony." Heather said again smiling at him. Shannon smiled at her and placed his hand back on hers. They both rode down the street the car humming with bass and the engine.

They went to the mall for a shopping spree and to the Gas Chamber for a new piercing. Heather was happily driving her car around town when Shannon's phone went off in his pocket. She frowned and he smiled at her.

"We should probably head home anyway." He said answering his phone. The voice on the other line was male and familiar. When Shannon was finished talking on the phone, she turned into the drive way of the house. She kissed him deeply.

"This was the best birthday of my life Shannon Brian Moore." She said opening the car door and kissing her car's steering wheel before she hopped out. Shannon took her hand and smiled.

"That's good." He opened the garage door and walked her into the house. With the flick of the light everyone jumped out and held up soda cans.

"Happy Birthday!" They all yelled Heather looked around the room and tears came to her eyes. All her friends were there and even the new friends she had made with Shannon. Shannon turned her to look at him.

"No more birthday tears Heather." Heather looked up into his dark eyes and saw a storm a calmingly, beautiful storm.

"This is my Stormy Escape from life." She said touching his eyelids. She leaned up and kissed his again. He leaned her down and everyone erupted in cheers.