Disclaimer: Shame I don't own the Mediator. :(
Rating: M
A/N: This isn't much, just something special for one of my favourite little guys in the whole world. Sorry if it seems a bit rushed, it's a last minute write and I'm battling sleep right now. :) But think of this as the end to the first arc, if you will. I hope you enjoy it! Please review. *Hugs*
Dedicated to my adorable nephew, Jude. Happy 1st Birthday, my lil dude! I love you like crazy and would be a complete mess right now without you. And dedicated to TohruSeraphina (it won't let me write you penname out properly, sorry!) for being my 300th reviewer! I was amazed and choked up when I hit that mark! So I thank each and every one of you for making that possible. Love y'all! :)
Happy Birthday!
"It needs to go a little higher on your side, Brad," I called out, watching my brother try and put the banner up on the porch on the front of the house. And I was starting to wonder if I should have just climbed the damn ladder and done it myself. I'd probably have had it up by now if I did. I sighed and noticed Jake's was a little off kilter. "Jake it's too low on your end now!" I bitched, crossing my arms and glaring at them. They looked at each other and smirked. "Say I'm being fussy and I'll throw you both off your ladders," I threatened, turning a glare on Brad. "Or worse." His humor dried up and he moved his side down a little and into the right position. "Perfect! Keep it there!" I shouted, almost startling them into actually toppling off their ladders.
Heh, save me having to do it I guess.
I know Brad got my message though. Piss me off even more and I'll send a spirit after you. Ever since I told him my secret a few months ago, he's mixed between thinking its awesome and dreading knowing. Surprisingly he took what I had to tell him really well. I'm still waiting for him to go - "Wait - You WHAT?" But I'm really starting to lose hope I'll get that reaction though. Maybe I'm losing my touch?
"About time! My arms hurting," Jake grouched, sliding down the ladder to land on his feet. Brad did the same and we three stood in front of the banner and grinned. "You know, I reckon we had it perfect at least three times over the past half hour, Suze," My oldest brother quipped, nudging me in the shoulder. I just waved it off and took in the words stretched out in bright rainbow colours, with balloons and streamers stuck on the ends. "I can't believe it's come around already." He softly said under his breath, reading the words right along with me.
'Happy 1st Birthday, Nicky!'
I felt a lump come to my throat and I rapidly blinked away the tears. A year? My baby boy is a year old?! It doesn't seem real! But yet, it is.
"Someone pinch me, I don't think it's hit me yet," I muttered. Two seconds later I got a sharp pain in my arm from Brad literally doing what I said and pinching me. Hard! "Ow! I didn't mean actually do it, you dumb-ass!" I growled, slugging him in the arm as hard as possible. He scowled right back and rubbed at his numb-arm. "Geez, if someone told you to jump off a cliff, would you do it?" I rolled my eyes. Knowing Brad, yes he would! 'Just for kicks,' he'd say. Yeah, RIGHT! When my family will finally accept the fact the man-child is missing a few too many brain cells the better!
And even as I thought it I felt guilty. Because ever since I told him my secret, he's been, different around me. Not hesitant, or stopped with the bitching. Just, sometimes a little more careful about what he says before he opens his big mouth. And treats me with more respect than before. Not much, but it's there. I'm not sure what to make of it and Jesse is just as lost, if not enjoying it more than I am. Either way, I guess I can't knock it. Maybe except for the calls late at night because he's suddenly thought of a question!
"If it was a dare and I'm attached to a bungee cord," He grinned before walking up to the front door. I asked where he was going and he shouted back, "To have a break! Too much heavy lifting for me. This is s'posed to me my Saturday off!"
"It's also your only nephews 1st BIRTHDAY!" I shouted back to my closed front door. "Dammit!" I stomped my foot, turning to glare at Jake next, getting his raised hands and slow backing off from my aura of annoyance. "If you're going to be slacking off too then go now before I fire up the BBQ early and fry your ass!" I seethed breathlessly, saying it all in a rush. I put my hands on my hips and dared him to make that first move towards where Brad went. But surprisingly, he didn't.
Instead, he reached out and placed a hand on my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Nervous his party will fall apart? Scared because he's growing up? Overwhelmed because it's all happening at once?" He guessed, giving me a sympathetic smile. "I've been there, Suze, four years in a row! And it doesn't get any easier. But you have to remember one thing on his first birthday . . . Nicky isn't going to notice if something's out of place or a certain banner isn't up. He's just a baby doing his usual thing. This is more for you than him. So why don't you go and find him, have a cuddle and then finish putting the last pieces out? It's still early, you have a couple of hours before the guests arrive, nothing will happen!"
"Famous last words," I said, narrowing my eyes at him. "But thanks, I guess I do need a cool down. You okay putting the final balloons up?" He nodded and pushed me towards the front door. "I'm going, I'm going!" I laughed, taking the opportunity for a break and running with it. The house was a bustling mess of chatter and chaos when I walked in. So I did the sanest thing and turned for the stairs. Blocking out Andy's frantic call for certain ingredients he needed for something. Mom was arranging Nicky's presents and Jesse was out in the garden setting out everything out there. I just high-tailed it into Nicky's room where I'd put him down for a nap before the party.
I didn't touch or pick him up; I just leaned over and watched him sleep. He looked peaceful and almost angelic. A contrast to what he's like when he's awake!
I realized Jake's right. That I'm getting all crazy for no reason! It doesn't have to be perfect; I just want it to be a great day. And if I happen to make it as closeto perfect while doing it, then bonus! Moving away from Nick's crib, I opened his child wardrobe. I can have him in the most kicking duds too! I pulled out a little white shirt with faint grey chequered lines on it and hung it on the door. Then I searched through his jeans until I found his smart dark ones with faded patches. "Nice!" I grinned, snatching up a pair of tan Timberland booties. Jesse frowns at the stuff I buy him sometimes. But if he looks good in them, how can I go wrong?!
"I was wondering where you went," His deep voice sounded from the doorway making me jump and spin to face him. "Jake said he sent you off to calm down after you threatened to throw him on the barbeque. I thought I would come and hide out with you and avoid your step-father's frustrating insistence that he be the cook. Choosing his outfit?" He asked, walking in to stand beside me after poking his head over to look in on Nicky. "I thought you already chose something for him?"
"I did. That was before he managed to get hold of it and smear his banana covered hands all over them," I replied, stepping into his open arms and wrapping mine around his waist. "I'm glad you found me, I think I'm going a little crazy. I can't believe he's a year already! Where did the time go?" I pulled away to look up at him, laying a hand on his chest. Will I ever get over how hot, sexy and amazing my man is? I moved my hand over his hard chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath my palm. Nope! Definitely not. "He's going to be at kindergarten before we know it." I sighed and dropped my head to rest on his shoulder.
"Maybe we should get started on child number two then?" He slyly murmured, running his hand up and down my back in slow and sensual movements, before stopping at the small of my back to wind underneath my shirt and press the pads of his thumbs into a kneading massage that made me lean more heavily against him and moan into his neck. I smirked at his question, already knowing it would be a couple of years before we have another baby. But the hint in his voice was tempting.
"You are, too good, you know that?" I laughed, raising my head and meeting his kiss halfway. Instantly anything I was fritzing and fussing over before was gone and just the amazing, sparked emotions and sensations took over instead. My hands were quick to slide up to his neck and play with his hair, tugging it through my fingers. And the hands he hand on my waist and at the small of my back went to pulling me up against him, and knocking my world perfectly off-balance. "Definitely too good," I raggedly said when I pulled away for air. But he soon swept down and caught my lips again. Drawing moans of pleasure from me when he backed me up against Nicky's wardrobe.
Until we realised it was still open!
"Whoa!"
"Dios!"
I fell away from Jesse with a yelp, barely hearing his soft curse before he fell on me when I fellin, the closet. From the combined weight of us both in a kid's wardrobe, it made the rail come loose and baby clothes to rain down on us where we were half sprawled in it, legs tangled together, slightly smarting. If anyone happened to come in the room at that point, all they would have seen was two pairs of entwined legs and nothing else. The crash seemed to sound on forever and I closed my eyes waiting for it to stop. Or for Nicky to wake up screaming from the noise.
"Crap," I wheezed, hysterical laughter sitting on the end of my tongue when I opened my eyes. "It was just getting good too!" I grinned, staring up into Jesse's eyes and wrapping my arms back around his neck. The comical moment not killing the mood, thank God!
"Where were we then?" He smirked, bending down to knock the breath out of me again. But it was short lived when we heard insane giggles and clapping coming from the direction of Nicky's crib. Jesse stayed with his lips pressed to mine, our eyes opening and clashing. He pulled away and tried to hide a smile. "I think we woke someone," We both glanced over his shoulder and at Nicky, standing up in his crib and waving to us. His grin splitting his face. "Actually, I think he may have been awake a while." Jesse untangled our legs and awkwardly climbed off me. "Need some help?"
"No, I think I'll stay laying down here for a while," I sparked. "What do you think?" I took his hand letting him haul me to my feet. "So, err, that wasn't one of our brightest moments."
He shot me a grin before scooping Nicky up into his strong, flexing, bulging and tanned - Dammit! I shook my head and dusted myself off. Wrong time, Suze.Really wrong time. "Did you get hurt?" He asked me, moving a strand of hair out of my eyes. "That was a nasty fall," I bended this way and that, feeling a couple of bones crack back into place, but otherwise I was fine. I waved off his concern, smiling at Nicky instead. "At least he's going to be cheerful for his guests. Speaking of, we should get back down there and help." He placed Nicky in my arms and leaned down to kiss him on the head. "I'm going to do battle with Andy again, wish me luck."
I threw an arm around his neck to pull his mouth down to mine again. Kissing him slowly and lovingly. "Good luck, handsome." I whispered, sliding my hand down his skin slowly, causing friction. The look he gave me for it was anything but innocent. And I felt it right down to my toes! He won that round and he knew it judging from the wink he sent me as he walked out of the bedroom.
"Have I ever told you your dad is bad for my health? Because he is. So bad." I said, nuzzling his cheek and making him giggle.
Not that I'm complaining of course.
xXx
"Here I come to save the daaayyyy!"
I turned around from where I was talking to a couple of friends from work and spotted my ever lovable, ever loyal and ever crazy best friend standing on the decking in our backyard, arms out wide and making every person turn and look at her. Dressed in denim hot pants and a halter top that showed off her already tanned skin, her short but styled hair and designer shades made her look like a star. A casual one, maybe. But a star none-the-less. And I missed her! I was crossing the grass and strolling up to her before I knew it and threw myself at her.
"Simon!" She shouted, hugging me back just as hard. Hugs aren't usually our thing, unless really needed. But I've missed her and having her fly in from New York just for Nicky's birthday was about the best present I could have got. "Told you I'd made it. A couple of hours late, but what's the point of making a crap entrance?" She grinned, looping her arm around mine now all the hype had died down and the party-goers had turned away. "Lead me to the food, oh great one! Plane chow sucks. And where is my gorgeous Godson?!"
"Nice to see you too, Gina," I laughed, leading her over to a section of the garden where the kids were playing with the over-grown one. "And the birthday boy is, err, somewhere . . . " I trailed off, spotting Maddie and no Nicky. The sudden fear his curiosity had won over and he'd disappeared made me freeze. Until I saw a pair of legs sticking out from the inflatable tunnel Jesse had brought Nicky a while ago and heard my son's giggles. "Never mind, found him."
I walked over and crouched down at the other end.
"Well, if it isn't my handsome man and our beautiful son," I mocked, peering into the tunnel and meeting Jesse's sheepish smile and Nicky's giant grin. "So, whatcha doing in here? You stuck? 'Cos if you are, then I'm leaving you here until the party ends. I'm sure I can snap enough pictures to last me a while." I gave Nicky a kiss when he crawled over to me, lifting him out and setting him off in Gina's direction before turning back to Jesse. Not that I had a chance to say anything more because a certain over-excited, over-dosed on sugar Maddie butted in front of me and crept down the tunnel to Jesse.
"Hi!" She said very loudly, sitting as comfortable as she could considering the size of the tunnel. "I'll stay in here with you Jesse. We can be stuck together. Want me to go and get some chips and cake?! I'm not allowed any more juice because Daddy says it makes me hyper," She moved closer and pressed her little finger to his scar in his eyebrow. Never once questioning it, until now. "How did you get that? Did it hurt? Did you walk into a door? I want one!"
I met Jesse's eyes over the top of Maddie's head and tried not to laugh at his wounded and pitiful expression.
"I was bitten by a dog when I was young," He explained, making her face screw up in horror her over-active imagination had already started. "It did hurt at the time, but it doesn't anymore. Why would you want one? They're not very nice. They're there for the rest of your life, they don't rub off unfortunately," He tucked some of her unruly hair behind her ear and made to crawl out of the other end of the tunnel. "They're like tattoos, once they're there, it's for life."
"I asked Daddy if I can get a tattoo like Aunty Suze, but he won't let me! So I drew one on instead, want to see?" She asked, following him out and standing up to pull her top up and show the doodle she'd done on her stomach. "Do you like it?" She asked innocently, completely oblivious to the shell-shocked look on Jesse's face.
"MADISON!!!" Kate bellowed out of no-where, stomping towards Maddie after seeing her 'tattoo'. Apparently for the first time. I hope it isn't permanent marker!
"Crap, got to go, bye!" Maddie impishly grinned and took off, making the chase begin.
"Did I imagine that, or did Madison just say she wants a tattoo just like Aunty Suze?" Jesse asked slowly walking towards me like I hadn't just caught him hiding out in the inflatable tunnel with our son. Gina walked up to us with Nicky having over-heard the whole thing and laughed at Jesse. He turned his scowl on her that didn't faze her at all and just kept right on chuckling. I was tempted to take Nicky from Gina as a guard. But I didn't. I just sucked it up and came out with a classic answer.
"At least she has taste!" I sweetly said, batting my eyelashes. Gina just guffawed and laughed again. "Come on, I never said I was a good influence. But you have to admit, the girl has style! Look, she'll grow out of it, hon - "
"Like she grew out of wanting her ears-pierced?" He interrupted me.
" - And it'll never be mentioned again. Nothing to worry about," I beamed, pretending he didn't interrupt me. "What are you going to do when out Son comes home one day with a tattoo, or wants a motorbike? Get used to it, Jesse, it's just going to get more fun from here," I wrapped my arms around his waist to pacify him a bit more. Plus I just wanted a cuddle. "What's to worry about with you around?" And at last I got a smile. He shook his head, calling me a sweet talker, before he said hello to Gina properly and walked off with Nicky. I turned on my best friend when he was out of ear-shot. "I didn't think I'd get out of that one." I blew out a breath.
"Nah, you had it in the bag, Simon," She grinned. "And we both know, as my Godmother privileges, it'll be me that takes Nicky to get his first tattoo; Brooklyn style!"
I laughed and walked back to the crowd with her. "Why do you think I was so sweet about the whole thing? It's a given!"
And we both laughed, waving to an unsuspecting Jesse and enjoying the party.
xXx
I cooed to an irritated Nicky in my arms, trying to keep him a little calmer where I stood next to Jesse in front of everyone at his birthday party later on into the evening. Still in full-swing, but with Nicky's bedtime fast approaching. "Shh, baby, just a couple more minutes, I promise." I murmured into his ear, giving him his pacifier he likes to spit out. He quieted down almost instantly and looked out over the crowd I was watching. Seeing my Mom, Andy, my brothers and their other half's. Except for Brad that is. Gina waved from where she was standing with Father D and I moved on to looking at everyone else, seeing CeeCee talking to some man Jesse works with.
Finally I turned back to Jesse, reaching out to take his hand and giving it a squeeze.
"I'll make this short because the birthday boy is getting very tired," He started; making aww's and chuckles ripple through the crowd. "On behalf of our Son, Susannah and I would like to thank each and every one of you for coming and sharing this special day with us. It means a lot and although he isn't showing it right now, Nickolas did enjoy the constant attention poured on him throughout the day," He smiled, looking down at me. "But I would also like to say thank you to Susannah. For giving me the most precious gift, I could have ever asked for. For being a wonderful mother and my best friend."
I sucked in a silent breath and blinked back the tears gathering in my eyes from his speech. The last part completely taking me by surprise!
Gina whooped out loud and whistled low and long through her teeth. "Thank you Gina," Jesse chuckled, letting go of my hand and wrapping his arm around my waist, pulling me up against his side. "So we hope you enjoy the rest of the evening!" He finished, getting a round of applause before we stepped down from the decking and out of the limelight. "Do you want to take Nicky up to bed, or shall I?" He asked smiling affectionately at the way Nicky was resting his head against my shoulder, dozing off.
"I'll be doing that, thanks!" Gina suddenly said, taking Nicky from me. "I don't get to do this often, my right!" She proudly grinned.
"If you're sure . . . ?" I asked, getting an mmm-hmm. "Okay, feel free. Good night my birthday boy," I cooed again, kissing him on the head and stroking his hair. I stepped back and let Jesse say his goodnights too. We'd sneak away soon enough to go and tuck him in properly. I just didn't want to spoil it for Gina. "His pyjamas are already out for you," I called out to her as she walked into the house. When I turned back, I stepped into Jesse's arms at long last and soaked up the feel of him.
"Is it just me, or has it been a really long day?" I sighed, holding him tight. He kissed me on the head and ran a hand through my hair, relaxing me.
"It has been a long day, querida. But worth every minute with how happy Nicky was," He replied, pulling me away and cupping my face in his hands tilting it up to look at him. "I meant every word I said before too. You and Nickolas are the best things to have ever happened to me, minus the 'resurrection' thing," He smiled, leaning down so our foreheads were touching. "I don't know what I would do if I ever lost you or Nicky, querida. And I thank God every day for sending you to me. I'll always love you, no matter what. Know that, Susannah." He wiped away the tears that had escaped while he was talking and kissed me.
The sweetest caress to go with the sweetest words. My breath was stolen instantly and there seemed to be something, deeper, about his touch, the moment and the reverence. It wasn't like the first time he kissed me in my room, when the earth shook. Or when he grabbed me in the graveyard with raw need and love. And it surpassed the tender kiss he gave me after Nicky was born. This one was a promise. And a truth.
When we pulled away, panting for breath and completely ignorant to the people around us, there was only one word I could think of after experiencing a speechless kiss.
"Ditto, Jesse." I smiled shakily, overwhelmed with everything. Before burying my face in his neck and wrapping my arms around him tighter than ever.
I have the feeling we have so much more to go for us. And I clung to Jesse mind, body and soulwhen the impact of that thought truly hit me.
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