Chapter 6

"Happy birthday!" Blaze smiles as she leans forward to kiss Axel.

The morning sunrise begins to peer through their bedroom window whilst the two of them lie there holding one another, inhaling in every grateful second they have together.

"Wait, where are you going? We don't have to get up yet" He reaches for her hand as soon as Blaze bounces out of bed to put on her robe.

"Don't worry, Leon doesn't have to be at school for another two hours. Now that it's your actual birthday, I wanted to give you your next present. Wait here," she smiles.

"Well if last night's surprise gift was anything to go by, this is gonna be one hell of a birthday…" he grins, glancing down at the red laced lingerie on the bedside floor.

"Just wait here a sec," Blaze cheekily smiles as she pulls her hand away.

He looks up at her with curiosity when she opens the closet to pull out a paper bag with gifts wrapped up inside it.

"I wanted these to be the first presents you opened today" she gives him a warm smile before sitting on top of the covers on the edge of the bed by his side.

"Thank you beautiful" he replies, gently placing his hand around the back of her neck to kiss her.

"This ones first!" Blaze demands, passing him a large box wrapped in blue shiny paper.

It only takes a second for Axel to rip open the wrapping paper. As soon as he sees what's inside, he can't help but laugh.

"Shaving kit?... You're funny, you know that?"

"I know you've tidied up since we moved here and the stubble and a bit of beard is sexy, but it's nice to remind you from time to time that you're not living in the wild anymore" she laughs.

"Thanks!" He grins.

"Anytime handsome!" Blaze winks. "Now open this one…"

This time, she passes over to him a gift that is slightly smaller than the last one and more carefully wrapped up.

She takes a deep breath, staring at him anxiously hoping that he'l like it.

"Wow…! I don't know what to say right now…" Axel's tone immediately changes from fun to emotional.

"If you don't like it, or if it's too much, I can happily change it or take the first part out…."

"No, I love it! This is the most thoughtful gift I've ever received before and I love it so much. Thank you baby". He kisses her hand whilst staring down at the present in awe. It contains two silver photo frames attached side by side. The first photograph on the left is one displaying Axel as a young happy ten year old child between his parents and the second one on the right is of Leon with the two of them in a similar pose.

"I contacted your aunt back in Wood Oak, she was able to send me a copy of that photograph so I had it enhanced and framed for you".

"I haven't seen this photo in years!" He smiles trying to hold back a tear in his eye. "I'm gonna put it right here on my bedside table. Thank you for this gift".

They share a long comforting hug together. "Leon looks just like you in that photo of your younger self" Blaze observes.

"I know! For a second when I saw it I thought it was him!" Axel replies.

"Speaking of which, I better go downstairs to get breakfast ready. You know how grumpy he gets when he's hungry".

"And that trait he inherited was from you!" He laughs. "I'll come and help you, we need to get extras from the store for our guests".

"Shit! For a minute I forgot Adam and Estel were staying here. I just hope they're ok, I mean it was pretty unexpected of them to show up like that. Oh, and I hope they're comfortable downstairs on the couch, we only have one spare room made up".

"Yeah, Adam and Max will be ok!"

"I'll be back in 10, you stay here and enjoy the lie in" Blaze orders, kissing him again before she leaves the room.

As soon as she is downstairs, she hears Max snoring away comfortably on the couch in the living room, however Adam is nowhere to be seen. 'He probably couldn't sleep through that noise…' Blaze thinks to herself, wondering if Adam has gone for a run or if he has already gone awol.

Just as she returns upstairs with two mugs of tea in both hands, she spots Adam coming out of the spare room only wearing his boxers and socks.

"Morning…" he says to Blaze, clearing his throat awkwardly at the same time.

"Good morning…" she raises her eyebrows in shock, avoiding his gaze.

"Look, I know how this looks but….."

"It's ok. You're both single adults and I ain't gonna judge".

"Thanks! Listen, please don't say anything to anybody in the meantime… it's all kind of new and Estel and I aren't in a relationship".

"Of course, your secret's safe with me" Blaze reassures him.

"Thank you," Adam sighs relieved, before swiftly stepping into the bathroom.

As soon as Blaze returns to the bedroom, she hands over the mug of tea to Axel with amusement on her face.

"Hey, I got some gossip for you…!" She grins.

The rest of the day is fun with the five adults heading out for lunch at the mall after doing some sightseeing and shopping whilst Leon is at school.

"This is just like old times huh?" Max salutes his beer in the air.

"Just like old times…" the others toast.

"So what's happening this evening then?" Adam queries.

"There's a birthday cake back home…" Blaze starts to answer.

"Yeah, and then I'm taking my woman out for dinner so it means you three here are on babysitting and dog sitting duty…" Axel orders.

"No worries man," Max nods.

"Fuck that! I didn't fly thousands of miles to pick up dog poop…!" Adam complains. Estel immediately kicks him under the table before he continues his sentence "... BUT… you two lovebirds deserve a night out and we're happy to help, plus it is your birthday after all!" He forces a smile.

"Thanks Adam," Blaze smiles back from across the table.

"I don't know about you two, but I'm really craving a steak for later on for dinner. Max, you won't mind cooking will you? You're the best out of the three of us…" Estel remarks.

"Sure! Always happy to be in the kitchen!" He nods.

"Great! I'll be right back then with the food!" She replies.

"Wait! I'll come with you. Leon is really fussy when it comes to dinners, although he loves Max's food. Plus you three are baby dog-sitting for us, it's only right I buy the ingredients" Blaze insists.

"Ok, sure!" Estel nods.

The two of them leave the restaurant for a while to head to the otherside of the mall.

"I need some advice boys…" Adam sits back in his chair folding his arms once the ladies are gone.

"Just cos you two are banging, doesn't mean it's a relationship" Axel replies.

"What are you talking about?" Max queries.

"This one and Estel…"

"Hey, how the fuck do you know?" Adam defensively answers.

"Blaze tells me everything…" Axel shrugs.

"God Damn man! Estel? Really…?" Max reacts surprised.

Adam can't figure out whether Max is shocked or disgusted by his look, especially his eyes that are about to pop out.

"That's the type of chick that will cut your nuts off then break your arms as soon as you piss her off…" Axel jokes.

"And you think that Blaze wouldn't do that?" Adam gives him an evil stare.

"She probably would to be fair…. I just didn't think Estel was your type".

"Adam, she could beat you anyday at an arm wrestle," Max laughs.

"Look! It's nothing serious and we're just messin' around" he shakes his head.

"So why did you want our advice then?" Axel asks.

"I don't know, forget it!" Adam folds his arms, feeling annoyed with his friends.

"The butcher is just this way…" Blaze leads the way. However, to her surprise, Estel quickly halts her then drags her by the arm back towards a pharmacy in the corner of the mall.

"Wait, why are we going here? Are you sick?" Blaze asks with concern.

"I need the morning after pill…" Estel bluntly replies.

"Ohh…okay..." Blaze tries her best to act surprised.

"You're a bad liar. You know already don't you?" The blond fighter huffs, placing her hands on her hips.

"Yeah… I bumped into Adam earlier this morning when he left your room" Blaze looks up at her with guilt.

"Right! He and I aren't in a relationship by the way..."

"I get it, it's fine, don't worry! It's kinda funny to be honest!"

"Why?"

"Because it's taken ten years for you two to hit it off! I predicted this happening a long time ago!" Blaze answers whilst Estel pays for the medication.

"Really?" She slightly grins.

"Yeah! And Adam's totally into you. He has been for a very long time".

"I never thought I'd find a man like him, you know! But he really knows how to handle me…"

"Please! You two are my friends and I don't wanna hear about your sex life!" Blaze cuts her off from describing any more details "... but I am happy for you both!"

"Thanks, that means a lot," Estel smiles as they leave the store.

"Listen, the butcher shop is just that way, I'll catch up with you in a minute!" Blaze insists as she turns back towards the pharmacy.

"Wait, what did you forget?"

"I gotta pick up a prescription for my medication… It'll only take a minute!"

"Okay!" Estel nods.

"In one month's time, this concert hall will be at the epicentre of our project!" Mr Y remarks as he and his twin sister lead the way through the empty venue.

"Do you have the supplies we need, Mr Briggs?" Ms Y tilts her head to one side, getting straight to the purpose of his visit.

"Colin! Bring in the supplies!" The agent shouts, clapping his hands.

"Just as you requested - twelve uzis, five rocket launchers, four boxes of grenades and I have an extra gift for you.." he informs the twins as several large black bags are dumped in front of them by other agents.

Briggs then unzips a separate bag containing a Tommy gun which he carefully passes over to Mr Y.

"This once belonged to your father, a long time ago".

"How did you… and how do you…?" The young man frowns at him with disbelief on his face.

"I tracked it down. I told the two of you when we first met that I had encountered your father on several occasions. He was a good friend, and you know he'd be proud of you for what you're doing today".

Mr Y stares down at the gun, holding and admiring it in awe. For the first time, sadness surfaces from deep inside of him and it shows on his face, far different to his usual emotionless exterior.

"Thank you Mr Briggs, that will be all for today" Ms Y cuts into the conversation, deflecting the agent's attention whilst trying not to expose her brother's weakness.

"I'll be in touch" the agent nods before making his exit.

"What's the matter with you sis?" He frowns.

"Somethings not right. I know that father had the CIA in his pocket but what he gave to you just now was personal. I don't like it…" she speculates.

"Wanna know what I think? I think you're jealous just because I have one of my father's sentiments. Look, his emblem is even on the back of the gun" Mr Y's face lights up with glee.

"He was our father. And no, I am not jealous of you. I just think we have to be extra cautious of Briggs and his team. Don't trust anyone brother, even when they know how to access your emotions."

Her comment leaves a bitter taste in his mouth. Mr Y suspects that his sister is being overly cautious, but then he remembers that she was always the smartest of their pair.

"I miss you Orson, when are you coming home honey?" Sarah Briggs asks on the other end of the other line.

"As soon as I can, you know how things are at the office right now with Christmas coming up…"

"I understand. I just hate this time apart from you" she sighs down the phone.

He slowly puts out his cigar on the ashtray next to the bed. "I'm sorry honey, I gotta get back to the office now. I'll call you tomorrow, ok? Goodnight".

"Goodnight darling,"

"Was that your wife again? When are you gonna tell her about us?" A blond lady half of his age exits the bathroom then returns to bed next to him.

"You know I love you Belle, but this will break Sarah's heart so I gotta tell her about us in person. I promise she'l know about us soon enough".

"Do you love me more?" Her question is direct and intimidating for him.

"What do you think?" He grins, pulling her body close on top of his.

"Oooo, are you going on one of those business trips again? Where to this time? And why do you have a passport like that?" She asks, curious after noticing a European Union passport in one of the bedside drawers half opened.

He quickly shuts the draw then attempts to distract her.

"I love you so much that I'm gonna show you something that I've never shown anybody else before."

"Really? What's that then?" She asks, staring intently at him with her bright green eyes.

"See that cigar over there? Hold it for me…"

"Sweetie, you know I don't smoke…"

"Just hold it for a second…" he insists.

To her surprise, using one flick of his finger, he lights up the cigar right in front of her eyes.

"Oh my God! How the hell did you….?" she grins with astonishment on her face.

"Magic trick" he winks.

"I like it!" Belle giggles as they start to passionately kiss each other.

Hours later, he finds himself sat up awake under the covers with Belle fast asleep on his chest. He understands how good of a liar he really is, that even he believes in his own lies and is more than capable of living any life he chooses to live. Whether that involves stringing Belle along, or continuing his 30 year marriage and double life with Sarah. Most of the time now, being Orson Briggs - the business man, the undercover CIA agent or any other name he goes by comes natural to him. Steffan Visser was a long time ago and the man he was born as hasn't surfaced for over 20 years. He sits there, remembering the night his own son locked him in the cellar and threw away the key. It haunts him nearly every night to the point where he can still smell the burning flesh on his body where the fire Axel created shut him down to almost death for a brief moment when his heart stopped as he stood in the middle of the flames. But, he survived and he was grateful that nobody ever knew his secret or the power he carried from within. He lies there, flickering his wrist over and over again, playfully creating fiery yellow flames in the air above his palm.