Chapter 5: Sixteen At Last

Quickly, Relm's birthday approached. It was the day that Relm and Gau had been anticipating for a long time, the day that they would announce the news to Strago. They hoped that the shock wouldn't give him a heart attack though. He seemed healthy, but he was getting older so he couldn't be in perfect health. It wouldn't be right if he died before he saw her finally happy. She also wanted to prove to him that Gau was just the one she needed, although she never told him that, at least not in the way they were now.

Early that morning, Gau snuck into Relm's window. He crept over to Relm who still lay in her bed with a small smile on her face. He hoped that she was dreaming of him. Gau leaned down to her face and gave her a small kiss. "Happy birthday, beautiful," Gau whispered in Relm's ear.

"Hmmm," she replied. "Yeah. Today's gonna be a big day." Relm reached and pulled Gau's head down to her lips for a quick, passionate kiss.

"I should leave so you can get dressed. See ya downstairs." Gau jumped onto the window ledge and turned around so he could see his love get out of bed.

Relm got up, unaware that Gau was still there. She let out a big yawn and went to the closet. From her closet she picked out some of her fancier clothing to put on, something she rarely ever did. Apparently, she was in a wonderful mood. She went back to the bed and laid her clothes on the bed.

Relm, facing away from the window took off her nightshirt. Gau, not able to resist after seeing her bare back, let out a low "Woo!" Relm, topless, turned immediately to the sound and saw Gau sitting on the window ledge. She gave him a stare that could've killed him, if she had her way. Noticing she was topless, she then blushed and covered herself the best she could with her arms.

Gau stood amazed at the sight of Relm's perfect bare body. It hadn't been the first time seeing her topless, however, each time he'd been amazed at the beauty of Relm's body as he was the first time. Her breasts were small, silky soft, and an extremely pale white from being rarely touched by light. The rest of her body was slightly more tanned, but not much. She hated showing off her body, even to Gau. She disliked her body and didn't think it was worth showing off. In addition, she very much hated low-cut clothing which showed any of her breasts. She thought this would draw too much attention to her body as it seemed most guys were only interested in breasts and bare skin.

Gau even enjoyed seeing what he could of bare skin. This only went for Relm though. He had no interest in anyone else's. He continuously gave her compliments, hoping it would help. But, all it seemed to do was push her more into wearing less revealing clothing and being more self-conscious of her body. She always told him, "Your opinion don't count. All that matters is what I think and you can't change it." Those words always saddens him. He would give up complimenting her, but he felt that complimenting her showed that he cared.

Gau sat there with a big grin, "Beautiful." Then he turned and jumped out the window to go knock on the front door.

About a minute after Gau knocked on the door, Gau heard Strago coming to open it.

The door opened to reveal a tired-looking Strago. "Gau?! What are you doing here so early?" Strago asked confused.

"I came to wish Relm a happy birthday, of course," Gau explained.

"Oh, yeah. Her birthday's today. I think you came too early though. I sure she's still asleep. I haven't heard any sounds in her room all morning," Strago said.

He's probably just saying that, Gau thought to himself. "I saw her in her window as I was coming here."

Strago suddenly became suspicious. "How would you know that?" Strago asked. "Her bedroom window is on the back of the house. What would you be doing back there?"

Oh, shit. I forgot, I wouldn't be able to see it if I walked here, Gau thought. "Um, I was taking a stroll through the forest behind Thamasa this morning. It seemed like a beautiful morning for a walk and I haven't been in the forest in a while. As it would happen, I came out from behind your house and I saw Relm standing up. It seemed like she had just got up. She'll probably be down any minute now."

"You were spying on Relm, weren't you? I knew you were a -" Strago accused, but got interrupted by Relm's door opening.

"Good morning Gramps," Relm said happily and then her tone changed to slight anger. "Gau."

"Relm, did you know Gau was spying on you? He was out behind the house looking in through your window. He claimed to be walking through the woods, but I know what his intentions are. He's just another Peeping Edgar," Strago told Relm.

"Don't be silly, Gramps. I saw him coming out of the woods. He's telling the truth. I waved to him, but I guess he didn't see since he didn't wave back. I know for a fact he wasn't spying on me. Anyway, no one would want to spy on me. Especially Gau. Right?"

Gau grinned at her amazing cover-up. She seemed to be angry at him a minute ago, but it never does last. "Right," Gau agreed. If I wanted to see her, I wouldn't need to hide.

"Well, I think it's time for breakfast," Relm announced. She turned and headed for the kitchen.

"Happy birthday, Relm," both Strago and Gau said at the same time.

"Thank you," Relm giggled as she opened the cupboard, looking for food.

Relm insisted on making breakfast, another rare event. It was delicious as Relm could cook pretty good, though she wouldn't admit to it.

The day passed quickly while Strago was gone, preparing for the surprise party that night. Gau ended up staying with Relm and forced her to stay away from the party. She already knew about it though Strago denied every time. "I don't care much about the party. I already know what my best present is and I already have it," Relm said.

"What would that be?" Gau asked.

"You silly," Relm said, hitting him.

"So I'm an it now?" Gau asked, knowing her reaction.

"You know what I mean!" Relm said, attempting to hit him, but he dodged this one. "Jerk!"

"Beautiful," Gau said as he ran from Relm's grasp.