Disclaimer: I do not own JA or any of the characters.
Chapter 12: The Gift
Amy stood in front of her mirror and admired herself in the dress, before she started fussing with her hair. She couldn't decide on whether to have it up or down. She tried several different styles before settling on down. She was just finishing with her make-up when the door-bell went.
"Ma can you get that." She peeked out of her room and down the stairs. "Ma, can you get the door please."
"Amy you are quite capable of getting the door yourself." Maxine walked to the door but before opening she commented on her daughters outfit, "very nice dress by the way. You look like a princess." She pulled open the door as Amy started her descent on the stairs. "Bruce this is a pleasant surprise!"
"Bruce? What are you doing here? I told you to leave me alone at work and now you follow me home." Bruce stared up at Amy, he was captivated by her beauty.
"I think I can hear Lauren calling me." Maxine quickly exited.
"Amy, you never let me finish what I was saying."
"Bruce I know what you were going to say that I need to be more responsible, bla bla bla and etc!" She had stopped half way down the stairs and she could sense him looking her up and down.
"Amy, I have something for you." Trying not to sound hurt he stepped into the house. "I think you will like it."
Amy continued her descent down the stairs. "You bought me something?" The excitement in her voice was evident and Bruce smiled.
"You look beautiful by the way."
"Thank you." He took the package out of his pocket and passed it to Amy. She eagerly opened it but froze when she saw what it was.
"Do you like it? It matches the pendant David gave you, so whenever you wear that, you can wear this."
"I.... love it!" She threw the package on the floor as she looked at it carefully. It was a bracelet, with a heart shaped pendant to the same design as the necklace David had given it. He took it from her and fastened it around her wrist.
"I got it engraved too, look." He turned the pendant round.
Always xxx
"Always." She looked up at him, there were tears threatening to roll down her cheeks. He was careful of her make-up as he wiped them away.
"I thought it was appropriate." Bruce dropped his hands to his sides.
"Thought what was appropriate?" David stepped up to the door. "Wow you look gorgous baby."
"David, you're early. I haven't finished getting ready." Amy ran up the stairs and disappeared from view before he hd a chance to say anything else.
"Evening Mr Van Exel."
"Evening McClaren." Bruce stepped towards the door.
"Aren't you going to say goodbye to her."
"She won't expect me to stay. She'll know that I left. There is no need to say goodbye." David stepped to the side of the door and watched Bruce walk to his car.
Amy stood in her room, looking in the mirror. She couldn't decide whether to keep the bracelet on, or take it off. She jumped when she heard somebodies voice. "Ma don't do that."
"Amy, Bruce has left and you have left David downstairs in the doorway of our house waiting for you!"
"I'm trying to decide."
"Decide what?"
"On whether to keep this bracelet on or take it off."
"Let me see.... it matches your necklace. Which by the way is very nice."
"David gave it to me."
"What's the problem?"
"Bruce gave me the bracelet. They have both engraved it and I'm worried David might take Bruce's one the wrong way." Maxine looked at the bracelet engraving.
"Always?"
"We had an argument and when we made up I promised him we would always be friends no matter what!"
"I see, and the kisses?"
"Friends kiss." Amy looked away.
"Uhuh, let's see what's on the necklace.... Aww that's sweet." Maxine steered Amy to the stairs. "Keep it on. You have a valid explanation."
"Thanks ma." Amy made her way down the stairs, smiling at David as he watched her.
"I'm speechless."
"Not so much."
"You take my breath away." He leaned in to kiss her.
"Really.... then you won't want me to take more of your breath." She ducked away and walked through the door. "Come on."
David led her up to his front door with his hand on the small of her back. He quickly unlocked the door and before they were through it he had her in a passionate embrace. He kicked the door with his foot and turned the lock, turned the alarm on and then swooped Amy into his arms and carried her to his room.
"I love this dress."
"Me too."
"You look beautiful tonight."
"Really?" Amy looked down as she playfully ran a finger across his chest.
"Really." He lifted her chin, "I love you." They kissed passionately and were on the bed when Amy suddenly pushed him away.
"I need to...."
"You need to what?" David sat up concerned.
"It's nothing."
"Please, if something is wrong. Tell me."
"I love you." Tears welled in her eyes as she said it, David reached over and brushed away her tears.
"I love you too. Now what is the problem?"
"There is no problem."
"Promise?"
"I promise you there is no problem."
"Come here sweetie." He pulled her down onto him and the pleasures that she began to experience made her forget why she had been crying.
The next morning David woke before Amy. He looked at her sleeping, and played with the pendant that he had given her. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed something shining on her wrist. He picked up her arm and saw that it was a matching pendant. Then he noticed some writing, he read it several times and felt something break inside him. He let her arm fall to the bed and got up. He would wait for her to wake before he asked....