Chapter 28

Rather than being woken up by her alarm the next morning, Rachel was awoken by the feeling of kisses being pressed against her neck. Opening her eyes, she couldn't but grin as she felt James peppering soft, tender kisses against her skin and she giggled before rolling onto her back, reaching for his face as she pulled him towards her lips. Rachel caught the glimpse of a wide smile before she pressed their lips together, moaning softly as he wasted no time in deepening the kiss as she felt him shift his body so that he was leaning over her; his hands resting on her waist as her hands linked behind his head.

The two of them lay in bed together for a good half an hour as they kissed and moaned as their hands wandered over each other; tongues reacquainting themselves with each other after being separated for nearly three weeks. James moved to gently sucking and kissing at her neck as she lay underneath him; eyes fluttering closed as a moan escaped her lips at the attention he was paying to her; making her feel like the most amazing girl in the world. After a few minutes, he moved back up to meet her lips and they shared their kiss for a little while long before he slowed their movements; pressing a final tender kiss against her lips before pulling back and staring at her with the widest smile.

"Happy Birthday" He whispered as he led caressing her neck with his hand and she grinned widely at him.

"That's quite a birthday present" She giggled, nuzzling his cheek with her nose as he laughed back.

"Sorry for attacking you" He said with a smirk, and she couldn't help but giggle back at him as he kissed her nose. "I really missed you these past weeks"

"Me too" She replied, cuddling into his arms again. "and for the record, you can wake me up like that every day. I don't mind"

James pressed a kiss against her forehead and she could feel him smiling as his lips lingered. "love you"

"I love you too" She replied closing eyes again enjoying his arms around her as they lay there.

The two of them lay in bed for a further quarter of an hour before she managed to pull herself out of his arms to get out of bed. Rachel headed into the bathroom to freshen up and after a few minutes she headed back into her bedroom. She smiled as she was pulling her hair into a bun at the top of her when she saw James sitting on the edge of her bed holding a wrapped up box in his hands as he cradled it in his lap.

"What's this?" She asked; tilting her head as her hands dropped to her side, making her way over and sitting down next to him on the bed. James leaned over and pressed a kiss against her lips; smiling against his before he pulled away.

"You didn't think that wake up was your birthday present did you?" He smirked at her and she giggled, shaking her head. Her eyes gazed to his hands as he held the box out to her. Rachel's eyes flicked back up to meet his and when he winked at her she smiled before taking the present from him. She turned it in her hands, admiring the care and love that had been put into the decoration of it. "I've never really gotten a girl I love a birthday present before. With Ana, we broke up before I could get the chance"

Rachel smiled at him as her hands trembled slightly, she could see the hope in his eyes that she would like his present as well as the nervousness about whether he choose correctly. Rachel gently started to undo the wrapping paper, not wanting to just rip it and destroy the hard work he had obviously put in for her. James chuckled softly next to her and she giggled at him as he spoke; "You can rip it Rach, don't worry"

"Okay" She replied with another giggle as she started to pull harder on the wrapping paper and when she was done, a thing square box was revealed to her. Glancing at James once more, seeing his smiling face; Rachel bit her lip as she carefully lifted the lid off the box and a she gasped as she saw what was within.

On the inside of the box was padded by a purple velvet cushion on which rested a necklace. Rachel felt her eyes water as she gazed down at it, a golden chain that had a heart shaped medallion resting in the middle of the material. Rachel pressed her lips together as she moved her hand and lifted the medallion slowly from its cushion and held it in her palm as she gazed at the sparkling jewel that sat in the middle of some intricate patterned gold in the centre of the medallion.

"James…" Rachel said softly, a tear rolling down her cheek at the beautiful gift he had gotten her; raising her head to look at her boyfriend who was wearing a wide smile.

"Do you like it?" He asked, and she gazed at him to see a nervous looking smile on his lips.

"It's…" Rachel started, finding her throat dry from having her breath taken away at the gift. She gulped before speaking again. "It's beautiful"

"Just like you" He replied, leaning forward and pressing a kiss against her lips causing Rachel to smile against his as he cupped her cheek gently with his hand. After a few tender kisses, he pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. "I love you"

"I love you too" She said gently, kissing him once more before leaning away and gazed back down at the necklace in her palm. "You didn't have to get me something so expensive"

"I wanted to" James replied, moving to press his hand on her arm.
"But-"

"But nothing, I've been saving money to afford it. I wanted to spoil you on your birthday; nothing is too much for you alright? I love you" James said and she couldn't help but smile at him; overwhelmed at his show of love towards her.

"I love you too…and I love this; it's beautiful" Rachel said, looking at him with a look that tried to convey how much he meant to her.

"I'm glad you like it" James said with a smile as he winked at her; his hand rubbing her arm gently. "Want me to put it on for you?"

"Please" Rachel replied before standing up to make it easier for him to put it around her neck. He took it from her hand gently before stepping behind her.

Goosebumps ran across her skin as he gently pushed her hair over her left shoulder. His hand lingered on her exposed shoulder for a moment before slowly Rachel felt him place the jewellery around her neck, raising her hand to touch the medallion as it rested against the top of her neck as he clasped it together at the back of her neck. Rachel moaned slightly and closed her eyes as she felt him press a kiss against the side of her neck before she walked over to the mirror and smiled widely as she looked at the beautiful token of James love, touching it tenderly as she saw him come up behind her.

When he placed his hands on her shoulders, Rachel titled her head and kissed the knuckles on one of them before turning around and placing her hands on his waist as she stepped closer into his body. Tilting her head upwards, she pressed their lips against as she gently kissed him; opening her mouth for him as she felt James run his tongue along her bottom lip she moaned as she pulled him closer to her so that their crotches were pressed against each other. The two of them stood there locked together for several minutes before Rachel pulled away, licking her lips as she rested her forehead against James'.

"I love you" She whispered; smiling as she felt his thumb rubbing her jaw as his hand rested on her neck.

"Love you too" He replied with a smile, and Rachel leaned up to press a final soft kiss against his lips. "Come on, let's go downstairs. I'll make you breakfast"

Rachel had the largest grin on her face as the two of them walked hand in hand down the stair, full of energy and feeling refreshed after her wonderful night sleep in James arms. Whenever they had slept together, she couldn't explain how or why she felt much better than when she had slept alone; it was just the result as if her body could finally relax, as if her heart was complete with him close by to her as she slept. The other factor in her happy state was the present James had given her. She'd been surprised when she'd opened her gift and saw such a beautiful piece of jewellery. In truth, she hadn't expected him to get her such an extravagant present, thinking he would give her a soft toy and some chocolates but Rachel was glad that he had chosen to spoil her on her birthday.

As the two of them walked hand in hand through the living room, Rachel smiled at James as she pressed one more kiss to his lips before they walked into kitchen. Her Dads were already sat at the breakfast counter with Matt as the three of them were talking quietly. As she walked into the room, her Dads faces lit up and both of them jumped up and made her way over to pull their daughter into a gigantic family hug. Rachel laughed happily as they released her and she saw James along with Matt stood a few feet away with smiles on their faces.

"Happy Birthday sweetheart" Her Dad's said together, Leroy stroking his daughters cheek after he placed a kiss on her forehead.

Hiram was stood with his arm around his daughters shoulder, and she looked at him to kiss him on the cheek when she saw he was staring at her necklace with a smile. He asked "Who is that from baby girl? It's very beautiful"

Rachel glanced towards James who winked back at her, biting her lip as she felt a smile spread across her face. Matt had a surprised look on his face next to her boyfriend that told her he had kept his present a surprise from everyone. "James did, Dad. It's such an amazing present"

"Really?" Leroy asked with a smile as he glanced at her boyfriend. "It is incredibly beautiful. Nice job son"

"Thank you, sir" James replied with a blush on his cheeks.

Rachel giggled as she made her way over to her boyfriend, pulling him into a hug for several seconds before turning and cuddling into his side as she gazed back at her Dads. "The best birthday present ever"

"I don't know, Berry, you haven't opened up my present yet" Matt said with a smirk on his face and Rachel giggled as James rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah buddy; if you think yours is better then you're going to be disappointed" James said teasingly.

"Be nice, I'm sure his gift is lovely" Rachel said giggling.

"Who's hungry?" Hiram asked a smirk on her father's face as they watched the three teenagers.

Apparently, James had collaborated with Dads beforehand on her birthday breakfast and had convinced them to let him cook for them all. Along with Hiram's help, the two of them cooked blueberry pancakes as well as some of James' famous omelette's. Half an hour after the food was cooked, Rachel put her knife and fork down as she finished eating and after taking a sip of her glass of orange juice; Rachel leaned over and pressed a kiss against James lips as she gently stroked his cheek with her thumb. After a few seconds, she pulled back smiling at him.

"Thank you, baby; that was perfect" She said softly

"Don't mention it Rach, I love you" He replied, kissing her once more before he leaned away.

"Thank you for the help with breakfast; James" Hiram said and Rachel smiled at her father as her boyfriend blushed. Next to her Dad, Leroy stood up and clasped his hands together.

"Are you ready for your presents, sweet pea?"

"Yes!" Rachel said enthusiastically, and she giggled when the rest of them laughed along with her. Her birthday was one of her favourite days of the year, where all the attention was on her; Alright that made her sound a little bit self-centred, but it was one of the only times where her family were all together as they would be together when they went out for lunch. Leroy disappeared out of the room to get her presents while she opened the one from Matt which turned out to be a copy of one of the Patti Le Poene book she didn't have.

"How did you know I didn't have this one?" She asked with a smile after embracing him.

"James told me" He replied and she looked at James who winked at her as Matt spoke again. "I know it's not much, but."

"It's great, thank you" She interrupted him and he nodded at her with a smile on his face.

A few minutes later Leroy returned carrying several presents for her, causing a huge smile to erupt across her face as she ran up and hugged both of her Dads before sitting down at the kitchen table as she opened them. Her Dads got her a pair of earrings that she had looked at when they had gone shopping a few weeks earlier, a bottle of her favourite perfume as well as some smaller trinkets and accessories. After thanking them, Rachel settled back in her seat and looked around the table. A smile crossed her lips as she saw her Dads talking with her boyfriend and she felt happy to be surrounded by the three people that loved her so much.

"What time are we heading to the restaurant, Daddy?" Rachel asked.

"Around 1 o'clock sweetie" Leroy replied, as he stood up from the table to take his coffee cup away. "That gives us a few hours before we come home and help you get the Oscar room ready for your party"

"Okay" Rachel replied, smiling at her Dads as they both walked past her and each pressed a kiss against her forehead before they disappeared upstairs to get changed out of their pyjamas and into some clothes.

A few hours later and the five of them were walking into a restaurant to meet her grandparents, aunts and uncles for her birthday lunch in East Lima. Rachel had spent the morning after her birthday breakfast sat around in the living room laughing and talking with Matt and James as she sat cuddled into his side on the couch. They had given Matt a tour of the Berry house before sitting down together while her Dads called to check on their family members in the kitchen, both of them sat with smiles as they watched their daughter interacting with her boyfriend and Matt.

James had a present from his mom for her, and Rachel had a tear in her eye as she unwrapped a framed photograph of her, James and Andrea that had been taken when they gone for dinner that first night in Oregon. Rachel had pulled him into a tight cuddle, telling him how much she loved his mom, and she asked if he would call his mom so that she could tell Andrea how much she appreciated they had spoken on the phone, Leroy and Hiram had looked at the picture with tears in their eyes; grateful for all that Andrea had done to act motherly towards their daughter as Rachel was thanking his mom for her thoughtfulness.

Now, they were walking through the doors of one of the nicest restaurants in Lima; Rachel happily smiling away as she had her arm linked with James. As her Dads and Matt walked further in, she felt James stop and she turned to face him, looking up at him with a curious expression.

"Are you okay Baby?" She asked, stepping closer to him and resting her hands on his collar as she straightened his tie. Rachel couldn't help but admire how well he dressed; James had changed into pair of suit pants as well as a white shirt and black tie. She had giggled at him at first, thinking it was adorable that he was putting so much effort into his appearance to try and impress her family.

"Yeah" He said as he gulped before looking down at her and giving her his handsome smile. "Just a little nervous"

"Don't be okay?" Rachel said, gently pulling his head down so that his forehead was resting against hers; "I've told my grandma about you and she thinks you're adorable. My uncles are just like my Daddy, and you get on with him so well right?"

"Yeah" He replied softly, closing his eyes as he let out an audible sigh. Rachel kissed him again, smiling as he moaned, moving his hand to her neck to keep her close.

"Hey you two coming?" They separated when they heard Matt's voice. Rachel giggled, rubbing her lips together as she glanced at Matt's smirking face before turning back to James and wiping the lipstick of his lips with her thumb.

"Yeah we're coming" James replied, giving her a wink before taking her hand in his and intertwining their fingers together. Rachel leant her head on his shoulder as the two of them walked in to the restaurant behind her Dads and Matt.

Rachel was ecstatic at how the lunch went. She'd had an amazing time surrounded by her family. The five of them had been the first to arrive, but it didn't take for the rest of her family to turn up as they funnelled in to join them at the large table her Dad's had reserved. She'd introduced each of her aunt and uncles to James as well as introducing him to Leroy's parents. As soon as the words "Mama, this is my boyfriend; James" had left her mouth, her grandmother face split into a huge smile and she pulled James into a gigantic hug that had Rachel along with everyone else laughing loudly. Over the course of the followed thirty minutes, Rachel and James were forced to sit near to her grandmother while she got to know her only granddaughters new boyfriend; with the elderly woman seemingly smitten with him. The whole of the afternoon they were there celebrating was an amazing way to spend her birthday and she received some great presents from her family. The most important thing about the afternoon; the thing that made her most happiest about her entire birthday was how welcoming they had all been about James.

As they sat in the car as her Dad's drove them home, Matt was teasing James about how he seemed to have a new admirer in the form of Rachel's grandmother.

"You better watch your back, Rachel" Matt said with a smirk that caused her to giggle as she sat in between the two boys in the back of her Dads car. She gazed at James and saw him sitting with a blush on his face.

"I think it's great that she loves you so much" Rachel said, stroking James neck with her hand.

"She was sweet" James said giving her a smile as he pulled her so that she was cuddling against his body as he pressed a kiss against her forehead. "Thank you for introducing me to your family"

"Love you" Rachel replied, tilting her head upwards to kiss him. She felt him smile against her lips as he cupped her cheek as they shared several chaste kisses before Rachel pulled back and leaned her head against his shoulder.

….

A/N : Just a small chapter.

Should have one tomorrow and the chapter is one of my favourite I've written; another birthday present that is a good thing for James and Rachel. :- )