Chapter 28- Magic Man

October breezed out, being replaced by an even chillier November. Since the Halloween party, everything had calmed back down. Everyone was getting back to his or her normal lives. A few papers printed stories about Pete and Leila, but it didn't last very long when another celebrity caused the attention to shift to them. Patrick and Cara were staying at his parent's house for the time being while Patrick looked for an apartment in the city for him and his son to live in.

"Cara?" Patrick asked her one-day.

"Yeah?" she replied, looking up at him from her load of laundry.

"Is there anything holding you to your house in Alabama?" he asked, shifting in his seat. "I mean, you're family is in Georgia and you graduated the college that held you there in the first place a long time ago…"

Cara studied Patrick's eyes, and got lost in thought. Was there anything holding her to keep that townhouse in Alabama? Looking back into Patrick's eyes, she let out a soft laugh.

"I guess there isn't. I never thought about that before. Nothing's holding me in Alabama," she whispered.

A small smile flitted across Patrick's face, "Well, what do you think, that is only if you want to, about getting a place here… In Chicago… with me?" he trailed off softly.

Cara in took a sharp breath. Patrick was asking her to move in with him. It wasn't really that much difference from what they were doing now. They slept in the same bed, and lived under the same roof, although it was his parents' house. What was holding them back from getting their own place? It would mean a lot of privacy for them that they don't really get here. And more time to connect with Micah. Cara felt a wide smile on her face, and turned glossy eyes to Patrick.

"That would be amazing," she whispered, closing the space between them. "When can we find a place?" she asked, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

"Immediately," he breathed into her hair.

oo

"What do you think Leila?" Pete asked, holding up a hot long-sleeved pink t-shirt with teal stars sprayed across the chest.

Leila turned around from her rack of clothes and looked at the shirt Pete was holding.

"That's so cute, but clashes with your eyes," she giggled as he smirked at her.

"I meant for you," he said in a hurt voice, but was quickly replaced with a smile.

They were in the middle of a clothing store one cold sunny day. They had learned that spending every moment together was not healthy for them. They had hardly seen each other the following week since the costume party. Pete was busy with the finishing touches on opening an "Angels and Kings" in Chicago, and Leila was helping Cara and Patrick find an apartment in the city. This was the alone time that she missed from before she left, but knew that they needed to have their own lives, separate from their relationship. And she knew that Pete agreed. He had even told her that. He feared her needing to leave again, and he knew that not being with each other all day, every day was the right way to go.

"You about ready to get something to eat?" Leila asked him, holding a hand to her stomach as it let out a loud growl.

"I hear that you are," he giggled and replaced the shirt on the rack. Taking her hand, he led her out of the store and down the street.

They walked down two blocks until they reached a local sandwich shop. Pete opened the door for her, letting her in first. Together, they placed their order and found a table away from the windows. As they sat down, a man from the kitchen called out their number and Pete went to get their sandwiches as Leila filled their drinks. They carried on small talk while they ate their sandwiches. It wasn't until Leila reached for a napkin in the dispenser that she saw the advertisement that was on the napkin holder.

"Enchanted Evening"

"Come join us for the most magical night of the year. Women, dress in your finest Princess gowns, and gentlemen, don the best Prince outfit that you have. Dancing and merriment will be all around as you enjoy the night with that special someone. It will be a night that you will remember always."

Leila read it out loud to Pete the second time. She turned her eyes to him.

"Do you want to go… please?" she asked.

"Leila… you know that stuff like that makes me uncomfortable," he said, taking a sip of his drink.

"Aw, but you might have fun… You really don't wan to go?" Leila asked, pouting her bottom lip out.

"I really wouldn't want too," he trailed off, "I'm sorry." He watched as Leila settled and took a bite of her sandwich.

"It's okay. I understand that you don't want too," she said, gathering her trash and took her and Pete's tray to the garbage can. Pete met Leila at the door and the walked out into the sunshine, when Pete stopped short.

"I forgot my cell phone on the table. Wait here, I'll be right back," he said and darted back into the shop.

oo

Two days later, Leila was sitting around Pete's mom's house with Cara looking at different apartments her and Patrick had looked at in the past couple of days.

"Oh! I love this one. It's so spacious and it has three bedrooms. One for you and Patrick, one for Micah and a guest bedroom. The living is gorgeous," Leila said, pointing to a blue pamphlet. "And look at the back yard! Micah would have so much fun there."

"Yeah. That's the one Patrick and me are leaning towards. I think that one might be it," Cara said, beaming brightly.

"I'm glad you two decided to do this. I'm so happy for you," Leila smiled, giving her friend a tight hug.

"What's going on here?" Casie asked, walking into the living room with Andrew at her heels.

"I think Patrick and I have found the perfect place to live," Cara said excitedly.

Casie laughed at her friend, sitting down next to Leila. Andrew went to the chair that was next to the TV and faced the girls. He looked at Leila.

"Leila, is Pete here?" he asked about his brother.

"No, he's getting ready to open the new Angels and Kings in a few weeks. They want to have the grand opening on New Years Eve. Pete thought that doing it then would bring in a lot of people."

There was a knock at the door. Leila stood up and walked into the hallway towards the door. She opened the door and was greeted by a man in a brown suit with the letters "UPS" on his shirt. He was holding a small package.

"I'm looking for Leila Grint?" he said in a deep voice.

"That's me," Leila said, pulling back the screen door.

"I need you to sign here," he said, handing her a clipboard and pen. He pointed to the blank line. Leila scribbled her name, and the man handed her the small brown package.

"Have a good day," he said and walked back to his truck.

Leila waved at the man and closed the door. Walking back in the living room, she fingered the package that was in her hands.

"Who was that?" Casie asked.

"It was UPS delivering me a package," Leila said in confusion.

"What did you buy?" Cara asked, looking up from her pile of apartment clippings on the floor.

"Nothing," she said, tucking her index finger under the wrappings.

That got the attention of the living room. They watched on as Leila ripped back the brown paper to reveal brown box. She tugged at the tape, getting it to pull back enough to open the box. She stuck her hand inside and pulled out a pink bubble wand. Leila stared at the bubble blower in her hand.

"What the… who would send this to me?" Leila said, looking down at the wrapper, hoping to find a name.

"You mean it doesn't say?" Casie asked her.

"No, it doesn't. Not even a return address," Leila said, returning to study the bubbles. Maybe it held some clue. She found nothing though.

"Hey guys," Pete said, walking into the room.

"Pete, did you send me bubbles," Leila frowned in thought.

"What?" Pete said, staring at Leila.

"This," she held up the bubbles, "Did you send me this?"

"Not that I know of," he said, taking them from her. His brow furrowed at the bubbles. "I would tell you if I was sending you something anyway," he said, handing them back to her.

oo

Cara and Patrick walked around the empty townhouse with their realtor. Micah had run off to look at the room that he would be his. Then he ran outside in the back yard. Cara watched Micah run around outside and back inside to the back rooms. She turned her attention back to the house. Cara noticed the wide living room and the open kitchen. Patrick walked to the master bedroom and bath. They all came back together in the living room after touring the place.

"So, what do you think?" the realtor asked them.

Cara looked to Patrick and smiled. Micah came running out of the back room.

"I love it here! Daddy, can we live here?" Micah yelped, tugging on Patrick's shirtsleeve.

Patrick laughed at his son, "We love it. When can we sign the lease?"

oo

Leila was washing dishes for Mrs. Wentz the next day when the doorbell rang. Drying her hands off on a dishtowel, she went to the door. Another deliveryman was at the door.

"Are you Leila Grint?" he asked, holding a slightly larger box than the one she got yesterday.

"Yes," she said and signed where she was instructed. Closing the door, she went to back to the kitchen where Mrs. Wentz was making lunch.

"What's that sweetie?" she asked.

"I don't know. It doesn't say who it's from either," Leila said, grabbing a knife from the drawer and cut into the package.

Opening the box, she noticed it was full of packing peanuts. She shoved both hands in the mass of Styrofoam forms and grasped onto the contents. She pulled out a long and wide rectangular velvet box. She discarded the package box and focused on the black velvet one in front of her.

She pried open the velvet to reveal a earring and necklace set. She gasped as she saw the white and pale pink diamond necklace with dangling pale pink earrings. She sat the box on the counter. Mrs. Wentz walked behind her and yelped.

"Did Pete send you that?" she said, smiling at her.

"I don't know. He said that he would tell me if he was sending me something," Leila said, not taking her eyes off the jewelry.

"Then who would send you something like this?" she asked suspsisously. Leila whipped her head around at the short brunette.

"I don't know. You tell me," she said a little snippy.

Mrs. Wentz threw her hands up.

"I didn't mean for it to sound that way, dear," she apologized.

oo

"Daddy, what are we having for dinner?" Micah asked lying on his stomach with his blankets stretched out underneath.

"I don't know, ask Cara what she wants," Patrick asked, setting up the blow-up air mattress.

They had bought the townhouse, and Micah had talked them into spending the night there. Borrowing mattresses from Pete and Joe, they had a cute "camp sight" set up. They had candles lit; they hadn't had the power turned on yet. Micah jumped and ran to Cara in the master bedroom. As he was turning in the bedroom, he tripped up and fell. Cara, who was in the bathroom, heard him fall, and ran out to see him. He was sitting up on the floor with a bloody knee. He was whimpering with tears rolling down his face. Cara rushed back to the back room and got a paper towel and ran water over and rushed it back to Micah.

Placing the cold towel on his knee, applying pressure, she called out to Patrick, "Patrick! Run the car and get my first aid kit please. Hurry!"

Cara ran a hand over Micah's head, trying to calm him down. "Shh.. It's okay baby."

Micah rubbed hard on his eyes to stop the tears as Patrick rushed into the room.

"What happened?" he asked bending down next to Cara, handing her the kit. She opened it and got out a tube of Neosporin and a large band-aid. Using the towel, she cleaned up the blood as best she could. The blood seemed to have stopped flowing. Cara opened the antibiotic ointment and spread it over Micah's knee. He shivered under her fingers.

"It's okay, sweetie, it's going to make your knee feel better faster," she said, reaching for the band-aid.

Micah looked down as Cara finished patching him up. A few sniffles escaped him, as he touched his knee lightly. Patrick smiled at his son, rubbing his head, and stood up and took the kit back to the car.

Micah launched his self into Cara's arms. Cara was taken aback, but wrapped her arms around him all the same.

"Thanks, Cara," Micah's squeaky voice said muffled in her neck.

"Anytime baby," she said softly, rubbing his back.

"I wish you were my mommy…" he whispered, still clinging to her.

Cara's heart jumped to her throat. She had never heard six words that made her so sad in her life. She tightened her grip on him.

"I love you Micah, and I'll always be here for you."

oo

Since Leila got the package with the jewelry, everyday since then, she had a gotten a gift each day. The next day was a mixed CD with the instructions not to listen to the last track yet. She was very touched by the song tracks.

Iris – Goo Goo Dolls

Carve You're Heart Out – Dashboard Confessionals

Bring Me To Life – Evanescence

Layla – Eric Clapton

Dance, Dance – Fall Out Boy

There's A Good Reason These Tables Are Numbered Honey, You Just Haven't Thought Of It Yet – Panic At The Disco

Ignition (Remix) – R. Kelly

Someday You're Prince Will Come – Remake by Alicia Keys

A Dream Is A Wish You're Heart Makes – Remake by Norah Jones

Take Me Away – Lifehouse

Your Guardian Angel – The Redjumpsuit Apparatus

My Heart – Paramore

Promise – Matchbook Romance

This I Promise You – 'NSYNC

It was after this CD, she had a feeling that the sender was indeed Pete, was he was still denying everything she accused him of. So, she just played dumb like he was doing, and see where this led.

The next gift she received was a pair of pale pink high-heeled shoes. A close-toed shoe with a strap over the toe, held in place by a rhinestone buckle. A strap across the ankle ended in the same rhinestone buckle. The heel wasn't very high, only two and a half inches. They were absolutely gorgeous. She had no clue why he would send her these, but she appreciated them all the same.

The next day, she was a little excited to see what was going to be delivered. She had gotten a delivery everyday for the past four days, and she felt a little foolish to expect on today.

Mrs. Wentz came to her around the middle of the day, and asked her to pick up some pantyhose and this new perfume that she had been wanting. Smiling at her, she figured that her and Mr. Wentz had a date that night. She hoped that her and Pete would be like that when they were that age.

The trip didn't last very long. She was in and out and on her way back home. She hung her keys up on the rack and walked into the kitchen. Laying the bag on the counter, she made her way up to her and Pete's room. She was halfway up the stairs when Mrs. Wentz yelled out.

"You got a delivery when you were out dear!"

Leila stopped a second. Her heart raced again, and she took off up the stairs. Throwing the door open, she flung herself in the room; leaving the door standing wide open.

A large rectangular box sat on the beds. She walked slowly to the bed. When she got close enough, Leila spotted a piece of paper lying on top of the box.

Picking up the paper, she read, "Dear Leila,"

"My Princess, I'm sure you have figured out by now, that I am the one sending you gifts. I knew you would; you're too smart not too. You're gift for today, is not limited to the contents of the box below, but the night ahead of you. All the gifts you have received tie in together. My lady, I want you to have a magical night. Put this on, and gather all you're gifts together.

Love,

Pete

PS. Play track 15 of your CD."

Leila felt her emotions in her throat. She put down the paper and went to the CD player. Scanning all the songs, she reached the fifteenth one. "Nobody Puts Baby In A Corner." Their song. Smiling to herself, she walked back to the big box on the bed.

Slowly, she lifted the lid revealing the most gorgeous material she had ever seen. Grabbing the bodice, she pulled up and unfolded a floor-length gown. It was pale pink in color. A v-neck bodice had small beaded flowers across the chest. Silk spaghetti straps connected with each side. The skirt expanded and flowed to the floor. It ruffled and tucked everywhere. Leila let her eyes wander over the dress. It looked like it came out of a fairy-tale.

"This is for you dear," Mrs. Wentz said, holding her the bag that Leila had bought earlier.

Leila turned around, "What?"

"These are for you," she said smiling. She had made Leila buy the pantyhose and perfume for herself. "Have fun tonight!" she said and kissed her cheek.

Leila stood there stunned. Mrs. Wentz knew it was Pete all along. Leila turned around to stare at the dress. Walking around the bed, she got out her shoes, jewelry and bubble blower out and sat them on the bed.

"You better hurry up," a soft deep voice said, "or we are going to be late…."

Leila jumped and spun around.

Pete stood in the doorway with his hands behind his backs. He was in a Giorgio Armani black tuxedo; it was trimmed in black silk. He had a white button down shirt with a black vest. A black bow tie was around his neck. In the pocket of his black jacket was a pale pink handkerchief sticking out. Leila's eyes wandered down his body, to his shoes; they were a shiny black paten. His hair was slicked back, with his a-symmetrical bangs tamed down. A clean-shaven Pete stood there in front of her, looking very handsome.

"Pete…." Leila began but Pete cut her off.

"Don't say anything right now, I brought someone to help you with your hair and make-up…. They will do anything you tell them," Pete said as two girls with smiles on their faces appeared at his side.

Leila was speechless. She let the girls come in and closed the door in Pete's face. Thirty minutes later, the door opened, and Pete was still standing there. His eyes lit up at the sight of Leila. Her hair was in soft curls down her back and she had soft make-up on with sparkles on her cheeks. Her skin seemed to shimmer in the light. Pete still had his hands behind his back. Leila walked up to Pete with a wide smile on her face.

"Will you please tell me what this is about?" Leila begged, tossing her hair behind her shoulder.

"You are going to the 'Enchanted Evening' tonight," he said as he watched the shock expression on her face.

"I thought you didn't want to go?" she whispered.

"Ah, but you do… and that's what matters," Pete said, smiling. "But you have to wear this."

Pete brought his hands around in front of him, revealing the pillow he was holding. On top of the pillow was a one-inch high tiara with white and pink rhinestones. It was very elegant yet simple. Leila gasped, bringing her hand to her mouth.

"It matches my other jewelry," she managed to get out.

"Yes, it does," he said tossing the pillow to the side and perching the tiara atop her head. "But we have to get going, or we're going to be late."

Leila giggled and allowed Pete to take her arm. He led her down the stairs and out the door. Leila waved good-bye to Mrs. Wentz, who was smiling widely, and he opened the door to the limousine that was parked out front. Pete popped open a bottle of champagne and poured them both a glass and handed one to her. The ride was very enjoyable. After Leila finished her first glass, she laid her head on Pete's shoulder and held his hand. Her heart ached from the amount of emotion he effected her.

"You look very handsome tonight, Pete," Leila said, her voice full of emotion.

"And you look absolutely amazing, as usual," he said, kissing he forehead. "Did you have a clue that it was me?"

"Kind of. But not until I got the CD. After that, I thought it was you," Leila smiled.

"Oh, we're here, Pete said, and climbed over her, and got out of the limo, and held his hand out for her. Leila used his help to get out, and focused her eyes to the surrounds around her.

It was like a picture out of a fairy-tale. A white stone building was covered in green vines and horse and carriages surround the building. Everyone was dressed up in his or her finest ball wear. They walked in, arm in arm, and Leila's mouth dropped. The air was filled with bubbles, coming from the machines all around the hall. Tables of food lined one wall and champagne fountain was in the middle of all the food. Music seemed to come from nowhere, but it was a soft violin playing a beautiful song.

"Pete, this is absolutely stunning," she said, looking into Pete's big brown eyes.

"Well, let's not waste it…" he said, stepping away from her, holding out his hand, "May I have this dance, my darling?"

Leila giggled and placed her hand in his, and he led them out on the dance floor

oo

The evening was winding down, and guests were beginning to depart. Leila and Pete danced cheek to cheek on the dance floor.

"Pete, this had been the most wonderful thing anyone was ever done for me. I love this, and I love you… very much," she whispered in his ear.

Pete reached his hands around her waist, pulling her to him. "I love you too."

"There's something I've been meaning to tell you," Leila said, looking up to Pete's eyes with force.

"And what's that?" he asked smiling.

She put her hands on the back on his neck, pulling him down and put her lips next to his ear and whispered, "I want to make love to you."

Pete felt his heart stop. He looked back to Leila's dark green eyes, so full of passion. They had come close so many times, but it was either the wrong time, or they got interrupted. He knew that they could no longer wait. They both needed it. He let his lips fall on hers for a second before dragging her off the dance floor and out the door. He saw the limousine waiting for them to leave, and he quickened his pace. Leila giggled at how Pete was acting, but didn't slow him down. He opened the door for her and she got in. The moment the door closed behind Pete, he leaned over and began kissing Leila. Their tongues met with passion. Leila pushed Pete off her, and sat on his lap, straddling his hips. Pete pushed some of her dress ruffles out of the way, pulled her close to him. Leila's lips crashed on Pete's hard.

The limo pulled to a stop outside of Pete's house. It was extremely late, so he knew that no one was in the house. His parent's had gone out of town for the weekend for a family event. Pete and Leila kissed their way upstairs to their room. Pete closed the door and pressed Leila up against it. His lips found her neck as his hands found her dress zipper. He moved them to the bed, and laid Leila down. Their bodies becoming one. Leila had never loved someone as much as she did Pete. Pete could not imagine his life without Leila. They expressed their love for each other that night. Moans and sounds of pleasure echoed through the room. Pete rolled over and Leila laid her head on his chest and together they fell asleep.

-note from the author-

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it! The next chapters called "Steal My Sunshine"