CHAPTER 7

BIRTHDAY

Paul woke up, stretching his limbs as he noticed light streaming in through the window, then he looked around the room trying to figure out where he was. Yellow walls, frilly curtains . . . then it came back to him: Leah's. He closed his eyes again and rolled over, snuggling back under the covers. God, this bed is amazing! It had been way too long since he had slept in a bed. As he inhaled, he caught Leah's scent from her pillow and he smiled, deciding he could get used to waking up like this.

Leah quietly opened the bedroom door, stepped inside and closed it again behind her. Her mom had left for work, and Seth was heading out to patrol in an hour. If she could just keep Paul here until Seth left, no one would know he slept here. She crept toward the bed and leaned over to see if Paul was still asleep. That's when he shot up, grabbed her and pulled her down onto the bed with him.

Leah let out a scream in surprise then slapped at him. "Damnit, Paul!" He laughed out loud as she put her hand over his mouth. "Shhhh! Seth is still downstairs."

"Leah! You OK up there?" Seth hollered up the stairs.

Running to the door, Leah opened it to step out and say, "Yeah. Just a fucking spider. I got it. Sorry."

"Geez, you scared the shit out of me," Seth grumbled as he went back to his video game.

Leah closed the door again and turned to Paul who had the audacity to lay there and grin at her, as she walked over to the bed and put her hands on her hips. Paul thought about telling her how she looked just like her mom when she did that, but wisely decided against it. "If you can stay quiet for another 40 minutes or so, I promise I will make you breakfast, OK?"

"OK. I promise I'll be quiet. But you have to keep me company," Paul said, wiggling his eyebrows at her.

Leah smiled as she sunk onto the bed. "So, how do feel now that you've had some sleep? You snore, by the way."

"I feel great. Man, your bed is so comfortable," Paul sighed as he put his arms behind his head and lay back against the pillow. Leah couldn't help but admire his huge biceps and rock hard abs. "See anything you like?"

Leah shook her head at him and returned, "You are so arrogant sometimes."

"Maybe, but you're pretty easy to read. I can see you checking me out."

Leah shamed herself by blushing, hating how he made her feel like such a girl sometimes! Paul chuckled as he pulled Leah against him then kissed her lips hungrily. Leah moved closer to him to wrap her arms around his neck as Paul's tongue grazed her bottom lip and she opened her mouth . . .

"Hey, Leah, I'm heading out early and . . . what the fuck is going on?" Seth demanded as he stood at the bedroom door and Leah could see he was fuming.

Leah jumped off of the bed. "Seth, stop. This isn't what you think. Look! I'm fully dressed!"

"Oh, so you weren't on your bed, making out with Paul, who has a huge boner standing up under the sheet?"

Paul looked down to see his penis standing at attention and it made him laugh. "Sorry, I just woke up. Can't be helped."

"Shut up, Paul!" both Leah and Seth yelled at the same time. Then Seth turned on his heel and ran down the stairs. "Seth!" Leah yelled after him as she flew downstairs.

"Seth, stop!" Leah caught him at the door and grabbed his arm.

Seth jerked it away. "I thought you two were just friends. I don't like to be lied to, Leah."

"We ARE just friends!"

Seth snorted at that, not even trying to hide his anger. "Yeah, well, I don't care if you want to fuck him, but Sam will. And I don't think Mom would appreciate you doing it here under her roof."

"Are you going to tell her?" Looking at Seth, she wasn't sure right now if he would keep her secret.

Nostrils flared, Seth exhaled, "Hell no. I'm staying out of this. You want to ruin your life, that's up to you. You think you would have learned already with Sam, but I guess not." And with that, he ripped open the door and stalked out.

Leah put her head down and let out a huge breath. He was right. She should have learned, but she didn't.

"Hey, everything OK?" Leah turned to see Paul standing at the bottom of the stairs with the sheet from her bed wrapped around his hips.

Leah gave him a weak smile. "You look ridiculous."

"I don't know . . . I thought it was kind of sexy," Paul replied with a grin as he wiggled his hips for her.

"Come on," Leah sighed. "We need to find you some pants." Then she walked by him as she made her way upstairs and Paul turned to follow her.

"I hope I didn't get you in trouble, Leah. I didn't mean to fall asleep. You should have woke me up and made me go home."

Leah came out of Seth's room with a pair of sweatpants. Paul took them then dropped the sheet and slipped them on. "Thanks."

Leah nodded and picked up the sheet then walked into her bedroom. "He said he wouldn't tell Mom." She threw the sheet on the bed and sat down. "And you were so upset when you got here. When you fell asleep, I just didn't have the heart to wake you."

"I have to admit, it's the best sleep I've had in a long time," Paul said sheepishly. Leah smiled at that. "I hope the kid can keep this from Sam. I know I can handle him, but, I just don't want him giving you any shit about it."

"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine," Leah tried to reassure him.

Paul walked over and dropped a kiss onto her hair. "I guess I better go. Thanks, again, for last night. For listening . . . "

Leah stood up and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I think I promised you breakfast."

Paul stood there and inhaled. Her hair smelled so good . . . like flowers and sunshine. God, Paul, get a grip! he thought to himself. You're turning into such a chick! Next you'll be asking her to paint your fucking nails!

Kissing her softly on the lips, Paul stepped back and smiled. "You did, but I better go. I have to get to work in a little while. See you later?"

"Yep," Leah answered as Paul moved to the window. "Uh, Paul?" You can use the door now."

Paul turned and chuckled. "Oh, yeah." Moving to the door, he stopped, winked at her then he was gone. Leah thought again how Paul was full of surprises. She wasn't sure she could take many more. Sighed as she picked the sheet up off of her bed she thought, At least he made life less boring.

A couple of days later, it was Paul's 18th birthday and he was working fast at the store to finish up and clock out. His grandma always made his favorite dinner for his birthday: meatloaf and mashed potatoes, and a German Chocolate cake with her own homemade caramel frosting as his birthday cake. He was really looking forward to that. As he clocked out, Pete, his manager, walked up and clapped him on the back. "Happy Birthday, kid! How old are you now?"

Paul smiled as he was surprised that Pete had known it was his birthday. "Eighteen," he answered proudly.

"Eighteen. Man, to be eighteen again," Pete said softly. "Well, here's a little something from me. Hope you have a good day. See ya on Monday."

"Thanks, Pete. See ya," Paul said as Pete walked away. Paul walked out the back door and got into his car where he opened the envelope that Pete had given him only to be shocked when he pulled out a crisp new $50 bill! He wasn't sure how to take the gesture as he wasn't used to people doing things like this for him. Paul smiled as he tucked it away in his wallet.

Paul drove home and walked up to the front door to see a sign on the door that said, "Happy Brfday Paul!" written in green crayon. Paul smiled at Travis' thoughtfulness as he opened the door and walked inside.

"Hi, honey! Happy Birthday!" his grandma greeted him as she walked over and put a soft kiss on his cheek. "It's hard to believe my little boy is all grown up."

"Paul! Paul!" Travis yelled as he ran through the house. Paul reached out and caught him just as he launched himself up into Paul's arms. "It's your birfday!"

Paul chuckled as he said, "I know! Thanks for the sign, buddy. That was really nice of you."

Travis hugged Paul's neck and said, "You're welcome." Then his head snapped back up as he added, "Wait til you see your cake! Grandma let me help make it."

"Yeah? Well then, let's go see it," Paul said as he carried Travis into the kitchen. The cake was displayed in the middle of the kitchen table on the special raised cake plate his grandma always used. "Wow. It looks delicious. Let's eat it."

"No! We can't," Travis told him. "Grandma says not til after dinner."

"Oh, well, OK. I always listen to what Grandma says," Paul said seriously as he set Travis down then gave his grandma a wink.

"Hey, Paul. Happy Birthday," Tyler said as he walked into the kitchen.

Paul smiled at him and mussed his hair. "Thanks, Ty." Things between them had gotten a lot better since their little talk. He noticed Ty was treating their grandma with more respect, too, which meant a lot to him.

"Well, let's all sit down and eat. Dinner is ready," Ruth announced. They all took their places as she put the food on the table.

"Mmmm, it's delicious as always, Grandma. Thanks," Paul said with his mouth full of meatloaf.

"Don't talk with your mouthful, Pauly," Ruth scolded lightly, then she smiled. "But you're welcome. I'm glad you like it."

They had a pleasant dinner with Travis monopolizing most of the conversation as usual. He was telling Paul about playing with one of Grandma's friend's grandsons, named Jason. "Jason has lots of Legos and we built this cool tower that was this high." Travis jumped off of his chair and was holding his arm up to show Paul just how high.

"Travis, eat your dinner before it gets cold, honey."

"Oh, yeah. Sorry, Grandma."

Ruth smiled and patted his hand as he sat back down and started shoveling his food in. Just then, there was a knock on the door. Tyler got up to answer it.

"Hey everyone, sorry I'm late," Leah said as she walked in. Paul's eyes lit up as she walked into the kitchen. "I worked outside today with my mom in her garden and I needed to take a shower before I came, but my brother would not get out of the bathroom!" She pulled out a chair next to Tyler and sat down, turning to him to say, "Hey, Tyler."

Tyler gave her a small shy smile and quietly returned, "Hey." A lot different from the first time she met him!

"That's alright, honey. Let me get you a plate." Ruth got up and grabbed a plate and a glass out of the cupboard then set them in front of Leah. Paul reached over and pulled out a drawer and handed her some silverware.

"I didn't know you were coming over," Paul said to her.

"I invited her, honey. I hope you don't mind," Ruth explained.

Paul smiled at Leah. "No, I don't mind at all. Just not sure I want to share my meatloaf."

Leah quickly stabbed a piece with her fork and put it on her plate. "Hah!" she said in triumph as Paul laughed.

"Hey, Leah! Guess what. I helped Grandma make Paul's birfday cake," Travis chimed in.

Leah smiled at him. He's just too cute. "You did? I can't wait to try it."

They all finished their dinner and Travis insisted they sing Happy Birthday to Paul. Ruth even put 18 candles on the cake and lit them while they sang. "Make a wish, Pauly," she said softly as she rested her hand on his shoulder. As Paul looked around the table at his family, and his best friend, he had no idea what else he could wish for. He smiled at them then made an attempt to blow out all of the candles. It took him two tries and then everyone clapped.

Ruth cut the cake and they all dug in. "Wow. This is the best birthday cake I've ever had," Paul said after he took his first bite. His grandma smiled at him then turned and smiled at Travis, who was beaming.

"That's cause I helped!" Travis said, and everyone laughed. After they finished their cake, Travis announced, "Time for presents!" as he jumped off of his chair and disappeared into the living room.

"Grandma, you know I don't expect you to get me anything. This meal is always your present."

"I know that, honey. Travis made you something."

Travis ran back into the kitchen and handed Paul a small box, wrapped in white paper that he had colored on in crayon. "I made the wrapping paper," he stated proudly.

"Yeah?" Paul said. "It's cool, bro." Travis beamed.

Paul broke the tape carefully so as not to tear the paper then he opened the box and found a dream catcher. He took it carefully from the box and held it up. "Wow, buddy, this is really cool." Paul admired it from all angles as Travis told him that Emily had helped him make it.

"We went to the beach and collected the little shells and walked in the woods to find the feathers. Do you really like it?"

Paul looked down into his little brother's big brown eyes and gave him a genuine smile. "I love it, Trav. This is the coolest present anyone has ever given me." Then he bent down and hugged Travis. "Thanks." Paul was surprised at the warm feeling it gave him . . . he really was touched that this little boy had gone out of his way to make a gift for him.

Travis squeezed Paul around the neck then let go and turned to Tyler. "Do you want to give him your present now, Ty?"

Tyler nodded and stood up. "I don't really have a present for you to unwrap, but . . . I wanted to let you know that I'm going to take over doing your chores around here so you don't have to worry about anything. I need to do something, and you work at the store and stuff, and so . . . I talked to Grandma and she said she would let me know what to do."

Paul smiled at him as he realized that Tyler was used to taking care of things for his mom, and he needed to feel . . . needed. "Thanks, Ty. I really appreciate it. That's a great gift. Thanks." He stood up and held out his hand to Tyler who smiled and took it and Paul gave it a good shake. "You're a good man." Tyler actually returned the smile then sat down.

Paul looked around the table and said humbly, "Thanks, everyone. This has really been one of the best birthdays I've ever had."

"It's not over! You have to come and see your BIG present!" Travis got up and pulled Paul out of his chair.

"What are you talking about, Trav? I don't need anymore pres . . ." Paul stopped when they got to the living room. There, in place of his lumpy old couch, sat a nice, new futon. "What the hell? Where did this come from?"

His grandma walked up behind him as Travis ran to jump on the futon. "My friend, Connie, had this in her spare room for her grandkids, but they never really used it, so she asked if I knew anyone who might want it. You work so hard, honey. I want you to be able to get a good night's sleep."

Tyler walked over to the futon and said, "Yeah, and see you can pull it out like this . . . " he pulled it out "and it's like a bed! You'll have more room this way."

Paul couldn't believe it. A bed. He walked over and sat down on it. Travis jumped off and said, "Lay down!" Paul laughed as he laid down and stretched out. The mattress on it wasn't too bad. No lumps!

"Wow, this is great," Paul announced with a grin then he sat up and pushed himself off of the futon to walk over to his grandma. He wrapped his arms around her and whispered, "Thank you, Grandma. I love you."

"Oh, I love you, too, honey. Happy Birthday."

Paul turned to Travis and said, "Hey, Trav, go and get the dream catcher you made me." Travis nodded and ran off to the kitchen. Paul walked back to the futon and when Travis handed him the dream catcher, he hung it on a little nail that stuck out of the wall above his futon. "There. Perfect." He looked down at Travis and smiled and tousled his hair.

Paul heard Leah say behind him, "Are you ready now to go out and celebrate?"

He turned and gave her a look. "What do you mean celebrate?"

"I'm taking you out for your birthday. My mom let me borrow the car and everything. Come on! Let's go!" she told him with a grin.

Paul looked at his grandma who ordered, "Go on, Pauly. A pretty young girl wants to take you out for your birthday. Are you dumb, or what?"

That made them both laugh. "No, I'm not dumb. Let's go!"

Paul said good bye to his brothers and then they walked outside to Leah's mom's car and climbed inside. "Am I dressed OK? I have no idea where you're taking me." He was wearing jeans and a black vee neck t-shirt.

Leah looked over to admire how his muscles stood out against the black of his t-shirt then assured him, "You're fine, don't worry," as she put the car in gear and backed out of Paul's driveway. As she drove she hummed to the music on the radio and Paul thought she had never looked more relaxed.

"Any hints?" Paul asked.

"No."

"Just one?"

"NO." Then Leah looked over and grinned, "This is fun."

Paul laughed then looked out the window to see if he could tell where they were going. "Is it very far?" Leah just shot him a look and he quickly added, "OK, boss."

Leah turned into a small lane and drove in a little ways then turned off the lights and then the engine. Paul looked at her. "Where are we?"

"Man, you ask a lot of questions. Come on." Leah got out of the car and Paul followed. They walked into the woods down a narrow path and Paul could hear the surf nearby so he knew they were walking toward the water, but they weren't at the beach. He looked around and suddenly he recognized where they were. The cliff top where they had first . . . oh, wow. Was this going to be a replay?

Finally Leah stopped and turned around to announce, "Here we are." Paul smiled as he looked around. There were little Chinese lanterns hanging in the trees, and Leah had taken a sheet and tied it between two trees to make a little awning. There was a small fire pit laid out and wood stacked in it ready to light. "I remember when we were here the first time, you said you liked camping."

Paul turned to her. "Um, I believe that was your idea."

"Yes, yes it was," Leah agreed as she pulled out a bag and handed him some matches to light the fire. While he did that, she pulled out a bag of marshmallows. "I thought we could roast some marshmallows and listen to some tunes." Paul turned to watch Leah lift out a small CD player and set it on the ground then she pushed a button and music floated softly over them. There was a blanket spread out under the awning and she sat down on it and picked up the roasting sticks that were laying there.

Paul lit the fire and as it took off, he sat down next to Leah to kick off his shoes, like she had and leaned back on his elbows. "I can't believe you did this just for me."

Leah smiled her beautiful smile. "Yeah? You like it?"

"Yeah. I really do." Paul sat up and kissed Leah on the cheek. "Now hand me a stick. I want a marshmallow."

They roasted several marshmallows and after they were all sticky and full Paul put the sticks aside and lay back and put his arms behind his head. This really was the best birthday he had ever had.

Leah lay down beside him and rolled onto her side to face him. "What are you thinking?"

Paul turned his head to look at her. "That this is the best birthday I have ever had in my whole life."

Leah gifted him with her beautiful smile. "Good. I'm glad I could help make it a good day."

Paul rolled to face Leah and run a finger gently down her cheek. "This is definitely the best part." Leaning in closer, he kissed her and felt that fire start to burn in his gut. He was amazed at how she could turn him on so easily. He had never felt like that with any other girl.

Leah responded by eagerly kissing him back and soon their hands began exploring as their clothes started melting away. Laying there on the blanket, naked with each other, there was nothing standing in the way of their passion. Their tongues tangled with each other as they sought to bring pleasure to each other. "Paul, please, yes!" Leah cried out as Paul's fingers played with her and brought her so close, feeling it build and build until she finally fell over the edge. "Yesssssss!"

Paul smiled as she came down from her orgasm then opened her eyes to look at him. "God, you are so good at that," she said.

"I love watching you do that, Leah. It's so amazing," Paul admitted softly as he moved on top of her to settle between her legs and take his time kissing her. Leah tasted so sweet . . . he felt like he couldn't get enough. Positioning himself at her entrance, he slowly, so slowly pushed himself inside. Leah moaned as he stopped and just enjoyed being surrounded by her.

Paul kept kissing her as he moved ever so slowly in and out . . . he was completely enraptured by the feeling. Leah moved with him in their slow rhythm and spread her fingers over his strong shoulders. "Mmmm, yes," she whispered as he picked up the pace just a little and so did she. They kept this up, picking up the pace a little at a time until finally, Paul burst inside her.

Leah let go at the same time and savored the feeling as the waves passed over her. Sam hadn't always been slow enough for her to fully reach her release. She was amazed at how Paul could bring her there every time. They lay there wrapped in each other for quite awhile, neither of them saying a word. Finally Leah whispered, "Happy Birthday."

Paul smiled, "I'm pretty sure this was my favorite present." Leah laughed softly at that.

Paul shifted to his back and pulled Leah over to lay her head on his shoulder. As he listened to the surf roll in below them and then looked up at the stars above him, he was completely amazed at how relaxed he was at this moment. His life was always so hectic with someone always needing something from him. It was awesome to just lay here in the quiet.

After awhile, Leah commented, "You're awfully quiet,"

"Mmm, just enjoying the moment. I don't get many like this." As Paul lay there, he started thinking of that first night they spent here. How good it had felt to hold Leah as they slept. He turned his head and asked, "Is this an all-night sleepover?"

"It can be, if you want it," Leah replied.

Paul propped himself up to look down at her. "Oh, I want it."

Leah grinned then pulled his head down to hers to kiss him and loved when he growled as her tongue slipped inside his mouth. After a couple of minutes, Paul pulled away say, "God, you are so sexy, Leah. It's amazing I don't have a constant hard on when I'm around you."

Leah's laughter made him smile as she said, "Oh yeah? Well, I would tell you that I think you have a smokin' hot body, but I'm pretty sure you'd be arrogant enough to tell me you already knew that." Then it was Paul's turn to laugh before she added, "But I will admit, I really like to run my hands all over it."

"Well, you are welcome to do that any time you want to."

"How about now?" Leah asked as she spread her hands on his chest and ran them up over his shoulders.

Paul closed his eyes and let his head fall back. "Mmm, now is good."

"I have a feeling we might not get much sleep tonight," Leah whispered in his ear as she pushed him back and leaned over him.

"That's OK," he answered softly. "I'm not sleepy."

Leah smiled her sexiest smile before she leaned in to kiss him. As her hand slid slowly down his chest, Paul knew he would remember this birthday for the rest of his life.