Before either Ace or Laura knew what was happening his mother had organised a party that seemed to include a guest list a mile long. Ace had decided it was best to leave her to it and concentrated on painting his fully constructed fence. By Sunday it was complete.
He drove over to Laura's house as soon as he woke up, only pausing to change clothes and put her gifts in the car. He checked the front door which was locked so decided to just climb in through her window, carefully holding on to her birthday gift.
"Happy Valentine's Day," he said kissing one of her cheeks as her eyes fluttered open, "and Happy Birthday," he continued, kissing the other. He dropped her present down on to her bed where it started to lick her hand. She opened her eyes in surprise to find a puppy on her bed.
"She's your gift," he said sitting down on her bed. "What do you think?"
"She's beautiful," Laura said, stroking her softly. "I always wanted a dog, what made you think to get one?" she asked climbing into his lap.
"I seen how sad you were earlier this year," he said brushing her hair out of her face, "because you were stuck in this room by yourself. I know your Ma and I can't always be with you so I got you someone who can. You never have to be lonely again."
She closed her arms around him so forcefully that he fell back on the bed. He rolled her over on to her back and started running his hand under her nightgown. He had almost coaxed her out of it when they heard a noise in the kitchen and Laura stiffened. Her mother was awake.
"I'll leave you to get dressed," he said gathering the puppy in his arms.
"Where did you come from?" Caroline asked as he walked into the kitchen.
"Laura let me in," he lied, "she's just getting changed."
"Oh I didn't know she was up, is this the puppy?" she said smiling at it, "what's the breed?"
"Old English Sheepdog," he said, "I know a guy whose dog had pups."
"She's gorgeous," Caroline said.
Caroline and Laura spent the rest of the morning playing with the puppy whilst Ace watched them from the couch.
"Do you wanna head off?" he said as he noticed the time. He noticed Laura looking a little downcast and he smiled at her, "you can bring the pup with you, my Ma won't mind, she'll be happy to see her again."
So the three headed for Ace's house with puppy in tow. He recognised his Aunt's car parked out the front. His mother must have invited them too.
He opened his front door for Laura and Caroline and introduced the latter to his mother.
"Hey," Janice said, wandering into the room, "you got any smokes?" she asked Ace lowly. "My mom confiscated mine."
He rolled his eyes and reached for his pocket. He was out too. He looked at the clock, he knew the tobacconist opened for a couple of hours on Sunday afternoon. If he hurried he could make it. He left his mother with Caroline and slid his hand into Laura's
"Come on babe," he said, walking back out the door.
"Hey don't forget me," Janice protested, following them to the car.
Ace parked haphazardly and hurried into the tobacconist. The two girls got out of the car and stood near each other. Janice leaned over to pat the puppy.
"I'm sorry I was mean to you before, sincerely," Janice said after a period of awkward silence.
"It's okay," Laura said smiling.
"I can't believe you're marrying my cousin," she said, "it's too weird. Not in a bad way, just strange you know?"
"I know what you mean," Laura said, "I still can't believe it myself but," she paused, smiling sweetly, "it's the most wonderful thing that's ever happened to me."
"I'm going to go get some gum, do you want any?" Janice said, spotting the candy store was open.
"No I'm fine," she said.
She leaned back on to Ace's car, still cradling the puppy in her arms.
"Oh look," came a voice from the sidewalk, "two bitches."
Vera walked right over to Laura so she was barely an inch away from her.
"I seen you fucking him," she said, "in the street, like a common whore."
Laura trembled, everything about this girl frightened her and she would be lying if she said she wasn't slightly hurt that Ace had slept with her, even if it was before they even met.
"What are you doing here honey, begging him to take you back."
"Hey," called out Janice who was bolting back across the street. "What the fuck are you doing?"
"Who are you?" Vera spat, "her mother."
"No, she's my cousin's girl you skank," she growled back.
"You're Ace's cousin?" she asked suspiciously.
"Yeah, I am. You want me to go get him, he'll smash your face."
"Hey little girl," Vera said rudely, "why don't you keep out of it."
"Why don't you fuck off!" Janice yelled back. "Why are you bothering her anyway?"
"Because she doesn't seem to be able to take a god damn hint," Ace said striding over to them. He pulled Laura back away from Vera, glaring at the second with a look of pure rage.
"Get in the car babe," he said softly, kissing her quickly. He waited until she had closed the door before he stared down the other who only stared back.
"I'm pretty sure I told you to stay the fuck away from her," he growled.
"Congratulations," she sneered back, "you managed to get into her pants. I guess you don't care to much for the girl's reputation if you're going to openly fuck her in the god damn street."
"Hey," came a voice from next to them. They both seemed to have forgotten she was there. "She's going to be his wife bitch," Janice said, "not just some place to put his dick like you clearly want to be. You're disgusting."
She threw her arm back and slapped her hard across the face. Vera stood there stunned as Ace and Janice got into the car. Ace started the engine and started driving away. He gave Laura a pack of cigarettes to pass back to his cousin before grinning.
"God damn you have a dirty mouth," he said, still amused from her exchange with Vera.
"I do my best," she shrugged.