Who to choose?

Chapter 23 - Paradise

Chapter 23 - Paradise

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!"

I open my eyes. The sight that meets me makes me grin. My parents and Aaron are standing in the doorway in their PJs with presents and a cake in their hands. 

"Happy birthday dear Samantha! Happy birthday to you!"

Their false voices makes me laugh. Even Aaron is singing, but unlike my parents he's faking not hitting the notes. In reality, he's the best singer of us all.

"Thank you!" I shriek when Mom hands me my present. It's a gorgeous blue dress. 

"For tonight," she says and winks at me. 

I frown confused at her. I know we agreed they would wake me up the traditional birthday way this morning, since they'd be gone tomorrow, when my actual birthday is, but I can't remember we planned something for tonight. 

"I thought you were leaving for grandpa's tonight?"

"Yeah, we are." Dad says. "But first we're having a birthday dinner all four of us.." 

I grin. 

"And Ian." 

My grin fades. Ian? At dinner? With my parents? 

"Oh, I'm sorry honey!" Mom says with a worried voice and sits down at my bed. "Are you two broken up?"

"What? No, no! We're fine!" I say with wide eyes. "I was just... a little surprised, that's all." 

"That's great, sweetheart!" Mom hugs me. "I can't wait to have dinner with your boyfriend for the first time!" 

I force a smile at my Dad over Mom's shoulder. Aaron is standing behind Dad, with his arms crossed and an evil smirk on his face. 

Yaaaay...

***

I run my hands over my hair one more time. 

"Don't worry, you look lovely," Mom says. 

I smile at her before glancing at the front door again. Ian should be here soon. 

It's weird. We've been together for over a month, and I still get nervous before I see him. 

The sound of knocking on the front door makes me jump. Mom hurries over to let Ian in. 

"Hello Mrs. Reed." I can see Mom taking a boquet of flowers from his hand.

"Oh those are wonderful Ian!" Mom smiles widely. She sure can't resist flowers.

I smile. At least Ian is calm and knows what to do, even if I don't.

Ian steps inside and after shaking Dad's hand he walks over to me. 

"Happy early birthday!" he grins and put his arm around my waist. He kisses me on the cheek and whispers, "You look beautiful." 

I blush and beam at him. I hope this happy feeling I have in my stomach never goes away. 

After sitting down at the dinner table, with Ian on my left, my parents on the oppsite side and Aaron at the end, we eat and chat about everything and nothing. I'm surprised that Dad hasn't interrogated Ian yet.

I mean, it's not like they haven't spoken together before, but they've never been in the same room this long at a time. I thought Dad would have grasped the opportunity with both hands a long time ago.  

"So, Ian," Dad says and puts his fork down. Oh no. Here it comes. "What do you plan on doing after high school?"

Ian finishes the bite in his mouth, before he answers, "Well, I hope I get into one of the good colleges. Hopefully with a football program."