Chapter 5
Today was going to be a big day. And it was off to a weird start.
I have never been to church and I didn't want to go. Clare said I might like it. But like always, Clare was wrong. I wasn't religious in the first place. All this did was make me have more issues with it. Starting with how fucking boring it was.
Walking out towards the car, happy the Christmas mass was over and we were going home to open the presents, Luke was scowling. He could tell just how much I enjoyed it. He even told Clare that he thought it was fine if we didn't have to go if I was uncomfortable with it (though it just didn't interest me). But no, Clare wanted us all to go together on Christmas. As if she was a good mother, devoted to Jesus. I mean, of course her and Jesus are tight. She killed my sister, beat me, lied, ruined my life... why wouldn't Jesus or God love her?
It pissed Luke off that she 'insisted' I come but all he could do was bite his tongue - which I notice is starting to take a toll on him. Today, especially. It was Christmas and like he told me, a break was needed - but for him too I saw. At least I didn't have to quietly take her shit where as he did. He couldn't even enjoy what was suppose to be a day with loved ones when his wife would be around us the entire time and he couldn't relax or even be himself.
"So how did you like it?" Luke asked me after we got in the car, wanting me to tell the truth as he knew it was.
"Am I aloud to bitch on Christmas? Will Jesus forgive me mother if I say what I think?"
I heard Clare sigh and saw Luke try to hide his smile at my words as he faced the window from the front passenger seat. Looking between them from the back seat, Clare answered me lightly. "Just tell us if you enjoyed the service or not."
"Well, first I need to file a few complaints. First, what the hell was with the bread? Apparently, this is the body of Christ. They should do a bit better than styrofoam. And if the blood of Christ is that wine, you'd figure it would at least give you a buzz. And that's not the biggest issue. It was so boring. I mean honestly, you go to church because you are thankful to god that you are alive. It shouldn't be sucking the life out of you."
"Albany!" Clare scolded loudly. "That's enough."
I put my hands up in surrender from the back. "Hey, honest opinion. Something God should respect. I liked the stain glass windows though. They were pretty." Not to mention, another positive was just how good Luke looked. More like drop dead sexy with his black button up shirt and khakis. I swear, that was my first Christmas present of the day, just the sight of him.
***
By the time we got back to the house, Clare was still acting pissed at me for what I said. But it pissed me off she made me go so I was aloud to bitch about it like I did. I wasn't sure if she meant her anger or if it was a show for Luke. Honestly, he didn't look like he cared and if I had to guess, he was on my side.
He tried blocking out his irritation when the time came to open presents. I was sitting on the couch, waiting as patently as I could while Clare was getting some coffee she didn't get the chance to drink earlier and Luke was turning on the radio. When the air filled with that old Christmas music while I sat on the couch in the living room, waiting anxiously, I really started to feel like a kid. Like really a kid. I was staring at the presents with a strange feeling of excitement within me. I wasn't worried about anything; my mind was being greedy and I liked it.
By the time he entered the living room, a smile on his face as he was excited for me, I couldn't help but smile back. "Well it's about time," I said. Not caring Clare was in here yet, I continued to speak to Luke (it had nothing to do with her anyway). "Anyway, I want to give you your present first," I said, seeing the surprise cross his face. His lips tilted up as well even more and I could feel a blush cross my face. It wasn't often that I showed I cared or give people presents. So shut up about it.
"You got me something?"
"Yeah," I said, quietly, slightly embarrassed. I stood up and gestured for him to follow me. "It's outside though," I said, walking towards the door and sliding on my boots and my coat. By the time I was done though, I looked over to him and saw he was still standing on the other side of the room, just staring at me, as if amazed. Meeting his eyes, I saw them shine in mine and could feel my heart pick up at how beautiful that gaze was, even for that small moment. "Come on! I'm excited for you to see it. God, know when to take advantage of me offering up my kindness," I chuckled. He snapped out of it and nodded, grinning slyly still as walked over towards me and put on his boots and coat quickly too before he opened the door.
"We will be back in a second, Clare!" He yelled to her in the kitchen and before she could answer, he shut the door behind us after we stepped out into the cold air. Moving down the porch, nearing his cop car, I was filled with excitement to see his reaction to what I did.
It took forever to do so I hoped he would like it. Last night, after Jan and Shannon dropped me off at home, I didn't go straight inside. Nope, I stayed outside. More specifically, I was in Luke's cop car, fixing something for him that I knew really bothered him about the car.
"What are we doing?" he asked, confused.
"Trust me," I smiled, moving through the small amount of snow over the driveway since it snowed last night. "Get in the drivers side," I gestured for him to get in as we walked towards the car. Heading towards the driver's door, he opened it and got it and I did the same on the passengers side.
Biting my lip in anticipation, I couldn't stop a grin from reaching me as I watched him carefully next to me. His eyes met mine, confused still, he spoke and with our words came the breathy fog from how cold it was. "I don't understand--"
"Look around for a little bit," I said, wanting him to find it for himself. And he did after a few seconds of looking around. When his eyes came to rest on the sliding belt between us, as he put it, 'The Broken Fucker,' I watched as his smile turned to a bright grin, his teeth shinning in the morning light that glared through the windows.
His eyes flickering up to mine, he then looked back down, not believing what he saw. He shifted more, down more so he could see it better. Face just above it, he looked closely at all the devices on the track and all I could do was wait in anticipation for his reaction to seeing what I did. And what I did... was a lot of hard work.
Last night when I sat in this car with the duct tape I bought, I carefully wrapped fractions of a pieces of tape around the small bars that the gadgets were latched to. Between each little device or gadget, where the bars were bare, I covered it with tape so the devices wouldn't slid around anymore. Now, every time he drives this car, it wont be so annoying since now, his gadgets wouldn't be sliding all over.
Once he realized this, once he saw just how small those pieces of tape were and how hard it was to wrap them around all the small bars, to just split them up without scissors.... he couldn't believe it. His smile dimmed but it was only from the astonishment that came across his face. He sat back up after looking at it thoroughly and stared at me, shaking his head slowly. "How...?" He laughed and bit his lower lip, not daring to look away from me. "How did you manage something this challenging? I mean, this must have take you hours."
I shrugged and could feel my blush returning. "Well, I knew you hated this track thing," I laughed at the memory of him getting worked up over 'The Broken Fucker', "And I knew it would make you happy."
His eyebrows dipped slightly in feeling and his smile slowly started to fade as he just stared at me, his eyes searching in mine from where I sat next to him. From the look on his face, I wasn't sure what put him in such a daze now again but I just hoped he liked what I did for him.
"Do you like it?" I asked him.
"Do I like it?" he said, still staring at me in amazement. "I love it. I... I couldn't ask for anything better," he reached over and rested his hand on mine in my lap, his fingers warm to the touch as he comfortingly grasped my hand. I could feel sparks shooting up my arm. "And I mean it. I love this and am proud you went out and did something like this for me. Thank you, Albany."
I could feel my heart speed up again and it wasn't just the good kind that came about from my love for him. But just... overwhelming emotion we were sharing and openly. I chuckled and nodded, smiling at him. "Yeah, no problem. You deserve it. And maybe it will increase your job performance," I smirked and I watched his smile return at my words.
"Increase my job performance? What the hell is that suppose to mean?"
A few moments later, and after he admired my gift to him one more time, we went back inside and took our coats and shoes off, heading towards where Clare was sitting on the couch. I sat down on the floor in front of the Christmas tree and Luke sat a few feet away from me next to the tree, gesturing for Clare to come down and sit next to him like a good husband would. They both sat next to each other, facing both me and the presents we would start to grab. Of course, just before, she took his hand in hers and I could see how quickly his mood plummeted back down, just from holding her hand and it hurt me. Not just because it made me mad but I wanted this to be a good Christmas for him too and he was stuck holding hands with her, literally.
"Alright Albany," he smiled to me, ignoring Clare as best as he could. "Start opening your gifts," he said and slid one from under the tree to me. "This one is from Clare."
Not wanting to cause drama on Christmas - yes, I know I'm a saint - I didn't respond to that like I wanted. After all, I was getting presents and I needed to be thankful for that, no matter the person that is giving them to me.
At first, all I could do was look at it as I held it before me in my lap, looking down at it. Of course, I knew you unwrap presents. I just... didn't know what that was suppose to mean. Do I rip it to shreds or just unfold it. 'Unwrap' presents would imply to just be careful and unfold it. Sounds stupid but I honestly had no idea. "Do I just... rip the paper off?"
Luke raised his eyebrows, realizing that this was my first time actually opening a present. He tried keeping what would have been a wild expression under control and only nodded, giving me a smile that looked quite forced.
I did as he insisted and once gain, I felt that thrill crawl through my body of a little kid as I ripped the wrapping paper off of a box that said Yonkers. I noticed that I could open the top and when I did, I saw some clothes there. I smiled, looking down at the nice sweater that was a deep red and looked really warm. My smile dimmed a big when I saw the size though. Leave it to Clare to mess it up.
"Um, I'm not a small. I'm a medium. It's okay though, it's not like you should know this stuff or anything," I said as calmly and naturally as I could. It wasn't like it was an honest mistake from just anyone. This was my mother, someone who should know this stuff. And even if she didn't, it just pissed me off because she bought this for show, so Luke would see what a kind and caring mother she was.
I could see Luke was thinking the same thing but quickly hid it as he quietly said to her. "It's okay. We will return it and get the next size bigger."
I nodded, smiling still. She couldn't get me down today, no matter what she did. It was my first Christmas and I was already loving it, despite her annoying little brushes I kept noticing she was making as an excuse to touch Luke and tease me. All I could do was ignore it.
I watched as Luke slid me another gift that was in a smaller box and I was a little confused at first. These presents better not all be for me.
"This is from me," he said, smiling.
I nodded and opened it, tearing off the wrapping paper and I could feel a smile come to my face at not knowing what it could be. Of course when I opened it, I could only stare at what it held. I knew that on Christmas, you give presents and you get them. But I felt like complete shit for what I gave him in comparison to this.
Opening the small box, it was a beautiful necklace. I stared in awe at it. It was on a long silver chain and it held a charm that looked too beautiful for me. It was a crystal crescent moon and it shinned no matter which direction you held it. Next to it was a little star hanging with it that was just the perfect touch. I ran my fingers over the many facets of the blue crystal and I could feel the care he put into getting this for me, the thought.
"Oh my god," I sighed under my breath and though getting presents was great, I was now starting to rethink that. I mean... it was too much. Sure, I let him buy me a ton of stuff before but that was because I either wanted it or needed it. He got this necklace for me because he cared about me and wanted to make me happy. And I knew this must have cost a lot of money too, rich or not rich as he was.
"I saw it at the jewelry store and thought of you right away when I saw it. I hope you like it and will wear it," I heard Luke say and I looked up at him with wide eyes.
I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out at first until I tried again. I wanted to tell him it was too much, it was too beautiful for me and would stand out too much, or something so I wouldn't have to accept something so great. But... I wanted it. I wanted this piece of him. He picked it out especially for me and because of that, I wouldn't be taking this off any time soon.
"I love it. It's so beautiful...." I said, taking it out of the box and running the my fingers over the crystal moon again before I unclasped it and moved it around my neck where I clasped it back together. The charm rested on my chest and I just found it so beautiful, so thoughtful from him. I wasn't sure if I could take anymore presents like this. I felt my smile grow as I looked down at the charm. This was honestly the best present I ever got (of course, it was my first but it was still the best).
A few moments later, Luke turned towards Clare next to him after grabbing another present from beneath the brightly lit tree. "Clare," he said in a cheerful voice, handing her a small box as well. "This is for you. I hope you like it too," he smiled.
A bright smile reached her lips when she opened hers up and revealed what was inside the small box. "Luke..." she said in awe, holding the beautiful ring between her fingers. It held a bright purple stone that looked like a diamond and around it was gold swirls. It looked amazing but at the same time, I knew it was nothing. Luke didn't buy it because he loved her; he did it to cover his ass like any smart guy would do with a crazy chick like her as a wife. Not to mention, it held no care from Luke. Clare was none the wiser of course. "I can't believe you got this for me!" She slid it on her finger and admired the sight of it. After a moment, she looked back up to him and smiled. "Awe, thank you so much hon," she said as she leaned up and to the side, connecting his lips with hers in a sweet kiss I could do no more than barely stand.
***
Unfortunately, most of those presents were for me - besides a few from more to Clare and a few for Luke from her. And there were a lot of presents. Too much for my liking. Clare got me a few more things. She got me more clothes (some that actually fit), some shoes, and managed to get me some perfume - which smelled great and I loved it but would never admit that to her.
After that though, the whole process of it all began to get harder because it was time to unwrap the rest of Luke's presents. So far, he has also gotten me something as cheap as crayons to something as nice as another coat that fit great and looked nice too. However, there was much more to come and after so much so far... it was making me a little uneasy. I wasn't use to all this, wasn't use to getting so much stuff - and the key was that it was stuff given to me out of simple thought and care for me. Of course, it weighed on my shoulders. But that didn't mean I objected and didn't like it. Not to mention, Clare went upstairs to get ready for later today since she already saw me open all her presents. And now that she was gone upstairs, I could open the rest of my presents with just Luke and see his pleasure of just being free from her fill him, even if it was for just a little bit. He seemed so much better and that in itself was a nice present.
"Hmm..." I said, moving my fingers over the next gift he just gave me to open. I was trying to figure out what it could be in the package and couldn't think of anything. Smiling up at Luke, I said, "Well, I guess I'll just have to see what it is."
I ripped open the present with just as much enthusiasm as I had before (it just couldn't get old for my excitement). And I could feel my lips tilt up in a smirk and blush run through my cheeks at what I held in my hand when I looked down at it.
"Bows?" I asked him in a light tone. He loved my hair and that had to be why he got these for me. It was confirmed when he looked away slightly and I could see, just faintly, a little red come to his face too.
"Yeah, I thought you might want to try wearing them," he said in a mumble, as if embarrassed to even say it. It just made me more fond of him at the moment.
I smiled even though I tried hiding it. "Of course, you know this would mean keeping my hair down to wear these bows..." I said, eyeing him carefully with a skeptical eye that made him chuckle in guilt. He loved my hair, especially kept down, and I liked seeing the supporting evidence.
"Oh," he said, as if just realizing that it would mean keeping my hair down and I thought it was the cutest thing too. "Well, I guess you'll just have to do that."
I blushed again and all I could think was that I was glad Clare was upstairs because if she wasn't, she would be ruining this special moment between me and Luke. Placing the rows of colorful bows he got me with my other gifts, I couldn't help but admire his warm jade eyes as he eagerly slid me my next present, which was just a huge looking box.
"You keep giving me them to me at this rate, you would think I'm spoiled." I said into his eyes. Sitting across from me closer, to see better what I was opening, I could do nothing but just smile. Smile, smile, laugh, and smile. I don't remember ever feeling this happy and this carefree.
I opened the present he gave me and found it to be the most unusual yet (and that was next to the dirty joke book he got me, which was pretty awesome). It was a huge empty cage and I could just stare at the black bars, not sure what to think of it at all. Glancing up to him in question from across me and the cage, I raised an eyebrow.
"Look I know how much of an animal Clare is but I don't think her ass will fit in here," I joked, waiting for an explanation for a cage.
He laughed at that, pretty hard actually, and I couldn't do anything but drown in the wonderful sound. Once he stopped, I saw him get to his feet and look down to where I still sat on the floor and around the mess of wrapping paper, boxes, and presents.
"Come with me," he said as I looked up to him, offering me his hand and I took it as he helped me to my feet. I was still confused as to what he was up to.
"What are we doing?" I asked as he walked a few steps away from where we were before and guided me as well to stop and stand.
"Just stand right here," he said, arms on my shoulders and facing me towards the door, a smile for me on his face over whatever this was he was doing. "And close your eyes, okay?"
I nodded after hesitating and running through all the possibilities of what he could be doing that would require me to close my eyes. "Alright...." I said in confusion another moment, not knowing what he was up to. I didn't know what this was, what to expect of this little surprise after I closed my eyes and just stood there, anxiously. I never felt so excited and anxious at the same time, the need to know what the hell he was up to eating me alive.
I heard the front door open and close for a moment and figured he must have left the house. It only lasted a moment though because a few minutes later, I heard the door open again. This time though, I didn't hear it shut because I was focused on something else. Something much different from any sound I heard before and that was of the pitter patter of little steps. And no more than a second later did I feel something at my feet, brushing and jumping against me and I opened my eyes in a loud gasp.
"Oh my god!" I squealed, not believing my eyes when I looked down to the rapid movement at my feet. A puppy was dancing around me, his paws scratching at my legs for attention and I could feel my heart just grow at the sight of the little puppy. It was so cute. So cute. And I didn't know what to think at first. Just that a puppy wanted my attention and I wanted to give all my attention to this little guy.
I could feel that smile stuck on my face for good now as I knelt down towards the floor where the little brown dog was. I felt my hands caress his smooth fur and before I knew it, as I petted him and ran my hands over him, he tried climbing up me and managed to tilt up enough to lick my face and chin. I felt my laughter fill the air from how friendly he was and how anxious he was to lick my face as I craned my neck higher from him. "Holy shit! It's a puppy!" I said in a light voice in astonishment, looking down into his small face and saw a big red bow tied around his neck. When he stopped licking my face and when he settled on just licking my arm, he followed my other hand with his eyes and head while I petted along his back. He seemed kind of crazy with how his attention seemed to split, how he was trying to lick me and focus on my other hand at the same time and I loved him instantly.
After a moment of just accepting the fact that there was a dog before me now, licking me as I petted it just as rapidly in affection, I looked up to find Luke standing a few feet away at the now closed door behind him, eyes on me. His gentle smile was present and I could see the enjoyment he was getting out of seeing how much I loved this puppy.
"You got me a puppy!" I said gleefully before I looked back down to the dog again, running my fingers continuously over its fur and his cute red bow, his paws and the top of his head. Looking back up at Luke, I just shook my head. "I mean... you got me a puppy!" I laughed. That's all I seemed able to say. I was just so shocked. Of course, when a few other factors raced through my head, I found words. "But Clare is allergic to animals. How did you convince her?" I asked as I continued stroking the dog and as I did, it started to calm down more and wasn't jumping all over me like before.
Luke's smile moved from me to the puppy as he came closer and knelt down with me as well, petting him too as he spoke to me. "It took a lot to convince her. But I did. I told her that I think it would be good for you, that you deserved this, and that a puppy is also a learning experience. I also said that she might not even be allergic to this dog. She's only allergic to certain animals and that goes for dogs too."
I nodded, swallowing and trying to accept this. He continued on though with his words. "Now a dog is a lot to handle and that is part of the reason I want you to have him. It would help you I think. But I know how much love you will get out of that dog and how much love he will get out of you."
The puppy sneezed after a minute and I saw it lose it's patience for right now and it was off to explore. He licked me a few more times before departing towards the kitchen like he owned the place already. Laughing slightly, I looked back up to where Luke knelt before me. "I...I love him. It is a him, right?"
Luke nodded. "Yep. And he's over a year old already. He has no name, never had any previous owners. I actually picked him up from the shelter because I could just tell he and you would be a perfect fit," he chuckled, eyes twinkling in mine.
"What should we name him?" I asked, looking towards the kitchen entrance but not seeing the curious little guy. He was still searching the premises. Glancing back to Luke, he pursed his lips in thought before he answered.
"It's up to you; he's your dog. But I was thinking Jack. He just looked like a Jack to me," he smiled.
My eyebrows raised and I nodded eagerly, agreeing with him. The puppy looked like a Jack. A dog with dignity and a real strong name. "That's a great name for him. Jack," I said, nodding with approval over the name when I heard it on my tongue.
I saw the puppy - Jack - come back into sight at the kitchen entrance and when he saw us, he just sat down there, wagging his tail the whole time as he watched us, his little tongue hanging out of his mouth. Looking over the little dog, I couldn't help but tilt my smile up and towards Luke. Looking into his beautiful eyes, I knew what I had to say.
"Luke... I don't know how to thank you besides just saying it. Because you deserve more than that after all you have given me today," I said, swallowing hard. Because even if I loved everything he did for me, it was still hard to deal with - especially now with him getting me a goddam dog. I mean... how can I respond to something as great as that?
He nodded and I couldn't hold back from hugging him any longer. I shuffled closer to him and where he knelt on the floor before my kneeling self too. I wrapped my arms around his neck and held his body to mine, unable to ignore how welcoming his hold felt when he hugged me back. Resting my head in the crook of his neck, I couldn't help but sigh, breathing in his wonderful scent and making my body relax even more. I swear, nobody else could get such a reaction out of me like he could. Because I felt so safe, so open, and so warm like that.
"Thank you," I said quietly in his ear as we hugged. "Thank you so much, Luke. And I really mean that."
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Wow, second chapter in only two days. Surprised? So am I. I just had the time which is rare so don't expect another for another couple of days or in a week like usual. Anyway, what do you think about the presents she got? There is a picture of the necklace she got off to the side - except hers is blue. And don't worry, I'll post a picture of cute little Jack on the next chapter.