I love you. Forever.

Chapter 35: Birthday Boy

*I am completely new to the paintball world and how to play. So this chapter will probably not be too accurate when it comes to the sport. My apologies ahead of time if you’re a active paintball player!

Becs’ POV

After Ben dropped me back home I had a realization. I am the worst. With my memory loss, hospital stay and recovering; we all missed Ben’s birthday. How could I have not realize this right away. He never mentioned anything. Typical. I am so f*****g angry at myself. I need to make this right, but how? Let’s face it, life has sucked this past month. I need to plan something fun and epic. A boys day or should I say a manly man day. He deserves it and probably needs a break from me. Hell, I need a break from me. I know just the person who could help.

Unknown Number: Jordan Rhodes!!!! I need your help. Its Rebecca. I hope you don’t mind but I stole your number from Ben’s phone.

Jordan: Oh hey Rebecca. I don’t mind at all. What’s up?

Ben’sGirl: With everything going on I missed Ben’s birthday. I want to plan a surprise for him. Something fun and carefree. Any ideas? I want it to be a boys day or if your prefer a manly man day :D

Jordan: Oh s**t…we all missed it! Yeah I’m in for a “manly man” day! He loved paintball as a kid. We both got out of it when we moved away. Lets research some paintball parks in your area. He’ll definitely be all in.

Ben’sGirl: Oh that sounds perfect! I’ll start searching for parks and get everything coordinated. What weekend works for you? I know you have spent a lot time here. I truly appreciate everything you have done. I was thinking of inviting a few guys from school that I know he gets along with. Let me know who to invite on your end.

Jordan: Hey, I’m always here for you guys, anytime. Just pick a weekend that’s available and I’ll make it work. Definitely invite Uncle Matt. He’s a beast out there! I’ll get you a list asap of who to invite.

Ben’sGirl: You’re the best Jordan. He’s going to be so surprised! I will get you more details as I go. Talk to you soon!

Jordan: He’ll definitely have fun. Looking forward to it!

…

I got to work immediately and found a really cool paintball park with a tower and so many obstacles such as cars, boulders, tanks etc. You name it! Luckily they had a cancelation and I was able to book the park in 2 weeks on Saturday along with another surprise the manager planned out for me. Perfect! Now to invite some guys and preorder a s**t ton of pizza because I have a feeling everyone will be starving after the game. I think I will make his cake. Mom has some awesome recipes.

Now all I got to do is keep my mouth shut and not spoil this surprise!

…

Two weeks later and everything is a go! Ben has no idea. Jordan is in town to visit like he has been this past month. His future brother in law, Christian, and the boys from school will all meet at the park tomorrow. Jordan and Ben’s dad are going to kidnap him first thing tomorrow morning for breakfast giving me a chance to “run my errands” so Ben doesn’t keep trying to make plans with me. His cake is all done and I have to get it to the park early tomorrow morning so I’m not caught. I will decorate their lodge as well. I was inspired by the paintball park and bought GI Joes along with little matchbox tanks and hummers. I baked a chocolate sheet cake with light green buttercream icing. I strategically placed the GI Joes and tanks to look like the setup at the park. With my mom’s talent of airbrush cake decorating we added paint splatters on the decorations and the cake itself. It looks so cool, if I do say so myself!  

I am so excited for tomorrow!

…

Ben’s POV

Ugh, Becs has been so busy this week. I feel like I have barely seen her outside of school. She’s back and ready to make up for the time she lost. She caught up with schoolwork and taking on her dance lessons again. Hell, I went to her house Friday night to take her out to dinner and her mom shoed me away! Apparently it was girls night. But she’s mine today come hell or high water.

HandsomeBoy: Baby doll, I’m taking you out to breakfast before your lesson. I miss you.

Becs: Hey love, how about we do breakfast tomorrow morning? I’m running two lessons this morning. I miss you too.

HandsomeBoy: Okay, I guess. Always too busy for me ☹

Becs: Poor Benny.  I promise I’m all yours on Sunday, okay? Xoxo

HandsomeBoy: Better be mine tomorrow. I'm holding you to it!!! Xoxo

Just as I set down my phone Jordan and dad barge into my room. “Let’s go Ben. We are having a manly man day.” Dad said chuckling. “First off is breakfast.” Jordan added. “Sounds good to me. Becs ditched me again.” I pouted. “You’re so whipped, you know that. No talk about girls. Let’s go have fun.” Jordan teased. I just rolled my eyes at him. He needs to find a girl for more than one night. He doesn’t know what he is missing. “We have a busy day ahead of us boys. Get a move on!” Dad said as we walked out and into the car.

We had a nice breakfast before they led me off somewhere else. “Where are we going now?” I ask looking out the window. “You’ll see little cousin.” Jordan said. I saw his smirk through the side mirror. “What are you and dad up too?” I mutter. I don’t like being in the dark about things. “Relax son. Just enjoy the ride. You’ll find out soon enough." Dad stated sternly. 

15 minutes later we pull into a paintball park. “No way, we haven’t done this in forever!” I said with a wide smile. Definitely gonna be a fun day. Wish Becs was here though. Think she would like this sport. As soon as we pulled in I saw a group of guys already in their gear. I followed dad and Jordan walking up to the group. I realized who they were once we got closer. Carrie’s fiancé Christian, Matt, Dave, Brandon, Mike, Ronny, JT and Jake were all there.

“Hey guys! What a surprise.” I say shaking their hands. I am so glad Matt is here hanging out with everyone. “We thought a fun day of paintball was in order. We’ll get ready and meet you guys back here.” Dad said guiding us back to the car for the equipment they packed. Man I am so excited for this.

Once we were ready and with the group, the manager came out to give us the run through. “Good morning gentlemen. Now that you have signed the waivers we can get down to business. Head and chest shots are automatic kills. Arm and leg shots are not. Ben, you are team captain of the Blue Squad which includes Christian, Ronny, Jt, Mike, and Matt S. Jordan, you are team captain of the Red Squad including, Matt W., Dave, Jake, Brandon and one of my in house players to even out the teams. Red Squad are on the defensive. This is capture the flag. Your sniper is already in the tower guarding the flag. Blue Squad, you are on the offensive. Your goal is to recover the flag. Just a warning, Red sniper is a spit fire. Good luck men. May the best team win.

…

“Holy s**t!” That sniper is good.” Christian yells over to me as we make our way to the tower. Its down to Christian, Mike and me. Mike is giving us cover to get to the tower entrance. Jordan, dad and that unrelenting sniper are still in the game from Red Squad. It’s a all out gunfight at the entrance. Red sniper just picked off Christian. It was a awesome shot I must say. The perfect head shot. “Mike cover me, I’m going in.” He nods and creates a diversion giving me a chance to make a run for it into the tower. “Just me and you, Red sniper. Its on. That f*****g flag is mine.” I yell out as I run. In response, I got grazed on my left shoulder. And another round went buzzing past my head. That was close. Red sniper is a spit fire for sure. 

Dad caught up to me and we have a shoot out right inside the tower. “Is that all you got old man!” I taunt. I hear in chuckle in response. “Just remember who taught you to shoot son.” He teased back. We both had near misses but I gained the high ground and got him in the chest. “Shit.” I hear him mutter as I laugh running up the spiral steps. I slow down getting close to the top and see where Red sniper is located. I think I see slight movement in the far corner. He must still be trying to hit Mike and looking for me. I sneak up behind him as he is crouched down looking over the side. I tap the back of his helmet with the point of my rifle. “Game over buddy.” I say cockily. In a flash he whips out a paintball hand gun and shoots hitting me straight over the heart but not before I get the head shot. I was a split second faster. “Oh you’re fast brother, but not fast enough.” I taunt as I grab the flag and wave it over the tower. I watch Red sniper walk off never saying a word. Kind of scrawny. No wonder he is a sniper.

“Blue team wins. Congratulations guys! Head into the lodge to relinquish your rifles and to participate in further festivities. Red sniper, come to the office to relinquish your weapons.” The manager announced. We all head to the lodge stopping at the gun bench and turning in our rifles. We start to take off our masks and outer layers as we walk in. I notice the Red sniper coming out of the office still fully dressed in the gear. “Hey Red sniper, nice shooting out there.” I nod. He just waves and turns the corner. “A real talker, that one is.” I chuckle making Jordan laugh. “Yeah, but the dude can shoot.” He said. “f**k Jordan, he nailed me over the heart with a f*****g hand gun at a close range. That sucker hurt like a b***h. But my head shot was a second faster.” Jordan just patted my shoulder and laughed as he walked away.

We all walked into the lodge and I  noticed it was decorated in camo with a huge happy birthday sign. “Wait a minute.” I mumble to myself. I look around and everyone is smiling like fools. I then see mom and Lily along with Carrie. “What’s going on?” I question looking around all confused. It all started to click. “Where is she?” I asked loudly looking for a beautiful red head to pop up. Everyone was chuckling until Red sniper walked through the doors. “Oh no way….Becs…..!!!” I said laughing while I watched her take off her masks and head cover. Her hair was up in a messy bun with curls springing loose all over. She had the most beautiful smile. I ran up to her and gave her a bear hug. “You did all of this, didn’t you?” I asked in between kisses. “Happy birthday Benny.” She giggled. “Thank you baby doll. This is perfect.” I said giving her my Ben classic. “You have Jordan to thank too.” She said. “Jordan, man, thank you.” I shook his hand. “It was nothing Ben, your girl did most of the work. I just gave her an idea and she went with it. All I had to do was keep you from bugging her.” He teased.

Everyone sang happy birthday and we dug into the pizza and the awesome cake. Becs never ceases to amaze me. Today was a total blast. As the party was winding down, I stole Becs away to chat. “So babe or should I call you Red sniper?” We both chuckled. “Red sniper is fine.” She teased. “How the hell did you learn to shoot like that?” I asked. “You know all those lessons I went to? I never told you what type of lessons they were.” She grinned evilly. “I almost had you too.” She pouted. “Oh you almost did miss sniper. Almost.” I said stealing a kiss. “That heart shot hurt like hell though. We were warned that the sniper was a spit fire.” I chuckled rubbing over my heart. “Hey, at least you weren’t shot in the head.” She retorted. “That’s true. Its funny, the whole time I thought you were just a quiet scrawny  guy. Boy was I wrong.” We both laughed. “But seriously baby doll, thank you for today. You didn’t have to do all of this.” She hugged me and rested her head on my chest. “Yes I did Benny. We all missed your birthday. I wanted to make it up to you. You have done everything for me. I don’t think I will ever be able to pay you back.” She said softly. “Oh baby, you are my world. Never feel as though you owe me anything. You are all I could ever need or want.” I held  her tight before she lifted her head for a nice long kiss. "But you're still all mine tomorrow." I wink at her.

“Whose up for a second round of capture the flag?” I hear the park manager call out. Everyone erupted into cheers. “Hell yeah, but Red sniper is on MY team this time!” I declared. “What the birthday boy wants, the birthday boy gets.” Jordan announced before we split up into teams again. 

...

This has been the best birthday I have ever had. If I'm being honest, I completely forgot about my birthday myself. My days ran into each other helping my girl recover. Damn, I am a blessed guy. I have the best girlfriend ever. I don't think she could have planned a more perfect party for me. Best of all was her surprising me. Today has been a great day!