Run Away Child

Best Birthday

There was a traffic jam but thankfully there wasn’t anyone behind us so he backed up and turned around before traffic got heavy.

“That was crazy. Pull up your police scanner.”

I pulled out my phone and turned it on. It was a simple car accident on a busy road and thankfully no one got hurt.

“Well there are other ways to get to where we are trying to go so it’ll be okay.”

He put his hand on my thigh and smiled. He was driving but casually slid his hand up and started rubbing my p***y. I moaned slightly and he started rubbing faster.

“Oh not fair.”

“Totally fair.”

I gripped the handle on the door and the middle compartment. I started breathing heavily and moaning.

“Do you want me to go faster?”

“Yes.”

He went faster and it felt amazing. I orgasmed and he still continued.

“Baby, stop.”

“Are you sure? Or do want me to finish later.”

“Finish later.”

“Alright.”

He went to remove his hand from me completely and started driving with it. I just sat there staring at him. 

“What?”

“Give me your hand.”

“You said to stop.”

“Give.”

He gave me his hand and I sat it on my thigh and I smiled. 

“You are a dork.”

“You love this dork.”

“Always.”

“And forever.”

He got on the highway and I was super confused.

“Why are we going to Chicago?”

“How did you know?”

“Because I'm not an idiot.”

“Very true.”

I started thinking about where it could be that we were going to. I have no clue but it obviously was something fancy because of the way that we were dressed. He was wearing black dress pants and a black dress shirt. He never dresses up so I was thinking that this was weird.

“Oh I have something else for you.”

“What is it?”

“Open my wallet.”

I grabbed his wallet and pulled out a fake ID that had my picture.

“Why do I have a fake ID?”

“To get in.”

“Do you have one?”

“Yep. It’s in there next to yours.”

I pulled out his and sure enough, there was one with his name on it.

“Study yours. I already studied mine.”

“Are we going to a club?”

He started laughing.

“No. that would be a bad idea.”

“Why?”

“We both have a temper and watch someone hit on you that I don’t know.”

“That is the realest thing I have ever heard.”

“No.”

“What is?”

“That I love you more than anything else.”

“I love you too.”

“You are my number one priority.”

“No I'm not. Not after your future, family, career, and school.”

“Well you are the first two so.”

I blushed all hard and studied my fake identity. 

“Hope Johnson, born April thirtieth of 1999. So today is still my birthday but instead of turning seventeen, I'm turning twenty-one.”

“Decided to make it easy. And you get the birthday special.”

“Don’t make a fool out of me please.”

“Fine.”

I finished studying it and put it back in his wallet to make it easy. He drove to the North side of Chicago which made me think that this is going to be expensive. I pulled out my phone and started playing games and messing around. He started to slow down the car and I looked up. I saw the sign and my face lit up.

“You didn’t!”

“I did.”

“I have wanted to go here for years! How did you get an opening?”

“A family friend works here and I am their favorite so I asked for a favor.”

“Eddie V’s Prime Seafood is exclusive!”

“I know.”

Someone walked over to the door and handed Jordan a pass and someone walked over to my door and opened it for me.

“Well thank you.”

The man nodded and I walked over to Jordan. We walked past the line of a few people.

“Reservations?”

“Yes. Jordan Michaelson and Hope Johnson.”

“ID’s?”

Jordan pulled out our ID’s and gave them to him. He checked them and then checked the list and he nodded. 

“Right this way.”

He walked us inside and past all of the different places we could've sat. We walked straight to the VIP section.

“Why are we going to the VIP section?”

“Forgot to mention that the family friend doesn’t work here. She owns this restaurant.”

“What?”

“Yeah.”

The guy opened the gate for us and we walked to the table with our names on it. Jordan pulled my seat out and I sat down. He walked to his side then sat down as well. A waitress walked over.

“Hello, here are your menus.”

“Thank you.”

“What can I get for you to drink?”

“I will have the Cosmopolitan.”

“And for you sir?”

“Whiskey on the rocks. Neat please.”

“Alright, coming right up.”

She winked at him and I saw it. He grabbed my hand.

“Breathe.”

“She’s not allowed to flirt.”

“Nothing is going to happen. I’ll just say fiance instead of girlfriend.”

“I basically am. The always and forever promise is going to be taken to the grave.”

“Just like marriage.”

“Exactly.”

“One last thing to just top off the whole engaged thing.”

He pulled out his wallet and pulled out two rings. One was a sliver band and the other was an engagement ring. It was beautiful.

“How long have you had this?”

“I bought it this morning.”

“Are you proposing?”

“It’s a promise ring. I promise you, always and forever.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

He put the ring on my hand and slipped his on. He kissed me and I smiled. 

“By the way I love the ‘Originals’ reference.”

“Glad you noticed.”

“Hope and Michaelson? It was a little obvious.”

“But it worked.”

“True.”

She came walking up with our drinks.

“Here you are.”

“Thank you.”

“Can I get you started with an appetizer?”

“No thank you, we would like to order now.”

“Alright. What can I get for you?”

“I will have the 18 ounce USDA prime bone in New York Strip cooked at medium and my fiance will have the Salt and pepper Shrimp over fried rice.”

She looked defeated.

“Alright. Anything else?”

“That’ll be all.”

She walked away and I giggled.

“What?”

“The look on her face when you said ‘fiance’.”

He chuckled.

“I like the way it sounds.”

“Well, I’ll gladly call you that more if you call me something.”

“What?”

“All guys love this.”

“You want me to call you daddy don’t you?”

“Dear Lord help me.”

“Did you get a stiffy from me saying it?”

“Almost.”

“Well, wait till we get back in the car.”

I kissed him again and he grabbed my hand. He nodded at the waitress with our food and I could smell it and it smelled amazing.

“Here you are.”

“Thank you.”

“Enjoy.”

She walked away and we started eating. It was honestly really good and I was so happy that we came here. I drank my cocktail and it was amazing. We finished eating and I looked at Jordan. 

“No more food for the rest of the night.”

He chuckled.

“Deal.”

The waitress came back with the bill.

“Split it with me.”

“Not a chance.”

“Jordan-”

“No. It’s your birthday and you aren’t worrying about anything other than having fun.”

“Fine.”

He paid and left the waitress a twenty dollar tip. We left and stood there for a moment waiting for the car. Then we saw his baby pull up. The guy got out and held the door for me.

“Thank you. Have a great rest of your night.”

“You too Miss.”

I got in and he closed the door. Jordan looked at me and smiled.

“Ready to go to location number two?”

“Yep.”

He drove off and I started kissing his neck. I got closer to his ear and whispered.

“So, where to next, daddy?”

His eyes got wide and he got hard. 

“That is not fair.”

“Well, you asked for it.”

“You are such a tease.”

“I know.”

“How am I going to get rid of it?”

“There are a few different ways.”

“I know what you are thinking and it’s not happening. I'm just going to have to breathe and it’ll go away.”

I chuckled and I looked out the window.

“You know what.”

“What?”

“Payback.”

I looked at him confused then his hand went up my thigh and started rubbing fast. I moaned slightly and my eyes rolled to the back of my head. 

“You like that don’t you?”

“I do.”

“Good.”

He continued for a few more seconds then stopped. I looked at him shocked.

“Wow.”

“I know. I can tease you too.”

“That was mean.”

“And you whispering ‘daddy’ in my ear wasn’t?”

“Fair point.”

He continued driving and I saw that we were heading to the West side now.

“Why are we now going to the West side?”

“Because that is where the second location is.”

“It’s five thirty.”

“I know. And we are right on time.”

I smiled and I went on my phone. I was playing a game when I felt Jordan’s hand on my thigh. 

“No, I'm mad at you.”

“What, why?”

“Because you teased me and didn’t give me a kiss after.”

“If I give you a kiss will you stop being mad?”

“Find out.”

He leaned over and gave me a kiss.

“Better?”

“Nope. Another.”

He chuckled and kissed me again. We stopped at a stop light so I looked at him.

“Still nope. Maybe making out will.”

He chuckled then bit his lip. Then grabbed my face. He started making out with me then he slipped me tongue. I started running my fingers through his hair and he moved his hand to my waist. He pulled away.

“Still mad at me?”

“Nope.”

“Good.”

The light turned back to green and his hand went back to my thigh. I flipped his hand around and started messing with his fingers. I rubbed the inside of his hand then held it. I pulled it towards my face and kissed it. I continued to hold his hand and he went to pull away.

“No, mine.”

“No, mine.”

“Nope my birthday.”

“But it’s my hand.”

“No, it’s mine.”

“Babe, let go.”

“No. if you keep arguing with me I'm going to give you the silent treatment until we get to the second location.”

“But why?”

“I want to hold your hand so let me hold your hand.”

“But it’s mine.”

“Fine.”

I let go of his hand and turned so I was facing the window. I wasn’t actually mad, I just wanted to hold his hand.

“Why are you mad?”

“I want to hold your hand but you don’t want to.”

“So you are throwing a temper tantrum because I won’t hold your hand?”

“Not a temper tantrum. If you want me to throw a temper tantrum I will.”

“Then what are you doing?”

“Being mad until you give me a kiss and give me your hand.”

“All I have to do is give you a kiss and hold your hand and you will stop being mad?”

“Yep.”

“And if I don’t?”

“Then you are going to have one angry birthday girl.”

I felt him lean over and I felt his soft lips on my cheek. I turned my head and he gave me another kiss. He slipped his hand back into mine and pulled out his phone.

“You were recording that weren’t you?”

“The whole thing.”

“This is karma from the time you did this and I got you on video isn’t it?”

“Yep.”

He kissed my hand and held it. I pulled out my phone and took a picture of him. 

“Why?”

“Because it’s a rare occurrence that you wear a suit.”

“True.”

“Plue you look really hot right now.”

“I know you do.”

“I can’t even with you.”

“I know. You love me though.”

“I do.”

“Good.”

“Are we almost there?”

“Yeah.”

“Good because I can’t stand being in the car with you any longer.”

He looked at me.

“Really now?”

“It was a joke. Don’t hurt me.”

“I would never do that to you. That’s the difference between a man and a possessive boy.”

“I still flinch sometimes.”

“I know, and it breaks my heart.”

I looked down and just stared at his hand. 

“Why me?”

“What do you mean?”

“There are other beautiful women out there that are less complicated and are better than me in every way that you could be with. But you are with me.”

“Sophia, I am going to wait until we get to this next location before I answer that because that is a part of the next location. But know, I love you and only you. It will always be you.”

“I can’t cry because if I mess up the makeup they will kill me.”

He chuckled and we pulled up to a fair.

“Why are we here?”

“You said you have never been to a fair before so here we are.”

“We are a bit overdressed for this.”

“Give me a second.”

He pulled out his phone and texted someone. A minute later a truck pulled up and everyone got out.

“What is happening right now?”

“We are here to get you two dressed for the fair.”

“Lord you have this whole thing planned out.”

The girls rushed me over to the bathroom and changed me into a black romper that had a train after it that was also black. I changed my shoes to some cute sandals that matched the outfit. We walked back to the boys and Jordan was standing there in black jeans and a white tee shirt.

“Wow, you look amazing.”

“You look good. Casual looks really good on you.”

I walked over to him and the group took pictures of us.

“Okay, see y'all later.”

“Bye! Have fun.”

Jordan took my hand and we walked into the fair. We walked around for a little while and I looked at the ferris wheel.

“Please?”

“Later. Let’s win some stuff first.”

“Okay.”

We walked around and we saw one that was a throwing competition. Jordan walked up and paid the man. He was given three baseballs. They threw theirs and it was Jordan’s turn. He chuckled and it said that the speed that he had to beat was eighty. He threw the first one and it reached seventy-three. The second one was eighty on the dot and the third reached ninety-four. 

“And we have a winner! Pick any of the big ones.”

He pointed at the giraffe and the guy pulled it down. He gave it to Jordan and the look on his face said it all.

“My lady.”

“Thank you.”

I grabbed it from him and it was the cutest thing ever.

“I hope you remember the story behind why I picked that one.”

“Chloe called me her ‘little giraffe’ the first year we became friends and the rest of the group did. And for my birthday that year you got me a sign that glew up that said ‘Little Giraffe’.”

“Yep.”

We walked around and we found one that was a shooting game so I paid the lady working it and she gave me a gun. 

“Are you sure?”

“You do remember that I used to hunt with my brothers, father, and papa right? I grew up in the country.”

“Alright.”

I shot the first three that I had to shoot with one hit each. I had to shoot a total of ten things out of twelve in order to win and I did. 

“Lucky winner! Pick any price.”

There was this little grilla that I thought was adorable so I picked him out. She handed me him and I gave him to Jordan.

“Here you go.”

“It’s adorable.”

“I know right?”

We walked around and tried to play many different games and we won maybe two more and lost the rest of them. It was almost time to leave when Jordan said it was time to get on the ferris wheel. We stood in line and I saw he was nervous.

“Hey, are you okay?”

“Yeah, I'm just nervous.”

“Why?”

“When we get on I’ll tell you.”

We walked to the front and Jordan gave him the tickets. We got on and we sat down and we placed the stuffed animals where they were fine. Once it started going Jordan looked like he was going to shut down.

“Are you scared of heights?”

“No. I'm scared of being high up with you.”

“Why?”

“The thing I have been trying to tell you all night.”

“Okay?”

He took a deep breath and I grabbed his hand.

“What is it?”

“So you know how we moved in together and we want a future together.”

“Yes?”

“I have been in love with you even before you and Nick dated. When you two did I was not okay. After you turned to me for comfort after I fell for you harder and every time I look at you, all I see is my future. Is the love of my life and the woman that I want to have kids with.”

He started choking up and a single tear streaked down my cheek.

“You are the most amazing woman that I have ever met and I don’t care what anyone has to say about you. You are perfect in my eyes and I don’t care about your damage. We grow from it and become better than it and Sophia, you have grown from it and you have become better than anyone could imagine.”

He grabbed the hand with the ring on it and held it up.

“This ring shows my love for you and my devotion to our promise. It’s us always and forever.”

He pulled the ring off and pulled his off as well. He shined his phone's flashlight on them and they had ‘Always and Forever’ engraved in them and I started crying.

“I love you babygirl and I promise you that I will never hurt you and will never put a hand on you.”

“I love you too.”

I put my ring back on and kissed him. I moved so I was sitting next to him and then fireworks started going off. I rested my head on his shoulder and we sat there until we were supposed to get off. I wiped my face and we walked out with our stuffed animals and happy. We threw them in the back and we got in.

“Did you have fun?”

“I did. Thank you.”

“Wanna tell me why you hate your birthday now?”

I signed.

“Growing up we had nothing. But we made due with what we did and no matter what they would always make me pancakes and chocolate milk. My ninth birthday, they forgot. We went through the whole day and no one said anything. I wasn’t too mad because they were busy. The next day I told my mom and she told me ‘we knew but we didn’t care’ and that was the first day that I felt worthless to my family.”

“What about your brothers?”

“They knew but couldn’t do or say anything so the next day they brought me to the ice cream shop and that’s when our tradition started.”

“Wow.”

“That’s not it.”