“More than you realize.”
I took her by the hand, leading her up the stairs. We made it to my room, leaving the lights off. The room illuminated by the lights outside.
I slowly slipped her shirt over her head, unbuttoning her pants as she shimmied them off the same way she put them on earlier. I grabbed her by the waist pulling her against me, my hand running along her side, finding her spot. Her breathing was steadily rising.
“Stefan,” She whimpered.
“I know, Baby.” I pulled my hand back, lying her down on the bed. I swiftly pulled my shirt off, dropping my pants. I stared down at her, “This is my favorite version of you.” I leaned into her, holding myself above her with my arms. “You’re my addiction, Sophia Brooks. I can’t get enough of you.”
She reached up touching my cheek, I kissed her palm. “I love you.” She said softly.
That night I kissed every inch of her, making her feel a love I didn’t know I could give. She changed something in me that night. I think I felt it coming for a long time, but when it hit me, it was like a freight train.
Chapter Twelve
Sophia
I woke up to Stefan walking into the room with two cups of coffee in his hands. I sat up in bed, pulling the covers to my chest.
“Good Morning, Beautiful.” He smiled warmly, sitting down next to me.
“Good Morning.” I blew on the coffee before taking a sip.
“Tim will be here at 10.”
I set the cup down, “Tim?”
“Your dress for next weekend.”
“Oh right.”
“He’s going to take you to a store. They have my account on file. Get whatever you want.”
I laughed, “Don’t tell me that. I’ll come back with five dresses.”
He kissed me on the cheek as he stood, “Then get five dresses. It’s not like you’ll never wear them with the amount of functions I have to attend.” He walked into the bathroom to shower.
My mind jumped toward the future. Functions, luncheons, gowns, would I learn to ballroom dance? Will I eventually navigate this world as Eleanor does? I just wanted Stefan, not everything that came with him. But I can’t really separate the two, can I?
I climbed out of bed, picking up my coffee. I guess my only choice is to embrace it. I walked down into my room; it was more like my glorified closet now. My eyes started scanning my clothes. I grabbed a blue top and white pants. Straightened my hair, and applied minimal makeup.
“Tim is here.” Stefan called from downstairs.
“Coming.” I called back, grabbing my brown purse.
Stefan was walking out of the kitchen when I reached the last stair.
“We have dinner plans tonight.” He wrapped me in his arms.
“We do?”
“We’re going to Joe’s.”
“Oh really?” I chirped.
“Yeah, at 6. I will pick you up.”
“Where will you be?”
“Getting my Tux.”
“Ok.” I gave him a quick kiss. “I will see you then.”
“Have fun with Tim.” He told me as he shut the door behind me.
I smiled at Tim, walking down the steps, “You get to play dress up today.”
“Apparently so, Miss Brooks.” He opened the car door for me.
“It’s Sophia, Tim. How many times do I have to tell you that?” I laughed.
He smiled, “Probably 100 more.”
“I’m keeping count.” I slid into the seat.
Tim drove me halfway across the city. I watched the buildings pass by slowly in our stop and go traffic. We stopped at a little boutique with a pink door. He stepped out, opening the door for me.
“Just tell them your name when you enter.” He held his hand toward the door.
“That’s it? Tell them my name?”
“They know you’re coming.” He shut the door.
“Are you not coming in?”
“No, I will wait in the car.”
“Ok.” I forced an unsure smile as I turned to face the pink door.
The boutique smelled of floral heaven, a pink carpet led to the back of the store. Beautiful dresses filled the room. White cushions were randomly placed throughout the room, with a large golden mirror on the right.
“Hello?” I looked around toward the back.
Two tall women appeared out of a room in the back; one blonde, one brunette, both tall and beautiful. They were dressed in black pants and pink shirts. Their heels clicked in unison as they approached me.
“You must be Sophia?” The blonde smiled.
“I am.”
“We are pleased to have you here today. I’m Mary and this is Kelly.” She gestured to the Brunette next to her. “Mr. Edwards told us that you like white wine. What would you like?”
“Pinot?”
Kelly locked the front door, and then disappeared into the back.
“Why did she lock the front door?” I asked Mary.
“Mr. Edwards reserved the boutique for a few hours.”
I rolled my eyes, “He would do that.”
“This way.” She gestured toward a pink sofa.
I sat down on the plush sofa, Kelly returned with a glass of wine.
“The event you're attending is a ballet?” She asked.
“Charity Ballet, yes.”
“I have a few ideas.” She smiled, making Mary follow her.
Two hours and twenty dresses later the three of us had decided on a long tulle flowy dress with a tight bodice. It felt weird at first, trying on the dresses, the two modelesque girls giving me advice.
The girls were putting back the dresses that I didn’t want. I was in the dressing room putting my normal clothes back on. Mary was by the front desk while Kelly tossed a dress over her arm when I stepped out of the dressing room.
“Do you typically close out the store for one person?” I asked Kelly.
She smiled, “Not often, but we do dress quite a few people in your circle.”
“My circle?”
She hung the dress on a nearby rack, “The gifted upper class.”
“Oh, they’re not my circle. I can assure you that.” I pushed my hair behind my ear as I picked up my purse.
She stared at me, “If you don’t mind me asking. You’re dating Stefan Edwards, how can that not be your circle?”
“Let’s just say only a few people have welcomed me. His ex isn’t really fond of me.”
“Jessica.” They said in unison.
I looked between the two of them, “You know her?”
Mary walked over, “We dress her from time to time. She’s a pleasure.” She said sarcastically. “She used to talk about Stefan quite a lot. We were surprised when he made a reservation for you. Of course we heard rumors about you, but we hadn’t officially seen you yet. You surpassed our expectations.” She smiled.
I stared at her, “What expectation was that?”
“That you were a lot more like us and a lot less like them.”
I smiled awkwardly, “I’ve tried my hardest to stay the same.”
“Jessica mentioned you a few times, you know?” Kelly said. “Especially the most recent time she was here. She kept bringing you up.”
“Really?”
Mary laughed, “She sounded like a nut job to be honest.”
I didn’t care about what Jess thought about me, but part of me wanted to know what she said. “Did she tell you she was going to bring me back down to reality?” I laughed. “I’ve heard that before.”
“Kind of.” She winced.
“Wait really?” I furrowed my eyebrows.
“She said,” She stopped. “Oh I really shouldn’t be telling you.” They both kept their eyes on me. They were hiding something, but their eyes were giving them away.
“Please tell me.” I pleaded, half demanding.
She sighed, “Now I can’t remember precisely what she said, because we tend to tune her out, but it was something about Stefan’s brother an
d her.”
I was so concentrated on how uncomfortable she became that the knock on the window made me jump. Stefan was standing at the door waving to be let in.
Kelly rushed over, “Mr. Edwards, what a surprise.” She smiled.
“Thank you.” He told her as he entered.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, dragging my concentration from Mary to him.
“I finished early. I thought I would take you to lunch.” He looked between the two of us. “Did you find a dress?”
I smiled, “I did.” I pointed to the dress bag hanging by the register. “It’s a surprise though.”
“I’m sure it will look amazing on you.” He walked over towards the dress, lifting it off the hook. The girl's eyes traveled with him, I could tell they were swooning. Sorry, Ladies. He’s mine.
“Put this on my card, please.” He said to them, and then turned to me, “Are you ready?”
“I am.” I looked at the girls, “Thank you.”
We left the boutique; I glanced back one more time at the girls. I didn’t know what they meant about Thomas and Jess. It could be nothing. They’ve sent empty threats to me before, but this seemed different. I pushed the thoughts away.
We spent the rest of the day at home until it was time to leave for Joe’s. I dressed in a yellow sun dress. Stefan to my surprise wore jeans again with a grey shirt. Very relaxed, but somehow he makes even that attractive.
He was leaning on his arm, smiling at me as I came down the stairs. “Why are you so chipper?”
“Nothing.” He laughed, as he stood.
I eyed him, “You’re up to something.”
“I’m not. Let’s go, we have to be there at 7.”
“It’s just dinner at Joe’s.” I walked over to the coffee table to get my purse. “I’m sure he will be fine if we’re a few minutes late.”
He held the front door open, “Sophia Brooks will you hurry up.”
“I am. Goodness Stefan will you calm down?”
He laughed, shaking his head, “I am calm.”
Tim drove us to Joe’s. Stefan told him he didn’t need to pick us up, that we would make our own way home. I straightened out my dress as we walked up the steps to Joe’s home.
“I wonder what we’re having for dinner.” I said as Stefan reached for the handle.
“Not sure.” His short response made me give him a strange look. “Ladies first.” He gestured for me to walk in.
I stopped when I got to the threshold. The house was pitch black. “Stefan…”
“SURPRISE!!!”
My heart felt like it went straight into my throat. I stumbled backwards, the lights flicked on. My hand was clutching my chest. The room was filled with all of my favorite people.
“What’s this?” I looked at Stefan confused.
“It’s your Birthday my love.” He kissed me on the cheek. “It was hard to keep this a secret all day.”
I smiled as we walked into Joe’s living room. Stefan followed Joe who motioned him to help him. Slowly one by one I greeted everyone who came. My mind was elsewhere. Today was June 3rd. I couldn’t believe I forgot my own birthday. Truly I’ve had a lot going on with my Mom. I’ve been so sad about loss that I forgot to celebrate life.
“Hey,” Cam pulled back from his hug, “are you ok?”
I snapped back, “Yeah.” I smiled.
He leaned down to whisper, “I know when you’re lying.”
“Don’t you have a girlfriend around here somewhere?” I eyed him, as I walked away. “And no you don’t.”
He followed, “She’s outside and yes I do know you. Remember living on my couch with your sad pouty attitude for months?”
“Uh rude.” I whispered. I smiled at Joe who was carrying a tray of food outside
Most everyone had made their way outside. Joe strung lights on the shared patio and set up his grill. Keira made the picnic table with a floral table cloth, putting daisies in empty clear bottles. I could see everyone relaxing through the glass door.
“Did you and Stefan get in a fight?” Cam asked.
I gave him another look, realizing he was still standing there, “No. You’re annoying me and you’re supposed to be one of my best friends.”
“Soph, your mind is clearly not here. What is going on?”
I huffed, as I opened a bottled water, “I forgot my own birthday, and today I went to get a dress and the girls dressing me freaked me out.”
“Is this a pretty woman scenario? Because we know Julia won in the end.”
I giggled, “No. Not like that. They said Jess shops there and talks about me often.”
“Ok, so? She talks about everyone.”
“They mentioned something about Thomas and her.”
He leaned against the counter. “And?”
“That’s all they said,” I shrugged my shoulders, “then Stefan appeared at the front door of the store and the conversation was over.”
“So why are you worried?”
“I don’t know.” I paused. “Can I say I have a gut feeling?”
“I don’t believe in gut feelings.” He picked a few chips up, popping them into his mouth.
“It was the way they were looking at me, Cam. It was as if I was this helpless girl with a target on me.”
He laughed, “You’re not helpless, and you may be their target, but don’t you think you’ve worried about enough things recently to be thinking about this on your birthday?”
“Remember when I told you that you were shit at advice?” I sighed, “But you’re right. How did I forget my own birthday?”
“It’s that old age getting to you.” He laughed. “Let’s go enjoy the night. The spinach dip is amazing by the way.”
We walked outside; the sound of the grill filled the air. Keira walked up to me, handing me a glass of wine.
“Thank you.” I told her, pressing the glass to my lips. “Did you help plan this?”
She nudged me, “Oh you know I can’t pass up a chance to throw a party.”
I laughed, my eyes traveling through my friends, they stopped on the short woman Cam was walking up to. “Joan?” I said with a little excitement.
Keira snapped her neck, toward the direction I moved.
Joan’s bright smile greeted me, as I wrapped her in my arms. “Oh I have missed you so much.”
She touched my cheek, “Happy Birthday, sweet girl.”
“I have missed our talks so so much.”
“Me too,” She laughed her loud funny laugh. “You stopped coming to see me.”
“Life got in the way.” I forced a flat smile.
“I know.” She pulled me into another hug. “That life will kick you around sometimes.”
“So much, I think I’m a soccer ball.”
She let out another loud laugh. She was my first true friend that was my own outside of Stefan, until I found Kevin.
That night we ate food, sang songs, and danced our hearts out in Joe’s little home. My heart was full.
Stefan took my hand as we walked down the sidewalk towards the subway, “Are you ready for your birthday present?”
“My party wasn’t my present?”
“Nope,” He smirked. “Not even close.”
We continued home hand in hand. He refused to tell me what he had planned, and it didn’t make sense that we were heading home for my next present. He led me up the stairs into our dark house.
“Close your eyes.” He said.
“Ok.” I closed them. “Promise me you won’t do anything crazy.”
He laughed, “Promise.”
I heard him hit the light switch; he takes me by the hand leading me forward. “Now open.” He tells me.
I opened my eyes to find myself standing in front of the stairs. I gasped when I saw what was on the walls. His black and white paintings that I noticed when I first moved in had been removed. “Stefan...you…” I slowly walked up the stairs, touching each painting with my Mom’s initials. Tears started to form.
“I hope you aren’t upset that I had them flown here? My Nan packaged them securely so that none would get damaged.”
I stopped halfway up the stairs, and turned to look at him, “This is one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me.”
“I thought you would like a part of your Mum until you’re ready to go home.”
I rushed down the stairs, taking his face into my hands, my lips crashing onto his. “I love you.” I said against his lips.
“And I you.” He smiled.
Chapter Thirteen
Sophia
The week passed quickly leading up to the ballet. I received a phone call from Henry on Wednesday, confirming that we would in fact still be attending. I answered him with a quick “Yes.” ending the call as fast as I could. Even over the phone Henry makes me nervous.
It was Saturday morning. I awoke early from partial excitement, and partial nerves. I was excited to see Judith, but nervous about the reasoning why Stefan needed to be present.
I had a hair and makeup appointment at the same place where Keira took me for the Gala. This time I was alone, Keira and Leo were not attending the ballet due to Leo’s grandmother falling ill.
Lux greeted me when I entered the flowery salon. “Hello, my fierce lady.” She handed me champagne, guiding me to her station. “How’s that ex boyfriend of yours?”
I laughed, “We got back together.”
“So, the fierce approach worked?”
“It was more of a bumpy ride back together.”
“Bumpy rides build character. Just make sure he treats you right.” She started to run her fingers through my hair, “Your hair has grown so much.”
“It has hasn’t it?” I touched the end strands of my hair, remembering how I felt the last time I sat in the chair. This time is different. This time I’m happier.
“Am I doing an updo today?” She held my hair up looking in the mirror.
“I think so.”
She dropped my hair, “Are you nervous? You seem nervous.”
“It’s just Stefan’s family.” I sighed. “They’re kind of intense.”
“Intense how?”
“Intense like they always get what they want.”
“Hmm well they can only keep getting what they want if you keep giving it to them.”
Until Him: Book 3 - Until Then Series Page 8
