I simply floated back, entirely out of energy to do anything more. Just as I was nearing shore I felt two strong hands grab my waist and lift me into the air. I shrieked in response and just about killed James when I saw him laughing. Deciding to take revenge I slowly moved up to him and wrapped my arms low around his waist. He stilled when I kissed his jaw and trailed kisses down his neck.
"What are you doing?" He asked through ragged breathing.
"Shh." I responded and moved my hands lower so my hands were on his ass.
I pushed my body against his, licking, kissing and nipping at his shoulders where he would mark me. I swayed my hips against his front, on obvious bulge on now, and James groaned, holding my hips in place. I moved away from him slowly, so he would barely notice so when I suddenly splashed him with water he screamed in surprise and I began to laugh. The look on his face was priceless and so worth it.
I swam for shore knowing he would be after me soon and quickly grabbed my clothes and pulled them back on. James neared me quickly and when he got close enough I put a hand out to stop him, giggles still bubbling to the surface.
"I'm dressed you can't get me wet now." I said but that didn't seem to stop him. He grabbed hold of me anyway and hugged me tight, lifting me off the ground even, as the water on his body soaked into my clothes. He laughed and I knew I had lost this round but I would get him back.
"Come on. We have to get back to the house." I nodded and followed him dripping wet back to his car.
I was surprised to find Mikala waiting for me at the front of the house.
"Good your finally here. Come with me and drink this, I don't want you falling apart on me because of dehydration now let's go." She said and pulled me into the house. I was so confused I couldn't even speak as she led me to a room on the second floor but I did manage to drink the water as she instructed. She sat me down in front of a mirror and looked at me disapprovingly.
"Go take a shower and don't come out till your spotless and hairless on your body." She said and shooed me toward a door.
Not to my surprise it was a bathroom and I began to follow Mikala's orders. This wasn't completely normal behaviour for her but pretty close. When I was done everything and I was as hairless as Dr. Evil's cat, I lotioned up my body as Mikala had instructed me while I was in the shower. Wrapping the towel in my hair I slipped on the robe to go back in the room to my surprise, to find Angela and James' mom in there along with Mikala.
"Sit." She said pointing to the chair that was now facing away from the mirror. I did as she said and sat and I was immediately surrounded by the three of them as Angela did my nails, Kelly did my hair and Mikala started in on the makeup.
I tried several times to ask them what was going on that they had me like this but every time I opened my mouth it was closed again by hair spray or make up or someone else talking. When they were finally done they all stepped back and sighed before Mikala handed me a dress and told me to put it on. Knowingly and thankfully it was almost over so I did once more as she said and when I walked back out they all gasped and Mikala lead me to a mirror where I stood with my mouth agape in shock.
I looked beautiful, in a figure curving white dress that reached a few inches above my knee. My hair had been curled and pinned back, a few pieces left hanging to frame my face. My nails were a rose red that popped against the white colour and my makeup had been done light. Just mascara to make my eye lashes look fuller and longer and frame my eyes. The lightest tinge of blush that looked natural and my lips just had a coat of gloss over them. I looked like I had just stepped out of a magazine.
Just as I was about to turn and thank them but also demand what was going on a knock sounded on the door.
"Ladies it's time." The voice said and when the door opened I realized it was Kevin. He smiled at me and looked toward Angela.
"Give us five minutes to get ready and we'll be right down." Mikala said. Kevin nodded and James' mom left the room. I waited as they quickly pulled their own dresses on before hooking their arms through mine and leading me from the room.
"Start walking downstairs when the music plays ok." Mikala said and walked away with Angela before I could ask any questions. I waited impatiently, wanting to know what was happening, for the music to start.
Finally it did, a slow lullaby and I began to walk down the stairs. What greeted my eyes surprised me. The whole pack must have been there, all of them dressed up for this occasion and it wasn't until my eyes landed on the banner that read happy birthday did I finally remember.
I stopped on the stairs and wanted to smack myself with stupidity but I had every set of eyes on me as I stood there. I looked down at the bottom of the stairs where James stood, waiting for me with a confused look. I continued down the stairs slowly started again. James' look turned into a smile. I smiled back and finally joined him at the bottom of the stairs and took his out stretched hand.
"Happy Birthday Braize." He said with a twinkle in his eyes.
"Thanks." I breathed out.
He smiled and lead me to the middle of the open space and soon a new tune struck up and James began to twirl us around the room in a speed I couldn't keep up with so when he lifted me in the air suddenly he just set me back down on his feet and took the lead from there. A few more couples joined us on the floor, including Kevin and Angela. When the song was finally done we all stopped and clapped for the band before James whisked me off to the side.
"You look beautiful." He said as he walked us toward one corner of the room.
"Thank you." I blushed. "You look handsome yourself." He did in a black suit with a white tie.
He never replied as we ended up where he wanted us to be at that time.
"Braize!" Carrie said and enveloped me into "You look amazing." She said as she looked me over.
"Thank you." I said and glanced over at Tim who was having a conversation with James. He caught my gaze and smiled before returning to the conversation.
"Darling don't worry about them. They're just having a small conversation before we leave tonight."
"You're leaving?" I asked surprised.
"Yeah, now that things are on the right track again we can go back. I want you to be careful though. People know you're our granddaughter and that makes you a target. Just be careful alright."
"I will, thanks, grandma." I said. She grinned and wrapped me in another hug. Tim came up behind her and pulled her away.
"Happy birthday Braize." He said smiling warmly at me.
"Thank you." I said as James wrapped an arm around me as well.
"There's another surprise for you when this is over alright."
"What else is there left to do?"
"Gifts." He said and a sparkle lit up his eyes.
"No, I don't want anything else. This was by far enough." I said but James shook his head.
"It's a gift from several people and there's no way I can't give it to you." I groaned and James chuckled.
The rest of the evening moved by quickly. I received many happy birthdays and the evening was fun. I had forgotten about the surprise until James came up to me when the clock must have been close to twelve.
