*Chapter 34*

"Is everything set for this evening?" Jane wondered.

"Yes, we just need someone who lures Zaron to the beach." And as if it was already settled, everyone's eyes landed on me.

"Yeah, yeah, I got it." I agreed.

"Good then everything is cleared. See you guys later," he stood up and left.

"I guess I gotta go and do something about Zaron's present," I stood up just afterwards when I heard everyone gasp.

"You still don't have one??" Jane widened her eyes. "Boy, you better hurry up."

"I know, I know." It wasn't like I didn't have one because I did. But I wasn't too sure about it. Whatever I came up with, it didn't feel like it was enough.

Once I returned home, it was already three o'clock. The party should be starting at six, and Zaron should be coming home at least by five which means I have a total of two hours to prepare what I had in mind.

"What are you doing?" Ramon interrupted me while putting blankets and pillows together in the garden. "Looks cute."

"You think?" I crossed my arms, still unsure about it. "There's still something missing."

"I know," he beamed when he briefly left to get something and returned with a light string. "This should do right?" He helped me put it inside the self-made cave out of blankets and pillows and also some tools that kept the large blanket up.

"Yeah it's perfect," I smiled when I look at the time and widened my eyes as it already just reached to five. "Oh shit I still have to go take a shower!"

I quickly hurried up with taking a shower and styling my hair until I stood in front of my closet, struggling with deciding with what to wear. "JIN!" I called just before I heard a annoyed groan from afar, followed by steps approaching my room.

"What do you- oh noo Quentin! I told you to put something on before calling me!" He shook his head.

"Yeah yeah help with what I will wear for Zaron's birthday party," I hurried while I jumped around, putting on some underwear.

"There, wear this," he pushed some clothes in my hand. They were yellow capri jeans with red socks and a white shirt. I didn't object and put everything on. "Don't button it fully up," he said so I left the top two buttons open.

"And? Do I look good?" I asked when he removed his long silver necklace, putting it on me.

"You never do," he joked and smirked.

"Hey!" I pouted.

"Now hurry, I suppose you don't have much time." He reminded me.

"Yeah right." That's how I picked up some pair of white shoes headed out to my car and went to pick Zaron up.

While the party had been already prepared, Zaron assumed that him and I were on the way to our date which is why instead of taking him to our date, I had the plan to drive him to the party and surprise him with it. Though our date will have to be postponed to later.

Once I reached Zaron's place, I rung the bell, waiting for him to come out which he did in no time.

"Hey," he greeted me. He looked flawless. His hair was perfectly styled, he was wearing a figure hugging dark read button up t-shirt and black jeans combined with a black silver belt.

"Hey," I grinned and reached up for a brief kiss. "You're ready?"

"Already looking forward to it." We both got in the car. While my mind was full of the surprise party, Zaron was occupied thinking about our date. "What did you plan?"

"Nah, it'd be boring if you already knew," I refused in telling him.

And that's how we approached the beach while Zaron was already assuming that we would have our date around here. I purposely parked a bit further away, to not let the surprise go to waste before grabbing something to cover Zaron's eyes. "W-what are you doing?" He frowned.

"Just wait and see," I grinned, slowly guiding him to the others. He kept questioning my doings, not stopping as we arrived, already spotting everyone. Zaron's family, friends and work mates, all with a grin on their face, preparing themselves. "Okay," I tapped Zaron. "I'll count to three and then you'll take off the blind fold, understand?"

He nodded, as I quickly joined the others and started counting as soon as everything and everyone was ready. "1... 2... and 3!" He slowly took off the blindfold in the same moment everyone cheered.

"Happy Birthday!!!" Zaron's eyes widened, his cheeks flushing deep red when one after another approached him, embracing them in their arms.

"Oh my god, just how," he smiled, still being too speechless to realize what was happening.

"The surprise was a success!!" Zaron's Mom smiled as everyone cheered, agreeing with her.

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to You," Jane started the song once she appeared with a cake just when everyone tagged along and sang. "Happy Birthday dear Zaron, Happy Birthday to you."

"Thanks guys," he smiled and blew out the candles.

"The party can begin!!" Memphis announced, popping a bottle of wine open, when a load spilled over. He shared the drink after Collin brought some glasses for everyone. It were only Liz, who was pregnant, and I who didn't drink wine but instead something else.

"Let's raise our glass for our dear brother and friend, pouring our hearts and luck all over him and granting his wishes with the depths of happiness and joy," Memphis raised his glass whilst trying to suppress his laugh.

I didn't quite understand where his words were coming from, but even if no one did, we still raised our glass and went along with a "Cheers!" and emptied our glasses.

That's how we all ended up, enjoying ourselves. Whereas Zaron was being pampered with warm words, I was watching with a smile, when the smaller version of Zaron caught my eyes. "Henry!!!" I grinned and hugged him.

"Uh you again?" He sighed. "I haven't seen you for a while. The last time, I saw you, you were but naked sitting on the kitchen counter."

"If I remembered correctly, it was not entirely my fault." I teased him when I pulled at his ears.

"Oho, so you are Quentin?" Another familiar voice appeared. Since I was being distracted, trying to figure out where I knew the guy from, Henry took advantage of the moment and quickly disappeared. "You don't remember the guy you called an old geezer on the phone."

"Oh yeah, you are Cole." I remembered, my voice came out rather disappointed, though.

"Hey, hey, not so happy," he rolled his eyes. Just a few seconds later and Louis, also Michael, joined our conversation. "Guys you still remember Quentin?"

"How can we not," Michael chuckled as Louis nodded. Strangely, I didn't forget these two.

"You look even younger in person," Cole pointed out.

"And you look way older in person," I beefed as Louis and Michael laughed. Yeah, I didn't like him.

"But seriously, how old are you?" Louis wondered.

"Um I'm eighteen," I mumbled. Their expression told more than any words could have done. And before they managed to utter a word Zaron approached us, also noticing me talking with his mates.

"Zaron! I can't believe your boyfriend is a barely legal jail bait, what the hell is happening here?" Michael widened his eyes.

"Don't start with this!" Zaron rolled his eyes. But my mind slipped somewhere else.

Jail bait?

That title is a bit off, isn't it?

"Come with me for a sec." I snapped to reality when Zaron dragged me away to talk in private. "What's the meaning of this? You never really planned to have a date with me, did you?"

I frowned, not expecting him to react like that. "What are you talking about? You were the one who never cared to tell me, that your birthday was on the day I planned our date."

"I was going to tell you," he sighed.

"Yeah right, when would that be? Tomorrow?" I sarcastically said. "I don't get your problem, do you hate celebrating birthdays or what?"

"That's not it!" He raised his voice, but calmed down as soon as he noticed. "No, that really ain't it. I'm happy that it came this way, but still I was really looking forward to it."

"Did you have something planned?" Seeing as he didn't answer, I assumed I was right. "Can't it wait until later?"

"Zaron!" He was called. We both glanced to the others who were, starting the grill. The voice seemed to had come from his father who struggled with the grill.

"It can," Zaron turned back to me with a sigh. "We are having our date later, okay?" He brushed his finger against my chin, forcing me to look up before he pressed a quick peck on my lips. "It's a promise."

I smiled, watching him joining his father to help him.

"What where you two talking about?" Liz's voice surprised me. I turned around seeing her in flowy summery dress and also Ruby, sitting on her shoulders, fidgeting with Liz's hair.

"Oh hey Liz, and Ruby." Her big eyes landed on mine the moment she heard her name.

"Quinn!!" She almost jumped off of Liz, but I caught her just in time and carried her on my side.

"Jesus, don't give us a heart attack," I nagged and poked her chubby cheek. "How are you doing?"

"Fine," she smiled. "I wanted to see you but Mama said no," she complained, making me chuckle.

"So what did Zaron and you talk about, you look like you were quarreling for a moment." Liz seemed too curious.

"Ah it was nothing. He was just being unreasonable," I shrugged away.

"And that's coming from you," she laughed. "Anyway, I wanted to introduce you to my husband," she grinned and called someone over. A man that resembled a mafia boss. Okay, that's maybe exaggerated. But damn, he was so tall, had dark hair and a full beard.

I was continuously staring up at him, being too amazed by our height difference. How tall was he? 7 feet? "Daddy look, this is Quinn," Ruby said and pointed at me.

"Quentin, sweetie. It's Quentin. We are still working on it," I smiled at the man.

"Nice to meet you, I've heard a lot about you." I hope just positive things. "I'm Damien."

"Well, hi Damien, you are unexpectedly tall," I nodded.

"Yeah, I get that a lot, especially from Liz," he chuckled.

"Yeah, when we met, he wasn't that tall, I mean he was nineteen, but still. My pregnant as is too lazy to reach up and kiss him, you know how annoying that is?" She complained in frustration. I giggled at her.

"Oh so you know each other for that long already?" Impressing. "How did you meet?"

"Oh so you know, before I became a therapist, he happened to be a patient where I was doing my internship at. Funny story." She sighed with a wave of nostalgia.

"Yeah, I used to have serious obsession problems. Surprisingly, it got better as soon as I fell in love with Liz," Damien added. Too much nostalgia floating in the air, I noticed. Maybe I should leave before getting caught in my own nostalgic moments. Nope not quite, there weren't any valuable good ones I could recall.

Therefore, I was glad when Zaron's Mom finished cutting the cake into pieces that I didn't hesitate to use that as my excuse. And a little cake couldn't hurt, right?

"Hey, Ruby you want some, too?" I asked her and she nodded. So, I took a knife and cut a piece from mine before giving it to her. It was a little difficult with one hand since Ruby refused to walk. Regardless, I still happened to manage it.

My legs carried me to Zaron who had successfully helped his father out with the grill and was now just basically talking to him. I don't know why, but I had fun watching him.

That is until his gaze switched to his phone like he had received some message. And I couldn't tell what the message had to do with me and my wonderful self, but his eyes then landed on mine with a soft smile before he approached me.

"Why are you watching me?" He smirked and pointed at his phone. "Though I must admit, it is cute." It was a picture of me staring to the side at Zaron, who was not on the picture, while Ruby was focused on eating her cake.

I looked around, searching for the person who was responsible for the picture. And that's when my eyes met Pixie's. He winked at me with a smirk and formed a heart with his hand. I rolled my eyes at him, couldn't help the smile, though.

"Maybe, it should become my wallpaper for my lock screen," Zaron considered.

"Don't be ridiculous," I smiled.

"Ruby? C'mon want to say hello to grandma?" He smiled at her and took her from my arms.

"Bye bye Quinn," she sadly waved me goodbye, like we weren't going to see each other anymore. I smiled, she was just too adorable.

When Zaron returned and grabbed my hand. We head to the water together, stopping right before the waves could hit us and observed the horizon. "What is it?" I wanted to know the reason why he pulled me away from everyone.

"Oh nothing," he shook his head, his hand still grabbing mine. "Just wanting to enjoy the moment with you." He removed his hand from mine, but replaced it with his arm around my waist.

"Say, Zaron." I watch the evening sun float above the soughing water as the warm colors of the sky gave me a comfortable feeling. "Is this the feeling of happiness?"

A chuckle followed. "Good question." He hesitated with his answer. "Depends. Are you satisfied?" Satisfied? I frowned. "With your life, with yourself? Satisfied with everything?"

I thought about it. And shook my head in a smile. "Not even close. First of, we should have sex when we head back."

"You are such a horny adorable tempting idiot," he faced me. "I'm glad that you decided to barge into my life to make me your boyfriend."

"You are being too corny," I glanced away to hide my blush. Not gonna lie, this up and down of his behavior, it's not healthy for my heart.

"And you like the corny me?" He raised his eyebrows.

"What are you saying?" I wrapped my arms around him and buried my face in his neck. "Obviously,"

"I love all of you."

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