Strangers to Mates

Chapter 18: GED

It was Easter break and I'd just gotten my GED. Perks of getting it online, I could take take the tests whenever and so I did. A month ago and I just got the email a week ago that I passed. It felt so good but I still haven't told Raymond. I didn't know how to, I knew he'd make a big deal out of it.

We'd gone to a breakfast brunch at Raymond's parents house and just got back.

"So can I make dinner tonight" I asked kicking off my shoes.

"I thought you couldn't cook?" He asked in return.

"Well maybe I know how to cook a few dishes really well." I admitted slowly.

"Okay fine, but what the special occasion?" He said coming to a stop in front of me and taking my hands in his.

"Nothing really. Just got something to tell you" I say trying to sound causal.

I'd finally decided to tell him about my GED but I thought that I'd at least make it a little special.

"You can't tell me now?" He asked.

"Nah, there's no fun in that" I said teasingly.

"Well than what do you want to do till than?" He asked rocking back and forth.

"I don't know, do you have any ideas" I ask rubbing my thumb over his knuckles.

"Maybe" he says with a smirk and next thing I know he throws me over his shoulder and starts walking up stairs.

"What are you doing? Let me down!" I said pounding on his back as he walks in the bed room.

He lays me down on the bed and leans over me, placing his hands on either sides of my waist.

"We are not doing anything dirty." I stated looking at him with a pointed look.

"Oh I know that. I was thinking more along the lines of..." He trailed off and with a devious grin he starts tickling me.

I laugh so uncontrollably that tears slide down my face and I couldn't fight back. I was to busy laughing that I couldn't even try and stop him, and stop he didn't.

"Please. Stop. Please. Have. Mercy." I say in between laughs.

"Only if you beg for it" he teased.

"Never" I cried trying not to laugh.

"That's a shame than" he said, teasing me again.

"Fine, fine, fine. I beg for mercy. Just stop" I gave up getting sore sides from all the tickling and laughing.

He finally let me go and I rolled onto my side, wrapping my arms around my torso and groaning.

"I'm sorry lily-flower" he said leaning over and kissing my temple.

I groan again in response.

"But you know I love your laugh" he excused getting off the bed.

A lay there for another minute before rolling off the bed, landing in a crouch. His reason might have been cute but he knows how ticklish I am, and when he tickles me for so long I can't stop laughing. Urge, why? I'd have to give him a hard time, even though as I stood up I started feeling better.

"I'm going to make dinner. Don't come down." I warned, pointing my finger at him.

"Yes ma'am" he says with a grin as I walk over to the door, "I'm gonna shower"

I shut the door behind me and rush downstairs. I pull out all the ingredients and the recipe I had mum email me took a deep death. I checked the time realizing that it's already half past one, letting me know I had a bit more time to prepare that I thought I would but didn't mind at all. It took me a while to perfectly prepare the main dish before I put the casserole in the oven and set the table. After that I go into the bathroom that's on the main floor and change into the nicer clothes I left in there. I clipped my hair up and out of the way and came out in skinny jeans and a sleeveless top with an open back. It was black with three stripes in the back, the rest open. I left off all my leather bracelets except the one he got me and also kept on the ring. I came back out just in time to get the casserole out of the oven and set it on the table. I was in a romantic mood for some reason so I ended up dimming the lights and setting a candle on the table. It was perfect and it was it was time. It was dark outside with the sun still setting early and I headed back up to our room. I still didn't know how I going to tell him but I'd have to find I way to slip it into the conversation.

I knocked on the door even though it was our room and opened it.

"Hungry?" I asked.

He was sitting on the bed reading the last book of all the ones Charlotte gave him.

"Famished" he said setting it down and coming over to me. "And you look ravishing"

I feel my cheeks heat up and excuse sheepishly, "it's nothing special" I pause for a moment before adding, "when did you get such a large vocabulary"

"Maybe I always have but just felt like using it now" he said grinning.

I roll my eyes at him and grab his hand leading him back down to the kitchen.

"Wow, you did a lot" he said with what sounded like amazement in his voice.

He smiled at me and pulled out my chair, indicating for me to sit down, which I did as he pushed in my chair.

"What are you doing?" I asked when he quickly went into the kitchen.

"Well if you went through this much work I thought it must be a special occasion" he said coming back with two wine glasses and a bottle of white wine.

The drinking age for werewolves was sixteen because of our high immune system but I was still surprised.

"Isn't this my dinner for you?" I asked as he poured the two glasses before sitting down across from me.

"That doesn't matter, I'll always treat you" he said raising his glass.

I did the same and he said, "to whatever this dinner is for" which made me giggle.

We both took a drink before digging into our food. Once we'd finally finished eating Raymond asked,

"So, what is it that you wanted to tell me?" We were still sitting at the dimly lit table.

I paused deciding to just say it.

"I passed. I got my GED" I answered smiling.

He instantly smiled from ear to ear and stood up, scooping me up in a hug.

"That's amazing Erin" he said spinning us around as I wrapped my arms around him too.

"I know. I didn't know how else to tell you so that's why I planned this dinner" I said when he finally set me down.

"I should be the one planning you a dinner." He said still smiling, his hands on my arms lightly.

"Nah, it's not that big a deal" I said suddenly aware of the big deal we were making about it.

I never liked drawing much attention to myself, this included.

"Yes it is. It's the biggest deal ever" he said exaggerating.

"Not really" I tired to say.

"Yes really, it really really is" he insisted. "Like I mean-"

I cut him off and said playfully, "if I kiss you will you shut up."

Without another word he leaned down and kissed me, making me incredibly happy. After what didn't feel like long enough he pulled away and I said,

"So next big occasion is your birthday"

"Don't remind me" he said sighing.

"Why not?" I asked sadly.

"Because it's always sucked in the past" he explained, looking down at our hands that were in intwined.

"Trust me. This year will be unforgettable" I whisper in his ear.

His birthday was start of May and only three weeks away, and just like I said I was going to make it unforgettable. The only problem, I didn't know how I was going to do that yet. He hummed in response before kissing me again.