Forever Yours

.1

Dinner was served.

The clinging of forks with plates was the only noise that filled the humble kitchen. Her mother had cooked her favorite dish too. Spaghettis with meatball! She had went out of her way and budget to buy a cellphone for her only daughter.

Wrapped in bright paper, Emma's gifts were laid on the table neatly.

"Jack bought you-"

Her step father widened his eyes playfully at his wife.

"Honey, what did we say about keeping secrets?"

She laughed earning his heart warming smile. He leaned towards her, pecking her chubby cheek.

"Emma ?" He called her softly and her hands stopped moving.

A small smile on her delicate face as she looked up at the couple.

"You have to know," he said , waving the fork in his fingers ," your mother nearly killed my wallet in order to get what she wanted-"

"Oh pffft!" She waved her hand. " I would buy the world for her." She said glowing with maternal love. Her beautiful daughter had turned 19! She went from a little ball of joy to a beautiful swan. She deserved to have everything a girl her age did! Sure, they were always trying to make the ends meet but it didn't mean she couldn't spoil her on her birthday.

Emma had grown into such a sensible girl. She smiled when need be. She nodded when need be. She never argued. Never complained. Helen was a rebel by heart but Emma was the exact version of her Dad. Timid and soft all around. Well, she didn't inherit anything from her mother except her chocolate brown eyes.

"Thanks mom." Emma said as she swallowed a meatball.

"Now go to your room and check out what I got you." Jack grinned . He was a 40 years old man but he seemed younger than his age. Her mother was watching him with a tender look on her face. It was obvious, Jack was her entire world.

Emma nodded. "I'll."

"It's about time you call me daddy." Jack chuckled lightly. "Whaddya think ,Helen?"

Helen glanced at her daughter, opening her mouth when—

Emma stood up, smiling at the both of them . .her brown eyes had nothing but adoration for them. To any other person they looked like the picture perfect family.

"I'll wash the dishes." Emma said taking up her plate.

Helen jumped at that.

"Don't you dare. It's your birthday! You're not allowed to do any chores till tomorrow." Her mother said sternly but her eyes were lit with humor.

Emma tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "It's okay I can-"

"Put it back. This instant." Jack said in a hard voice and Emma had to put the plate back on the table.

"Alright then. See you lovebirds tomorrow." Emma grinned at them as she took the gifts off the table and giving them one last look. . .she went towards her room.

Her spine chilling.

Her fingers shaking.

×××××××××××××××

As soon as she entered her room, Emma transformed from the dainty little Daisy to Lara Croft. She hurled the gifts in the air. The both of them went down towards the wooden floor with a hard thud. She didn't bother to give them a second look. In one quick motion, she was against the door,  checking the bolt by pulling at it with all her might.